Our "Scoring System"

A note about what our scores mean:
5 - Wine your kids buy for you
6 - Would drink. Jug wine. Good for parties and your kids!
7 and above - Good for ANYTHING. Would recommend to friends. The higher the better!

And for PAIRINGS the scores mean:
0 = Wine tastes best alone
1 = Wine tastes best with food #1
2 = Wine tastes best with food #2

About Me

My photo
This blog started because we needed a tenor in the church choir... Bob, Karen and I told Mike that if he joined the choir we would go out after practice every Thursday for drinks and appetizers. After a while we decided that it would be more fun (and less expensive!) to take turns hosting a "wine & cheese" night. Then Bob had the brilliant idea to "Taste the Vine" in alphabetical order. We started with Cabernet Sauvignon. The rules were simple: 1) The wine had to start with your designated letter, and 2) the bottle had to be covered up so we didn't know what we were drinking. I decided to write down our scores so that we would know which wines we liked the best....then was "forced" into writing a blog so that we could share our "finds" with our friends. So, enjoy!!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

"L" Night with Andy and eLizabeth - We had a LoveLy Time!

 The Invitation:
Since I have been a Laggard in hosting wine tastings, it is time to stop my Laziness and host this Thursday's  Long-awaited wine night. It is an especially Lovely time to host since I have my Loyal sister Laboring to
help prepare the Litany of food and Libations.

All Lads and Lasses are welcome to Leisurely arrive in their Lounge clothes, if desired. We would Love the evening to be filled with Laughter, Levity and occasional Lunacy. Hopefully the wine will be Luscious and not Lousy. We Look forward to a Lively time.
Lovingly,
ELizabeth and Andy


Wine #1: Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley 2010 $21.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “Interesting smell”
Bob “That’s weird. I don’t know if it’s the wine or the Paté. It tastes better than it smells”
Andy “It’s a little tart. I like little tarts.”
Jessica “It’s ok”
Becky “I like this wine”
Karen “Smells better when you aerate it”
Ginger “I enjoyed it. The best one I’ve had today, so far.”
Sean “Smells better the less you have in the glass”
Elizabeth “Drinkable, but not exciting”
Mike “It’s like sangria”
Becky “Smells like a clean latrine”
Andy “Likeable but ultimately lacking”
Ginger “I would drink it if it was free”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 5, Karen 4, Mike 5, Becky 7, Andy 6, Elizabeth 5.5, Jessica 5.5, Sean 5, Ginger 5

Wine #2:  Lan Rioja-Crianza 2008 Red Wine Spain $12.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “Smells smokier”
Mike “Nice lines”
Elizabeth “I like this one. Smooth. Has a level taste.”
Karen “No tartness”
Bob “Luscious”
Andy “I’m longing for more”

Ginger “This is better. I would pay for this.”
Becky “Has the iron taste”
Sean “Not bad”
Karen “Not super dry. Nice finish.”
Elizabeth “I don’t like it super dry”
Jessica “Smells better”
Bob “I like this one”
Elizabeth “Smells like the liquid earth”
Becky “Smooth with a spicy note”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 7.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 7.5, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 8, Jessica 7.5, Sean 7.5, Ginger 7

Wine #3:  Chateau LaRose-Trintaudon Haut-Medoc cru Bourgeois 2005
Tasting comments:
Bob “Musty”
Elizabeth “I think it smells lusty”
Mike “I like this one”
Ginger “Loaded with flavor”
Mike “Almost lovable”
Becky “Fresh”
Karen “A little earth, more berry”
Andy “A lilt to it”
Elizabeth “Gives me a lift”
Karen “Tarter”
Becky “Very dry”
Karen “It would be perfect if it wasn’t tart”
Sean “Makes me want to be a lush”

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7, Karen 8.5, Mike 8, Becky 7, Andy 7, Elizabeth 7.5, Jessica 7, Sean 8, Ginger 6


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Sunday, July 6, 2014

It's "K" night with Karen and Bob!

