wine suggestions for this month!

Even though we're getting a late start, I have to say that I am really excited with this month's selections. Shadowland looks awesome and I really hope it leads me down a reading-all-peter-straub-books-ever-written path. Also, when I went to purchase it at the book store it was sharing a shelf with an R.L. Stine thriller written for adults. YES.

So, I have to admit, I jumped the gun a little last night and drank my red wine selection for this month before actually posting it as an option. And I am so glad I did. In fact, I wish I was still drinking it now, even though it is only 10AM. So I have developed a relative obsession lately over Malbecs, which I believe to be experiencing a popular spell much akin to that of Pinot Noir after the movie "Sideways" but I'm totally cool with that. My go-to Malbec is made by Casillero del Diablo and I always (always) suggest it because, for $8 it cannot be beat. Quick side story, I saw it on the table in pictures of my friend Viv and was like, "you love Casillero del Diablo?" and she was all, "hell yeah I do!" Oook, anyways, so for this month's red wine suggestion I have to go with Francis Ford Coppola's Celestial Blue Label Malbec. At $14 it's a little pricier but worth the extra moolah. Here's what they're saying about it, "While working on a film in Argentina, Coppola discovered the allure of Malbec, which is a wine seldom bottled as a single-varietal in the U.S. Winemaker Corey Beck agreed that it would make for a wonderful addition to the Diamond Collection. Similar to Cabernet, Malbec exudes rich, dark fruits, currants, and cassis, but an inherent note of minerals and spice is what makes this wine distinctive and delicious." P.S. don't go to the website, it is about as cheesy as you might suspect (i.e. hot chicks looking as though they are in the throes of passion who happen to be holding unopened bottles of wine). It should be said that all marketing aside, this wine makes for a happy night. Also, we had this wine with pigs in a blanket which may not be the pinnacle of class but was really fun and tasty!

Moving along, I'm sad/ashamed to admit that I have not had a South African Chenin Blanc prior to this post. Chenin Blanc is one of two varietals (the other being Pinotage) that give South Africa it's name in the wine-world. I was talking to a clerk at our local wine store about this and apparently I have been missing out on something awesome this whole time. So for our second wine, I'm suggesting we go ahead and try Man Vintners 2008 Chenin Blanc. Here's what the vineyard is saying, "This wine has a unique delicious tangy character that goes well with a lot of food and makes for an excellent aperitif. In South Africa we say "moreish"; it is an excellent third date wine. It has lively aromas of tropical fruits and melon, with crisp, bold citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Serve chilled." While I am not exactly sure what the parameters for a "third date" wine are, I'm pretty sure I am up to try it. I've been craving asparagus lately so Dan & I are going to give this wine a try alongside asparagus spears wrapped with prosciutto (since it feels like 1000 degrees in our apartment I am welcoming the chilled wine & snack!).

Cheers! Let me know what you think!