My Wine Passion Double-Hinged Corkscrew Review

Image Source

Image Source

Today I am doing a review on the My Wine Passion Double Hinged Corkscrew.

Well, let me say I am 2 for 2 on My Wine Passion products. A few blogposts ago I did a review on their Wine Chiller which I absolutely love.

First, let me say I DO NOT get behind any product that does not promote the wine enthusiast experience.

I am excited to share this latest product review. It is another all-in-one product. The My Wine Passion Double-Hinged Corkscrew is GREAT!

There are 3 things you can do with this product:

  1. Cut foil – There is a serrated foil cutter that allows you to remove the foil from the upper neck of the bottle.  Always remove the foil from the bottle prior to your first pour.
  2. Open bottles – This product not only allows you to open your favorite bottles of wine but also open beer or coke bottles.
  3. Last but not least, the corkscrew for the opening your bottle of wine.  Five screws between you and your favorite grape juice.

The corkscrew is of a very good quality. The one thing that struck me was the weight of it – not heavy just quality. 

The length of the corkscrew will allow you to access even the longest cork.

This product gets two thumbs up from me for the following reasons:

  1. The quality of the product – it will last for YEARS!
  2. It is a multiple use item – eliminates the need for a separate bottle opener, knife for cutting foil, and corkscrew.
  3. Impress your friends and family with opening a bottle in the same manner as a Sommelier.

In my opinion a must-have. Click here.
Cheers and Enjoy!!!!

Disclaimer: I received a free sample. My feedback is unbiased.

It's National Chardonnay Day Review - McBride Sisters Truvee Chardonnay!

May 21, 2015 is National Chardonnay Day!!!!!

I have had the opportunity to taste a lot of Chardonnay in my years of tasting wines. I am always looking for a new one to try. I have been following the McBride Sisters for some time and was very interested in tasting their Chardonnay.

Well, tonight I surprisingly happened upon a bottle in a local retail establishment. I purchased the bottle anxious to chill it and sample what was inside this beautifully decorated bottle. Let me say I was immediately drawn in by the label. 

I am a wine lover and not usually enticed by labels but this one was nice, however, the label is never more important than what is in the bottle.

I chilled the wine ready to pair it with some crab legs I had just steamed. I anxiously pulled the cork out of the bottle and poured my glass.

I was struck by the color a beautiful golden straw hue. My first taste was impressive :-)

On the palate, the wine gave me peach, green apple, nuttiness (almond to be exact), and moderate oak. I really loved it.  It is a deck/patio sipping kind of wine. I wondered would it hold up against the steamed crab legs I was preparing and the wine absolutely was a perfect accompaniment. 

I give the 2013 Chardonnay 2 thumbs up. 

My Conversation with Wine Connoisseur and Founder of The European Wine Table - Jacqueline Chambliss

Image Source

Image Source

This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with Wine Connoisseur and Owner of The European Wine Table about her lovely wine gelee’s and wine.

We Skyped over coffee it was a great morning………………. :-)

Jacqueline Chambliss is a Wine Connoisseur who is extremely passionate about wine and her wine gelee’s.  I recently had the opportunity to purchase a box of four different flavors of the wine gelee’s in preparation for an upcoming gathering where I was going to make different grilled cheese sandwiches.  Well, let me just say on THAT day we did not eat ordinary grilled cheese sandwiches the wine gelee’s created a totally different grilled cheese sandwich experience.   

I paired my gelee’s with the following grilled cheese sandwiches:

  • Grilled Blue Cheese paired with Rouge Bordeaux Blend - (2014 Finalist in the Taste of the South)
  • Grilled Brie and apple paired with Prosecco Mimosa
  • Grilled Smoked Goudapaired with Bordeaux Blanc
  • Grilled Manchego paired with Cotes du Rhone

I asked Jacqueline what was the inspiration behind her wine gelee’s and Jacqueline shared that she grew up with these lovely food accompaniments.  It was a lovely story of how her gelee’s were a thread in her childhood.  Jacqueline's gelee’s are truly artisan in nature, cloaked in love and family tradition.

As you know I too am a lover of wine, so I had to ask Jacqueline how she got her wine legs. Jacqueline explained how she was a guest at a friend’s house who served a homemade wine and just like that she was smitten with the wine.  Jacqueline observed all of the components of the wine site, smell, and taste and determined the wine was very good.  From that point, Jacqueline immersed herself in the world of wine.  Jacqueline to her credit has wine credentials most people dream of obtaining.  A few of Jacqueline’s credentials - French Wine Scholar, WSET Certified, Port Wine Specialist, Champagne Specialist, and she is currently working on her WSET Diploma. Jacqueline knows wine!

