Recently, we had the pleasure of enjoying the 2009 Gilgal Chardonnay.  An Israeli wine, the wine comes from a site located near the Sea of Galilee in the Golan Heights region.  The wine is made entirely of Chardonnay fruit harvested from vineyards located in the highest and coolest par of the Golan Heights, which is ideal for this particularly classic variety.

Despite the perception of being a desert land, Israel actually hosts several climactic and geographic regions—including snow-capped mountains—ideal for growing many wine grape varietals.

Aged in oack for four months, the wine results with a subtle rich taste that can be enjoyed everyday.  I used to buy wine in the store by appearance alone, either by the bottle shape or label design.  The Gilgal Chardonnay is something that would catch my eye on appearance alone, though it’s story from a distant location I’ve never tasted before adds to it’s appeal.

Pouring it into the glass you automatically see the beautiful color and smell the fruity bouquet.  First taste is green apple for me, my husband says he notices a more alcohol taste and believes it has a higher content than most wines he tries.  Other fruit notes are pineapple, melon, and pear, with slight hints of oak.   I loved it, it was crisp and had a zing to it.

The wines come in a variety such as Brut ($18.99), Chardonnay ($15.99), Merlot ($15.99), and Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.99), reasonably priced, and very delicious.  Pair the Chardonnay with salmon, pasta in light cream, or fish and chips, or as we enjoy it alone.  The uniqueness of the Gilgal wine will impress your tastebuds!

We were sent product for honest review.  All opinions are our own.

When I first started my family blog 3 years ago I used to highlight wines in my sidebar.  I wouldn’t talk about them much, just posted a picture of the wine of the week, I’d choose them based solely on their label.  Not quite the connossieur, but it was fun.  I really still have no idea about the quality of a wine until the cork is pulled and I can sit and enjoy it.

I recently was able to join the California Wine Club and get some surprise wine delivered to my door.  It’s one of those luxuries that a stay at home mom looks forward to, and you know it’s wine time when the FedEx guy asks for a signature!  The surprise is like a pearl in an oyster, the build up is there and when you crack open the box, you find the treasure, a wine suggested for you by those who know it best.  The wine is chosen by the owners of the Club who’ve gone specifically to the particular winery and have hand selected each bottle.

Our shipment came with a red and a white wine from Bixler Vineyards near the California Delta, an area my husband and I would pass by on our way back and forth from home to college.  We’ve taken drives out in the area and it’s rich central valley connection makes this opportunity even more unique and personal. Both wines were award winners in many different competitions and are proudly labeled as such!

The Union Island White was delicious and fruity cool drink that we enjoyed following a pasta meal one evening.  I taste grapefruit first and foremost and though it’s not a fruit I would eat alone, the flavor in the wine was delightful and it didn’t take us long to finish it.  The Union Island Red was oaky on first taste, we allowed it to breathe in the glass for a while and came back to it and it was different, sweeter and fruity, a grand combo of Merlot and Syrahs and I really enjoyed it.  Plus we had some fajitas that pair nicely with the wine, though alone is how we normally enjoy it all.

Included with your wine shipment, Uncorked magazine is a great accompanyment to learning about the who, when, where, and hows of the vineyardowners and wine you recieve.  It’s a wine tour from the comfort of your couch, also you’ll fine fabulous recipes, games, and more.  Click through the links below to learn more about joining.

• Premier Club -The most popular club!
• Signature Series – For collectors and connoisseurs!
• International Selections – From small “mom & pop” wineries around the world.
• Aged Cabernet Series – Napa’s most prestigious Cabernets aged 8 – 12 years.

Thanks to the California Wine Club for the opportunity, all opinions are my own.