The Invitation:
Let the Knowledge of wine Kindle your desire for Kinship.  Keep 7:30pm this Friday as your post Kris Kringle celebration time at the Mealey Kitchen.  Kindly reply with your number of Kin folk attending.  Tie a Knot around your finger so you Know to come.  Travel a few Kilometers by car or your yellow Kayak if raining. Just be there!!!!! Kindheartedly Yours…Bob and Karen

The Responses:
1) Kudos to the Mealeys for the invite.  The McDonald family will be Knocking on your door Friday night.  We will be bringing the Kids and wine, but not Kangaroo wine.   With Mood Management present, there is bound to be good Karma as well as the regular Kookiness involved.   Elizabeth will be wearing a Killer red Knitted scarf made by the Kind Jessica McBee who has a Knack for such items.  It will be a Kodak moment. Kindest regards, The McDonalds
2) A Kwik Kount of the Vortherms Klan shows 7 adults with one Kinchin.  We will set the Klaxon to Klang at 7:15 so that we will not be tardy.  My Kickie-wickie and I look forward to tasting a Kaleidoscope of Kermes wines.  Andy’s tastes will undoubtedly run toward Kir and Kirsch.   I’m sure the night will end with a Kantikoy to the wine with a Kolo sytle. Kudos to all. The Vortherms Klan

Wine #1: Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot 2009 Sonoma $23.99
Tasting comments:
Meghan “Smells fruity”
Becky/Jessica “Smells good”
Karen “I don’t think it has a lot of smell”
Jessica “A little dry”
Robert “So far better than what dad picked out last week”
Bob “I like it”
Lauren “I do, too”
Wayne “Is this K?” (as he smells it)
Bob “See if you can give it Kudos”
Stephen “It’s sharp as a Knife”
Bryan “Thumbs up”
Wayne “Kautiously Kandid on this one”
Miranda “I actually like it”
Lauren “It’s tart”
Bob “I don’t find it tart. It doesn’t hurt my ears.”
Sean “I don’t think it’s half bad”
Wayne “A good medium bodied wine. Goes well with the meatballs.”
Meghan “I taste the tart”
Bob “It might be the King of the day”
Andy “A Kaleidoscope of flavor”
Stephen “It’s not a Knockoff”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 8, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 7, Andy 7, Jessica 7, Sean 7, Wayne 7, Linda 7, Bryan 7, Robert 7.5, Stephen 7, Lauren 6, Kara 7, Sarah 7, Brian 7, Miranda 7, Meghan 7

Wine #2:  King’s Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir 2011 Willamette Valley Grown $15.99
Tasting comments:
Bryan “Light in color”
Wayne “Boone’s Farm”

Miranda “Looks like Manichevitz grape juice”
Bryan “Sour”
Meghan “Pink and it smells bad”
Jessica “See through wine”
Kara “Is this a Mike wine?”
Karen “Smells like strawberries”
Miranda “Smells like cough syrup”
Bob “Bizarre”
Lauren “It’s not that bad. A little booze-y.”
Sarah “Watery”
Meghan “Sour without any flavor behind it”
Brian”It’s better when I can’t taste it”
Beck “Not bad after the Havarti”
Karen “I don’t like it”…as she poured hers into Mike’s glass
Becky “Light tasting”
Miranda “You have to have food to make it decent”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 5.5, Karen 2, Mike 4, Becky 5, Andy 5, Jessica 4, Sean 3, Wayne 5, Linda 4, Bryan 4, Robert 3.5, Stephen 5, Lauren 5, Kara 5, Sarah 4, Brian 4, Miranda 2, Meghan 3

Wine #3:  Kaiken Malec 2011 Reserva Mendoza Argentina $19.98
Tasting comments:
Jessica “A much better color”
Miranda “I like this one. It doesn’t make me shudder. A nice after taste.”
Robert “A Sharp taste at the beginning”
Stephen “Pungent”
Wayne “This wine passes the meatball test”
Meghan “A tart, not quite sour taste”
Wayne “I don’t think it’s sour, it’s cloves.”
Bryan “Am I imagining vanilla?”
Becky “I taste vanilla just before the sour hits”
Karen “I don’t like it. Currants. Tastes like there’s a lot of pulp in it.”
Karen Iron-y”

Mike “Black currant syrup with white wine. Kir.”
Karen “Better with the meatball”
Becky “A lot better. I don’t taste the sour.”
Bob “Tastes like feet”


WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 5.5, Karen 5, Mike 5, Becky 5.5, Andy 5, Jessica 6.5, Sean 7.5, Wayne 7.5, Linda 6, Bryan 7.5, Robert 6.5, Stephen 5, Lauren 4, Kara 4, Sarah 7, Brian 6.5, Miranda 6.5, Meghan 6
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Saturday, May 31, 2014

"J" is for a Joyous night of wine

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Mike & Becky
“J” Night

The Invitation:
Please Join us for a Joyous Jubilation of wine tasting tomorrow evening
The Response:
I cannot believe the Jocularity generated by such an event that Jump starts my Jamboree of a weekend.  Just Karen and I will Jostle to your home for the Junction of family Joy!!!!!!!

