Red, Red Wine - A New Malbec Tonight

Yesterday, my mother took me to this fantastic store here in Lexington called World Market. It is like a cross between Home Goods, Michael's and Total Wine. I found all kinds of goodies and stocking stuffers! My mother followed behind me laughing for most of the hour we spent in the store. FYI... I'm not usually a shopper and the store has to be pretty cool for me to want to stay for any length of time. I'm usually in, out and on my way. 


Anyway, World Market has a really nice wine section and the prices are competitive. (A good wine does NOT have to cost an arm and a leg!) Long story short, I've been introducing my mom to the world of red wine. Every time I come to visit, we try something new. Last visit I brought her a bottle of Cupcake Cabernet Sauvignon. This visit I introduced Malbec. So, tonight we are drinking an Argentinian Malbec from Mendoza. Finca el Origen Reserva. It's fruity, but not sweet on the front with a spicy finish. Nice and full and a little velvety, but not too heavy. AND it was only $8.99!!! 


Check out World Market, especially if you have to get a gift for the person who has everything... www.WorldMarket.com. 


If you're venturing into the world of wine and you're a little scared to dive right in, here are my suggestions:


1) Write down the name of what you like so you don't forget. Or there is an App called Corkbin that let's you take a picture and store notes on your phone. 
2) Go to a place like World Market or Total Wine. Total Wine has wine tastings and very knowledgeable staff to help you choose. 
3) Find a wine bar (in Stuart we have one called Crush) and go tasting! 
4) Once you find a grape (Cabernet, Malbec, Zinfandel) you like, buy what's on sale and try it. I do that at Publix all the time with the wines in the discount bin. You never know what you might find!


I hope you all have had a fantastic holiday! I have so enjoyed spending time with my family.


Happy tasting! 

Epiphany

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday! I have and it made me realize that, while I love what I do as a real estate agent on the Treasure Coast, I love something else much, much more!!! In the words of my high school creative writing teacher, write about what you love. 


Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you that I am a food and wine snob. I wouldn't say I'm a snob, I just know what I like. Thanksgiving dinner was no exception to the "what I like" rule. 


My mother made a Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Pecan Crust for dessert yesterday. Oh my goodness, I ate it yesterday and had it for lunch today. If you love cheesecake, then this is a must! The recipe is posted below. It was the perfect marriage of pumpkin pie and cheesecake with a little pecan pie thrown in for good measure. All the holiday staples in one delectable place. 


Kudos to Paula Deen for the recipe and kudos to my mother who executed the perfect ending to a perfect day spent with family!


For the filling: Pumpkin Cheesecake on the Food Network
For the crust: 
2 1/2 c ground pecans
1/4 t cinnamon
1/3 c sugar
4 T melted butter
Mix together and press into a spring form pan. Chill for about 45 minutes. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Cool completely before filling.