Thursday, December 20, 2007

Back Away From That Lampshade

Tip Of The Day: Stock up on every hostess’s favorite gift, WINE. She may even serve it to you instead of hoarding it to drink alone after the holiday season. Cheap recommendation – Coppola’s Diamond Collection Claret. Price varies depending on the store, but it should be under $20. If not, keep shopping.

Tip For Tomorrow: How to make even Two-Buck Chuck Cabernet taste better.

Further Elucidation Of My Cheap Deal: It may surprise you to hear this, but The Cheap Chick enjoys an occasional glass of vino. Who am I kidding; I like all booze, all the time. It makes everyone prettier and smarter, including me.

Since I want to tell you about the biggest bang for your buck, wine-wise, I’ve done extensive research into which inexpensive ones taste best. I know, hard work, right? I have SLAVED AWAY for you people. I hope you appreciate it.

My new fave is made by Coppola – yes, the Francis Ford one. I’ve heard mixed reviews about his wines, but I am deeply in love with his Claret. I think I’ve finally found a relationship that could actually make it. Unlike some others I won’t mention (you know who you are).

According to the source of all knowledge (Wikipedia), Claret is the British term for medium-bodied (like me!) red Bordeaux. It’s not a “fruit-forward” wine, but is a mix of fruits, oak and tannins. Whatever that means.

Coppola’s Claret is not too heavy and is nicely balanced. I won’t bore you with a bunch of wine description, which I would have to completely pull from my nether regions. Instead, I’ll say this: it’s really, really drinkable. I can polish off a whole bottle by myself, which I normally can’t do with red wine. And yes, after drinking a bottle of red wine, I WILL start singing Red, Red Wine. God bless UB40.

You can find Diamond Collection Claret at most wine stores for under $20. I usually buy it on sale for $15.99 a bottle. Or you can buy it directly from the vineyard for $19 a bottle, but it won’t get here in time for all the Christmas parties you need hostess gifts for RIGHT NOW.

I buy my many bottles of wine at Bacchus on Highway 96 in Shoreview. They have good and plentiful sales, and friendly staff, which I appreciate when I need to get my drink on.

Wherever you shop, look for the all-black label. Coppola makes other reds, such as Merlot and Cab, but I’m not as crazy about them as I am the Claret. They’ll have other colored labels, so as long as you grab the black one, you’re good to go.

Pick up a bottle of Coppola Diamond Collection Claret today. When you’ve finished drinking it, the whole party can discuss the oeuvre of Francis Ford Coppola. I personally enjoyed Peggy Sue Got Married.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't care what tip you have for making Two-Buck Chuck Cabernet taste better, you bing it into my house and we're using it to scrub pots and pans.

The meaning of the term "fruit forward" should be fairly obvious - it means the wine enjoys the "company" of other wines of the same vintage. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Anonymous said...

Tip For Tomorrow: How to make even Two-Buck Chuck Cabernet taste better.

A: Drink a bottle or two of Coppola’s Diamond Collection Claret first.

The Cheap Chick said...

So true Hubby! Or a couple bottles of port. That'll do ya!

Anonymous said...

By the third glass all wine tastes good. My solution: first glass, your Coppola Cabernet, second glass, Two-Buck Chuck, third glass From The Guy Under the Bridge.

Doc

Cake [ > said...

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