WEED AND WINE - BLUE MEANIE STRAIN AND SOLO CONTIIGO MALBEC - FLAVOR HEAVEN!

When intellectuals think of little, fuzzy, blue nuggets, what can often come to mind is the frightening image of (rotten to the core) Trump Senior Advisor, Stephen Miller.  Short, fuzzy in the pelo , ugly and blueing from a lack of earthly oxygen after his rise from purgatory and wishing so badly that people would feel sorry for him - much like every demon coward that belongs to the Donald Trump team - the devil is here.  He is operative.  He is so effective at gluing on a false, soft, yet warmly endomorphic, insecurely balding and cowardly cozy image of himself as he tries to act cute and cuddly for the world....batting his child-like eyes as they dew-up with wetness when he speaks his evil rhetoric, ....all the while as he separates infants from their mothers for months on end in prison cells and works to create great racial divide in our great nation.  No, no...this is not the blue nugget in these colorful pictures that im looking for....but his alien blue head, certainly, makes me want to smoke weed.....the blue im thinking of....and, oh, im thinking of something of a cut of Blue Cookies from a famous, unnamed gentleman up, the Mendo way crossed with Sonoma County's finest Sour Diesel and, then, blended into one of the finest OG Kush strains the world has ever seen.....Im thinking of Blue Meanie.  One of the new great powerhouse strains of the future.

Yes, please say hello to Blue Meanie.  No, there isn't really much good to say about racist, Stephen Miller...nor is there much of insight from his insecure and small-dicked boss, Donald Trump.  But in Blue Meanie, there is gold....cannabis gold....giant blue and gold and yellow hues with layers of blue bands and purple frosted ribbons that extend into the stanky core of each fuzzy nugget....perfumed and exotic bouquets hastily lofting into our eager olfactories. Cracking apart these blue nuggets with vigor in curiousity, more notes of fresh, crushed blueberries backed by hints of Manchego cheese and a little bit of fuel from your dusty, mountaineering four wheeler as it rises above the American mediocrity, the politics that dictates it, and the stupid human being running our great nation. Blue is the Meanie.....and blue is our soul, but only for now.  Let's get high.....
To warm our insides, then, we must reach into our hearts and seek, in wine glass, the blood of Jesus(lol) or more realistically known as, fine red wine.  What would pair with such a gorgeous, blue-fruit strain as this Blue Meanie?  MALBEC. Malbec is the varietal that really shines in my mind as the one grape that exudes notes of blueberry fruit - quite typical, in fact, of many of the great Argentine Malbecs made with our neighbors down below.   My choice?  Solo Contigo is a wonderful expression of what is, both, great and typical of the stellar Argentine Malbec industry. For more on Malbec, what it is and where it came from, Visit Vine and Barrel Fine Wines in Betaluma, California...heartful knowledge and a love for libations.....(707)765-1112.  www.vineandbarrel.com

This one is easy - 2014 Solo Contigo Malbec....they call it, the Affaire.  It hails from Mendoza, Argentina.  Solo Contigo translates to, "only with you" and, really, defines the social nature of this wine - what wine is good for - and how much more fun it can be if you smoke some cannabis with it(*NEVER END A SENTENCE WITH A PREPOSITION*)  .  It is so good that is made to share with all your friends....and each and every loving person you share with, this wine, will be as thankful as a giant fruit bat that hath broken into a Del Monte canning facility.
At just 13.9% alcohol, these grapes hail from high elevations in the towering Andes.  It is round like Rush Limbaugh with soft tannins......notes of blue, crushed velvety fruit - just as tropical blue burning bowl smoldering with tails of ghostly blue berries that rise from the carbonized crater of your teak wood-carved pipe that you stole from Elves after you raided Sargon's gold, the last time you dared venture into the mountain.
When I, first, tug at this bud and tear off a bowl, it smells of blueberry muffins that rise into my olfactory with pleasant thoughts of being in my grandmother's fragrant kitchen as a young boy teeming with curiousity at the tender age of five.  ....and while the lovely and seductive fruit is there, what follows is a strong reminder - almost a redneckish barnyard note - that this weed has some kick and is has a serious backbone of fuel tanks filled to the rim in stealth jet fighters. This it receives from its ancient and original genetics of the California classic and game-changer, Chemdog.  If you don;t know what this is...what this means....then, start pressing those little, pointy, robotic, mind-controlling buttons and on your Iphone and do some research....KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR BOWL...... even if you have to discover this HIGHLY (no pun intended) information on the very, evil device that marks, in chronology, the time of technological advance that signifies the speedy

end of the human race. Just ask my kids - they fall asleep with them on their chests at night......#Nofuckingthanks....ill be smoking weed when they release the drones...

