Nov 24 2008
Something to Be Thankful For
Mood: Thankful
Wine Selection: Gatos Locos “Santa Cruz Mountain” Pinot Noir
I’m nearing the end of month two in St. Helena. I have flirted with loneliness, dodged depression, and met a few great people. Merryvale is great! Luckily, I love my job! The people I work with are diverse and I intend to learn the most I can from all of them. The main downside is that I haven’t met many people, outside of the workplace. I don’t live in walking distance to downtown, so I can’t meet people that way. I don’t work with the public, other than on the phone, so I can’t meet people that way. Crush just ended, so hopefully more people will be out an about. I’ve had a lot of loose ends to tie up back in Santa Cruz, so I have been going home a lot on the weekends. The only things getting me through this social dry spell are my family and friends! They are amazing! They are always there to listen, to talk to, to see when I go home and it’s like I was never gone. I am so lucky to have such remarkable people that support me. Thank you to all of you, you know who you are.
My wine selection, is based on this time of year and it’s time for TURKEY! My favorite wine for turkey? Pinot Noir…it’s delicate and flavorful nature is just enough to compliment delicate turkey meat, even if you drown it in rich gravy! Gatos Locos is my selection for a perfect wine for this time of the year. I was reminded of the wine at my former bosses, now friend, wedding. He and his husband were lucky enough to be married at Vine Hill’s beautiful winery and this pinot noir was served with a variety of finger foods and it went perfectly with everything.
Aromas of baked cranberry tart, spiced apples, vanilla, and orange peel, with spicy flavors of white pepper and coriander.
Another great part about this pinot is that it’s only $29! I have a rule when it comes to Pinot Noir…never reach for a bottle that is under $25. It’s not snobby, it’s based on experience. I have done the $7 pinot, I’ve done the $15 and the $20 and none are worth it! Pinot Noir is a very thin skinned red wine grape. The significance? The fruit is more susceptible to the elements. Good Pinot Noir fruit has to have a perfect climate, usually cooler, and perfect canopy management or it will be under ripe or burnt by the sun.
Enjoy!
The Moody Wine Drinker
i agree with your assessment of pinots and price points… under $25 taste like hell…problem is the best are about $45! I am thinking of the mt eden estate in particular!
good luck in napa erika, i know its tough to make a new community in a new place, especially coming from a place like Cruz… but the experience alone will be worth it for ya!
cheers