Mi Sueno

I got to drink a bottle of Pinot Noir last night from a little winery in Napa that has a story as big as the flavors in the bottle: a 2007 Mi Sueno Pinot Noir from Russian River. The wine is earthy and full of red fruits. As it opens there is a nice balance of fruit, tannins and oak.

Mi Sueno means my dream in Spanish. Rolando Herrera came to California from Mexico as a boy. His family was searching for a better life. As a teenager Herrera washed dishes at the famed Auberge du Soleil, worked as a “cellar rat” at Stag’s Leap and from there spent the next 20 years learning the ins and outs of the wine business before becoming his own boss. Herrera now owns Mi Sueno and even purchased the winery’s bottling equipment with cash! Talk about a dream! His wines have also been served multiple times at the White House!

Herrera’s wines aren’t always easy to find but they are worth the hunt!!

In A Pinch

It's no secret I love good food and wine. Lately I've made more of an effort to support locally owned establishments but I'm always up for a good "chain" adventure! This weekend I found myself face to face with a T.G.I.Friday's menu. A typical Friday's experience for me would be cocktails and apps at the bar before a movie or in an airport. I couldn't remember the last time I actually sat down to a full meal at the popular chain. But I did remember the wine by the glass list brought out a tiny bit of the wine snob in me. I know I know!! I can always go for a good burger and beer but on this night I was craving something on the healthful side and a yummy glass of vino!

I ordered the new Dragonfly Salmon dish with Kung Pao sauce, jasmine rice with pineapple pico de gallo and steamed broccoli. It was delicious! The sauce wasn't nearly as spicey as some Kung Pao's I've been hit with and the rice was sweet, with coconut and fruit! The broccoli was perfectly steamed! Even though it was a little sweet for my tastes it was great food, now back to the little wine issue! I ordered a Mirassou Pinot Noir which was very jammy and sweet for a Pinot. It worked good enough! The price definitely worked at $20!! Just an idea for you to try next time you go to Fridays!