So like I said today I'm leaving. I get so excited packing a bag and heading to the airport. If I'm being honest it really doesn't matter where I'm going, I still seem to get very excited. This trip is going to be amazing though. It is my first time back in Seattle since I moved to Austin in January. I will make sure to post about all my adventures, but I'd like to focus on the excitement of travel for a bit. When I was younger we rarely took vacations that required a plane ride. So when we did get to fly somewhere I always felt like it was a very special occasion. Later in my teens and early 20's, I was in a band. I booked us every out of state gig I could just to go see the world. I loved being on tour and seeing all the amazing places this country has to offer. When I owned a small record label for awhile I even took my travels to the next level. We would book events out of state, and fly down our whole staff. We'd put everyone up in a hotel, and it just felt like I was this young hip professional jet setting all over the country making money, and leading a fabulous life.
I'm not sure why I felt such an excitement to get on a plane and get off a few hrs later several thousands of miles away. I know that I always felt a little to big for Oklahoma growing up, and I'm glad that my parents agreed. I guess I'm writing this to see if anyone feels the same way. I know that it's easy to become jaded with security lines, baggage check, tiny seats, and all the unpleasantness of travel, but does anybody else out there still get excited to get on a plane? If not, I'm ok with being the weirdo.
OK so I haven't been keeping up with wines for recommendation, so here is another one. The winemaker is Penfold's. The bottle is the Thomas Hyland Shiraz. Penfold's is a huge winery from Australia. Because the rest of the world hasn't caught on to the amazing wines coming out of Australia their wine is typically sold cheaper. Penfold's does have some absolutely incredible high priced wines as well, but the majority of their wine is very reasonable. This bottle ranges from $19-$23 depending on where you are buying from. A little about "Shiraz." If you like Syrah, then you will love Shiraz, because they are the same thing. Different parts of the world call the same grapes different things. Confusing as it is, it doesn't happen too often, and this is definitely the biggest example. The flavor characteristics for this wine from me, which is not to say you will have something completely different, are as follows.
The wine seems mild to medium bodied. There is a lot of juicy fruit flavors like red plum and different types of cherries. And the finish has just a little pepper. Nothing too strong or bity like crushed black pepper. It is much more subtle like the zip of a roasted bell pepper. Very delicious.
This was one of the first wines I served with fish. And yes it is more than ok to serve a red with fish, don't be so stuck up about it lol. My absolute favorite dish for pairing this wine is a grilled salmon filet with lemon pepper and dill. It really brings out a meaty quality in the fish that is quite nice, as well as the lemon compliments the fruit of the wine and adds acidity. Always make sure there is a little black pepper on the fish before serving with this wine, because what it does to the finish is what really made me fall in love with this bottle. That little bit of cracked pepper makes the real lip smacking fruit flavors jump forward, and then just adds a really clean refreshing little nip of that spice on the end. I know that all these descriptions may sound really snarky, so let me try a different description.
This wine reminds me of eating a delicious caprese salad. Big juicy tomato flavor, and subtle sweet and savory notes from the olive oil, only to be finished with that great little bite of fresh cracked pepper. I hope that helped clarify a few things for you. I hope you enjoy this blog, and that bottle. Please feel free to leave your comments about travel, and wine, or anything for that matter lol. Thanks for reading. Good Afternoon.
I still get excited to fly every time and you know how much of it I do! I had taken 3 plane trips total I think in my entire 42 years of life before I met Vic. Now I've probably taken at least a hundred?? Still love it and get giddy even though I like to pretend like I'm an old pro because I know things like the shoes have to go directly on the conveyor belt now and not in the bins. Still scares me, and absolutely kills my back each and every time, but as missy Han would say..."in a good way!"
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