Setting Some Roots

The wind was blowing so violently that the candles were dancing along to the sound of the rain beating upon my window panes. As I looked outside trying to find the moon all I could see was the distant glow from the lamp in the barn.

Evening storms were a novelty here in the coastal mountains. We never saw rain, day in and day out, dry sand and trees were an abundance, so tonight’s storm was a beautiful surprise. Cool and refreshing, romantic and exotic. Safely tucked away in the side of the hills I spent my days tending to the horses and the fields. Life here is a routine, but tonight, tonight feels a little different.

I watched as the rain slid down the glass of the window, the wood cracked in the fire and I stood and stared out the window, all I could see was purple and red glowing from that barn window. I wrapped myself in an old blanket and hugged my knees to my chest, the chill from storm and the warmth from the fire – confliction.

What is interesting about this part of Chile is that the hills are steep and rocky enough that the soil maintains the moisture for the vines to last the intense summers. That is what I love about living here. When we get storms like this, the land just knows, it knows that it is a special gift to hold on, that it needs to last long enough to last forever! An amazing bottle of wine can last forever. A night like tonight, can last forever.

With a red wine buzz, I felt the blanket fall below my arms and land at my feet. It was rare that I felt the rain on my face, I found myself moving toward the door, stepping outside I closed my eyes, the wind stood still and all I could feel was water as it fell against my face. My eyelids, cheeks, lips, I felt it run down my neck to my chest, my arms were beginning to soak it in. As my hair curled up I found myself swaying to the song in my head, ‘Where do you go when you’re lonely? Where do you go when you’re blue? Where do you go when you’re lonely, I’ll follow you? When the stars go blue.’

As my solid dance floor became a muddy mess, I looked down at my hands, they had puckered up from the moister. My clothes were soaked through and my hair was drenched. I tilted my head back one last time and allowed the sky to baptize me one last time. It almost felt as though it was happening in slow motion, plop, plop, plop, I heard every rain drop, they were beautiful. And then, then I caught a chill. Almost a bit of spice.

I caulked my head one last time to look to be sure the light in the barn was still lit, it was, so I quickly ran back into the house. I pulled the blanket up off the floor and wrapped it around my drenched body. I looked over at the fire I had made before my brief exit. It had reached its peak and sitting beautifully in its glow, rooted comfortably, my glass of 2008 Carmenere.

Root: 1 is a “lost grape of Bordeaux” from The Colchagua Valley, Chile. Carmenere is a deep red color with gentle tannins and rich flavors of plum, blackberry and spice.

I pulled off my wet tank top and jeans. I pulled on his old grey sweater and pants, pulled another blanket up close, Pressed myself back up against the wall, looking back over the hills of Chile’ I poured another glass of wine. I watched the purple and red glow from the barn and listened to the crackle from the fire and drank.


Cheers!

<3 to MP

And Then Spring Kissed Me!

"I want a glass of Sauvignon Blanc today, I want one so bad," I found myself professing at the top of my lungs around noon today at work.

Alyssa looked over at me with laughter in her eyes. "Let’s go sit on Red Stones Patio and drink a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and celebrate. I'm so far in the weeds right now I don't even know where to start. Did I just say that? Who just said that? I don't know who just said that?"

I couldn't help it, I laughed uncontrollably. Yes, I lost it laughing at my friend, but it was short lived. I walked back out into the dining room and shortly found myself among those getting their asses handed to them. Running back and forth all day, the cast of characters were very different today. I have to believe that it's because it was a holiday and most people were out of work and most schools are out for spring break, but I also believe there was something special in the air.

Mother Nature put something out there for all of us to breath into our lungs and hold onto. Suck in deep to our lungs and hold on. It made us all feel a little more... a little feistier. My one very special, very wonderful table (and I do hope you, special table, have now become a fan of this blog, and, forgive me, because I've forgotten your name, but I know your son's name is Sam) ordered up a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. As I walked up to the bar and placed it on my tray, I looked at the glass and said, "I will be enjoying you later!" Matt, my bartender laughed and said, "I will be enjoying my beer!"

The day pressed on, and table after table, drink after drink, I had my eye on the prize - that cold glass of white wine was, on this first sun-kissed day, going to be mine.

I was yet to break the seal on the building. It was 5pm and my last table was eating dessert. I had to let Alyssa know that I was almost done with work so I stepped out back.

"OH MY GOD," I shouted as though there were no one around! But... there was! Two of my chefs were standing out back. "It feels like, well, it feels like sex out here. From what I remember of course." We all laughed. "Honestly, it feels as good as sex used to feel from what I remember of it!"

It was like rolling around in warm sheets, feeling pillows pushed up against you on all sides of your body, having your neck touched in just the right places, your toes tickled. Everything just felt perfect outside at that right moment. It was amazing. I could feel it on my face, in my hair. The breath of the wind touching my eyelids as I closed them, the heat on my arms. Even my fingertips warmed as my fingers hit the keypad on my phone. Sadly, it had to end and I had to go back inside.

Okay... so, I rush back inside. Much to my surprise everyone is finished, ready to go. Everything is good, check out, grab my bag and I am off!

ALYSSA!!!! She is sitting waiting! Like it is a brand new day, she is sitting there with a beautiful big glass of Sauvignon Blanc! As you all know, I am not a white wine drinker, but the first sip of this wine sent my body to that place that bodies like to go! It relaxed, it sunk, it fell, it eased, it was at peace. It was not just the wine that helped me get there. It was the company. There is something about this friend of mine that sends me to a peaceful place, she is very calm, natural and jovial.

