Richard Childress, hot rod on the NASCAR circuit, is just another case in point as to those who should stick to their profession, the one that made them money!  Not, wine making.

Seriously, take a look at this guy – really?  Obviously has time to safari hunt, why would he waste time sinking his money into making wine.  Excess money dude?  Go on another lion killing spree…!!  What the?  

I am asked a million times a day, “Hey Leslee, have you had this wine…have you had that wine…what do you think?”  Some of them I’ve had, some of them not, some of them never heard of and some of them…well, I’ll get to them.  But when asked if I’d ever had ‘this’ wine, I giggled, and kindly said, “nope”.  I have one theory and it consistently proves itself true.  Those who are famous and decided to run off and start a winery for purposes of ‘making money’, should stick to what made them famous in the first place.  This long list of ‘famous’ folk range in profession to:  rock stars, NASCAR drivers, politicians, movie stars and more.  Sad, but true.  

My first experience with ‘wanting to believe’ came when I found that Mr. Dave Matthews, my favorite musician, started an organic vineyard and farm site by the name of Blenheim Vineyards.  Blenheim, a huge support to local agriculture and its community does a beautiful job on the front of organic fruits and veges, but when it comes to wine – ummm, I love you Dave – but really?  Not so good.  Overly enthusiastic and well, wanting to support my favorite musician even more (like the Forbes list doesn’t do enough for him?), I called the winery and bought 2 cases of his wine.  I bought everything he made.  Once received, I pulled them out bottle by bottle – wanting, wishing it ALL to be as amazing as his music.  No such luck.  My love for Dave’s wines just didn’t transcend from the gorgeous lyrics of his musical poetry to his wine.  Sorry Dave.  So…I leave a few bottles to my cellar as a piece to remind me that I should stick to those who know how to make wine to sooth my palate, not scare it.

Case in point when I was given a bottle of Mr. Childress’s 2006 Reserve Cabernet last nite.  My group of gals, had asked…’Have you had this wine?’  And, that’s when I giggled.  Wanting me to, at least, try it out – they gave me a bottle to take home – to blog about.  Well, here it is, girls…

Leslee’s Tasting Notes for the 2006 Childress Reserve Cabernet – North Carolina:

Nose:  Michelin Tires and Burnt Plastic

Palate: Burnt cherry pop tarts that fell through the cracks of a dirty oven (maybe one that you had in college) – probably one that had once housed too many frozen pizzas.  Can’t get past the burnt ‘barbie doll’ plastic smell and the palate so off putting that I’d rather drink fish oil straight from the bottle.

Ouch, too harsh?  Not even.  This bottle of wine doesn’t deserve the light of day.  I can’t say the same about Dave’s wine.  At least his would be considered ‘drinkable’ in some parts of the world.  

That’s it.  Case proven, again, again and again.  Joni Mitchell, Dave Matthews, Hulk Hogan, Richard Petty, Mario Andretti – I’m sorry.  

Stick to the those who are making it ‘for the love of the wine’ that’s my best advice.  Money isn’t everything, but wine – well, it kind of is.  Live well, but drink even better.  Cheers!

After two fun Amusée events with Jen T and her pals, I promised the gals that I give a ’shout out’ for time well spent during our last two diva wine parties.  Jen, who became a fan of Amusée after taking a couple of classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill with me, loves to let loose with pals over a good libation.  

Our first gathering took place over St Patty’s Day, with no cost spared.  Just a few gals sitting around drinking a few very highly allocated wines, including one ~ Chappellet ‘Pritchard Hill Estate’ Cabernet – yum.  Instead of drinking green beer, the girls and I did it up in style over nine, fun international wines.  The wines were beautiful and the Chappellet ended up being one of the favorites of the nite.  From its deep, chocolate covered bing-cherry fruit down to its dusted cocoa beans and rich Napa dirt, the wine was a hit with the girls. 

Tonite- Earth Day! – a liter fare of goodies, the gang and I reconvened over a plate of artisanal cheeses from Premier Cheese Market (50th & France, Edina), handmade truffles from my favorite local chocolatier, Lovehandles Chocolate, and an easy little shmattering of international wines from Italy to Argentina.  A different menu, but always a great time.  A couple of new faces were added to the circle, and I was a proud wine mama with a few of my girls spitting out the wine info that they learned at the last party.  I loved it.

Tonite’s favorites consisted of a tasty blueberry fruited Argentina Malbec called Diseño and a delicious handmade cheese from Iowa by the name of Prairie Breeze.  Prairie Breeze, a gorgeous, slightly earthy Cheddar, is a unique hand-crafted gem made by a 17 year old young man from a small Amish community in Iowa.  Absolutely fabulous and goes with many styles of wine.  From a young, brite Vinho Verde to a round, supple Napa Cab (all part of tonite’s pourings) – the cheese paired well.

Reflecting upon another successful Amusée event, and walking away with a few new friends, I’m quickly reminded that my job as owner of Amusée and Sommelier is really a lucky one.  Not only do I meet very cool people at every event, but my job consists of helping people appreciate and enjoy wine.  

Lucky, is what I am.   

So, I want to say thank you.  Thank you to the Girls gone Wine over in St Paul with the Jen T gang to my very committed Amusée fans who stop at nothing to support me (not even snow storms) through numerous classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill.  

Lucky am I to be a part of an ever-growing industry.  And, lucky to be sharing wine with a lot of cool new folks across the great state of Minnesota.  Cheers to you all and cheers to you, crazy wine divas!