Dreams of Southern France: Château L’Ermitage Syrah + Mourvedre

I have such a "thing" for French wine.  2010 Château L’Ermitage is no exception.  For less than $15, this Southern Rhône Syrah and Mourvedre blend is smoooooth and sophistiqué.  This wine is from Saint-Gilles, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump from where I studied during université, in Montpellier.  I adore the south of France!

Full-bodied, with dark, tart fruits, a bit of dark chocolate, and hints of violet; there was a bit of pepper and roses on the nose.  Drink it with anything simple ... I enjoyed it with grilled veggies.   It's difficult to describe how this wine manages to be big-bodied, yet subdued in a beautiful old-world style.  For lovers of heavier reds like me, this Rhône blend works equally-well with grilled summer foods or winters by the fire.  Á votre santé!

(Written 7.21.13)

Chapter 5 of Birthday: the Last Hurrah with the Merry's and Rohm & Haas Gals

Bear with me...the birthday blogs are wrapping up ... now!

Late in June was the last hurrah of the birthday saga, with a visit to one of my faves ... Media, PA!  Ed and Terri's new abode is absolutely lovely; I am so happy that they were able to make a relatively smooth and successful transition.

Not only did I get to see my parents, I had a fabulous visit with my Rohm and Haas girls!  (Funny I still refer to them as "RH gals") ... they have become truly dear friends through the years.  We had a wonderful time on our spa day - pool time, massages, mani/pedis, delish foods and bevvies.  Yay!  Loved the day, Keeli, Michelle, Mel, and Jen!

Dinner with the family at Ariano.  Instead of wine, we had mixed drinks - Ariano did a fabulous twist on the vodka martini, serving it with olives stuffed 3-ways: blue cheese, pimento, and prosciutto; there have rarely been times in my life when there has been meat in my beverage.  lol.  It was enjoyable.  Fantastic food - I had grilled salmon and gorgeous white asparagus.  I do like everything about this place - except that it isn't BYOB every day anymore....

We had birthday (divine, chocolate) cake back at the house, with the whole-9-yards ... Ms. Alyse played Happy Birthday via baby grand - fabulous.  Terri selected the perfect gift: a Limited scarf and gift card ... which I have already used on a mini-shopping spree 2 weeks ago!  

Wonderful family, wonderful close to the birthday season. xo

Chapter 4 of Birthday: Strip Steak & Petit Syrah with J&K

Wow.  So, I was trying to finish the "Tara's Birthday Series" within a month ... I better get serious!  Whew!  I honestly thought I would make it.  We shall see ...

I was fortunate enough to spend the evening after my actual birthday with two more of my favorites ... the Mater clan!  Jeanette Mater and Kevin Mater are absolutely wonderful!

For Friday night dinner celebration, we had strip steak, with Shannon Ridge Petit Syrah.  Perfectly-grilled steak, delish, full-bodied wine, with ripe dark fruits and creamy vanilla oak characteristics, and a bit of black pepperiness.  LOVE this wine (retail ~$25; PLCB ~$12).

Ok, here's an interesting wine fact:  What's the difference between Syrah and Petit Syrah, you ask?  Petit Syrah grapes are actually a cross between Syrah (famous the world over, and especially in my cellar!), and Peloursin, with which I am not overly familiar (Yay!  I love learning about different varietals!).  Apparently, Petit Syrah is also known as Durif (not a sexy wine name, IMO...perhaps because it is the last name of the French botanist dude who created the varietal).  No Petit Syrah is made in France, though.

Anyway, what a feast.  Birthday dessert was homemade cherry pie and vanilla ice cream, with cherries from our tree, and plenty of sugar and mom's homemade crust.  Delightful.

Oh, and gifts.  :)  Mom and Kev gave me an antique pitcher that we found at an antique shop in Belleville, PA (did you know that < 2,000 people live in Belleville, PA?), Victory Antiques, along with some endearing books that I love.  We had a great celebration that continued the next day, on our canoeing extravaganza ... sorry, no pics; we were too busy enjoying the waters, with views of lovely mountain surroundings, wildlife friends like turtles, green herons, and bald eagles.  Lunch was a picnic at Stone Arch Bridge!

Amazing celebration; amazing family.

Chapter 3 of Birthday: The Actual Day ...

It was a Thursday.  I went to work, which was fine; I am not one of those people who absolutely needs to take a vacation day on their birthday.  It was a pleasant day.  

