Frequent Filler Program.

The title of today's post is not a typo.  I did actually intend to type the word 'filler' as opposed to the word  'flyer'.  (However, I do take exception to the American spelling of programme.  Just sayin'.)
I haven't had a drop of wine for over two weeks now because I have been dealing with a nasty summer cold.  But on the way home from work tonight I stopped at the Napa Wine Company (NWC) to pick up a growler of something to pair with dinner.  My nose is better.
After an initial investment of $10.00 for the bottle, an ever-changing selection of wines-on-tap can be had for a mere $10.00 per refill.  The NWC growler-programme also comes with a 'Frequent Filler' punch-card: for every five refills the sixth is free.  To pair with tonight's chicken dinner I chose a rosé of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault.  Very, very nice.  And fun. And a truly genius idea.  Growl on.

Mystery wine.

Vinomaker has an acquaintance who works for the Napa Wine Company. The Napa Wine Company (NWC) has been in the wine business longer than most other wineries in the Napa Valley, in fact it was the 9th bonded winery in California.  As well as farming 600+ acres of their own vineyards and having their own brands of wines, NWC serves as a custom crush facility for a lot of smaller brands that do not have their own winemaking facilities.  It is in this capacity that Vinomaker's pal is employed at NWC.

In the past, the aforementioned friend has shown up in Vinoland with a mixed case of wine, some good, some bad, in exchange for cash for nappies.  It's a deal that works for all concerned parties: for $100 Vinomaker gets a value priced case of wine and the NWC worker's current baby gets Pampers.

Last week, Vinomaker came up from the cellar with an unlabeled bottle of something red.  It was not until we pulled the cork that we could see the brand name, Rock & Vine, and taste what seemed to be something that very strongly resembled a Cabernet Sauvignon.  So, I emailed the proprietor of Rock & Vine, James Harder, to see if he could identify the mystery wine with what little information I had.  Within 3 minutes Mr. Harder had emailed me back from his iPhone with the identity of the wine.  It was a 2007 Rock & Vine Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine was fantastic, delicious, superbly well balanced and very varietal-like...and at around $24 a bottle, it's almost an everyday drinking Cab.  I wonder if they offer an inter-winery discount.

A happy Leap Day to everyone!