I asked Jacqueline what she wanted people to know most about her wine gelee’s and she said “after one taste it will put a smile on your face.” Well, I can certainly testify it put a smile on my face :-)

Jacqueline also shared with me there is a new wine gelee flavor coming out which is Pear and White Burgundy – yum.  I cannot wait it sounds delicious.

Image Source

Image Source

Okay I know you are asking where one can purchase these lovely wine gelee’s. Please see the list below, or click here.

Georgia:

  • Whole Foods Market - Briarcliff, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Merchants Walk,  Marietta, Harry's Farmers Market Roswell, Johns Creek, Ponce de Leon, Savannah
  • The Fresh Market - Buckhead, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Suwanee, Peachtree City, Athens, Marietta
  • Oli & Ve - Buckhead, Vinings, Roswell
  • Talk of the Table Wine & Cheese Shop - Cumming
  • Leaning Ladder Premium Olive Oil and Vinegar - Woodstock
  • Alon's Bakery - Virginia Highlands
  • Calyroad Creamery - Sandy Springs
  • American GraFrutti- Roswell
  • The Beechwood Inn - Clayton
  • The Buford Farmer's Market - Doraville
  • Little Alley Steaks - Roswell (served with their cheese plate)
  • Cheeses & Mary - Milton
  • Golden Isles Olive Oil - St. Simon Island

Tennessee:

  • Whole Foods Market - Franklin, Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga
  • Avanti Savoia - Knoxville

North Carolina:

  • Whole Foods Market - Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Greenville, Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Charlotte
  • Southern Season - Chapel Hill

South Carolina:

  • Southern Season - Charleston

Alabama:

  • Whole Foods Market - Birmingham

Virginia:

  • Southern Season - Richmond

Another wine lifestyle offering from Corks and Cuvee! Cheers!

A Review - My Wine Passion Wine Chiller

Recently, I had the opportunity to review a wonderful new wine product.  The product is the My Wine Passion Wine Chiller.

When I received the package in the mail, my first thought what a great gift option for a wine lover.  It is packaged perfectly for a gift bag, or if you are like me a wonderful structure for a beautifully wrapped present.  I just love wrapping presents.  Okay I digress, but the packaging is really great.

wine chiller.png

Upon opening the box, I was surprised to only see two pieces.  I originally thought there would be several pieces seeing it was supposed to aerate, provide dripless pours, and chill the wine.  This product was supposed to do a lot.

 

So, now for the review…………… J

Putting the two pieces together was soooooo easy.  A quick screw of the two pieces provided and you have a product that aerates, provides dripless pours, and chills wine.  What more could you ask for :-)


The instructions tell you to freeze the stainless steel rod for an hour – which I did.  After an hour I was ready to chill my wine.

I had a bottle of 2012 Saldo, 90 pts from Wine Advocate.  I chose a bottle from my cellar that I truly love to try out this chiller.

The wine aeration was stellar, and the design of the product provided dripless pours.  The one thing I was looking for was the chill factor.  Well this product did not disappoint, my lovely wine stayed chilled!  I also tried this product to keep a lovely bottle of Rose, again the product did not disappoint.  It kept my chilled bottle of Provence Rose at a beautiful temperature.

I am always excited to find a new great wine product to share.  This product is great for an entertainer who wants more space on his/her table or wants the chill to last on a lovely bottle of wine you open after a long week J

This product gets a thumbs up from Corks and Cuvee and My Wine Life Blog. 

My Conversation with Winemaker Chris Christensen - Founder and Head Honcho at Bodkin Wines

Last month I had the pleasure of speaking with Founder, Head Honcho, and Winemaker Chris Christensen at Bodkin Wines.  I thought my conversation would be just about Bodkin Wines, well it was so much more. This conversation was not only a story of wine and winemaking but of triumph against all odds.......................................

Chris Christensen is the Founder, Head Honcho, and Winemaker at Bodkin Wines.  The story behind Bodkin Wines is a fascinating one that dates back to the 100 Years War.

Chris Christensen is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Chris grew up in a traditional non-drinking household.  Chris shared with me “fine dining” was not a part of his everyday life and that the closest he got was the new Applebee’s or Red Lobster in his town.  Now, let me say I love both so this is no dig at either. 

After graduating from Stanford University, Chris knew a suit, tie, nor 9-5 was a part of his future.  Instead guided by the line “We few, we happy few” from Shakespeare’s King Henry V, started his own winery for less money you could buy a car and labels plucked directly from 15th century Battle of Agincourt. 

Chris, got his wine shoes starting out as an intern at Gallo laboratories and from there had the amazing opportunity to work harvest in both Australia and New Zealand.  Chris started his winery and bottled his first bottle of wine in 2011.

Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

Chris named his winery Bodkin Wines.  I had to ask the definition of Bodkin.  Chris explained that Bodkin is an armor piercing spear head that helped defeat the French.  How apropos because Bodkin wines has pierced the wine industry with some really amazing and unique wines.

