A Note about French Wines

I know, I know.  I'm a little stuck on French wine.  Let me give you five excellent reasons it's the best wine for Summer. 

5.  Better Bang for your Buck.  It's a far better value than California wine.  A $10 CA wine is often crappy.  A $10 French wine is often a tasty suprise.

4.  Drink more and Save.  You'll be drinking more wine in the summer - so go for the lower alcohol.  French wine is usually a lower percentage of alcohol.
3.  French Wine is Friskier.  Who wants a big, fat, cab when its 90+ degress and 90% humidity ?   I know - some of you die hards do.  But I like a little chill on my wine, and all French wines - the White Bordeaux, the Red Bordeaux, the Beaujoulais and the Rhones are all a little more frisky with a chill !
2.  French is Fruitier.  Your best compliment to the foods of summer - grilled chicken, salads and fruit - is a fruit forward wine with enough acidity to balance out the charcoal and dressings.  I suggest a real Beaujoulais or a nice Rhone.  Even the younger Bordeaux's - found a 2006 for $10.99 that I'll drink ALL DAY - is a fantastic choice.
1.  French is Flirtier.   Sit in the grass, kick off your shoes, take in a concert and pour some French wine and I promise you'll make friends. 

4th and Down

My how it's all changed.  I was cautioned by those who know more than I - that it would.  I was told that my martha stewart ways would give way to real life.  I used to have perfect dinner parties with perfect flowers and pretty darn good food - at least perfectly presented and timed. 

This 4th of July was the eye opener for me.  We had traffic, spilled wine in the car, stranger than fiction bugs, one seriously horrendous band and horse crap (that was just on the 3rd of July) - on the 4th there was dog drama and dog dancing, baby hughey grumpypuss and we nearly had to call the fire department.  In short, we had to punt.

But when it was all said and done, and I reflect on the friends, family and chaos, I wouldn't change a thing.  My pursuit of perfection has finally given way to my pursuit of just being in the moment.  Each one is so very precious. 

and....my car cleaned up nicely and we'll soon be able to use the grill again.  I can live with that.