favorite wine.

For years I’ve had a love/hate relationship with red wine. I love the way it tastes but hated how it made me feel (headache central). Until recently I had sworn off red wines. I can recall a Thanksgiving about 5 years ago, maybe 6, that I had a sip, A SIP of Yellowtail Merlot – after that it was all down hill. Not only did I get a migraine headache, but I had nothing to take for it, thus resulting in me tossing my Thanksgiving cookies all night long. Good times, right?

Fast forward to the past few Thanksgivings with M’s family – wine has become a staple during the holidays. Mostly because the oldest children are of age, and his parents are OK with a little wine in the house. Usually alcohol is not permitted – and they will only drink during the holidays or while on vacation. I respect that (they still have two smaller children, Lil Sis M, is only 6 years old, and littlest brother, P is 14 – so I completely understand them not wanting to have liquor/beer/etc around them at these ages).  That being said we’ve started a small tradition each year for the past three, during Thanksgiving and Christmas of having a bit of a wine tasting celebration. We all go purchase some wines we like, or new ones we’ve never tried to share with each other and sip, sip, sip. M’s older sister, Big Sis M is really into wine has is her husband. They know so much about it that usually whatever they bring to the table is excellent. I was always a white wine drinker until we started this tradition. Over the years I’ve learned that my body is either changing or I’m better at selecting wines that don’t hurt my head. I still get a headache from time to time, but I remember which wines to stay far away from, and when to stop drinking them (I can tell when the headache is going to come on). I probably would still be anti-red wine if it wasn’t for this tradition – or the fear of being “left out” of the fun.

M’s sister-in-law doesn’t drink red wine, only white. His mother doesn’t like real wine and prefers her Harbor Mist – we always buy her some and chuckle, but truth be told, on hot summer nights it’s rather tasty. All these years of wine tasting has led me to my favorite. It’s a middle of the road priced wine which is good for my pocket and I love the taste more than I can describe. It’s not too dry, and not sweet – just the way I like it. And truth be told, I love the name Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin. (Not to mention I love the label – YES, I do buy wines based on their labels from time to time – I’m a graphic designer it’s in my nature!!!) I have yet to find another Zin that I like this much.  I also enjoy a good Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot is a bit too dry for me but this Zin and the Cabernet Sauvignon are a good middle ground.

I still have a hard time trying to pick a white wine that I truly enjoy sipping. Usually it has to be sweet and fruity, I don’t care much for dry, white wine at all. Riesling is tasty but often times too sweet for me. Yes, I’m totally guilty of loving White Zin… to which I get a lot of slack from wineo buddies of mine.

So tell me – are you a red or white kind of person? And what’s your favorite wine/wine brand? I’m always looking for new wines to try.

Summer is going to be here before I know it and I’ll have to put away the red wine – but as part of my new years resolutions I’m going to try to drink less beer and be more mindful of what I drink when partying. Wine in small doses is much healthier than say lots of light beer, or liquor mixed with sugar filled drinks. (I’m still on my diet soda only kick, and it’s TOUGH). I’m not ditching my booze – heavens NO! I’m just switching it up a bit. Besides, truth be told, I enjoy a good wine buzz far more than the spins that liquor gives you. *wink*

CHEERS!

December 28, 2009. Uncategorized.