Going to a party and can’t decide how much to spend and not trying to buy some junk wine that was a waste of money? Nobody wants to hear the voice of ridicule as party goers make their statements regarding your choice of wine. Well there is a wine to add to the buy list that won’t get you ridiculed. It’s reasonably priced and decent tasting. The Ravenswood line of wines are alright. Try some.
I have owned a Mr. Coffee coffee maker for the last 10 years and have formed somewhat of a bond with it. This basic machine got my day started right.
Every morning it patiently waits on the counter for me to decide if I will be making coffee or not.
Well much to my dismay, earlier this week my Mr. Coffee coffee maker just decided to quit working. It was easy to clean, worked quick, was efficient and made good, hot coffee.
So this week, I have been getting to know my new, replacement coffee maker, the Toastmaster. it looks pretty similar to the old Mr. Coffee. Same color and about the same size. Easy change right?
Well now I have been using a Toastmaster, I have to say that I am not all that impressed. I know you are thinking that how can a coffee maker be that different, but they are, and this one bugs me a little.
The new cone shaped filter is the first change I am dealing with.
It seems the the fine folks at Toastmaster want to use cone shaped filters, so I am adapting my old filters to work since I have so many round ones.
The second thing I immediately noticed was when I poured the coffee out, the fluid hits the lip of the pitcher top and gets diverted onto the countertop. This I fixed by taking the top off and cutting it back on my band saw.
The next thing I noticed was that the heating element is not as hearty as the Mr. Coffee maker and now my cups of morning java are not quite hot enough after I add a little milk.
Personally, the Dude of Food recommends the Mr. Coffee brewer as it performs better all around and can’t wait to buy another Mr. Coffee maker and return to quality. Enjoy.
This family of fine wine is named after the matriarch who came from Italy, Elena Napoli.
Bodega ELENA de Mendoza, Argentina
2010 RED BLEND
62% Malbec
21% Syrah
17% Bonarda
This family has developed some top wines from Argentina that I happen to enjoy. The Malbec and the Red Blend from Bodega Elena de Mendoza are my favorites.
According to the web, the “legs” or “tears” of wine that run down the inside of the wine glass are a sign of alcohol. The heavier the legs, the lower the alcoholic content of the wine. If this is in fact true, then these wines are low in alcohol and big in flavor. The legs may be attributed to sugar, I don’t know.
This Red Blend, like it’s sister Malbec, is loaded with solid flavors and not too sweet.
It’s not too dry either, but just right. These wines will slowly undress for your tongue, landing softly, pleasuring your taste buds, leaving you wanting another sip.
Was priced under $10. Get some.
This tasty limited edition Malbec was also grown and bottled in the Mendoza region of Argentina and is imported by WX Imports, Novato, CA
Do Not Confuse with the 2011 which wasn’t good.
www.espueladelgaucho.com
This is another fine Malbec that is now on my Top 5 Malbec list. Not as good as my favorite, Bodega de ELENA, but gets close. This winning wine is a 2012, so maybe could use a year to age, but is a very good selection.
The Espuela del Gaucho has unique, slow running, heavy legs. It carries a lighter body, that lands gently on the tongue, joyfully leaving hints of mixed berries grown in the fresh Andes air and then drifts away.
This is another quality Malbec from Argentina, that any California cab or Merlot drinker will enjoy for under $12.