As the patio filled up, our friend Jamie joined us for a drink. Jamie brought laughter and memories. It is always great to see an old friend and reflect. Now at this point I am sure all of you are wondering what wine is Amanda drinking? I have to be honest... we don't know! We ordered Nobel Sauvignon Blanc, but that is not what they charged us for. So... we are not exactly sure what we got!

I will say this, it was crisp like a prefect white sheet that has been hanging on the line all day surrounded by lemon and grapefruit trees. It has picked up small hints of citrus, but it's not overpowering. It still has a sweetness about it. There is a small bit of honeysuckle that you can get at the back, allowing you to feel the beginning of spring, the promise of something amazing. It makes you long for something more.

Okay, so it looks like I am going to have to return to Red Stones Patio and order a glass of Nobel and see if it tastes the same as it did today. See if it was the the stress of the day, the company I kept or sex the sun that provided the delight in the glass. Its amazing how spring has a way of making things taste so differnt.


You know, today was not an easy day, but it was one of those days that you walk outside and you feel something, you feel it on your body, organic and raw. You feel it in the people you surround yourself with. You feel it in what you put into your body. And at the end of the day, if you can know that you did everything you could do to fulfill yourself and those around you, isn't that enough?

Cheers!
<3 to MP

My Trip To the South of France

Today I put on my red flip flops and yellow sundress that ties right at the nape of my neck, it’s tight around the waist and flows like daisy petals over my legs, comfortable cool. I stepped outside the house to feel the warm spring sun wrap its arms around face and down to my fingertips. Even my toes felt the sweet kiss of warmth. I grabbed my Red Bicycle and headed into town to the farmers market. Smelling the fresh bread, sweet cream from the cheese, the sugars from the fruit, color and life was all around me, life was all around me.

Children were playing in the fountain in the center of town dodging the little droplets as the fell from the crown of the kings, laughing and singing. Lovers held hands, friends sat and drank coffee. Street vendors peddled their vegetables, homemade jams and pickled cucumbers. The town square was alive. Life was fresh, it was beautiful and it was being lived by young and old.

With my basket in hand I found a crisp baguette, still warm from the oven, the smell was rich, like a steam oven, fresh and I had big plans for it. Julia owned the cheese market, every cheese you could imagine, Gouda, Brie, Havarti with dill, Roquefort, Charolais. There were too many too choose from, so I settled on Brie and Charolais. Julia knew, this was not going to be the last time I would see her on a beautiful spring day such as this.

As I left her shop I couldn't help but notice the small cow bell that rang on the door as I pushed it open. It’s the simple things in life that put a smile on your face.

The day was pressing on and the weather was growing a bit warmer. I stepped over to a small cart and ordered up a sweet treat of lemon ice. I did not want to spoil for what I knew was going to be an absolutely amazing afternoon of treats. This tart yet sweet and cool refreshment allowed me to stroll through the square for a little longer.

The dogs played in the park, an elderly man played Bach on a violin as two friends enjoyed a game a chess. Off in the distance I saw two young men drawing a hop scotch board on the sidewalk. As I pushed my Red Bicycle I looked up at the sun and allowed it to kiss me again, I opened my mouth, I took a deep breath in, I allowed it to fill me up, from the outside it. I felt the warmth on my bare shoulders and the swoosh in my skirt. It was a beautiful day.

Luke had the stand at the end of the block. This stand was full of the most beautiful colored jars, jars of jams, jellies and berries. My eyes were in color overload. I simply had no idea what to pick. I let him peek into my basket and with a wink of the eye, he said, I know what flavor will be perfect for your day. As he wrapped the bottle with care, I noticed his hands were dry and chaffed, I could tell that he had been doing this for years. I could not wait to taste his hard work and devotion to his art.

Next to Luke’s stand I found Renee’, Renee’ had all of the strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, raspberries, watermelon, if you needed fruit, Renee’ had that fruit. I told her of my plans for the day and much like Luke, she had that special look in her eye. It was almost as if everyone working in this square knew how to treat people on days like this, how to help people live their lives to their fullest and bring a peace to the day.

My last stop, was Jeans, the day would not be complete with out a collection of vibrant flowers. It didn’t matter what they were, I just went crazy, I grabbed a piece of brown butcher paper and started pulling, red, pink, yellow, white, powder blue, green all the colors I could find and I was off.

My basket was full and so was my afternoon, I peddled my way down one dirt road and up another, mile maker after mile. I listened to Johnny Cash along the way and when I got to the top of the hill over looking this small town at the very southern tip of France and unwrapped my blanket, the gust of wind that caught a hold of it was like watching God taking it in his hands and placing it on Mother Earth for me to enjoy. I spread out before me a treat a treat meant only for me, only for my heart, only for my soul, and now I offer it to you, to you my friends, so that you, so that you may someday too have a day in which you can enjoy a day that you offer yourself your own heart, your own soul and your own love.

A beautiful French baguette, the finest of French cheese, and the jam that Luke gave me, plum, what I didn't see him wrap in the jar was a small block of dark chocolate covering hazelnuts. What an amazing combination and an even better surprise. Renee' had mixed me a beautiful fruit salad of grapes, strawberries cantaloupes, blueberries and nectarines, all of my favorite things. I was now surrounded by all the beautiful flowers, colors, flavors smells and silence, the final touch, my Red Bicyclette, 2008 Pinot Noir.

Now I am sure you are all scratching your heads and wondering, um, when did Amanda go to France? Well, I didn't I have never been to France, I have never even been to the places I speak of in this amazingly beautiful day, but my friends, I invite you to drink Red Bicyclette, and if you are as impressed as I am, you will know why, why this was the only way I was able to review this wine.

Cheers!