Wine #1: Josh Merlot 2011 $23.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Uh oh. What is this? Welch’s? We’re not on W!” pauses to taste “Doesn’t taste as fruity as it smells”
Elizabeth “I think it tastes like air” note: Elizabeth wasn’t drinking…she was on meds
Karen “Not full”
Sarah “Generic red wine”
Jessica “Non descript”

Robert “More flavor, better after cheese”
Mike “It’s plain. Just plain.”
Bob “You don’t think it’s a Gem?” note: Bob was trying to get a “J” word and failed….
Mike “It’s not a jewel”


WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 6, Andy 6 Jessica 6, Robert 5.5, Brian 5, Sarah 5

Wine #2:  Santa Julia Malbec Mendoza, Argentina 2012 $9.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “Deep fruity flavor. Plummy.”

Mike “More body”
Andy “Good. A lot more complex than the last one.”
Elizabeth “I don’t think it tastes different than the last one”
Sarah “Too dark for me. Tastes church-y to me.”
Karen ‘I don’t get fruity”
Becky “Not berry…Plummy!”
Andy “Currant” (to laughter)
Becky “A little harsh”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 6.5, Mike 7, Becky 5.5, Andy 6.5, Jessica 7, Robert 6, Brian 6, Sarah 6.5

Wine #3:  Joyvin Red/Rouge Italy – Rashi Vineyards
Tasting comments:
Becky “Really light color”
Robert “Bubbly”
Bob “No legs”
Robert “I don’t know if you can call this wine”
Karen “Smells like strawberry”
Robert “Tasty. Tastes like sparkly juice.”
Bob “It’s kind of fun. It’s Jolly.”
Mike “Refreshing”
Bob “Put it this way. I think it will go well with a cookie.”
Jessica “It’s fun. It’s like a cider.”
Becky “Definitely sparkly”
Andy “Did this wine come in a box with a straw?”
Robert “It does have a cool cork…tapered.”
Bob “Is this a joke?”
Mike “A good wine for sangria”
Bob “A Jason wine”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 3, Karen 3, Mike 3, Becky 3, Andy 3, Jessica 5, Robert 5.5, Brian 6, Sarah 5


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Thursday, May 8, 2014

I love wine! It's "I" night!

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Bob & Karen


Wine #1: Incredible Red – Peachy Canyon – 2011 Zinfandel $11.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Smells fruity”
Karen “Very earthy smelling”
Becky “I was going to say the same thing!”
Karen “More flavor than I expected”
Bob “Is it full body or more intimate?”
Sean “Not bad”
Mike “It’s Ideal. You could almost say incredible.”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 7.5, Karen 6.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 7, Jessica 7, Sean 7, Lauren 6.5, Stephen 6.5, Kara 5.5

Wine #2:  Il Bruciato 2011 Bolgheri – Tenuta Guado Al Tasso $31.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “The wine is really good with the chocolate”
Karen “This one smells good”
Lauren “I like this one. Light and mild.”
Stephen “A little inaccessible. I don’t have an inkling on how I’m going to rate this one.”
Bob “Do you want to impart some of your intelligence?”
Jess “I don’t like the wine by itself. It has a weird after taste.”
Bob “It’s not bad”
Stephen “Inferior to the last one”

Karen “I don’t get a bite. It’s really dry. Drier with the chocolate.”
Mike “A non Italy wine”
Jess “This wine is really inconsistent”
Karen “Chocolate makes it drier”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6.5, Karen 7, Mike 5, Becky 5, Jessica 5, Sean 5, Lauren 6, Stephen 5.5, Kara 6

Wine #3:  Ruffino Il Ducale Sangiovese 60% Toscana 2010 $16.99
Tasting comments:
Sean “I don’t like the smell”
Stephen “It stinks”
Bob, Mike “Ewww”
Lauren “Smells like poop”
Bob “The taste is 10 times better than the smell”
Karen “No finish”
Becky “It’s sour”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 5, Karen 5, Mike 4.5, Becky 5, Jessica 4, Sean 3, Lauren 3, Stephen 5.5, Kara 2


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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Blind Wine Tasting - “H” Night



Invitation and Response:
It's a Heck of a night to have some Heavenly wine after a Heartfelt choir practice...but we're HERE for you :)  It's H night tonight at the Vortherms house. Please let us know if you will have any additional Hands on wine tasters tonight. Looking forward to seeing you all! 

Heartily happy to attend tonight!  Hope it’s great!  No additional hands from our family.  Ho-ho-ho.  Andy

How could we Hold out of sucH a Happy Holiday event!!!! The Mealey HouseHold will be Honored to Have tHree at the VortHerm’s House tonight!!!!!

