I love wine, it’s just a fact. I love wine tasting, I enjoy sampling new and exciting flavors, but when it comes down to it, I don’t want to break the bank when I buy a bottle from the store!  When I was offered to sample flip flop Wines and learned they’d be a reasonable $7, I said, “absolutely!” that is a wine I’m sure to buy again and again without denting my pocketbook!

With flipflop wines, we have embraced the movement toward individualistic expression, instead of manufacturing wines into some cookie-cutter style that’s all the rage. Our goal is to craft expressive, well-balanced wines that evoke just what the grapes inside intended, without being over-wrought or over-explained, and that can be enjoyed at any occasion.

Three bottles were sent to me and when I opened the box, I was immediately in love with the label!  Hibiscus flowers that remind me of Hawaii, flip flop shoes that remind me of the beach, and the overall feeling of relaxation which is important to me while I drink wine!  Screw cap made me stop and think, does it matter to the quality of the wine…I shall see.

On each bottle, whether you are a novice or a wine connoisseur, there is smart information for the buyer to consider:
-Tastes like…
-Pair with these foods…
-Temperature to serve at…
-Dry to Sweet scale…

These are perfect for me, especially the dry to sweet range as I typically like a sweeter wine, and as I’m learning to enjoy red wines more often.  Of the 3 wines I sampled, I enjoyed the flip flop Reisling most.  I immediately could taste the peach flavor and the smooth sweet finish is my type of wine. On a warm day, or to end the night, it makes a cool drink and is like dessert in a glass.

Right down the center of the dry-sweet scale is the Pinot Grigio, typically my favorite varietal of wine in the white category.  This wine had more of a bite with it and I’d suggest it with a meal versus alone.  The bottle suggests Italian food like bruschetta, spaghetti carbonara, or eggplant parmesean.

Still a red wine novice, I took the Pinot Noir over to my friend’s house to share over a night of crackers, cheese, and cheesy TV.   My friend Merrie loves red wine and I needed her opinion to help me learn and enjoy this new flavor.  Though the screwcap isn’t like smelling a cork, we opened the bottle and immediately my friend was intrigued.  She doesn’t normally choose a Pinot Noir, but she was impressed with this wine and it’s very fruity flavor.  Even I enjoyed it, though I’m more along the lines of a very cold or very hot drink drinker.  Room temperature, dry wine is an acquired taste and I was happy with the very present cherry flavor and suprising light texture, though I need to drink it slow and sip it to really enjoy it.

Cap or cork?!  Doesn’t matter, this wine is fine. You can order flip flop online here, http://shop.underdogwinemerchants.com/flipflop for that low price of $7 per botttle.

I was sent 3 bottles of wine in exchange for this honest review.

The Kovacs Brothers were introduced to wine at an early age, something their father was passionate about.  Wine runs back in their father’s family line 7 generations, within the last decade, their father gave up his dental career to focus on his love for wine and wine making in Carmel Valley, California.  The sons, Jacob and Jesse, document their story in The Young and the Thirsty and are currently touring the US promoting their book and their wine to afficionados everywhere.

I recently had the opportunity to review their book and a bonus, try out their 2005 Meritage red wine!  As typical white wine drinkers, we’re excited when we get to try out reds and learn more about their flavors, and acquire their tastes.  We don’t always pair our wines with food, but know that this wine is enriched by a good beef meal, bringing out the earthtones and meatiness of the wine.

We  rather enjoy wines as a “dessert” when the kids have gone to bed, and now that the weather has changed, the Meritage is a lovely soul warmer on a cool evening!  Upon first taste you can taste a woodiness and definitely a peppery hint.  It’s so much more complex than a white wine and has a depth that makes drinking it a special occasion.  We’ve noticed we make red wines last longer in the household as they are heavier and are best with a meal.

Pardon us that we don’t have the appropriate wine glasses, we’re very casual, and as I’ve said are red wine-newbies, yet eager to learn!

When so often we’re looking for a gift of a fabulous wine, we will now go to Kovacs Brothers Meritage, with a $25 bottle price you can pair it with a great bottle opener and some dark chocolate for friends and neighbors!

We were sent product for purpose of this review.  Experiences are our tried-and-true opinions.

If you are a mom, or have a mom, or are married to a mom, chances are you know how busy they (you) get.  Take today for instance, I was in and out of the car 7 times.  Dropped off and picked up kids from school, times three.  I took one child to the eye doctor twice today and still need to go pick her up from dance class at 7:30pm tonight! That’s just a typical Wednesday.  I’m exhausted and am looking forward to putting myself in time-out tonight.  And, by time-out, I mean pouring myself a nice glass of Mommy’s Time Out Pinot Grigio.

I recently had the opportunity to try out this fine wine with the hilarious name and logo!  I laugh because it’s just so true that when you sit down and enjoy it, you should be alone to tend to no one other than yourself!  Okay, maybe I will invite my husband to partake with me.  Maybe.

I love a white wine over red.  I prefer wine served cold with a bite and the Pinot Grigio that I tried really had a kick of coolness with each sip.  The fruitiness came out immediately and I enjoy sweeter wines and this had a soft sweet taste, not too overpowering and lasting finish.  I didn’t have my wine with dinner, nor will I tonight, I often feel when sampling something new I like to enjoy it as the star and not be shadowed to the meal.

This wine would be fabulous on an afternoon brunch on a warm day, served with chicken or a light pasta.  I recommend it to any MOM or dad out there who wants a really nice wine.

Mommy’s Time Out has a red variety and is sold online for about $8.99 and up and at local retailers.

The wine was provided for purpose of this review.  The opinions are my tried-and-true experience and were not influenced by any source.

My favorite wines are in the whites family, espcially a nice sweet Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.  Lucky for me (and my husband), [yellow tail] wines are introducing their new Chardonnay recently named by a fan for it’s un-oaked, lighter, crisper taste!

My Take:  The wine was incredible, you can taste the sweet melon and tang of grapefruit in every sip!  Sometimes oak will leave an aftertaste and this wine is crisp and smooth.  It’s reasonable price point (at stores from $7.99) and easy screw cap can be served at home with scallops and chicken or even on a picnic with cheese and fruit!

I was sent a bottle of [yellow tail] Tree-Free Chardonnay to participate.