welcome to elaney!

You know we’d pretty much live in a wine cellar if we could get away with it, and we’ve loved sipping through some of the nicer bottles we were gifted this Christmas (Thanks Reader Isa!).  However, as we’ve discussed, you can’t always get what you want, sometimes, you get what you need (yes, emum, $10 bottles on wine belong on the list of what you need.  No emails.)

Our two favs right now?  Penfold’s Cabs and Alamos Malbecs. Descriptions:

Penfold’s Cab Sav:  ”The wines are affordable, everyday, easy-drinking wine and is a classic Australian marriage of fruit power and structure. The Cabernet Sauvignon offers opulent dark berry flavous with a moderately firm structure and rich finish. ”

Alamos Malbec:  ”Alamos Malbec presents a dark purple color with violet highlights. The nose offers bright black cherry aromas with light floral notes and a touch of toast. The mouthfeel is full and rich, with ripe, concentrated cassis and black raspberry fruit flavors interwoven with a touch of chocolate and sweet spice from light oak aging.”

Any more suggestions from the peanut gallery?  We always love an excuse to taste test!

Reader Mo and I are sadly back from our lil jaunt to Sea Island for lil SB 2k11.  However, we come bearing tips for boozing at the beach!  As you all know, we love ourselves some red wine.  However, in the summer and on the coast – a light little white can hit the spot.  Oh but you hate Chardonnay?  No worries, try Casal Grande Vinho Verde.  Sort of a less sweet and less bubbly prosecco.  Perfect for this wonderful weather!

1)  We’re pretty sure that legit connoisseurs would never describe wine as vinoh-yeah
2)  We don’t care

Circa study abroad w/e in Firenze, we met red wine and thus began the life long love affair.  In the subsequent years, we’ve slowly learned more about our beloved reds and here are our most favorites at various price points (Don’t be fooled by the $50 bottle.  We could try to pretend, but most of you know that we are a mid-level marketing professional).

• $12 Bottle:  Rioja Gran Familia – good when you are cooking pasta on Tuesday
• $22 Bottle:  La Crema Pinor Noir – good when you are at your parent’s house and they are cooking pasta on Tuesday
• $50 Bottle:  Stag’s Leap Cabernet – good when your someone gives it to you …can’t get it out of your mind good

A month(ly) gift we want to see!  So, sometimes we work ourselves into a tizzy trying to avoid any whiff of cliche that comes with Christmas gift giving.  However, sometimes giving a cliched gift is not a bad thing.  Point in case:  eDad really does like cashmere sweaters…eMum really does like workout clothes…and Reader g-love really does like anything she thinks is expensive.

So while [insert interest] of the month is something you associate with a classic Christmas gift, we don’t think you can go wrong (as an aside, elaney + Wine of the Month = luv).  We’ve found a great resource that has a large variety of gifts of the month.  Check out everything from salsa to cheese to bacon to ice cream here!  Fun for all!

“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” 1 Timothy, 5:23

According to Food & Wine Magazine, Southern Italy is the best place to find unfussy wines at reasonable prices.  Check out this recommendations for the best:

1998 Tasca D’Almerita Regaleali Rosso ($11) The basic red from Tasca, one of Sicily’s most dependable producers. It’s a charmingly rustic wine a blend of local grapes Nero d’Avola and Perricone with earthy black cherry and cola flavors. A superlative every-day red for pizza and pasta.

1998 Sinfarosa Primitivo ($11) Primitivo has been produced in Apulia since the late 1700s, but it took the renewed popularity of Zinfandel in California to inspire winemakers to craft suppler, more balanced Primitivos. This peppery red tastes like a Zin crossed with a Chianti.

1999 Feudi di San Gregorio Albente ($11) This refreshing white blend from a relatively new Campania winery has an explosively fruity aroma of fennel, lime and peach, and crisp flavors with notes of papaya and roasted nuts.

For more, click here.

“I came to you with a half-open heart…Dreams upon my back…Illusions of a brand new start…Nashville…Can’t I carry the load?…Is it my fault that – I can’t reap what I sow?…Nashville…” - Indigo Girls

If Nashville stirs in you nostalgia, excitement, or country music appreciation (and if it’s the latter – ugh), you might enjoy this trendy byproduct of an old Nashville institution. 

The Show Wines, a trendy line of wines to come out of the Tennessee city, were designed to pay homage to the great Hatch Show Print store. 

Hatch has filled venues for many decades with their unique and expressive posters, each turned out by hand on crank presses.  In the early days (circa 1879), Hatch promoted circuses and traveling shows, products like sausage and bread, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, B. B. King, and the stars of the Grand Ole Opry. However, today, Hatch is busier than ever.  From posters for Willie Nelson, Springstein, Coldplay, and The Strokes, to Jack Daniels ads, to wedding invitations, (and of course) to wine labels, Hatch is in demand.  For more, click here.

We haven’t tried, but between art, wine, and Nashville, things are in line for the elaney seal of approval!  Let us know your thoughts!

1. One glass of wine a day can reduce you risk of having a heart attack, but two glasses of wine a day increases your chance for developing breast cancer.
2. One glass of wine a day can increase bone strength, but two or more glasses daily can weaken bones. This decrease in bone density can put you at risk for developing osteoporosis.
3. One glass of red wine a day may help you stay thin, but two or more glasses a day may raise the fats found in your blood
4. Drinking wine in moderation may help improve your ability to create and maintain memories, but two or more glasses, especially when coupled with tobacco use, canhasten the onset of Alzheimer’s.
5. Drinking one glass of wine a day can lower your chances of having a stroke, but drinking more can raise your chances of having one.