The Bodkin Wines brand is synonymous with America’s first Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.  Bodkin Wines is a great story of triumph, easy drinking wines, at a good value that pair well with great days, great foods, and great friends.  As a Certified Specialist of Wine I have tasted many wines and had conversations with many winemakers.  I have not however, met a winemaker who has triumphed over as much. 

As a plus to having a conversation with the “Head Honcho” I was also able to sample each of the wines in the Bodkin wines portfolio.  

Preparing for the Bodkin Wine tasting

Preparing for the Bodkin Wine tasting

My offering of tasting notes below:

The flagship wine of this winery in my opinion is its Sparking Sauvignon Blanc.  Yes, I said Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.  It is not your everyday Sauvignon Blanc with bubbles.  This sparkling definitely has a personality all its own.

Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Cuvee Agincourt - Brut

  • Appearance:  Clear, Medium intensity, Lemon color, fast dissipating legs and a watery rim – all good for this wine.

  • Nose:  The condition is clean, medium/medium plus intensity, with aromatics of grapefruit, white flowers, and this wine is deliciously youthful, fun, and ready to drink.

  • Palate:  The wine is dry, the mousse is delicate yet you definitely feel the sparkle, a citrus salad in the mouth, with a hint of nuttiness.  A beautiful combination.

 2014 Sauvignon Blanc – “The Victor’s Spoils” – 91 points Editor’s Choice Wine Enthusiast

  • Appearance:  Clear, medium intensity, lemon in color, fast dissipating legs and a watery rim – all good for this wine.

  • Nose:  The condition is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of citrus, nectarines, and magnolia blooms and the wine is youthful.

  • Palate:  The wine is off-dry, medium/medium plus acidity, no tannins, full of citrusy goodness, white flowers, the wine is ready to drink now on a great spring or summer day.

 2014 Sauvignon Blanc – “Musque Clone” – 92 points Editor’s Choice Wine Enthusiast

  • Appearance:  Clear medium plus intensity, lemon/light gold in color. 

  • Nose:   The condition is clean, medium plus intensity with aromas of orange peel, tangerine and a hint of honey.

  • Palate:  The wine is off dry, medium acidity, no tannins, medium alcohol, medium plus body.  Very round mouthfeel, citrus but not green fruits definitely rounder, softer, citrus notes.  This wine has some structure.  This wine was a sheer delight the Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc made for a great unique combination. LOVE!!!  You could lay this one down – you can drink now but has potential for age.

 2014 Dry Muscat Canelli – 89 points Wine Enthusiast

  • Appearance:  The wine is clear, with medium/medium plus intensity, gold in color.

  • Nose:  The condition is clean, medium plus intensity, with aromas of orange peel, lemon, dried grapefruit, ripe citrus, and stone fruits.

  • Palate:  The wine is dry, medium plus acidity, no tannins, medium/medium plus alcohol.  This full of baked fruits, stone fruits with great balance and complexity.  DELICIOUS!

 2013 The Albino – Skin Fermented Sauvignon

  • Appearance:  My glass revealed a wine that had not gone through fining or filtration which is not a bad thing. In this wine it is quite good.  The wine has medium intensity, lemon yellow in color.

  • Nose:  The condition is clean, medium plus intensity, with aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, citrus, and floral notes.

  • Palate:  The wine is off-dry, medium acidity, definite skin contact, medium/medium plus alcohol.  The wines structure and taste is wonderfully unique.  Citrus, lemon zest, followed by a smoky, nutty roundness that really creates a wine that is layered full of body and flavor.  This wine is more than a sipping wine.  This wine is meal worthy and not just fish and chicken.  Drink this wine now but it definitely has potential for some age.

 2013 Zifandel

  • Appearance:  The wine is clear, medium intensity, beautiful ruby color, and medium moving legs after the swirl.

  • Nose:  The condition is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of red fruits, it is a red berry salad on the nose. 

  • Palate:  The wine is dry, medium plus acidity, medium, round tannins, medium alcohol, medium plus body.  There is influence of oak, vanilla, red fruits, and spice.  I really enjoyed this wine. 

 2013 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

  • Appearance:  The wine is clear, medium plus intensity, lemon-gold in color.

  • Nose:  The condition is clean, medium/medium plus intensity, with aromas of ripe fruits (citrus and stone), honey, and marmalade.

  • Palate:  The wine is sweet, medium acidity, no tannins, with honey notes, baked fruits, honeysuckle, and praline – YUMMY!!!

I had a great time speaking with Chris.  I love the story behind Bodkin Wines and I love the wines.  

Bodkin Wines can be purchased at http://shop.bodkinwines.com/.  Although, ready to be able to purchase Bodkin Wines in the Atlanta market.  Chris is working on it :-)

We need a new hashtag #bodkinwinesatl

 Cheers!!!