Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on December 22, 2008
Since we’re on the subject of wine for newbies, this is an incredible deal if you’re looking for a unique last-minute gift…
The WSJ Wine Discovery Club is offering an introductory 12-bottle case for $70 + $20 shipping/handling/tax. At $140 normally, this is a steal! Along with your 12 wines, they throw in a ton of accessories for free– a lever-action corkscrew in a wooden presentation box with foil cutter, pourer, stopper and drip stop, plus tasting notes and a binder.
I like that they also provide the options of getting a mixed case, all whites, or all reds. Honestly, at $7.50/bottle this case is likely going to be much higher quality than anything you could find yourself at the store– plus it saves you all that time! You can give the entire case to one person, give away individual bottles, or just go ahead and save it for yourself! Yum.
Every month you’ll get a case of 12 bottles for $140, but you can choose to skip months if you’re not enthused with their wine selection, or have too much wine on hand… you can also cancel at any time.
If you don’t drink enough wine to keep 12 bottles on hand (it’d probably take us over half a year to finish a case) then take a look at the WSJ wine shop. They’ve got great recommendations at price points from <$15 to >$50, and if there’s anything in particular that catches your eye, it’s easy to order it or look for it at your local wine shop.
Happy holidays!
Posted in Domestic Diva, Trust fund, baby! | Tagged: gifts, holidays, wine, wsj | 4 Comments »
Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on December 19, 2008
Shugar Bride requested a post on winetasting for newbies, and here it is! Since there’s so much to cover, I decided to divide some of the basics I’ve learned into 2 posts: the first on wine tasting and exploring new wines, and the other on ordering/drinking wine in a restaurant or bar. These posts are by no means comprehensive, and I’m not an expert– but I just really enjoy wine and food, and hopefully this will help you to get started, too. Off we go!
Sonoma vineyards
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Posted in Domestic Diva, Global Glam | Tagged: dining, food, tasting notes, wine, wine list | 3 Comments »
Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on December 18, 2008
Wiley Miller, Non Sequitur
The Bush administration created a new rule today to “protect health care providers from discrimination.” Protection, my ass. Everyone’s entitled to have a point of view, but you shouldn’t be in medicine or even CLOSE to touching a patient unless you’re prepared to do what’s best for THEM, regardless of your personal beliefs.
Basically this regulation enables healthcare providers to deny services to patients, using the excuse that it violates their conscience. The rule has such a broad definition of providers that even non-medically qualified employees, like oh, the person making appointments, can refuse to assist in the provision of care. What, a patient death or severe illness resulting from denial of standard of care doesn’t qualify as a conscience-violating event?
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Posted in Apple a Day, Career Chick | Tagged: discrimination, government, health, healthcare, legislation, medicine, politics | 2 Comments »
Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on December 16, 2008
$7 at Grocery Outlet, this New Zealand Pinot Noir is a definite re-buy as I believe it typically retails for around $20. I’d rate it around an 88.
I was quite pleasantly surprised– this is a lighter style pinot noir, but not thin. The nose is fruity, and on the tongue it’s deliciously tart, with mild tannins and a nice smooth finish. This wine goes down easily without any breathing time required– definitely one that can be enjoyed in the glass alone. (It did improve the second day, so good things can get even better! I’m surprised we didn’t polish it off all at once.)
If you’re pairing this bottle with food, this would go wonderfully with a wide range of items, from a meatier fish like salmon, to chicken, pork, or lamb. A glass of this and a cheese plate would make me a very happy camper!
Next time I’m at Grocery Outlet I’ll probably pick up a few bottles, just to have on hand… there’s not much stuff in the sub-$10 range that I’ve liked this much. Compared to the Bad Dog Ranch Petite Sirah, I’d say this pinot is smoother and fruitier, whereas the petite sirah is slightly more acidic with a longer finish.
Oh, and Shugar Bride asked for newbie wine-drinker tips– a post is on the way, I haven’t forgotten!
Previous ViNotes:
Bad Dog Ranch 2005 Petite Sirah ($4, 87, would re-buy)
French Rabbit 2006 Pinot Noir ($6, 83, I far prefer the Nobilo Pinot)
Big Ass 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($5, 86, good with food, but may have less crowd appeal)
Posted in Domestic Diva | Tagged: 2006, food, marlborough, new zealand, nobilo, pinot noir, review, tasting notes, wine | 3 Comments »
Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on December 16, 2008
For those of you who haven’t checked out the online sample sale sites, there’s incentive to do so now. Rue La La offers 2-day sample sales of steeply discounted designer goods, and this holiday season they’re feeling generous and giving new members a $10 credit for signing up. Click here if you’re interested– and to get in, use renaissancetrophywife *at* gmail.
And if you’re more inclined to be crafty and do the homemade thing, I just learned that Martha Stewart Crafts is offering 50% off.
Posted in Carpe Diem | Tagged: crafts, fashion, holidays, rue la la, sample sale, shopping | Leave a Comment »
