Wine Unfiltered

Ahh, if only you thought of movies when you think of Oscar night. Oh, you mean one or two of you still do? I thought all anyone thought of these days was red carpets, diamonds, dresses and celebrity gift bags. Okay, so I do like that part too. But the Oscars don’t hold as much joy for me as they did when I was say, 17. That’s probably because I hadn’t moved to Los Angeles yet and half of the actors weren’t my actual neighbors. When you see what every celebrity gets handed to them from 3000 miles away in a different world … it’s glamorous. When it’s next door and they shop at your supermarket, it sucks.

Too real? Sour grapes? Probably. But speaking of grapes, sour or otherwise, my subtle (NOT!) yet, affordable pick for the 2010 Academy Awards is something you can afford to get at that celeb-ridden supermarket and glows as ruby as the red carpet itself. Appropriately, Director Francis Ford Coppola’s Diamond Collection 2008 Pinot Noir, Silver Label.

You can find this wine for as high as $19.99 at Gelsons or as low as $9- $13 at Costco.

SPECS:

Appellation Monterey County

Blend 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol 13.4%

Total Acid .60

pH 3.57

Barrel Regimen New and used French oak

Released May 2008

Retail $18.00

I am sipping as I write this and torturing myself watching E!’s horrendous broadcast. Okay, I just changed the channel.

It’s nice to have a Pinot Noir actually taste like a Pinot…not a faux drama queen Meritage or a Pinot overacting like a Bordeaux. Then again nothing is real in Hollywood. But your wine can be. It’s reasonably priced. It’s a beautiful bright, ruby red garnet hue and the label is a shining silver-blue diamond.  Very festive.

Hints of brown spice, minor mushroom, young plum and strawberry. Clean finish. The more it opens up the better it is. But make no mistake, it is simple. Simple, straightforward, light and a little lovely. Unlike Hollywood.

Okay, okay I’m done with the Hollywood jabs, because truthfully, I love it here in Hollywood. I knew I was always meant to be here since I was 12, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Now go drink dah’ling.