My Husband's Wine Friends

I don't claim to be an oenophile, I just like to drink wine. In fact, knowing the word oenophile is about as snooty as I get, wine-wise. But I know what I like, as they say, and I gotta say I like this bottle I opened a minute ago, enough to tell you all about it. It's a merlot from the Chalone Vineyard in California's Monterey County, made in 2007. It is fabulous, dahling. The label says it is "soft yet full-bodied, with rich cherry flavors and aromas enhanced by hints of oak vanilla." See, I never would have thought of that. I think it tastes delish, and is actually quite indescribable, but trust me: when it's in your mouth, you're happy. In fact, I keep it there for a minute before I swallow because it tastes so good. (That must be the oenophile in me.)

I am not one to drink cheap wine, and since my husband bought this bottle I have no idea how much it cost--could have been 12 bucks or 20. We rarely have a better bottle, unless someone died or Jim Z. brought it. Jim Z. is a friend of my husband who is deeply, severely and seriously into wine. When he brings us some, it's special. Like $65.00 worth of special, which means we'll never, ever have it again. But if you like affordable red wine, go out and get some of this Chalone Vineyard Merlot. I can't say that it's perky or too pushy or insouciant or anything at all other than "delish," which is not even a real word, I know. I guess I'm not much competition for my husband's friend's blog--different friend-- which is called Wine Zag. You should check it out (www.wine-zag.com) if you go in for that pretentious wine talk--it's full of that. And Adam Japko, the blogger of whom I speak, is a great guy who knows a lot about wine, and not a bit pretentious in person.  It's just that I think talking about a beverage is like reading a piano.