2003 Bodegas Castano "Solanera"

This kicky little wine sells for $10. It benefits from some time to breathe (4-5 hours). In it, I found lots of spice and smoke. It's more plush than a shag carpet, and more interesting than your high school English teacher (the one you had a crush on). This wine is made of 75% Monastrell (or Mourvedre... whichever term you prefer), and the rest a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. If it didn't come from Spain, and instead was labeled a Chateauneuf du Pape (which it could be mistaken for), it would easily go for $30. This is exactly the type of wine you buy a bottle of, and then go back to the store and pick up a case. Excellent value.

The Frizz. Domaine Ste. Michelle "Frizzante"

Had the $7 Domaine St. Michelle Frizzante in Tiffany champagne flutes (they were a gift). Expensive glasses always make wine taste better. The "Frizz" was a light, fruity sparkler with a touch of grapefruit on the backend. Nice for the price.

Chicken McNuggets and .......?

Dinner tonight consisted of: Chicken McNuggets (and fries of course) . Which wine would go well with this? Hmmmmm.

Well, my dipping sauce was honey...... So I chose the 2005 Miner Viognier. Bought it at the winery almost a year ago when I was in Napa. Cost: $20 at the winery but you can get it for $17 at HiTime Wine Cellars. It was dry, full-bodied, with honeysuckle on the back-end and quite lovely.

Paired well with McNuggets.