A Portuguese Jaunt

Took a little trip to the Portuguese aisle and sniffed out a classy looking cheap deal with an amusing name:

Porca de Murca.

Porca de Murca Douro tinto 2007 $11.99.

Took a good whiff and got sweet maple syrup peameal bacon on the nose. This set me up for disappointment as none of these delectable flavours were detectable on the tongue. Very acidic up front giving way to something I couldn't quite put my finger on, I felt it rather drinkable despite its lack of character. This wine would be excellent with white bread.

If you must.

Verdict: Tastes machine made.

-J. Floorburb

The Old Country

Campo Viejo

Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza $14.99.

This wine is chubby. Extra plump for a spanish wine. It is even a bit furry. Not so furry as that australian shiraz malbec though. I thought I could taste the cork a bit. I plugged her up and waited two days. Still good. S'good, s'good, s'good.... Retained the chubby-ness and only ever so slightly more acidic.

Worth another go.

Verdict: Tastes handmade.

-J. Floorburn

A Weekend To Remember

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010

The plan for dinner between myself and Motorhome (pictured here in the left foreground) fell apart at about 1900 hours. We went from looking at a full elk roast with all the trimmings (pattypan squash, parsnips, potatoes, and chard) to scarfing three pansworth of pan fries and ketchep instead. Motorhome supplied the wine.

Las Moras Reserve Tannat 2007 San Juan Argentina 14% "Oak aged for 16 months to tame its character".

Compared to other Argentinians this wine has heavy tannins. I always find I prefer my tannicky wine with food. We played a little palate-ball with various cheeses and M. Jackson brought a big bag of bulk cheeseys. The snack-hands so grossly displayed here belong to none other than Wendeep Oaksminder. I can only hope she washed instead of licking.

Definitely not for the faint of heart. Back to the story. Things got out of hand when Monsieur Orange tried to celebrate Britney Spears' birthday by cranking her songs on Motorhome's stereo. Orange wouldn't let the livid Motorhome (he despises Britney's music) in to Motorhome's own room to turn it off so Motorhome kicked his own bedroom door down onto Monsieur Orange.

Fast forward to sunday. Motorhome rehanged his door by the afternoon and finally got that elk roast in the oven (with all the trimmings), it looked and smelled beautifully. However when he attempted to make the gravy from the drippings in the pan the pyrex pan exploded all over the kitchen. Glass chunks and shards covered the stovetop, the floor, Motorhome, and the elk (and yes, all the trimmings). He nearly gave up cooking forever. Someday I'll tell the story of the great popcorn fiasco of '08.

-J. Floorburn

my first australian

I've steered away from Australian wines for years because of one Yellowtail shiraz (which shall remain named) for its disgusting flavour of cream soda. Pukeworthy and otherwise not warranting a review let alone an acknowledgement, Yellowtail shiraz will be used as a reference point to compare:

Wyndham Estate since 1828 bin 535 shiraz malbec southeastern Australia 2008 15.0% red wine.

Would this wine have been fermented with twigs, I suggest they'd be of the pine family. Wendeep detected mint, but why? On second swill I tasted fur; it even smelt of pelts. Wendeep insisted "It's the mintiest ever." She slyly noted mandarine orange, a bright red flag as far as I'm concerned. Too reminiscent of cream soda. But it is pulled off, and the myriad of flavours unexpectedly messy on the first sip blend nicely, if alarmingly furry. Probably go good with graham wafers, toaster waffles, candied prawns, coffee, celery, cupcakes, chinese food, etc.... Whereas Yellowtail shiraz might only ever taste remotely drinkable when paired with cream soda.

-J. Floorburn