Pinot Evil Pinot Noir Hungary

In my quest for Halloween wines, I received a sample of Pinot Evil Pinot Noir in the cool Octavin Home Wine Bar. Looking at the label with it’s familiar Three Wise Monkey Proverb, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, I find I have an evil confession to make; I don’t love Pinot Noir wines, ok I said it. And while I’m at it, I didn’t like the movie Sideways. I wanted to, but I just didn’t.

So now that it’s out in the open here’s why I don’t like all Pinot Noirs. I find too many of them to be a little thin and lackluster. I give kudos to any grape grower who takes on the daunting task of growing and cultivating these finicky little grapes. I give even bigger kudos to those who can turn those grapes into a fabulous tasting wine. I have had some of those fabulous bold Pinot Noirs but unfortunately I find many to be just too light for my palate.

So where does that leave me and my feelings on Pinot Evil’s Pinot Noir?

Aromas are light but I detect cranberry and blackberry. The flavors are a little tart, almost like cranberries and the body is very light. I found the wine was better with food and after sitting in the glass for awhile.

Appellation - Hungary
Inaugural Release - Over 40,000 cases produced
Alcohol - 12.0%

I do think this would be a good wine for people who haven’t embraced the big bold reds just yet. I’m also curious to see if the wine softens a bit since the Octavin is the equivalent of 4 bottles and I’ll have it around for awhile.

I don’t know how the rest of you spend your Halloween while passing out candy but in my neighborhood, those of us without kids sit out in the driveways while enjoying some adult beverages. Any of the Octavin Home Wine Bars would be perfect for such an occasion. I use plastic wine goblets so I don’t have to worry about glass in the driveway but I always kept the bottle inside. With this set up, I can just keep it on the driveway or on the back of the car….now that is a treat!

Pinot Evil Pinot Noir retails for $21.99, remember the Octavin Home Wine Bar is the equivalent of 4 750ml bottles. Now time for some ghoulish times.

2010© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.
http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc and the new Octavin Wine Bar packaging

Just in time for those July 4th picnics and back yard cookouts, Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc, a yummy wine to quench your palate, now comes in a package that won’t fall over on uneven ground (spilled wine is a sin), end up broken and embedded in someone’s foot and will last a few weeks if you just can’t finish it off in one sitting.

I recently received a free sample of Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc in the new 3 liter Octavin Wine Bar. The eight sided box takes up less space then most four sided boxed wines, providing for more room in your wine fridge, is the equivalent of four 750 ml bottles and reduces waste by 85% and carbon emissions by 55%.

Pear and peach aromas along with a hint of grass waft out of the glass while fresh flavors of kiwi, pear and green apple wash over the palate. The acids are well balanced and provide for a nice crisp finish. The wine is just slightly sweet but a perfect for a spicy rub on some ribs or with brats.

Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc is produced in the Marlborough winegrowing region in New Zealand. The cool climate of the region provides for an extended growing period allowing the grapes to sweeten naturally on the vine. The winery uses stainless steel tanks and simple winemaking techniques for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

I love box wine that actually tastes good. It’s nice just to grab a glass when in the mood and not have to open another bottle. Released this past May, I have not seen this in stores yet but retails online for $16.99. The wine will stay fresh up to six weeks, but who can keep open wine around that long, I know I can’t.

Enjoy and have a happy and safe 4th of July.

2010© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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