Living in California can quickly make you a wine snob. The close proximity of an abundance of fabulous wineries can quickly flood your wine cellar and make you wonder how ANYONE could possibly still drink cheap White Zinfandel when tantalizing blends of sweet champagne can be had for $8?
The upside of membership in 4 wine clubs is that we have stopped hoarding every good bottle for a special occasion. The downside is my new attitude that I'm too good for Two Buck Chuck.
Next thing you know Richard is running off to buy a tuxedo for opera galas....and we needed to be reined in.
Fortunately, our good friends Bob and Leslie can help us maintain proper perspective by inviting us to Chateauneuf de Cardboard for a Boxed Wine Tasting and reminding us that good things come in packages of all sizes, shapes, and materials - like specially designed cardboard boxes keeping 'open' wine good for....well....we have yet to find out.
I know boxed wine usually gets the side-eye for the party guest who shows with the white Franzia box that looks like it was snatched from a sorority house kitchen. But today's sophisticated palates may find a taste they really enjoy coming out of a cube...including:
(To be read with a French accent) Target Merlot and Target Pinot Grigio - very affordable, drinkable, every day wine to keep in the fridge.
Pinot Evil - which also comes in a bottle, but a box is great for when the evening calls for one glass. (We don't know when that is...but...just in case it ever happens.)
French Rabbit Chardonnay (our contribution) - an extremely light, French white best served cold enough to need your own faux fur.
Bota Box Old Vine Zinfandel - Richard's Favorite of the evening
Bota Box Shiraz - Bota Box apparently makes several great boxed varities that stays fresh after the box is opened 45 days. And just WHO would take 45 days to finish a box of wine? We don't know these people.
Killer Juice Sauvignon Blanc - hints of citrus and summer with no cardboard aftertaste!
White Wine for Chilling (in the family of Red Wine for Grilling) - When soliciting recommendations for our purchase I was told that White Wine for Chilling paired very well with a Camelbak. The bladders could be easily changed out and made for a great accompaniment on a hike.
So we continue to survive L.A. - even sans cork. Enjoy your favorite box tonight!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Surviving L.A. - Takes a tuxedo
If you were called - from Hollywood - to save the world, could you step up? Play the part? Dress the part? This week, my husband the clothes horse was about to find out.
I worried what covert international crisis might be afoot when I saw the cryptic message: "We have a problem." "What's the problem?" I typed timidly, fearing Ernst Stavo Blofeld had kidnapped Placido Domingo and threaten modern arias as we knew them. The ominous words that make women everywhere rejoice appeared on the screen. "Black tie."
Since Richard made the grave mistake of marrying me, I have been telling him he should just buy a tuxedo. I thought a wedding was a good reason for an investment, and he a few opportunities to step out in style in the last few years. I think men who own tuxedos are incredibly sexy. Why that, in and of itself, did not bring about the purchase is a matter of on-going discussion..... but....
Apparently, my strategy should have been to move to L.A.
How could anyone in such a fashion-forward town not be prepared for every event? Neither of us needs suits for work (yeah, I'm rubbing it in, kinda...). We need bathing suits for the beach...wetsuits for surfing...fire-retardant suits for the wildfires....something for that last-minute invitation to a black-tie opera gala or call to stand in for a high-stakes poker game where the free world is in the ante.
We don't have an earthquake preparedness plan, but when the call from Q comes in, Richard will be ready. After following tips and gathering intel and negotiating a treaty with a disappearing ink pen, Rick Bond is now the proud owner of a striking suit ready for Beverly Hills Cocoktail Parties, Hollywood Premieres, Children's Birthday Parties and the Fat Lady Singing.
His reference to "the noose" no longer refers to his wedding ring.
But as all well-heeled heros have a fatal flaw, Richard has an evil side that comes out toward his leading ladies....
He won't wear the tux until I learn how to tie the bow-tie.
00Jerk.
I have 2 weeks to learn....or else my Elixir of Love will be a lonely night sans my knight in shiny lapels and french cuffs.
For those wondering what finally convinced my nominee for best-dressed-in-the-comedy-we-call-Surviving-L.A. to don the strait jacket, the clues are encrypted here....or you can catch the ending when it comes out on DVD (see Surviving L.A. in 2 weeks).
For now we continue to Survive L.A. - just with a lot more style!
I worried what covert international crisis might be afoot when I saw the cryptic message: "We have a problem." "What's the problem?" I typed timidly, fearing Ernst Stavo Blofeld had kidnapped Placido Domingo and threaten modern arias as we knew them. The ominous words that make women everywhere rejoice appeared on the screen. "Black tie."
Since Richard made the grave mistake of marrying me, I have been telling him he should just buy a tuxedo. I thought a wedding was a good reason for an investment, and he a few opportunities to step out in style in the last few years. I think men who own tuxedos are incredibly sexy. Why that, in and of itself, did not bring about the purchase is a matter of on-going discussion..... but....
Apparently, my strategy should have been to move to L.A.
How could anyone in such a fashion-forward town not be prepared for every event? Neither of us needs suits for work (yeah, I'm rubbing it in, kinda...). We need bathing suits for the beach...wetsuits for surfing...fire-retardant suits for the wildfires....something for that last-minute invitation to a black-tie opera gala or call to stand in for a high-stakes poker game where the free world is in the ante.
We don't have an earthquake preparedness plan, but when the call from Q comes in, Richard will be ready. After following tips and gathering intel and negotiating a treaty with a disappearing ink pen, Rick Bond is now the proud owner of a striking suit ready for Beverly Hills Cocoktail Parties, Hollywood Premieres, Children's Birthday Parties and the Fat Lady Singing.
His reference to "the noose" no longer refers to his wedding ring.
But as all well-heeled heros have a fatal flaw, Richard has an evil side that comes out toward his leading ladies....
He won't wear the tux until I learn how to tie the bow-tie.
00Jerk.
I have 2 weeks to learn....or else my Elixir of Love will be a lonely night sans my knight in shiny lapels and french cuffs.
For those wondering what finally convinced my nominee for best-dressed-in-the-comedy-we-call-Surviving-L.A. to don the strait jacket, the clues are encrypted here....or you can catch the ending when it comes out on DVD (see Surviving L.A. in 2 weeks).
For now we continue to Survive L.A. - just with a lot more style!
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