Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc (2009)

This isn't a lovable
looking cat. I wanna
drink that smirk
right off his face.

It's stuff like this that keeps me up at night: Someone will give you something to eat/drink/sniff and say to you, "Try this; it tastes/smells like $h!t," and for some stupid reason YOU DO. Why?!?! Perhaps it is as simple as saying to yourself, well it can't be THAT bad, can it?  I admit, that's pretty much the reason I brought home a bottle of Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc last night. Because it can't REALLY smell or taste like cat pee, right?

RIGHT. I mean listen, I know my cat pee (sad but true). I have cats. Three of them. I am well aware of what that smells like. And I just didn't get it from this Sauv Blanc. My nose is no expert when it comes to wine, though, so I guess I'll just have to go along with the fancy scientists on this one. Sure. It's in there...

This blog is becoming as much
about what I make for dinner as it is
about what I drink WITH dinner.

Anyway, I will be the first to tell you that I judged a book by it's cover with this one, and brought home the Cat's Pee because of the label. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but when I got a fairly straightforward-- albeit powerful-- Sauv Blanc, I was a little surprised. This wine is a punch in the kisser, from the first scent to the tail-end of the swallow. It's super strong and citrus-y, even for a New Zealand Sauv Blanc. Example: if most NZ Sauvs are Sprite, then this one is Mountain Dew (weeeeee!). I definitely tasted lime, maybe some lychee, and some general herbiness (that's a word). Tart and acidic, it was sharp on my tongue and I felt reverberations from my sip long after it was over. I served the CPoGbB with chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, and peas. The combo was "meh" at best. This wine is just so flavorful that it is difficult for me to picture enjoying it with a meal. Several online reviews suggest seafood or citrus flavored chicken, but for me I think I'd fly this one solo.

Price: $

Rating: C

Sidenote: I'm REALLY disliking these ads that now show up as links in my posts. I do enjoy posting appropriate (and random) links, but none of the ones I post are little pocket-sized ads that have NOTHING to do with the highlighted words. Just in case you are wondering.

Casa V Pinot Grigio Rosé (Fizzy)

it looks just like me!

It’s probably my own fault for insisting that this week I try a wine that matches my personality (since you asked: bubbly and pink…spot on, no?), but I don't have a ton to say about Casa V Pinot Grigio Rose (which I hereby dub "the Fizzy P"). I mean, it's not a bad little wine, but there are many others I would prefer to drink.

To start with, I’m not a Pinot Grigio fan. I don’t know why; I’m just not (and that’s OKAY). I also generally don’t like rosés. Before I start to sound like a finicky ass-hat, let me tell you what I DID like about this wine:

It’s a gorgeous color. I mean look at it—bright pink, with just enough effervescence to make it interesting.  It’s lightly-flavored and carbonated (bubbles almost always get a thumbs up in my book) and definitely meant to be served cool and in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a fun wine, so don’t feel the slightest bit guilty if you sip with your pinky down or from a red Solo cup. Really, it’s your call. 

 

Nooooo!!!

Yessssss!!!

The Fizzy P practically screams "drink-me-in-a-rocking-chair-in-the-shade-on-your-back-porch-whilst-relaxing-with-a-good-book." And who can't deal with a wine that has demands like THAT?

For the life of me I could not pull any specific aromas from tasting the Fizzy P; all I can tell you is that it tasted like wine. No berries, no weird aromas of dandelions or igneous rocks— though I have read reviews stating that berry flavors are in there. Maybe there was a vague bit of citrus (perhaps lemon?) going on. 


It could have been that the wine is subtle and my pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw and corn on the cob were overpowering its elusive flavor; but before I knew it, the bottle was empty and I did not have the opportunity to give it another go after dinner. I happily moved on to Riondo Prosecco (an old favorite) instead.

I do all my own stunts.

SO…a nice, light sipper, I recommend the Fizzy P sans accompaniment; if corn on the cob can overpower it, stay away from eating and drinking at the same time—this one’s meant to fly solo (pun intended).

Price: $

My Rating: C