Hug Cellars – 2007 Cedar Lane Vineyard Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc. Whew.

It’s a typical hot summer day in Las Vegas. The temperature is hovering somewhere around 105F (but it’s a dry heat!), and the dogs are lying on the tile floor, panting away and enjoying the coolness. I’m hungry and in the mood for a nice Caprese and a glass of wine.

Five minutes ago, the basil was still growing in my itsy herb garden. The small tomatoes I’d picked a little earlier when the morning was relatively cool had been washed and were draining on a paper towel on the counter. I retrieved the container of Trader Joe’s Mozzarella from the fridge and found the Pasolivo California Olive Oil in my cabinet. I was already in Caprese heaven.

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My Obsession - Part 1

Wine Decanters. I vaguely recall how I began to collect them, but it somehow happened.

I “discovered” the benefits of decanting wine about four or so years ago quite by accident, and it was a two-step process. The first time was when I uncorked a bottle of Whitehall Lane Merlot. I was visiting my friend Michael when I opened it, but we decided to go out to grab a bite to eat before sipping the wine. I left it open and we departed. An hour or more later when we returned, I poured the wine and was surprised at the difference! And it had only “aired” in the bottle. But there was more discovery to come!

The real epiphany came a few months after that. I had invited Michael over for dinner and opened up a prized bottle of Vergenoegd Shiraz from South Africa and poured it into the new decanter, my first. I tasted it at that time and wondered what the heck could I have been thinking when I bought this. It tasted like someone had squashed the grapes with dirty feet well laced with fungus. Yuck. But there was still *something* there, so I let it sit on the table while I continued to prepare dinner.

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Sweet Water Experience not so Sweet

Whenever I go into a restaurant, I’m always in “what’s on the wine list” mode. If a wine list is not available, then I enjoy the food without it or will ask if I can bring my own.

I have to admit that I was intrigued when Sweet Water was decided upon as the destination restaurant last Friday night. We had received several informal opinions of the establishment, ranging from “fantastic” to “save your money.” Because I trust the palates of all of those who had eaten there, I figured that our own first-hand experience was the only way to go.

Sweet Water is brand new and the décor is very attractive. The seafood market just inside of the entryway showcases beautiful fish and seafood. I can’t give you a comparison on the prices, but I can tell you that it looked incredibly fresh.

The four of us were seated immediately and were given a complimentary sample of pistachio-encrusted tuna pâté with black sesame seed crackers. Delish.

Unfortunately, that was the last really positive thing that happened.

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