Primitivo = Zinfandel

Italian wine is terribly confusing. The Wino has been trying to read Italian Wine for Dummies for more than a year now and she is barely past Chapter 3. I mean, she likes to drink Italian wine, but ask her to make sense of an Italian wine label or understand the qualities of what makes one region's wines distinct from another? Fuhgettaboutit, fellow boozers.

One tidbit that The Wino has learned, however, is about the Italian Primitivo grape variety. Apparently, it is the genetic equivalent of Zinfandel, a red grape variety that grows all over California. Familiar with the ever popular Ravenswood Zinfandel? Of course you are. Well, if that wine was made in Italy, it would be "Primitivo" and it would be primarily grown in Italy's Puglia region also known as Italy's heel.

Now, don't let this confuse you, prudent boozers, but the origin of Primitivo is generally thought to be Croatia where it is currently called "Crljenak Kaštelanski." But we will leave that one alone for now.

So if you purchase an Italian wine that includes a high percentage of the Primitivo grape, you can expect this wine to taste much like Zinfandel, with a robust, concentrated flavor profile that can include raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, and pepper. You can also expect it to have a slightly higher alcohol content, in some cases as high as 16%.

Like wine with your pizza? Curious about Primitivo? Seattle's Tutta Bella features a Primitivo wine on their menu called Ognissole Primitivo Manduria.

Cheers.

And thanks, as usual, to Wikipedia for information about Zinfandel.

The Wino Just Watched "Bottle Shock"

What can the Wino say about the Bottle Shock? Hmmm, let's see, how about: The American spirit triumphs, the French like themselves, and wine is delicious.

Why the wino hated this movie?
Because of the stomach-churning, Hollywood-contrived love triangle between Gustavo, Sam, and Bo. Seriously fellow boozers, what did that have to do with anything? Why on earth would Sam dump Gustavo for Bo? Ick, his hair weave was sooo bad.

Why the wino liked this movie?
 Because she wants to move to Napa Valley where it's warm, grow heirloom tomatoes, and drink wine all day in her rose-filled backyard while she wears a chic pair of white pants. And she, like any other arrogant American with a gross sense of entitlement, likes a good story about how the snooty French were given a run for their money when their wines lost to Californian wines in a blind taste test. By the way, if you are French and you are reading this (doubtful), the wino does not mean to be disrespectful because she also wants to live France.

And the moral of the story is: 
Always keep an open mind when it comes to wine. Fellow boozers, if you don't like Chardonnay, always be open to the possibility that you might find one that is absolutely amazing. And even though the thought of Chinese wine is impossible to get your head around, you may end up liking it a lot. French, Australian, South African, Chinese - it doesn't matter. Stop whining and give it a try. The Wino guarantees that you will be surprised.
Cheers!

The Wino's Wine Blog Is Not Very Original

There are so many wine blogs out there. The Wino is totally intimidated. The Wino is going to have to step up her posts or come up with something MUCH more original to blog about.

The Wino thought that people would be interested in a wine blog that was from a novice's point of view. She was correct in her thinking, but unfortunately, she was not the first person to think it. And then there's the fact that wine has been kind of an afterthought in her posts lately.

Oh dear.

Malbec: The Wino's Wine of Frustration and Sadness

Fellow Boozers,

It was inevitable. As much as she tried, she could not resist having a glass of wine after work for the past two nights. Both glasses were of Malbec. One was from Nefarious Cellars and she can't remember what the other one was. Both glasses were beyond necessary for her sanity.

You see, the Wino loathes her job and can't find new one because of the stupid economy and the stupid, stupid job market. That's why she writes this not-very-good blog about wine and things not really related to wine. She needs an outlet. She needs to feel like she is doing something other than drowning in a swamp of professional humiliation and sticky despair.

The wino knows that she should be thankful that she is still employed in this abysmal job market because there are so many others out there who don't have jobs. But she has a very guilty confession to make. Sometimes when she is being despicably micromanaged and shamed at work, she wishes that her employer would just put her out of her misery and fire her - free her from this angry burden that sits on her chest like a big pot of rocks.

She dreams spending her days in a warm coffee shop writing, writing, writing while she sips cups of green tea and watches people walk by. She dreams about making her husband dinner every night (yes, The Wino has a husband - a very nice husband). She fantasizes about having enough time to go to the gym every day. She longs to work in her yard and watch things grow. She longs to have days where she feels productive and satisfied instead of frustrated to tears.

So the Wino, still managing to stick to her diet, has enjoyed a couple glasses of Malbec to sooth her angst. Malbec has long been known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine [The Wino didn't know there were only 6 grapes allowed in red Bordeaux??? I guess that's why she wanted to blog about wine so she would actually learn about wine. Hmmmm, The Wino suspects that a post about Bordeaux is forthcoming.], the French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West France region. It is increasingly celebrated as an Argentine varietal wine and is being grown around the world.

It's a dark, inky wine that is juicy and plum-like and can include the flavors of tobacco, raisin, and violet.

Cheers.

Breakup Letter

Dear Wine,

I know I should do this in person but I just can't face you right now.

As you know, I am headed to Mexico on vacation in 5 weeks and I'm going to have to wear a bikini. You know, the little purple one with string ties? Anyway, we have been seeing a lot of each other lately, and it's not that I haven't enjoyed our time together, I truly have. But the problem is that I have enjoyed our time together too much.

Basically, my muffin top has grown exponentially thanks to your deliciousness. So much, that I could barely get my jeans on this morning. You see, when you and I hang out, I lose all my willpower. And the next thing you know, I'm involved in a ménage à trois that includes not only you and me but an entire bag of Doritos. Or worse, a giant chicken fried steak smothered in buttery sausage gravy with a side of biscuits and jam. I always wake up the next day feeling cheap, bloated, and guilty.

And what was that all about on New Year's Eve? Why did you make me so sick? I spent New Year's Day barfing up the lobster bisque and beef tenderloin that you complimented so beautifully. Not to mention the headache that lasted for 2 days. WTF? Seriously, it was just too much for me. I've been so loyal to you. For crying out loud, I write a blog about you! Why do you have to cause me so much pain?

I am sorry to say it dearest Wine, but I need to break up with you. At least for a little while. It won't be for long I promise.

Remember, I will always love you.

Love,
The Wino