Wine Club: Contrast Tasting

At last night's Wine Club (working title, still trying to see what works, last night we came to "Meow Meow Club" because trying to get people to listen about wine while drinking a lot of wine is basically herding cats but I can't decide if I like it enough but anyway), I put together a tasting of contrasting wines from similar regions. 

The whites are both from Northern Italy. First, the Ronco del Gnemiz Friulano San Zuan (2013, Silverlake Wine). Friulanos are also known as Sauvignon Verts, and taste a lot like Sauvignon Blancs. Super herbaceous with a bright minerality. Contrasting, I served the Angiolino Maule Masieri (DomaineLA), an organic wine that has the color of an energy drink and the palate of a sour beer. 

The reds are both from California. After coming off the super acidic Masieri, I served the light and fruity Broc Cellars Valdiguié (2013, DomaineLA). Valdiguié is an uncommon varietal these days, with only 300 acres left in California from the 6,000 acres that spanned the region in the 70's. And contrasting, I served The Prisoner (Whole Foods), a huge Napa blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono, and Grenache. Rich cherry and tobacco, wreaking of traditional Napa mores.

We then got wasted and shot gunned Pampelonnes in my front yard. ✌️

Pampelonne Red Sangria

Pampelonne Red Sangria
Price: ~ $20
Region: France
Retailer: Whole Foods (next month)

Remember when I found the PERFECT canned wine this summer, the Pampelonne Rosé Lime? 

Everyone has gone nuts for it, and rightfully so.
It's delicious. It's refreshing. It's mobile.

But it was very summery.

That doesn't really matter much in a place where summer never ends, but, even as a native who loves the heat, every once in awhile I like to ~feel~ like there is some sort of seasonal change taking place. I just need to mix things up now and then. Like, I'd love to be comfortable in a cozy oversized sweater on the couch eating tomato soup.

That is a physical impossibility at this juncture in time.
It is too fucking hot.

Ideally, I'd be drinking spiced mulled wine in luxury sweats carving pumpkins and watching Hocus Pocus while my whole house smells like warm cinnamon sticks and I get all nostalgic and shit. BUT NO. INSTEAD, I'M LIKE, OH, SHOULD I WEAR A BIKINI TOMORROW? I ALREADY HAVE TO APPLY SPF10000000 SO WHY NOT.

I'm very upset about the situation. It's been summer for a year & a half and I have some really dope mom jeans and Thanksgiving crafts I would like to debut to the world. 

But that's why the Pampelonne Red Sangria is so perfect right now. It tastes like the holidays, but is refreshing like a Pellegrino. It's light and spicy, and goes down so easy it's almost troubling. 

The way it makes me feel inside is that warm fuzzy awesome feeling I've only felt like four times in my life because it never gets cold here... BUT you know when you're like super, super cold? And then you finally warm up? And then you eat a big meal with loved ones? And then you eat painkillers and watch the first Harry Potter by the fire? You know that warm, fuzzy feeling?

THAT'S HOW I FEEL! RIGHT NOW! IT'S GREAT!
LIKE IS IT CHRISTMAS IN ILLINOIS RIGHT NOW?!
CAUSE IT IS IN MY BELLY!

I was fortunate enough to be gifted one box of these tiny little spiced miracles, and I've crushed it. It's gone. 

And that's the only problem with these.
IS THAT YOU CAN'T GET THEM FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

So be on the look out my friends.
Cause you know that these are Ross Test central.
100%, A++++ pass every time.

Previously: Pampelonne Rosé Lime

Pampelonne Canned Rosé Lime

Pampelonne Canned Rosé Lime 
Price: $19.99 for a four pack 
Region: France
Retailer: Whole Foods

To continue my quest for the perfect canned wine,  I bought the Pampelonne Canned Rosé Lime because I saw it, and uh, how could I not? It's sparkling Rosé, with lime. 

And, it's crazy but, I think I finally found it.
I found the perfect canned wine!

The Pampelonne Canned Rosé Lime has a flavor I thought could only be found in the Pellegrino Limonata, one of my favorite carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages of all time. Have you had that shit? Refreshing and tangy and perfect? You know what I'm talking about right? It's fucking delicious.

Okay, so imagine that perfection
AND THEN ADD ALCOHOL.
And that is what the Rosé Lime is.
ACTUAL PERFECTION.

There is nothing about this that isn't perfect. From the palate to the packaging, this is my quintessential estival beverage. It is an absolute dream, something I conjured with a spell on Tumblr collaging beaches in far away places and vacations from yesteryear. It breaths an air that can't be obtained outside the blocks of Beverly Hills, or on a jetset to Santorini in the 70's. It belongs under a perfectly pink beach umbrella, being sipped by a beautiful bikini'd babe. Even the company's story is straight out of a foreword from a Slim Aarons' coffee table book:

It all began on the beaches of Pampelonne in St. Tropez, France. The sea, sunshine, music, beautiful people, and of course, the wine.  In each can of Pampelonne we hope to capture those wonderful moments – full of the spirit and sophistication of the French Riviera.

Right on the label it has "Joie de vivre"
and I've never experienced a truer proclamation. 

This is awesome for the pool because hey, no glass around the pool. It is also awesome for the beach because hey, it doesn't look like alcohol which is important, trust me on this as someone who has gotten a $250 fine for just quietly chilling and drinking wine on the beach. It is also for just blogging around the house in your bikini.

Pampelonne is my new everything. I'd call it a summer fling, but summer lasts all year round here in sunny Southern California, so actually this is true love. 

Tasting Notes: Ideal effervescence, light and zesty. Thirst-quenching with a perfect acidic balance. So much citrus flavor without a big body or thick finish. Beyond easy and enjoyable. The absolute summer wine.

Ross Test: The whole can is basically just the best Ross Test of all time. The only thing better than Ross Testing one can of Pampelonne, is Ross Testing the entire four pack while working on your tan.