nothing to w(h)ine about

Forgive me fellow bloggers for I have been sinned against, it has been 48 days since my last post.
Was I stranded on a desert island?
No.
Were all my leverpulls broken?
No.
Did the Riedel cabinet break?
No.
Did I forget how to un-twist a Stelvin closure?
No.
Have I paid my penance?
Yes.

I was sentenced to many winter holiday excursions were the wine served left me nothing nice to say. Free wine and all I could whine about was the lack of drinkable wine. I volunteered to be DD more than once.

Note to future hosts - the appearance of a Black Tower Magnum(s) is a legitimate reason to call the health department, Piat D'Or is only for the faint of palate and just because your wallet didn't take a pounding when you bought it doesn't mean my head has to in the morning. Don't bother buying cheap wine - just type BYOB on the e-vite, we won't think any less of you.

Now on to the good...
The non-denominational-gift-dropper-off-er left some wine in my sock that I can't wait try. Disappointingly the gift-dropper-off-er left no new wine literature.

The following is the first few we tried from the bunch:
Spy Valley
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2004
Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
Closure: Stelvin
Format: Standard
Had With: Lime infused tilapia, Basmati Rice and Spinach Salad
Recommend: Yes. Worth the ~$25 the n-d-g-d-o-er spent on it. More Loire Valley then I expected, lots of mineral. Brilliant colour.

Also opened but couldn't try due to cork issue:
Marchesi de'Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva
Grape(s): Sangiovese
Vintage: 2002
Appellation: Tuscany, Italy
Closure: Trad. Cork
Format: Standard
Price: $19 plus taxes
Issue: Badly corked.
Happy Ending: exchanged with no fuss, will try on weekend.

Michael David Vineyards 7 Deadly Zins
Grape(s): Zinfandel (from 7 of Lodi's producers oldest vines)
Vintage: Hit the recycling bin too fast
Appellation: Lodi, California
Closure: Damn recycling bin
Format: Standard
Price: ~$30, thanks n-d-g-d-o-er.
Had with: good company and a selection of odourous cheese.
Recommend: Go & buy, definitely worth a try. We asked for this wine after reading about it on 'wine in the peg' (see links).

On the rack for Future Blogging:
Screw-Kappa Napa Sauvignon Blanc
Sandhill One
Kenwood Vintage Red