What's in a Name?

You've heard the phrase "Don't judge a book by it's cover", and in the wine world, that translates to "Don't judge a wine by it's frightening name". Case in point: BUKETTRAUBE (boo-ki-trobb), the meaty little South African white. So lush, refreshing, and aromatic...it seems wrong that it gets branded with a name worthy of a weapon of war. Somehow the name BUKETTRAUBE doesn't conjure up images of juicy peaches, spicy cloves, and a touch of honey. But give it a sip, and that's what you get. Big enough to wash down some pomegranate-glazed chicken meatballs with chickpea puree. And I know you've always got some of those on hand, right? (If not, head to Willi's Wine Bar. Photo included for temptation purposes.)

So here's my plug for a wine that you might pass on because it lacks the dainty alias it deserves. Bravo BUKETTRAUBE!

Paradise Found

Was that the best sparkling wine I’ve ever tasted, or am I just easy to please?

Yes, I confess, I’ll drink just about anything with tiny bubbles, but really, wow! Paradise Ridge 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blanc (from Santa Rosa, CA. of all places!) is too good to be unknown and, naturally...unavailable at the grocery store. Slightly sweet, with a hint of toasted almonds and apple blossom (c'mon you've tasted those, right?). Perhaps not the best sparkling wine in existence, but it certainly is my flavor of the month. And who doesn’t love a bubbly, almond-apple flavored winter fling? Bring it on.

Perhaps it was the countless bottles of Korbel Brut I consumed growing up with my mother, who thinks Champagne deserves it’s own sector of the food pyramid (God bless her!). Setting the dinner table went like this: forks, knives, napkins, champagne glasses. And I mean EVERY NIGHT. I’m not complaining, but anyone who’s sipped on their fair share of Korbel Brut – and my share was more than fair – will tell you that it’s nothing to write home about. (The Korbel winery in Guerneville does offer some tasty ways to branch out, though). Point is, I was primed for a change. Korbel had become the cranky old husband I came home to every night, and Paradise Ridge was the young, studly, and all-too-approachable male underwear model looking for a new friend. Now thankfully, cheating on a bottle of wine is not outside my moral perimeters so I allowed myself to indulge in the case of Korbel vs. Paradise. (Cranky hubby would win in the prior comparison, I swear.)

The good news: Paradise can be found. Bad news: it can only be found at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa, or online at www.prwinery.com ($30). Do what you must to get a taste...preferably to share with your cranky old hubby on Christmas or New Years Eve. Who knows what kind of magic a paradisiacal bubbly can work....Cheers to that!