Still a little chilly out, but the sun is out and it is beaming and it is just BEYOOOOtiful outside today. The days are noticeably longer, too, so it looks like me might make it through another winter.
Well I’ve never been to Spain
But I really like the vino (who among you will catch this stupid song reference?).
I have a new thing with wine. I try to only buy stuff that is $10 or less a bottle. The vast majority of what I find in that range that’s good is Spanish (with one notable exception — Falesco Vitiano 2007, which is dynamite). The one I drink the most is Bodegas Ateca Garnacha De Fuego, which I get for only seven bucks. It’s nice fruit, with a lot of acidity, and goes great with food, a good house wine. The Bodegas Olivares Monastrell Altos de la Hoya (10 bucks, from the Tempranillo mourvedre grape) and Ludovicus Terra Alta (10 bucks from a blend of tempranillo, grenache, and syrah) are also excellent, definitely smoother and fruitier. I also really like Vinos de Arganza Bierzo la Mano Mencía Roble, in some ways the most interesting (for 8 bucks, from the crazy Mencia grape), but the store that has it is too far from my house so I’ve only had it a couple times.
Anyway, I don’t have too much to add about this, but you should try this wines if you’re also into paying less than 10 dollars a wine. Because they’re much better than other wine you can get for under $10.
One more alcohol note: that local rye I blogged about (McKenzie Rye Whiskey) is getting rave reviews (here; here) and I think it will go up in price (it’s around $40 now). So if you like that kind of thing, check it out. There was a bourbon I used to like — A. H. Hirsch — and now I can’t afford it. The McKenzie is the only other American whiskey I’ve had that I really liked. I’m seriously thinking of a buying case because I wish I’d bought a case of the Hirsch.
There probably isn’t too much point to this post, except that a few of you have emailed to say you like wine blogging and I’m tired of hearing about ginger and so on.
DougJ +5 or so
Update. If loving this is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Another Open Thread
I think we’ve about explored the limits of umami jokes and ginger related issues, so here is a new thread.
Lily is ornery tonight. I’ve taken her out several times since dinner, but she keeps wanting me to go out for some reason. We’ve pooped and peed all over the place, but for some reason, it just isn’t enough tonight.
BTW- moving in three weeks, and making all the arrangements sure is a PITA.
Tasty Treats
I just made a little trail mix with some dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, and raisins) and some almonds and other assorted nuts with a little touch of dried coconut flakes, and I threw in a little crystallized ginger, and I have to say, it really kicks up the trail mix a bit! It might not be for everybody, but it added a zip to an otherwise sweet/sour and umami dominated mix.
I liked it a lot, in other words!
*** Update ***
Damnit to hell. Crystallized ginger. Why must every random open thread have a c-object? I’m not trying to do this, folks, I swear.
BTW
If you want Congress to pass the damn bill, then make it happen. Pick up the phone and tell your Representative and Senators to get it done.
Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
Guide for first-timers here.
Rachel Maddow is Shrill
I know Rachel plays for another team, but I just watched this segment and it left me physically aroused:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I seriously need a cold shower. More of this, please.
A Thought
Right-wingers spend their whole lives seething with incomprehensible rage.
Left-wingers spend their entirely lives butthurt.
Discuss. This observation explains pretty much everything you need to know about the blogosphere.