The Frisk Prickly Riesling is a “good for any situation” kind of wine.

Why? Because this wine has a little “party in a bottle” action going on. (aka…the Prickly.) But more on that in a minute.

The Frisk Prickly Riesling from Australia is 89% Riesling and 11% Muscat Gordo which makes it a wine that Riesling fans will enjoy as well Moscato lovers.

It pours more like a Pinot Grigio with virtually no color, but the aroma makes you remember why it is a Riesling.

With smells of ripe citrus fruits and floral the nose gets you ready for a light bodied mouth feel with flavors of orange, peach, lemon and lime, with a slight mineral finish.

My favorite part though, and why I think it is a party in a bottle, is that it has a slight fizz. So it is like sparkling wine light (in taste and profile) and perfect for a hot summer day.

Because of its profile it would be an awesome match for Thai or Asian Food. And it’s low alcohol level means you can drink a bottle (or two) and not end up feeling too bad the next day.

Honestly, this is an inexpensive and awesome summer wine and should appeal on some level to about everyone who drinks it – even us die hard red wine fans.

Note: This wine should be available at most liquor outlets. Please be responsible when you drink wine – and never drive drunk…seriously, that is just stupid in this day in age.

Thirsty Thursday is the quest to drink good, cheap wine that is $15.00 and under. Want some more recommendations? Check out the past cheap wine posts on Thirsty Thursday or use the Thirsty Thursday Wine List when creating your wine shopping list.

Sometimes box wine is my therapy.

Did I mention that my kids get out of school in less than two weeks?

And today they were arguing about if DD could bark like a dog or not for fifteen minutes.

So if you are like me and need a Mama’s Little Helper in the pantry (preferably one with a lock on the door), check out 2008 Black Box Merlot.

This wine is 81% Merlot, 14% Syrah, and 4% Petite Syrah.

This inky dark wine has a nose that displays a cinnamon-oaky-leather aroma, followed by a medium weight wine with lots of flavors of ripe plums and currants and finishes with subtle tannins. In all honesty, I wouldn’t pair this with food, but would drink it on its own.

And for those of you who are purists, I wouldn’t call this a Merlot, but a Red Blend.

The Black Box Merlot is a little on the sweeter side and doesn’t have as much structure as a true Merlot. However, with that being said, this wine in a box equates to $6.00 a bottle. It does what it needs to do – taste good at an affordable price.

And it fits in the pantry. And you can’t see how much is gone day-to-day because it is in a black box. And that makes it WAY cheaper than therapy.

Don’t forget to use the Thirsty Thursday Wine List when creating your wine shopping list.

Note: This wine should be available at most liquor outlets. Please be responsible when you drink wine – and never drive drunk…seriously, that is just stupid in this day in age.

Thirsty Thursday is the quest to drink good, cheap wine that is $15.00 and under. Want some more recommendations? Check out the past cheap wine posts on Thirsty Thursday.

Thirsty Thursday is the quest to drink good, cheap wine that is $15.00 and under. Want some more recommendations? Check out the past cheap wine posts on Thirsty Thursday.

I had a bit of glee-squee-act-like-a-teenage-girl last week.

You see, I found the 2009 Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover at Cosentino’s Market – Downtown.

I had the good fortune of tasting this wine almost six months ago, but had a booger of a time finding it ANYWHERE in the metro.

But there it was. In downtown Kansas City. Looking shiny and pretty.

Even better , it was on sale for under $10.00.

The 2009 Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover is a blend of 50% Petite Sirah, 25%Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah and 10% Zinfandel.

The wine leads with aromas of currant, clove, and cedar with a mix of soft vanilla with a mid-purple color in the glass.

The palate is a blend of ripe plum and cherry fruit flavors with a combo of pepper, clove, nutmeg and caramel. It also a bit of acidity on the tongue (or as I like to call it – party in your mouth), which gives it a favorable palate.

And then the finish happens..

And it is amazing.

It leaves you with the lingering taste of leather, a good tobacco cigar, and spice. (Think cool movie library set smells and flavors.)