If you are looking for an online wine shop that has obscure yet inexpensive wine, take a look a Plonk Wine Merchants.  Every wine in there store are $30 or less and offer organic, biodynamic, and rare “diamonds in the rough” from around the world.  Something that I love about this site, every single wine has a video wine review for you to watch and learn about before you purchase.  If you’ve ever wanted to sample an Italian, French, or Greek wine but don’t want to spend a fortune, check out Plonk’s best bargain wine and save that extra money for the meal you’ll pair with your selection!

My husband and I were sent a Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand called Rain.  Ironically, when the UPS man delivered that day, the sun was shining and it was a perfect day for a cold glass.  You get a overall bouquet of the outdoors grassy-floral when you pour and nose the wine giving you a sense of Spring.  Rain has an immediate lime-citrus taste for me and  the tang of it is enjoyable.  Sauvignon Blancs are typically a drier white wine with a lift of acidity, it’s not what I normally choose, but a bright crisp change.

Plonk suggests the following food pairings:
* Tuscan olive oil-cured tuna and white bean salad with wild arugula, shaved fennel, and red onion
* Vietnamese shrimp spring rolls
* Goat cheese, fingerling potato, and sweet Vidalia onion pizza

Personally,  I’d pair this wine to contrast the spiciness of Mexican food.  I always enjoy a beer with lime or lemon with a south of the border meal, and even even will add the citrus to my tacos or burritos with hot salsa.

The bottle sells online for $16 but slightly cheaper if you become a member of the Plonk Wine Club.
I was sent a bottle for review and my honest opinion

What’s the first thing you think of when someone mentions “boxed wine?”  Cheap? Low-quality? Dare I say, tacky?  I recently learned that one of my favorite Italian restaurants serves boxed wine and I’ve been ordering it, drinking it, and enjoying it for a while.  I wasn’t shocked in a negative way, though I was happily impressed that the wine was very good and many other restaurants may also serve unbeknownst to many.

I was recently sent some R. Muller Riesling packaged in a unique octagonal box for review.  Unlike a traditional bottle, which has a problem keeping from one day to the next once opened, the riesling from Octavin Home Wine Bar’s vacuum-packed bag and spout do not allow air to come into contact with the wine. The result is a wine that has ten times the shelf life, Octavin Home Wine Bar remains fresh for at least six weeks thanks to the collapsing bag that keeps the wine sealed from oxygen.

Here’s where some important questions come into play, such as:

What serving temperature do you recommend for Octavin Home Wine Bar Wines?
For red wines, cellar temp is best, about 57º F / 14 ºC; for white wines slightly more chilled, around 52 º F/11 º C. If you want to store the whites in your refrigerator that is just fine.

How should I store Octavin Home Wine Bar wines before opening?
Since light, heat and vibration break down wine quality, keep purchased wines in a dark cool place, such as a cellar or closet, instead of a warm, well lit kitchen. A constant temperature is just as important as a cool temperature.

How much wine is in each Octavin Home Wine Bar?
Each 3.0L package contains the equivalent of four 750ml bottles. This is exactly the same wine that we often bottle in glass.

It is stated it’s the same as the wine that you bottle in glass, why is the Octavin Home Wine Bar format cheaper?
Bottles, corks, capsules and labels typically cost between $2 – $3 per bottle. The average cost of producing the Octavin Home Wine Bar is closer to $1 per package.

Where can I find the Octavin Home Wine Bar?
In the premium bottled wine section of Supermarkets and Liquor stores nationwide, if you can’t find it, request it from your local retailer!

My take: I really liked the look of the box, the shape was unique and different, I was eager to taste the wine.  The spout has a twist-turn valve, make sure you’re ready for the wine when you turn, it comes out fast.  The nose was of sweet fruit, and upon first sip I tasted peaches that finished with a nice zing. My husband and I enjoyed it.  The 3 liter box retails for about $24, equivalent to 4 750ml bottles, that’s only $5/bottle, well worth it.  At our last gathering, I surprised many by saying the wine served was from a a box.  Though, like me, they were anxious to buy it again for themselves!
Product was sent for my honest opinion.