Mmmm, wine....

Before I write another line, let me state that I am NOT a wine expert. I am merely someone who enjoys the fruit of the vine...on occasion. So anything I write is just based on my opinion of each wine I sample.
Where to begin. OK, how about the beginning?
My wonderful sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave Mr. X and I a wonderful Christmas present: a membership to a wine-of-the month club. Talk about an awesome gift! There is nothing better than wine arriving at my door during the month -- well the UPS man asking if I'm older than 21 is pretty nice too. ;)
So we are getting two bottles of wine at a time. One red, one white.  And since I can't actually share a glass with everyone, I will tell you about the joy that happens in my mouth.
For January, we got a unique red Spanish wine. The club calls it an unfiltered Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend. It is the 2007 Loxarel Vineyars OPS from Penedes, Spain. It is a dry red wine that is described to have leather and tobacco aromas. When I read that, I wasn't excited. I've lived with smokers for a good chunk of my life and I am not a fan of tobacco. But I was surprised with this wine. It is dry at the start and at the end. There is a hint of tobacco but the leather smell overpowers it. The tobacco essence in the wine is very much that sweetness that can be associated with tobacco. I know that sounds weird, but sometimes tobacco has kind of sweet smell -- pipe tobacco is like that.
The description did talk about having a deep berry taste that was balanced with a vanilla oak flavor. I don't remember tasting the vanilla but the fruit and the oak are both subtle in the wine. They are pleasant and don't overpower.It is a wine that a glass or two is enough. It isn't one that I can just sit and drink all in one afternoon/evening. It does pair up well with a spicy porketta and would probably be good with a steak.
All in all, I like this wine.
But I have to admit I liked the chardonnay that came withe Spanish red better. This wine was a 2009 Scotto Family Cellars Chardonnay from Lodi, California.
It is dry, but you didn't get that bite of dryness until the end. It isn't one that takes you completely by surprise, but you do notice how dry it is at the finish compared to the start.
I do think this has a fruity element to it. My palette isn't sophisticated enough to say exactly what fruits, but it is like a pear and maybe a nectarine. It is definitely a clean taste not sweet or overpowering like berry flavors are. It is very smooth and it is one that I sit and drink glass after glass.
I could certainly see it pairing up  nicely with a fish dish, maybe a chicken dish. It does well with mild cheeses. I have to admit, I drank it with beef tenderloin and still thought it was great.
I really liked this one and would probably buy it at the store.
We did get February's wines: A 2003 Vina Alamosa Premium Cabernet Savignon from Cachapoal Valley, Chile, and a 2009 Steeple Street Chardonnay from North Coast, California.
When I open those, I will share my thoughts.

Until then, cheers!

The age of acceptance

I have spent so much of my 33 years trying to get people to like me, accept me. I wanted to belong.
And this isn't that uncommon. I think many of us spend a lot time trying to fit in and for people to like us. Don't lie, and say, "Oh no, not me."
We all do it, just the way we do it is different. Some of us try to follow the crow and make the same type of jokes. Or we try to bribe our way in somehow. Or we try to make ourselves as fashionable as possible with the newest items. It helps us conform to some idea of cool, hip, acceptable. The hyper-color shirt comes to mind -- I remember pestering my mother for one because everyone had one and I wanted to be cool.
But I realized the other day, that I don't think I care if people like me or not.
Not everyone is going agree with me. Not everyone is going to like my style. Not everyone is going to notice me. Some people are going to be surprised when I say I am married (I'm still not sure why people are surprise, but whatever). Not everyone is going to like me.
And that is OK...because the only person who really needs to like me, is me. Well, and my husband. LOL :)

It has been too long

Since I have written on my little blog. It is almost like I have given Tales of the Giggler a death sentence.

Almost. I have thought about the blog every single day.

I have avoided it for a couple of reasons. First, I haven't had anything to say. Life is filled with work and overwhelming desire to succeed in a job that is still very new to me.

Second, I just wanted a break from the online world. I spend all day on the computer. I pull wire stories, post videos, interact on Facebook. By the time I get home, I don't want to look at my computer. I feel bad because I like my home computer.

I just needed a break. 

But it is time to get back on the blogging wagon.

Now, what do I have to say...

Hmmm.

Hmmmmm.

Nope, still have nothing.

But maybe tomorrow I will come up with something profound.