Holy Hell! tHis is Hopefully going to be anotHer Hilarious Happening! How lovely! Hang on to your Hats, McBees on the Horizon! ~jessica

Wine #1: Handcraft – Artisan Collection – Petite Sirah – 2011 California $10.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Tastes better than it smells”
Andy “It had to”
Elizabeth “Better with cheese”

Becky “First taste – fruity. Better with the crackers.”
Karen “This is a South American/Chilean wine. It has that musty smell & taste.”
Elizabeth “The smell isn’t one I care for, but the taste is better. Smells like musty socks.”
Bob “I can live with the stinky feet. I have for years.”
Becky “It is good with the cheese”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 6, Karen 4, Mike 5.5, Becky 6, Andy 6, Elizabeth 5.5, Jessica 6, Sean 5, Kara 5.5

Wine #2:  Hahn Estate 2011 Pinot Noir – Santa Lucia Highlands $19.99
Tasting comments:
Karen “Smells a lot better than the first one”
Becky “The smell gets better”
Elizabeth “A lot bolder. Not committed on the taste yet.”
Becky “It hits you right away. Has a harsh after taste.”
Jessica “The first taste I didn’t like at all, but it’s growing on me”
Mike “It came out of hibernation”
Becky “What does that mean?”
Mike “It’s getting better”
Sean “It’s not my cup of tea”
Karen “The finish is good, but the start is too sweet”
Kara “Ho hum”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 5, Mike 6.5, Becky 5.5, Andy 6, Elizabeth 5, Jessica 5.5, Sean 3, Kara 5

Wine #3:  Horse Heaven Hills – Columbia Crest 2010 Merlot $13.99
Tasting comments:
Karen “Is it vanilla?”
Elizabeth “I think it’s chocolate”

Karen “I like this one the best so far”
Becky “Smells like caramel”
Jessica “I can see that! This one is drier. I like it.”
Andy “This is the best yet”
Kara “I agree”
Sean “It’s all right”

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7, Karen 6.5, Mike 6, Becky 6, Andy 7, Elizabeth 6.5, Jessica 7, Sean 6, Kara 6.5




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Thursday, April 3, 2014

G is for Good wines at a nice price!

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Bob & Karen
“G” Night


Wine #1: Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2008 DOCG $20.39
Tasting comments:
Becky “The first taste was delicious”
Mike “It is a good one”
Sean “I like it”
Jessica “A really smooth taste”
Bob “I think this wine is great. It grows on you.”
Karen “Full flavor. Not fruity. Nice dry finish.”
Jessica “A soft dry”
Kara “Not dry, but also a little blah”
Wayne “It’s a Gonzo wine”
Linda “Very mild. Tastes good, but doesn’t fill your mouth.”
Wayne “It’s a pizza wine”
Robert “It’s good”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 8, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 7.5, Jessica 8, Sean 7.5, Wayne 7.5, Linda 7, Kara 6, Robert 8

Wine #2:  Joel Gott Zinfandel 2011 $16.14
Tasting comments:
Karen “Pretty color”
Bob “Uh oh. Not a fantastic smell.”
Kara “It almost has a bit of carbonation to it”
Bob “It tastes like the wine from yesterday. Young.”
Jessica “Berry tasting. Not geriatric.”
Wayne “Not in my wheelhouse. A syrupy taste.”
Linda “Yes. Sweet.”
Sean “Might taste good on ice cream”
Becky “Has a coffee taste”
Bob “It grows on you”
Kara “Like the wine last night”
Robert “Definitely sweeter”
Becky “It’s a little harsh”
Jess “Yes”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 5, Mike 6, Becky 6, Jessica 6, Sean 6, Wayne 6, Linda 6, Kara 5.5, Robert 5.5

Wine #3:  Murphy-Goode 2010 Merlot Carlifornia $13.59
Tasting comments:
Wayne “This is much better”
Bob “That’s a good one”
Karen “This one is a lot better”
Linda “I still don’t think it has a lot of zip to it”
Wayne “Full bodied, aromatic wine”
Karen “This is Andy’s black currant start, full bodied, with a very nice dry finish”
Sean “Tasted great”
Jessica “A lot drier than the other ones”
Mike “It’s fair”
Robert “Gorgeous flavor”
Wayne “This is G-G-G-Great!”

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7.5, Karen 8.5, Mike 7, Becky 7, Jessica 7, Sean 8, Wayne 8, Linda 7.5, Kara 7.5, Robert 7.5
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