Crios Rose

At the Hammock Wine and Cheese Shop in Palm Coast, FL, I also purchased the Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec (2007). The shop owner warned me that this is not your typical Rose but would be appreciated by an adventurous palate. Indeed, this is a rich, spicy Rose (for around $10) that I enjoyed immensely. I paired it with a curry dish and it complemented it quite well.

Nieto Senetiner

On the way back from an excursion to the St. Augustine, FL area, we stopped at a little wine and cheese shop that I'd been wanting to visit for awhile, the Hammock Wine and Cheese shop (the address is actually in Palm Coast). I was very impressed at the vast array of wine confined in such a small space but arranged in a way that was not crowded or overwhelming. After sampling some wine and a bit of cheese (the owner was very accommodating), I decided I was in a Chilean mood. I selected the Nieto Senetiner Reserva (2005) Cab/Shiraz blend from Mendoza. Blackberries, cocoa, and vanilla with a smokiness on the nose, delicious and worth well above its $10 price tag.

Wingnut Zinfandel

I love, love, love California Zinfandels. I was seriously craving one as I visited with my friend at the Elusive Grape in historic downtown Deland, FL a few evenings ago. I chose the Wingnut Zinfandel (2006) from Napa County (retails between $10 and $15). The owner of the wine shop, Bill, said, "Really, you haven't tried this yet?! I thought for sure you had; it's great." If I had tried it before, I definitely would have remembered. Dark, rich, bold, fruit-forward with spice. The back of the bottle is great, it reads: "Draw your own lines. Stand out in the crowd. We Wingnuts settle for nothing but the extraordinary. True to its muse, this Zinfandel is full-on in every way, arousing all the senses. It pairs well with bold living. Hang on!"