Dinner: Glorious Fume' Blanc from Chimney Rock ... I was wowed.  I started with opening gifts and cards from near and far.  So fun.  My fave was the card from my Little Mo!!!  We had fresh sea scallops seared, with sautéed broccoli; it was a perfect match for the fume' blanc.

Chapter 2 of Birthday: Ms. Merry Visits Awesome Parents in NE PA ... and Breaker Brewing!

Back in the first part of June, you will recall a blog on Susquehanna Brewing Company; Km Bond and I had a wonderful weekend visit with Dad and Junie.  Strawberry pickin', pool time, family (love to the Tweedy clan!), antiquing, Father's Day, and a dose of birthday fun! 

We didn't focus on wine.  Instead, I have another brew tale to tell.  We made a visit to a "new" diamond-in-the-rough ... Breaker Brewing Company.  This brewery is deservingly-endearing, with excellent quality.  While some of the combinations they test are a bit "much" for me (i.e. Watermelon Wheat ... not my cup-o-tea), all of the brews are well-made with the utmost care.  My favorite was the Olde King Coal Stout, a medium-bodied stout, with roasty chocolate, coffee, and malt.  Yummy!  Breaker Brewing Company, we will be back! 

Dad and June gave me the most beautiful birthday gift (see pic)!  It is so lovely hanging in my dining room (antique plate in hand-crafted stained glass).  You guys are awesome.

                                       

Chapter 1 of Birthday: Back in May ...

Had a birthday recently...one that we started celebrating around Memorial Day, and finished celebrating before the 4th of July.

Soooo ...I've thought a lot about getting older.  I welcome your thoughts, in whatever direction they go.  I havea ton of wine blogging to catch up on over the birthday extravaganza.  I think breaking it into parts is most effective. 

Chapter 1:  Memorial Day weekend with mom.
  My awesome mom-in-law came to visit, and brought per-birthday gifts!  Yah ... Not so thrilled about being older, but wine as a gift helps soften the blow.  She gave me a BearBoat Pinot Noir that I am excited about!  I actually have not had this wine before, somehow!  I anticipate traditional Russian River Valley Pinot characteristics ... bolder, bigger-bodied than it's Burgundy counterparts, with cherries, perhaps strawberries, and a bit of glorious earthiness.  This Pinot is readily-available, so grab a bottle to try with me, and stay tuned!

                                 

Happy 4th of July: Ribs on the Grill, La Merika Pinot Noir, and Homemade Goat's Cheese!

Independence Day really gets one thinking...
We are so blessed for not even knowing what it's like not to be free. Wow.

I'm sitting here, full of delightful summer foods and beverages, not worrying about a thing.  I can honestly say that I am truly grateful that it is possible.  I am thankful and aware.

We enjoyed ribs with homemade BBQ sauce, salad with local lettuce, and 2009 La Merika Pinot Noir (~$15, easy-to-find, and big-bodied (for Pinot Noir)... after all, it is a true new-world California Pinot).  The spice (cloves!), vanilla, and cherry characteristics paired well with the smoky grilled meat.  In the grand scheme of things, La Merika 20090 Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, round, and well-balanced, especially at the reasonable price-point.

Also tasted the homemade goat cheese I made on Monday using local raw goat's milk.  We tried it two ways: plain on toasts, and baked with fresh herbs from the garden on toasts.  Woah yum.  I will be making this often!  Time for fireworks soon?

Summer: Local Everything, Homemade Chèvre. Sauvignon Blanc. Fireflies are out!

It was a local night...except the wine.  Tonight I made chèvre from raw goat's milk.  It is my first time making chèvre, and it is so easy!  I'm excited.  Will be ready as-soon-as tomorrow, and I will keep it for the 4th of July celebration ... join me?!

Not only that, we had a completely local and home-grown dinner!  Fresh everything ... grilled pork, with new red potatoes from the garden, with parsley from the garden, and local cauliflower and broccoli medley.  I love summer.  The fireflies are out in full-force, and it is warm and gorgeous.  

As for the wine, I pulled out a bottle of The Secretary Bird Sauvignon Blanc, a South African 2011.  It was crisp and citrus-y.  I bought several bottles on Chairman's Selection for around $10/bottle ... valued around double that.  Affordable delight.  I would have enjoyed a Chardonnay as much with this meal, as the pork is lean and could handle a wine that is butterier.  

I am content with this Monday night.