Un Saumon Dans la Loire 'La Boutanche' Gamay

La Boutanche Gamay
Price: $18
Region: France
Retailer: DomaineLA

I can't even count how many bottles of this I've gone through in the last couple weeks. It is my new go-to wine, because not only am I obsessed with Gamays, but IT COMES IN A LITER.

Tangy, airy, plush. A god damn lovely wine.

It also maintains itself incredibly well. I left a bottle open on Friday, corked it Saturday and drank it Sunday and it tasted nearly as good if not AS GOOD as it did when I opened it. Such a feat!

October Tasting

1. Hocus Pocus, Syrah
California

2. Tam-Tam, 70% Syrah, 15% Carignan and 15% Grenache
France

3. Le TelQuel, Gamay
France

4. Li Veli Montecoco, Primitivo
Italy

5. Čotar, Teran
Slovania

6. Marca Trevigiana Bisson, Frizzante Glera
Italy

Pair with:
• Sage Cheddar
• Marbled Port Salut
• Smoked Gouda

All wines under $30, found at DomaineLA and Silverlake Wine

Pampelonne Red Sangria

Pampelonne Red Sangria
Price: ~ $20
Region: France
Retailer: Whole Foods (next month)

Remember when I found the PERFECT canned wine this summer, the Pampelonne Rosé Lime? 

Everyone has gone nuts for it, and rightfully so.
It's delicious. It's refreshing. It's mobile.

But it was very summery.

That doesn't really matter much in a place where summer never ends, but, even as a native who loves the heat, every once in awhile I like to ~feel~ like there is some sort of seasonal change taking place. I just need to mix things up now and then. Like, I'd love to be comfortable in a cozy oversized sweater on the couch eating tomato soup.

That is a physical impossibility at this juncture in time.
It is too fucking hot.

Ideally, I'd be drinking spiced mulled wine in luxury sweats carving pumpkins and watching Hocus Pocus while my whole house smells like warm cinnamon sticks and I get all nostalgic and shit. BUT NO. INSTEAD, I'M LIKE, OH, SHOULD I WEAR A BIKINI TOMORROW? I ALREADY HAVE TO APPLY SPF10000000 SO WHY NOT.

I'm very upset about the situation. It's been summer for a year & a half and I have some really dope mom jeans and Thanksgiving crafts I would like to debut to the world. 

But that's why the Pampelonne Red Sangria is so perfect right now. It tastes like the holidays, but is refreshing like a Pellegrino. It's light and spicy, and goes down so easy it's almost troubling. 

The way it makes me feel inside is that warm fuzzy awesome feeling I've only felt like four times in my life because it never gets cold here... BUT you know when you're like super, super cold? And then you finally warm up? And then you eat a big meal with loved ones? And then you eat painkillers and watch the first Harry Potter by the fire? You know that warm, fuzzy feeling?

THAT'S HOW I FEEL! RIGHT NOW! IT'S GREAT!
LIKE IS IT CHRISTMAS IN ILLINOIS RIGHT NOW?!
CAUSE IT IS IN MY BELLY!

I was fortunate enough to be gifted one box of these tiny little spiced miracles, and I've crushed it. It's gone. 

And that's the only problem with these.
IS THAT YOU CAN'T GET THEM FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

So be on the look out my friends.
Cause you know that these are Ross Test central.
100%, A++++ pass every time.

Previously: Pampelonne Rosé Lime

Wine Time: Mezzacorona Pinot Noir

Mezzacorona Pinot Noir
Price: $8.99
Year: 2013
Region: Dolomiti, Italy

This wine tastes like Jesus made it for Forever 21.
But does it pass The Ross Test? You know it.

Side note: Their Pinot Grigio made Wine & Spirits Best For Under $10 this year so, all those moms on K-Day are seemingly on to something.

Check out more episodes of Wine Time here!

Cinematography by Antoin Huynh 
Music by Monster Rally 
Edited by

UPDATE: Mezzacorona is not happy about this.

Wine Time: Earl Stevens Function Red Blend with Steak Tooth

Earl Stevens Function Red Blend
Price: $14.99
Year: 2012
Region: Northern California
Retailer: Grocery stores (check this store locator)

Rachael Steak Tooth Finley Anderson is one of my favorite people in the world to drink wine with off camera, so it was obviously very fun to drink wine with her on camera. 

Check out more episodes of Wine Time here!