This is a great wine to serve with a roast or any grilled steak. Or you can just drink it on it’s own.

The other cool thing. The reason for the Concannon Conservancy label? The grapes were grown on land that is part of a conservancy. They were grown at the Tri-Valley Conservancy, which is an area of over 3,100 acres protected from urban sprawl by a conservation trust.

Don’t forget to use the Thirsty Thursday Wine List when creating your wine shopping list.

Note: This wine should be available at most liquor outlets. Please be responsible when you drink wine – and never drive drunk…seriously, that is just stupid in this day in age.

Thirsty Thursday is the quest to drink good, cheap wine that is $15.00 and under. Want some more recommendations? Check out the past cheap wine posts on Thirsty Thursday.

Yes, you read the title correctly. I am talking about a Chardonnay. {GASP}

Usually, I’m not a fan of Chardonnays. They are too buttery, oakey, and “thick” for my preference.

However, as of late, our “fam” has been eating more vegetarian meals.

Which means no meat.

And most red wines don’t pair well with meatless entrees.

And I really enjoy my glass (or two) of wine with my evening meal.

So, due to forces beyond my control, I’ve been branching out and am trying different Chards to see if I can find a couple to go with our new vegggie meals.

Enter the 2010 Leese-Fitch Chardonnay.

It is a Chardonnay Kitchen Sink Wine – consisting of 80% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin Blanc, and 10% “Aromatic Whites” (Riesling, Moscato, Vermentino).

First, the Leese-Fitch Chardonnay is none of the descriptions above – “buttery, oakey, or thick”. It is a fresh and inviting wine with a nose of pear, kiwi, and a hint of lemon. It has a bright acidity which feels wonderful in your mouth and ends with just a hint of spice. This clean feeling wine is almost like a “red pinot in a white wine bottle” because of the texture and spicy undertones.

It would pair well with any fruit salad and fruit-infused marinades, as well as dish with softer cheeses like goat or brie.

But, be warned. The 2010 Leese-Fitch Chardonnay is VERY different from it’s past predecessors – so if you are looking for a “cleaner and naked” Chardonnay make sure to look for the 2010 vintage or else you will be disappointed.

And now I will no longer be disappointed – because I have a wine to go with my veggie meals.

Don’t forget to use the Thirsty Thursday Wine List when creating your wine shopping list.

Note: This wine should be available at most liquor outlets. Please be responsible when you drink wine – and never drive drunk…seriously, that is just stupid in this day in age.

Thirsty Thursday is the quest to drink good, cheap wine that is $15.00 and under. Want some more recommendations? Check out the past cheap wine posts on Thirsty Thursday.

Sometimes wine just comes to you.

Like the 2009 Bourgeois Pig Pinot Noir.

Bourgeois Pig is local brand.

Not local in the grapes are from here, but local in the CEO resides in Overland Park, KS and he is bringing inexpensive French wine to the Kansas City Metro.

I was able to sample three of their wines – the Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Revolutionary Red.

My favorite out of the group was the 2009 Bourgeois Pig Pinto Noir. It was a very fruit forward wine, filled with smells of ripe cherries, strawberrys and a hint of RC Cola.

While listed as Pinot Noir, I would say it is a sweeter-and-darker-than-average Pinot Noir. In fact, it reminded me a LOT of Apothic Red.

It is a smooth wine, with a nice structure and no offending tannins. It would pair well with a cheesy appetizer or creamy pasta dish.

If you love sweeter white wines, then give this red from  Bourgeois Pig a chance. It is a great gateway to the red wine family. However, if you prefer a BIG RED with a little tannin structure, you may find this wine too sweet for your preference.

Bourgeois Pig can be found at Gaslight Grill, Bristol (Leawood), Lionsgate Wine & Spirits, Lancaster Liquor, Gomer’s, Diamond Liquors, Kings Liquors, Top Cellars Select, and Metcalf Liquor.

Don’t forget to use the Thirsty Thursday Wine List when creating your wine shopping list.

Note: This wine should be available at most liquor outlets. Please be responsible when you drink wine – and never drive drunk…seriously, that is just stupid in this day in age.