2004 Oddero Barolo

A friend of mine picked me up a 2004 Oddero Barolo during the holidays and I just had the opportunity to uncork it in my post-Lent beveraging festivities.

Made from an excellent 2004 vintage of nebbiolo grapes, this dry red wine had a lot of traditional characteristics, a balanced taste and moderately tannic finish. On the nose, I noticed some floral notes literally giving the term "bouquet" new meaning for me. On the palette, I got a combination of spices (particularly hints of nutmeg) and dark fruits (like cassis) alongside some more earthy properties, like soil and roses.

Definitely a bottle I would recommend, and although it was delicious to drink now, I could only imagine how much more abundant the attributes of this wine would be it aged a few more years.

Cost: $45/bottle

Where to Buy:

Celebrating Easter with Pommery's Springtime Brut Rose

After 40 days/nights of being "dry," I needed to unravel my wine celibacy with something substantial... something bold... something worthy of an Easter egg-stravaganva. So naturally I went to the bubbly!

Most of you know that I'm one of those winos who loves to try new things and believe its important to open your palette to things you may not otherwise want to try - afterall, those are the moments when you make discoveries. But I also think its equally important to keep tabs on the things that you like, so naturally when I find something that grasps my interest, I eventually always go back to it. So, needless to say I had to snag some Pommery for this special occasion!

Now normally I'd immediatley go for the Brut Apanage - I like lots of bubbles and a dry finish - but something steered me different this go around... the eye-opening colors on the bottle of their Springtime collection. Ok, I know its deemed "unacceptable" to play the "uneducated-drinker-choosing-wine-based-on-its-label, but in my eyes sometimes you need to judge the book by its cover... and this time it paid off nicely.

Springtime Brut Rose is part of Pommery's Time vintage champagne collection. Springtime, Summertime, Falltime and Wintertime are all meant to compliment the foods, festivities and lifestyles of each season, so even despite the hot pink and lime green decor on the bottle, Springtime Brut Rose was a natural fit for our Easter Sunday brunch, and added a hint of sophistication to our post-Church morning.

Served in a champagne flute, I accompanied this pale pink champagne with a few blueberries to give it the true essence of spring. Made of a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier blend, its fresh taste was full of life and excellent effervescence, and its bouquet boasted red berries, pomegranates and kiwi. This champagne is surely a sin that won't need any repenting.

Cost: $60/bottle

Where To Buy: NapaCabs.com

Lent is over, and Lil' Miss WinoBee is back!

40 days, 40 nights, and one large-and-in-charge Easter celebration later, I'm pleased to say, "Thank you, Jesus - Lent is over!" and Lil' Miss WinoBee is officially back (in full force, too!)



As many of you know, I decided to repent my sins this year in the form of giving up one of my favorite things in life... wine! It wasn't easy, though I will admit I may have used one of my Sunday "cheat days" in a moment of pure and utter desperation, but nonetheless, I'm back in action and ready to get on with sharing my finds!

Thank you all for your patience and support during this time. Check back for what's being uncorked!