Cinematography by Antoin Huynh 
Music by Monster Rally 
Edited by Claire Gavin

La Tordera Saomi Prosecco Doc Treviso

La Tordera Saomi Prosecco Doc Treviso
Price: >$20
Year: Unspecified
Region: Bigolino, Italy

I don't believe you need juice to enjoy sparkling wine in the morning. I don't believe you even need a flute, especially if all your flutes broke in a move two months ago and you were like, "Fuck replacing those flutes that are constantly breaking."

All you really need is Prosecco and a good pair of sweats.
And there you go. Perfect Sunday.

Put on a little Dave Brubeck on the ole LP player if you want to make it extra perfect.

So, yeah, basically just been chugging this delightful Prosecco and listening to "Take Four" eight hundred times because that is always how many times I need to listen to "Take Four". 

I'm pretty obsessed with the La Tordera because it's dry and not that sweet and that is just my favorite way to roll when it comes to having my own personal brunch on the couch. Fuck getting dressed and dealing with crowds of people in their best hangover fashions; I really do not need to get up-and-downed by some hipster bitch that probably looks a lot like myself while eating overpriced avocado toast when I have an entire bottle of Prosecco to give me all the energy I need for the rest of my day lounging the fuck around. 

And on that note, I just remembered I am not lounging the fuck around and there are people showing up to my house for a BBQ in forty-five minutes and I should have washed my hair and my house isn't quite spotless enough and I don't have any uppers so I need to get my life together, which is my least favorite thing to do on Sundays. 

Please send help [uppers]. 
XOXOXO

Tasting Notes: Dry, lively and uncomplicated. Just a straight forward, really nice Prosecco. I can't really tell you about how it smells because I haven't put it in a glass, but I'm sure the bouquet is fresh and lovely. 

Ross Test: Considering half the bottle is gone and I have no plans of stopping, I think it's safe to say we have a "pass with flying fucking colors". 

R-13 and Broc Cellars' Valdiguié

Two of my new favorite wines of the season that I plan on keeping stocked in the Ross household.

R-13 is really for wine lovers, people who aren't afraid of getting into some weird shit. Literally. It's super wacky on the nose, I'm talking it smells like manure on wood or a urinal. Up for debate. But it is surprisingly superb on the palate. Everyone smells it and is like, "Marissa, you're insane." And I'm like TRUST! And the moment it hits their tongue, their faith is restored and they are joyous and so shocked at how different the nose and palate are.

The Broc Cellars Valdiguié is a smooth gem. Airy, fruity but dry, very versatile. This is a varietal that you don't see very often on its own (it's usually blended). Most people haven't ever had it, but once they do, they are immediately in love. And Broc Cellars is just phenomenal anyway. 

Both taste like velvety blackberry sour beer wines. Amazing for the Fall transition. And they go really well in a tasting together. I suggest serving the Valdiguié first. 

Both are around $20 and both are currently available from DomaineLA.

I already bought another two I love them so much! 

Wine Time: Domaine de la Fouquette Cuvée Rosée d'Aurore with Andrew Ti

Domaine de la Fouquette Cuvée Rosée d'Aurore
Price: ~ $15
Year: 2013
Region: France
Retailer: Whole Foods

My hilarious homie Andrew Ti, creator of the "Yo, Is This Racist?" website and podcast, joined me to drink and talk about Rosé because hey, wine not?

Check out more episodes of Wine Time here!

Cinematography by Antoin Huynh 
Music by Monster Rally 
Edited by Faith Davis

La Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero

La Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero
Price: $11 - $14
Year: Unspecified
Region: Veneto, Italy
Retailer: Search via Riondo USA

Today was the first day of Fall, which means nothing to me outside of the fact I received my electric bill for the first two months I lived in my new house, and as expected, IT WAS FUCKING INSANE. AND NOW IT IS FALL. BECAUSE I'M SAYING SO. BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE ANOTHER SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR ELECTRIC BILL. 

And to celebrate Fall, I opened this delightful little bottle of Italian Proscecco.

And because, hey, I'm not pregnant! A million months running!

I'm a late-twenty-something year old lady who thank-fucking-god-fully isn't having a baby this month and so, I'm in the worst mood ever. I never understood why I'm punished with awful pains and terrible dispositions for not to get knocked up before I'm ready, but hey, guess that's just the plight of having a vagina! Just being mad grumpy for no fucking reason! And being left with no choice but to drink tons of sparkling wine so you don't bitch out your awesome boyfriend for no reason when he gets home in an hour!

