Sunday, August 7, 2011

Vino Slut

Imagine my amazement when checking my email to receive an invite to review wine. Well hells bells, where do I sign up for free liquor. But the suspicious chick I am began to wonder what could possibly be the trap. After all, I remember the days before the Tylenol safety packaging. Quickly, I did a Google search of Flip Flop Wines to ensure no wack a doodle was luring innocent bloggers to their death. No recent poisonings by people pretending to be wine merchants, whew, safe. Because besides Wikipedia, I get all my facts from Google, the Google Rapture notwithstanding.


First, a little background on Flip Flop Wines. Based in California, they produce affordable wine for approximately $7 a bottle. Certainly within Mrs. Tuna’s price range. Typically my criteria for selecting wine involves standing at Costco picking wines with more than 90 points or pretty flowered labels. The second measure is gotta be less than $10 bucks because I am a cheap date. The thing that appealed to the more noble me (no really, I can be noble sometimes without a payoff) was that for every bottle of wine sold they will donate a pair of flip flops to someone in need since they are paired with Soles4souls. This organization sends shoes to people often impacted by natural disasters or third world countries to improve quality of life. Besides, flip flops are the universal weekend shoe for those of us crammed into pointy high heels all week because they make our ankles look shapely.

The tall, dark and handsome Stephen (okay we are thinking of course he’s tall dark and handsome with amazing abs because he’s offering free booze) obviously read my blog since he knew I was only a white wine woman. I have to reject red wine, I seriously think I have some kind of weird allergy because 2 hours after drinking I wake up from a dead sleep violently ill. The same instant alert you get when you hear the dog getting ready to yack at 2 AM. Frick, I can drink gallons of white or beer so I know I’m not a pansy ass light weight. Maybe I need one of those medical ID bracelets, Do Not Administer Red Wine in Case of Emergency. Stephen, my new BFF committed to sending 3 white wine samples, how giddy was I when it turned out to be THREE WHOLE BOTTLES!

Since the Big Tuna is more of Bud Light kind of redneck beer drinker I recruited my cohort in booze fiestas Bebe to help with evaluations of Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio. The bottles give descriptions of what they will taste like and food pairing recommendations along with their trademark flip flop label. This week’s recipe is seafood, always a hit with the lighter variety of wine.

Tom’s White Clam Sauce
4 tablespoons butter
1 small onion minced
2 cloves garlic minced
Black pepper to taste
2-6 ounce cans chopped clams
Handful parsley chopped
1 cup heavy cream

Drain clams but reserve juice. Melt butter in sauce pan. Add onion, garlic, pepper, clam juice and parsley to butter and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chopped clams and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Add heavy cream and heat throughout. Serve over hot pasta with parmesan cheese. My Italian brother-in-law gave me this recipe after promising not to divulge it under penalty of mafia. When you don’t hear from me again it’s because I’m living in a South American Country.

All of you that know me know I’m a bit of a wine ho, hopefully I won’t come off too trite in my review. While I’m not sure I agree with the food pairings I have to honestly say I was really surprised on how tasty it really was for a table wine. Now that’s it’s been a steady 110 degrees in Phoenix, light and refreshing is the order of the day. So tasty in fact, I relinquished my standard ice cubes in order to not dilute the taste. If you are looking for a basic and affordable wine then I can certainly recommend Flip Flop wines. I wonder if since they support a Soles4souls I can get a tax deduction….if so, ship me a case.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks! I've been keeping an eye out for just such a wine at just such a price. I'll have to give it a try. Do you suppose I could give Stephen a try as well?

SZM said...

Wow! Lucky you! Love the concept behind this wine.

Mark said...

Vino slut? Wine ho? Those are both new to me and I love 'em! May I steal them? m.

Mrs4444 said...

You are such a character. I love that about you, and I'm sure the FlipFlop wine folks, do, too. Nice review.

Empty Nester said...

My problem with red wine is that I get tipsy after half a glass and rather....er...frisky, shall we say? LOL

Cannot believe you got THREE bottles for FREE! I am jealous!

Janie Junebug said...

I know nothing about wine, so I'll watch for this and see if it's available in my area. Good job, my dear Mrs. Wine Ho.

Love,
Lola Ho

Kristina P. said...

