by Ethan Johnson
September 22, 2008

Good old Mister Impossible. True story: I had to wait until I was 18 to get my driver's license. I had to have one to graduate high school, and due to a long story that I'll skip for now, rather than fight the school bureaucracy about credit that didn't seem to transfer with me between schools, I found the loophole of turning 18 before graduation. Solved! Anyway, I mention this because right out of high school, I got hired to make office supply deliveries. No pressure.

by Ethan Johnson
September 16, 2008

Prior to September 13, 2008, I was not a beer drinker. Every beer tasted the same to me: Bitter and sharp. Naturally, for my sins (or zins), I landed a job at a local beer and wine store. I had been harboring a fantasy of one day working part time at a wine shop, but that opportunity never materialized. Long story short, I interviewed for a fresh opening at this local chain and made the cut. My initial excitement at landing the job was tempered by two unavoidable facts:

by Ethan Johnson
September 7, 2008

One less/wine bottle to open/One less/cork to pull:

Producer (Vineyard): Marietta Winery
Varietal (Grape type): 76% Petite Sirah, 22% Syrah, 2% Viognier
Vintage (Year): 2004
Country: USA (California)
Color: Red
Cost: Moderate ($18 USD)

by Ethan Johnson
September 5, 2008

I'm very ready for the weekend. Popped cork ahoy:

Producer (Vineyard): Mirassou Winery
Varietal (Grape type): Pinot Noir
Vintage (Year): 2007
Country: USA (California)
Color: Red
Cost: Inexpensive ($10 USD)

by Ethan Johnson
September 1, 2008

It's Labor Day here in these States United. What better wine to kick back with than:

Producer (Vineyard): R Wines
Varietal (Grape type): Grenache
Vintage (Year): 2007
Country: Australia
Color: Red
Cost: Inexpensive ($10 USD)

by Ethan Johnson
August 30, 2008

It's the end of the day. Time for a nice glass of chill the hell out:

Producer (Vineyard): Erath
Varietal (Grape type): Pinot Noir
Vintage (Year): 2006
Country: USA (Oregon)
Color: Red
Cost: Moderate ($17 USD)

by Ethan Johnson
August 30, 2008

Ask, and ye shall receive. In this instance, I was looking for an excuse to try out a Ridge zinfandel, and the opportunity presented itself by way of Marlena's birthday dinner. Since the Chez Swanky offered half bottles under controlled conditions, I had my way with:

Producer (Vineyard): Ridge
Varietal (Grape type): 77% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane
Vintage (Year): 2005
Country: USA (California)
Color: Red
Cost: Expensive ($35 USD)

by Ethan Johnson
August 29, 2008

No, you're not imagining things. I reviewed this wine a while back, and didn't take a shine to it. But, as I have been more, dare I say, adept at red zin appreciation, I opted to give it another try. And here it is:

Producer (Vineyard): Ravenswood
Varietal (Grape type): Zinfandel
Vintage (Year): 2005
Country: USA (California)
Color: Red
Cost: Inexpensive ($10 USD)