Editing and enjoying the 2010 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

I love blogging about wine, but it’s not the only writing I do...

As a writer, I have always been encouraged to write what I know. It was sometime in December 2011 when I started a novel. Because I was living in Yountville at the time, it was the logical setting for my story. I wrote about dating and drinking wine in the Napa Valley—two topics I know well.

In the second draft, I flexed my creative muscles and developed the main character, meaning I made stuff up. This is not an autobiography; it is contemporary women’s fiction (yes, that’s a genre!). The third draft was all about adding wine references and a few wine-savvy personalities to support the main character—a wine novice—on her wine-soaked path to self-discovery.

The development of this story and the writing process itself has been inspired and fueled by many glasses of wine. After working with a wonderful editor, Susan K Cole, I am currently polishing the final draft with hopes of self-publishing my ebook on Amazon soon. For updates on the official ebook launch and other fun fiction tidbits, please like my new Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/AuthorCortney and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AuthorCortney.

Who knows where I would be in my writing process without wine. Last night with a glass of the 2010 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, I edited the 22^nd chapter.

At $25/bottle, this is a tasty weeknight Cabernet and pretty affordable by Napa standards. The nose offers aromas of dark berries and oak spice. Concentrated and bold, this Cab has a lush mouthfeel and well-integrated tannins. With ripe blackberry flavors, dark chocolate notes, and the tiniest whisper of black licorice, this is a young wine with a lot of potential. Over the next six months, it will benefit from decanting and don’t forget to give it a good swirl. Cheers!

Refreshing Summertime Sippers

Summertime is my favorite time of year. As the temperature rises, I am more inclined to reach for something chilled and refreshing. Here are a few options to help keep you cool…

2011 Chateau Lestrille Blanc, Entre-deux-Mers (under $15/bottle, bordeaux.com): I tasted this refreshing white at the Wine Riot event in San Francisco earlier this month. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for three months, this crisp wine is mostly Sauvignon Blanc blended with a little Muscadelle. It has aromas of white flowers and citrus with peach and stone fruit flavors. With vibrant acid, this wine is best sipped alongside fresh oysters, summery salads, or moules frites.

2011 J Winery Pinot Gris ($15/bottle, jwine.com): As always, this tasty bottling is crisp and clean and perfect for just about any occasion. This easy sipper offers aromas of Mandarin orange, stone fruit and melon. Vivacious acidity balances the melon, citrus and minerals on the palate. It has a screw-top closure and lots of food pairing potential, especially with spicy foods. 

2011 Domaine Perraud Mâcon-Villages Vielle Vignes ($18/bottle, fpwm.com): Who loves White Burgundy with a small price tag? I do! I do! This Chardonnay is unadorned with oak and pleasantly fruit-forward. Lively acidity and green apple flavors make it a great match for a sunny afternoon by the pool, a goat cheese salad, chicken dishes, or sauteed shrimp.

2010 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($25/bottle, cornerstonecellars.com): This wine is aged sur lie in French oak for six months following fermentation in stainless steel. Pale straw color in the glass with the tiniest tinge of green, it has alluring aromas of lemon peel and guava with a very subtle note of fresh herbs. The palate is equally as mesmerizing with mouthwatering acid, bright minerals, and snappy citrus flavors. This is an inspired Sauvignon Blanc that pairs with everything from a triple-cream cheese (as shown in the pic) to fresh crab or even lobster risotto. 

2011 Smith-Madrone Riesling ($27/bottle, smithmadrone.com): If something light and fruity is what you’re seeking, this Riesling from the Spring Mountain district is it. With a lower alcohol content (12.6%) and brilliant acidity, the stone fruit flavors explode on the palate. With less than 1% residual sugar, it is technically a dry wine and delicious at lunchtime. 

Splurge 2004 Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Blanc de Blancs ($50/bottle, mainstreetwinebar.net): This vintage Champagne is utterly dreamy! It has a perfume of roasted hazelnuts and freshly baked bread. The palate is nutty and yeasty with racy green apple flavors and a kiss of caramel. Not particularly fruity, this sparkler is best served all on its own! 

As always, thank you for reading Sip, Swirl, Savor. Please follow me on Facebook and Twitter for wine events and more fabulous wine-related content. 

Cheers,

Cortney