I don't drink at all, but I can appreciate a good meal prepared with wine!

mamahasspoken said...

hum wine, and free makes it even better. And three can make you drunk, yum......

Doreen said...

I love this wine. It was just so fitting at the beach. I also love that you live in Phoenix!!! I hope the bookstore is close enough for you to bring me dinner [just kidding] glass of wine [kidding] just you would be fabulous!!

Shawn said...

I love Flip Flop wines but free and served by Stephen would be better! I just hope, if need, you make it to South America. We don't want to find you at the bottom of the Indian School canal, with cement flip flops!

I'm So Fancy said...

But they don't have them in England! Waaaah.

Liz Mays said...

I wish I knew if I was a white or red wine girl! Glad you so enjoyed them!

Meg at the Members Lounge said...

I love that you call yourself a wine ho. That is so endearing.

Wife of Bubba said...

Nicely done!! Your Wine Ho Compatriot in Crime

Annie (Lady M) x said...

I'm a wine ho too. Can I visit and give you a second opinion?! Thanks for the recipe but I prefer the other ones you did because I am not a fan of seafood .... it tastes fishy!

Clare and Gary said...

If you need help I'm offering my services.. wine drinking is my 2nd profession after cocktail making!

AiringMyLaundry said...

I don't really drink wine but I'd try some of this. Looks tasty.

Stephen Mitchell said...

Stephen here. I just had to chime in. Thanks so much for the very funny review. OMG - I laughed my ass off while reading your post. I LOVE this review.

And I'm amazed at just how well you nailed my physical description - I'm 6'4, have brown hair, an olive complexion, and I can rest a six pack on my abs with ease. :)

Ms. G said...

I love the name! Sounds like they made it for me and I like that they are donating.

Joann Mannix said...

Now, this is my kind of post! My husband and I are wine collectors, big time and we're always on the lookout for new wines. We like the under the radar wines, that have yet to make a big name for themselves and are still not a gazillion dollars. I'm going to try these wines, especially since they're profits go to a worthy cause.

And here's why you have such a violent reaction to red wines. It's the tannins. Many people are allergic, including me, to the tannins in red wine. Depending on the severity of your allergy, you can try taking two advil before drinking red wine. For most people, it gets rid of that violent nauseating, headachy feeling. It worked for me. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it might be worth a try. Red wine rocks.

Hilary said...

Now, that is a fun review!

Pearl said...

This never happens to me. No one ever contacts me to drink wine professionally.

:-)

Pearl

Kelly L said...

So funny - I like my whites really cold and fruity and my reds - cold too - I like cheap wines too - Trader Joes had a pretty good selection but I'm thinking 3 free bottles is better - enjoy..
Love to you
Kelly
I've Become My Mother

Gombojav Tribe said...

Where can I sign up to review wines?! That's my dream job! :-)

Miss Footloose | Life in the Expat Lane said...

Just emerged from the largest underground wine cave in the world (in Moldova, Eastern Europe, where I'm domiciling) to find your post. Actually this was one of three wine caves I've been in here in the last couple of days, because, well there isn't a whole lot else to do here except visiting churches and museums. Give me a wine cave any day.

I've had the opportunity to sample some interesting varieties and here's a lovely white for you to drink away on a hot summer day:

Chateau Vartely's Feteasca Alba.

Costco probably doesn't carry it though, but you never know.

Unknown said...

I love clam sauce- AND ALCOHOL! I can't believe I wasn't invited.

Mojo Writin said...

Loving the idea of wine 'n' flip-flops! Now that took a creative mind. Loved the humour of your review :o)

Jenn said...

I love wine!! Well--mostly red wine--(I think I have that same allergy you refer to--but only I'm allergic to certain white wines) and there are a few white wines I can enjoy. Anyway--great recipe--I loved that they sent you three whole bottles!! How do I sign up to review these wines. I will check to see if they have this label in my wine stores. You did a great review!!

Cheers, Jenn
http://www.wine-n-chat.com

Anonymous said...

I have a few criteria for loving wine. It has to taste like candy and it must make me stupid in just two glasses. Well, okay, the last one applies to all wine, but that first part matters. A lot.

danneromero said...

not a wine drinker myself, but you make it worth a second try.
i really enjoyed reading your 'about me' profile. cleverly written.