Red Red Wine

"God made Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the Devil made Pinot Noir."

If only every cab could be Opus One, Silver Oak or Groth Reserve! And may the last drop I drink be from the legendary Chateau Léoville Las Cases... okay, back to reality.  There are shoes to buy and bills to be paid.

Here are some of my favorite reds.  Not a cab on the list, yet lots of pinots.  Strap on your seat belt.

• Roessler Cellars Bluejay Anderson Valley Pinot Noir - ($30-$35, 90 points)  When I was living in Atlanta, I purchased a bottle of this on name alone.  It was so memorable I tried to buy it online, but it was sold out.  I joined the wine club just so I get a surprise bottle every so often in the mail.  It's one of my little joys.
• Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot - ($13-$25, 88 points) The price of this wine jumps all over the place, so get it when it's cheap.  Every time I serve it, someone admires the wine and asks what they're drinking.  They're always surprised it's KJ.
• Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Syrah - ($20, 92 points)  A cook a mean petite filet and this big and bold red pairs perfectly with it.  It would be spectacular with lamb too.  A steal for the quality and not for the faint of heart!
• Francis Coppola Diamond Pinot Noir - ($12-$20) Easy to drink and summery, I was seduced by all of the Coppola wines after visiting the vineyard in Napa. The winery seems straight out of a film (naturally).  It's dark and sexy and built like one of those homes in the Godfather.  Not to break the spell, but I love pairing this pinot with hamburgers!
• Cambria 2006 Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir ($18-$23, 93 points)  Wine Enthusiast calls this the best Pinot Noir at this price on the market and number one of their top 100 wines. Here's how they describe it.  Absolutely dry and silky, with complex flavors of cherries, Mandarin orange, cola, pomegranates, licorice and cinnamon spice, made even richer by smoky oak. How could you resist?
• Francis Coppola Sofia Rose - ($12-$16) This deep pink wine is nothing like a white zinfandel. The finish is dry and I couldn't resist the sexy bottle.  Perfect for our dwindling summer afternoons and gorgeous as a hostess gift.

Happy Weekend!

A Dior ad directed by Sofía Coppola. The song is Moi Je Joue by Brigitte Bardot. I love the greys and whites in the bedroom!

This isn't the Single Ladies video below (though I do love that one too!)

Let Them Eat Cake

My girlfriend Christy and I were bantering about Sofia Coppola yesterday and when I mentioned Marie Antoinette, she mentioned The Virgin Suicides and then I thought of Lost In Translation. Because I've been daydreaming a lot lately - a side effect of exhaustion - I realized all three films have a sense of isolation. Literally in The Virgin Suicides, but I really love the other two and how they relate to human connection.

Lost In Translation is melancholy, but of all three, seems to be the most hopeful. A non-traditional love story between two very different people at opposite places in their lives. Their relationship is brief but their connection is true.

Contrast that with Marie Antoinette. (Sure, it skims the surface of history. I know, I know.) There's such a lack of connection, the young queen seeks happiness in frivolity and excess.

Because a little excess never hurt anybody.  Did you see the video and notice the quick shot of converse at ten seconds?  A nod to Marie Antoinette's age. Sofia is genius!

Bring on the bubbly

Let me tell you about my absolute favorite drink (of the moment). The Francis Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blanc. Not only is it a delicious bubbly champagne and inspired by a talented woman, the packaging is also out of this world.

I discovered the beautiful bottle at Mel & Rose Wine & Spirits on Melrose Ave. If you haven't been there, it's the best place to stock up for a party or buy a hostess gift.
When I went to Mel & Rose, they had the bottle & 4-packs chilling in the case. The manager told me they always hide a few because they're so popular. Plus, they're ridiculously friendly. A big bonus in LA.

Back to the spirit. The bottle is champagne colored, wrapped in clear pink wrap. The presentation is similar to the outrageously priced Cristal, but it's much more wallet-friendly at less than $20.

It also comes in darling little 4-packs of red and pink cans, which you can drink straight from the can - it comes with a tiny straw - or if you pour it into a glass, it fills it to perfection.