Which I would have probably done!
And I wouldn't have wanted to!
But it would have happened!

I would have flown off the handle about something so mundane and ridiculous like all the years I've spent trying to teach him to empty the lint screen and now he empties it, but just leaves the lint all over for me to throw away and then it blows off the top of the dryer and suddenly our cat is eating it and it's a fucking mess... HAHA! SEE? SO SILLY!

But now it's fine! I've had a bottle of delicious sparkling wine! Did you know Prosecco outsold Champagne in the US and globally for the first time ever in 2013? I mean, it probably has a lot to do with the fact we're broke but ALSO! BECAUSE IT IS VERY GOOD! AND REALLY CAN KEEP YOUR TEMPER IN CHECK WHEN SOMEONE REFUSES TO RINSE THE SINK AFTER THEY SPIT TOOTHPASTE ALL OVER IT. 

Anyyywayys, the point is, is that I love The La Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero. It rescued my life this afternoon. It was basically a lifesaver of big floral notes wading through a sea of effervescence in the middle of my hormone storm. 

I love it because it's refreshing for mad temps like in my living room, and because I feel like it's going to be mad festive when I can finally wear sweatpants and "get cozy". That's one of my favorite things about sparkling wines. They're "refreshing" and "festive" so you can drink them in any weather. Can't say the same about Zins or Grigios, now can we. 

But I love it mostly because it saved me from running to the store for one or nineteen boxes of Midol tonight. AND FOR THAT, WE THANK YOU.

Tasting Notes: Bright floral on the nose. On the front, it's a little fruity, almost like I wouldn't like it it's so fruity. But on the back end it settles into its acidity and really comes into its own with a clean yet gauzy finish. So effervescent! I love it.

Ross Test: Bright, springy, but a little too fruity for my tastes.

BTW! I NEVER endorse masking feelings with alcohol, unless you already know those feelings are fucking insane period feelings that are totally not real and are going to ruin your life if you don't just chill the fuck out. xooxox

Chateau de Campuget Rosé

Chateau de Campuget Rosé 
Price: $14ish
Year: 2013
Region: Rhône, France
Retailer: Yummy

LOL, remember a couple weeks ago when it was "SOOOO HOT" and I had to hang out in my bra? And then, it got so hot I had to put my AC on and wear a light cotton dress? LOL! MAN, THOSE WERE THE DAYS! 

NOW THAT IT IS A LEGIT BAJILLION OUTSIDE AND I'M DYING.

Now, anyone who knows me would be like, "C'mon, Marissa. We know about how you were basically raised on the weekends in Palm Springs, you're totally down with 110 degree weather."

This is true.
WHEN I'M NEXT TO A POOL AND A FULL BAR.
NOT WHEN I'M STUCK INSIDE MY BLACK LEATHER CAR/COFFIN ALL DAY.

I am just hanging out in my bathroom in my underwear drinking rosé because I legitimately feel like this is my best/most "chill" option.

And because,
let's be honest,
I DO LEGITIMATELY need to shower.
But cannot bring myself to it because
blow drying my hair sounds like death.

So yeah, I'm drinking this entire bottle of rosé I only kinda like while avoiding the inevitable/enjoying semi-cool floor tiles because I am very, very elegant. Not sure if you realized how elegant I was in the past, but maybe my awesome Zack Morris bangs will give you a fucking clue. 

This rosé is a salty, bitter little bitch. You know how they talk about body-mind connection? I mean, they do at my exercise place so I imagine they talk about it at all workout places but ANYWAY. THE POINT IS even though it isn't my favorite tasting rosé, I'm having a real body-mind connection with it right now. 

Because my body is so salty,
and my mind is so bitter.

I picked it up on a quick grab at my local market on Saturday and today was super thankful I didn't drink it all weekend. Like they say, misery loves company.

Or, winos love wine.
Same thing.

Ugh, I'm just going to listen to the end credits of Bojack Horseman for the next hour and kill myself.
Or shower.
Same thing.

But definitely listening to Bojack Horseman end credits for the last eight minutes.

Tasting Notes: Very aromatic bouquet, boasting big raspberries/jumbo shrimp (lol, jk, obvi). On the palate, it's pink salt water taffy. Honestly, I don't know when I've ever said this about a rosé but this one tastes better a little more room temperature than super cold, which does NOTHING FOR ME ON THIS SUPER HOT DAY.

Ross Test: OCEAN WATER BUT MORE DELICIOUS