Recap of All Things April

So if you're new to Dusk & Rubies Blog, or if you're just interested in my April adventures your in luck because  here come a parade of pictures of things that happened this April:

 

I voyaged to Manhattan...

I love when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom!

I was inspired by a room full of talented writers...

 

I saw beautiful views through wine tasting at the Boat House in Central Park...

 

I celebrated love at a bridal party, and enjoyed the company of old friends...

 

I experienced my first ever Cask Festival...

 

I worked on my company and had loads of fun shooting my jewelry designs...

 

 I spent some R&R time in the Hamptons with the boyfriend...

 

 I sipped pre-cinco de mayo margaritas in Westhampton...

 

I jammed out to these guys Soundswell...

 

I lost another 5 lbs! That is 10 total in 2 months. Yes!! It has been a slow process, but I am truly doing it the right way. Eating every meal, never skipping, and I have snacks too! I work out sometimes. My goal for May is to start getting back into the routine of working out. Wish me luck...

Before: End of February Beginning of March





After: End of April Beginning of May


If you're interested in losing weight the healthy way click on "The Health Issue" label and scroll down to the blog post M.I.A March Here To Stay April...or click below:

M.I.A March Here To Stay April

 

Well now it is May, and last weekend was spectacular I can't wait to share!

 

Like always stay lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk and Rubies

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How To Be Successful...When Discussing Wine

Mindful Musing: How to talk about wine with the best of them.

"...good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people." -William Shakespeare

You've read my spiel on what I think it means to be successful. I've expressed that to be successful means that you have attained a certain favorable or desirable outcome. That  success is simply goal oriented, and if you set a goal, and then attain it you may call yourself successful! 

Today's Goal ladies:  to be able to "talk good wine"

Why is it helpful to learn how to discuss wine?

• Well, notably, many people perceive those who are educated about wine to be worldly, and cultured. (Cue Christian Grey)
• Many people gift wines for engagement parties, showers, weddings, or even as a simple hostess gift.
• Also, knowing how to describe what you like using proper wine terminology may aid your server in helping you choose a wine that is best suited for you; therefore, bettering your wine experience.
• It will help you save money too. The last thing you want to do is spend $50 dollars on a bottle of wine, and you find it tastes just like the $6 boxed one, or worse you don't even like it.

The Idea: After a Fiction Writing Workshop, I decided to follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, and have a boozy lunch. The weather was beautiful, so I decided to wander to the Central Park Boathouse. Why not order a glass of wine, and sit by the water? Well, easier said then done, because of course I ordered the hardest wine to pronounce. Thank goodness I had the common sense to take French- I knew it would eventually come in handy. Once at the bar, I knew I wanted a wine that was light and refreshing. I also knew that it was too early in the day (2 pm) to drink Pinot Noir or Melbac (dry red wines). So, I ordered the Sacerre Cuvee Chavignol.

A couple of older lovelies, who were drinking Chardonnay (another white wine), asked me how it tasted. I gave it my best go:

"It has bite; it's crisp, and has an aftertaste of green apple"

The woman responded:

"Oh that sounds lovely, yours looks much grainier than ours. I have never tried it."

Grainy? Should I take offense to that? Not knowing what else to say I smiled politely and excused myself. She then called me back over and asked which wine I chose again, forcing me to practice pronouncing Sacerre Cuvee Chavignol.

Today, I lucked out. I used the little knowledge of wine I have to choose one I really enjoyed, but I have had the experience of choosing a wine which tasted horrible.  Hopefully it never happens to you! Below is a glossary of terms to use when describing the taste of wine.

Glossary of Terms

Acidic: The sour or tart taste of wine. Acidity contribute to the keeping ability of fine wines.
Astringent: A wine whose taste is bitter, mouth-drying, or puckery.
Bitter: If the bitter component of a wine is most dominant it is considered a fault.
Briary: A term used to describe a wine that has an aggressive "peppery" taste.
Buttery: A term used to describe a good white wine, especially Chardonnay.
Coarse: A wine-tasting term that refers to a rough or crude wine that is difficult to drink.
Corky: Unpleasant aroma and flavor of a moldy cork.
Creamy: Silk-like quality, the opposite of a crisp wine.
Crisp: A term used to describe a wine that has a pleasing tartness and acidity without excessive sweetness.
Dry: A tasting term used to describe the complete absence of sugar in wine. If it has slight sugar taste then you would say it tastes "off dry"
Earthy: Taste or smell suggests soil, mushrooms, or mustiness.
Flabby: Tasting term for a wine that is too low in acidity.
Flat: Similar to flabby, it lacks in both acidity and crispness.
Flowery: A tasting term to describe an aroma of fresh flowers.
Foxy: A tasting term used to describe the unique musky smell and taste of Concord grapes. 
Green: A tasting term that refers to wines made with under-ripe fruit.
Oaky: Excessive oak flavors in wine.
Peppery: Term used to describe spicy wines reminiscent of anise or cinnamon.
Ripe: Well balanced fruity and sweet wine.
Sharp: Excessively acidic
Smoky: A tasting term used to describe a wine that has clearly been oak-aged.
Sour: Similar to acidic
Tobacco: A tasting term used to describe red wines whose flavors resembled the taste of raw tobacco leaves.
Warm: Used to describe wine with high flavor of alcohol.
Weighty: A tasting term to describe a wine that is well-structured, and balanced but excessive in flavor.

Oh and before I forget...

Grainy: The deposits sometimes found in wine bottles, most often with older wines. Sediment is not a bad sign but in fact may indicate a superior wine. Grainy does not have to do with describing taste but the "Mouth" of the wine, in other words how it feels in one's mouth.

Using the new terminology I would describe the wine below as:

"Crisp-acidic, but not sharp, and well-balanced." Oh, and I learned grainy is a good thing!

Now all you have to do is the 4 S's
See,
Swirl ,
Sniff,
Sip!

Stay Lovely,
D.R
Editor and Curator

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