Inspiration from the land down under!

I’m watching the first pre-season Redskin game against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is ahead. I still can’t believe I’m watching football, didn’t summer just start? How can it be football season already? Time marches on, summer is starting to wind down, and my quest to find the perfect Pinot Noir continues.

For dinner tonight Mike cooked shrimp and veggies on the grill. I did my part by selecting and opening a bottle of Pinot Noir. I decided to try something a little different tonight. I picked a bottle of Picton Bay South Island Pinot Noir from New Zealand, purchased from Trader Joes. OK, right off the bat I will let you know this is a different beast from what you would find in the Willamette Valley. Picton Bay is not as refined with the subtle nuances, but it has bright aromas and flavors of red cherry, spice and earth that pairs extremely well with Mike’s grilled mushrooms and other veggies from the grill. It’s a perfect transition from summer to fall wine at a fantastic price of $7.99 a bottle.

If you haven’t tried a New Zealand Pinot Noir in a while, you should. They are a different breed, a little untamed, young, fresh, fruitful. Let them breath and warm up a little, then enjoy.

Like the Redskins, Picton Bay Pinot Noir is a little rough, a little unrefined but when it warms up it can be full of surprises.

Cheers – Carrie