An afternoon of serendipitous intersections of a wine-themed film, and a couple of appetizer samples, and a sample bottle of wine for a lazy day.

One of my many mutual wine bloggers on Instagram mentioned a little-known wine-themed romantic comedy set at a chateau in Provence, that we were able to find at a local library; and the funny thing is that The Wine Raconteur, Jr. had just suggested that I should periodically do a movie and wine article.  The movie is a Ridley Scott film “A Good Year” with Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard and Albert Finney. It turns out Max Skinner learns that his Uncle Henry died intestate and he is the closest relative, and he goes to his uncle’s chateau in Provence, coupled with his childhood memories. There is also a story of two wine brands that are never fully fleshed out or explained.  We will watch it a couple more times, it was that pleasurable.

Now on to the subject of samples, some wine bloggers seem to have a propensity to obtain samples, I an rather laid-back on the subject, though it is flattering.  I have a separate heading for “Samples” on my blog, that I direct firms to read, before we have too many discussions.  Last month, one winery decided against sending me some samples and another winery that I have written about in the past asked for permission and sent me another bottle.  As in the past, this winery sends me a bottle of wine and some wine crackers, this time the package came during my medical problems, so we just left the shipping unopened and stored it in the garage, which at this time of the year is like putting it in the refrigerator.  I am not sure if the importer, warehouse agency sent me the wrong stuff or not, as I was expecting a bottle from the Loire Valley, instead I received a store brand wine from Cairanne (Rhone Valley) and some delightful Trader Joe’s Phyllo Crisps topped with dried cranberries, pumpkins and sunflower seeds and oats.  There was also a tub of Trader Joe’s Olive Tapenade, so my Bride and I had a picnic while we watched the movie.

So, onto the bottle of wine that was sent to me, which was Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Cairanne Lot #147 2022.  The first Trader Joe’s store was opened in 1967 by founder Joe Coulombe in Pasadena, California.  In 1979, it was purchased by the co-founder of Aldi, Theo Albrecht. Trader Joe’s is the exclusive retailer of Charles Shaw (aka “Two Buck Chuck”).  It has been said that Trader Joe’s was built first on wine, and then on food.  The company omits names of wineries off their labels, and many wines are from Bronco Wine, the company behind Charles Shaw.  Cairanne is an appellation that originally was classified as Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne but was elevated to Cru status in 2016.  The soil of Cairanne is basically of limestone and alluvial soils, as well as areas of red, iron-rich earth over sandstone bedrocks.  The wine is eighty percent Grenache and twenty percent Mourvèdre.  This deep dark-red wine offered notes of black fruit, spices and a soupcon of orange peel.  On the palate, this medium-bodied, well-balanced wine displayed tones of blackberry, cassis and currants along with some cinnamon and pepper blended with fine tannins and ending with a medium-count silky finish of fruit, spices and a touch of chocolate.