Let The Holiday Season Begin

So, it seems that each year Thanksgiving becomes more about when you can really start shopping for Christmas (and decorate your house without your neighbors thinking you are crazy) than what it's really about - giving thanks (and celebrating when some Pilgrims sat down with Native Americans and split a turkey and some corn).
Today I spent the day with my family (well, my wife's family to be exact) and we all had a very nice time. My son only had 1 or 2 short lived meltdowns and a day that for a while seemed like "A Thanksgiving Without A Turkey" turned out to be a very good day (the people bringing the turkey were late - a no no for future reference). Even the drive from New Jersey to Long Island wasn't that bad (the L.I.E. actually moved well for once).

I stuffed my face on turkey, potatoes, stuffing, pork, lasagna, carrots, rice and beans, ham, roasted vegetables, cheese cake, chocolate chip cookies, brownies and candy. Not a bad day.

Now it's time for shopping to begin.

Chuck

So, it seems that every year there's a new television show that I really get into. Last year it was Heroes (which, by the way, isn't as bad this year as everyone says it is - it's just not great). This year, it's Chuck. The television show by McG about a computer geek who gets sucked into the world of spies and such. It's a comedy, but it's also got some great story writing. Hopefully the writer's strike won't screw this one up. Check it out if you get the chance: Mondays at 8:00pm, NBC.

NP: Best of You, Foo Fighters

First Snow

This morning I am sick and my son woke us up at 6:00am. I couldn't go back to sleep because I'm coughing too much and the heating guy is supposed to come over between 8 and 12 to fix our heating system (it is only half working). So... already it hasn't been the best day. But when I was making myself a cup of tea, I looked out the kitchen window and saw snow. I'm really not sure if this is the first snow of the season, but it's my first snow of the year and that's what counts. The day's not all bad.

NP: No One, Alicia Keys

More Wine For The Week

Well, I've got some more wines to write about this week. Trying to catch up with the ones that we've had since the move. Unfortunately, many are lost to the winds. I try to keep the label and things like that, but my wife has a love of throwing things away. So, they went to the trash before I could keep tabs on them. Anyway, the first of the ones I do remember is Rocca Felice Nebbiolo d'Alba Italy. I got this one for somewhere between $6.99 and $8.99 and it was worth every penny. Honestly, this was a great little wine, which we both enjoyed a lot. It's a nice Italian red.
Another one I picked up recently was the Inama Vin Soave Soave Classico 2006, Italy. I've gotten this wine a couple of times before and I really enjoy it. I think I feel like it's a smoother wine that I previously gave it credit for, but overall it's been pretty consistent. Although this was the first bottle I've had of the 2006 vintage (previous bottles were from 2005). A good wine.
Then we've got the Tupun Reserve Chardonnay Argentina, 2006. This bottle I got from the Wine of the Month club I had been a member of. We didn't love this wine. I think we had it with some turkey, which probably wasn't the best pairing, but it said on the label it went with poultry. It was a little too fruity for my tastes. Especially for something that was supposed to go with dinner. The tasting notes say flavors of pineapple, peach and mango, but what we really tasted were apricots.
Finally, I was hoping to enjoy a bottle of Frog's Leap Chardonnay Napa Valley, 2005. Unfortunately it was heat damaged, so we didn't drink that one. By the way, this was the 3rd bottle of wine I've gotten at Total Wine in River Edge, NJ that was heat damaged... Take it for what you will.

It's A Crappy Day... I'm Feeling Winey

It's a crappy day out today, and I have to go to work in a little while. My son has finally settled down for an afternoon nap, and the work I want/have to do can't get done. For some reason my file is corrupted, so I have to wait until I get into my office to get my backup. So... I'm sitting here on my couch, with nothing better to watch on television but Grease 2, and I figure I should throw something up here.
Since moving into our new house, we've been through a whole lot of wine. Some good and some not-so-good. Luckily, I've been happy with most, but there have been the occasional stinkers.
One of my favorite wines is the Carpineto Dogajolo Tuscany Italy 2005. I used to get this wine a lot at Sherry-Lehman in the city and was excited to find it in my local Stop and Shop Wine Shop. It's not expensive and a great everyday Italian wine. It's a blend of Sangiovese and Carbenet Sauvignon grapes. I have this with pasta (marinara, bolognese or any variety of red sauces) and with meats. I think it's a fun, steady wine. I've had multiple bottles and never have been disappointed.
Another staple Italian red for us is the Ruffino Aziano Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy 2005. To be honest, I thought the 2003 was a much better wine, but I've been happy with the 2004 and 2005 as well (with the 2005 being a better choice over the two). We first had this wine (the 2003) in New Orleans, and we've stuck by it since. It's a great everyday chianti that goes with just about everything. It's got nice acidity, full body and a taste of dark red fruit.
A great white, which I will recommend to anyone is the Groth Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2005. This may be my favorite white wine. This is another wine that we first had while visiting New Orleans. We enjoyed this with dinner at August (which may be one of the best restaurants I've been to in the United States). I can't tell you how many bottles of this wine I've gone through. It's consistently excellent from bottle to bottle and vintage to vintage. It's great with seafood or light pasta dishes. It is crisp, light and has citrus flavors and melon.
Another wine we've had in the recent months was Graffigna Malbec Argentina 2004. I bought this one a very long time ago (while my wife was pregnant) at the recommendation of one of the guys at Murray's Wine Store and it's sat in my wine fridge ever since. My wife is a big fan of Malbec, so we waited until she wasn't pregnant or breast-feeding to enjoy this wine. I liked it. It wasn't terrific, but I've never been blown over by a Malbec. I like them, but they have never been a go-to wine for me. It's got lots of dark cherry and plums. A little spicy, but not too much. We paired it with grilled lamb chops and they went very well together (mmm.... those lamb chops turned out very good. I remember them well).

Oh... the baby's awake. Got to go.