For all of you cultural and culinary enthusiasts - swimmers of summery sangria, pilots of the pleasurable purple, bombers of bowling.. these two manipulations of organic nature can go swimmingly, together.  Bring them, both Blue Meanie and Solo Contigo Malbec, to a friend's barbecue, this weekend and share while enjoying steak and grilled veggies off the charcoal barbie.  Fruity and earthy, Blue Meanie OG and Solo Contigo Malbec will render you the hero of the best house party.  So, grab a chair and enjoy...and don't drive....  - and, please, save us from the evil, Stehen Miller and his dark(but very stupid) dOnAlD tRuMp....where did you go, God?....we need her....

WEED AND WINE
VINE AND BARREL, LLC
113 PETALUMA BLVD NORTH
PETALUMA, CA 94952
(707) 765-1112
 

WEED AND WINE REVIEW - Blue Frost Strain paired with Valcantara Grenache

Blue Frost is a lovely, hybrid strain with genetics that derive from the Blue Monster and Jack Frost Strains.  It is a 60/40 Indica Dominant blend that brings a clean breeze of strong blue fruit and long, deep and ancient forest notes to the olfactory.  It has a clean smell - like fresh, mountain air and a blue, ocean breeze that gives it incredible appeal for the senses and, simply, fills the room with a most pleasant aroma.
With all the wonderful flavors taking center stage, there is nothing lost on the appearance with this gorgeous weed.  It is soft and almost has playdough, earthy feel to it as it is moist and dense with varying blue tones, throughout.  Creamy streaks of very light  purples, blues, violet and soft green lengths of compact bud fill in these round nugs of  pungence to make, what I call, "nuggie goodness."
Flavors are definitely comprised of berry tones ranging from sweet loganberry to mountain blueberry with a kick of old OG pungency backed by a subtle hint of baked cheese - almost like cheese whiz. Now, where this may sound weird, I can tell you that if you love your grandma's cooking, cheesy custard and fruit desserts coming straight from the oven are supreme treat not to be missed....and there is a lovely taste of sweet dessert with every bowl you smoke.
Physically, there is a huge, comforting affect from smoking Blue Frost with just enough of a sativa influence to keep you awake and kicking.  Although sedative, the comfortable experience in smoking this weed will leave you attentive enough to enjoy a good film or even sweat it out on a bike ride - or, even better, sit and pair with a nice glass of wine.
My wine pairing choice for this lovely herb?  A little, Spanish Grenache, anyone?
Valcantara Grenache from Carinena is one of the finest easy-to-grab and inexpensive lovely little red wines under $10.  It is juicy and deep with color and the velvet and blue fruit notes pair, swimmingly, with the Blue Frost Strain.
Enjoy a bowl of this lovely herb....take a smooth hit of the creamy blue fruit....and put your nose into your wine.  The fruit notes collide with what lingers in your senses from the weed.  You can taste the forest floor.....the deep berry. The wine seems to clean your palette and enhances the flavors and experience of the smoke.  This makes for a fine finish to any work day.
Valcantara Grenache can be found, on the shelves, at Vine and Barrel Wine Shop and Wine Bar.  113 Petaluma Boulevard North, in the glorious, Petaluma, California.....home to some of the finest weed and wine in the entire world.

WEED AND WINE - Martin Ranch Zinfandel paired with Blackberry Soda Cannabis

Vine and Barrel Fine Wines

Some of the biggest, most powerful, and rich flavors in wine come from one of California's premiere varietals which we know, today, as Zinfandel. In times of old, Zinfandel, or, Crljenak Kaštelanski - its' true name from Croatia, came to the United States from Italy where they, after stealing it from the Croatians, named it Primitivo.  When the "new" world was settled by Europeans, the Italians brought it over where it has taken root as zinfandel.

One of the finest representations of California's booming Zinfandel market, The JD Hurley selection from the Martin Ranch in Santa Clara, California, is a wine for any dinner table or patio barbecue.  Heavy fruit notes with gorgeous blueberry and loganberry extraction exude throughout the length of each sip of this wine.  Hints of cola and even a little fresh ground coffee, abound, followed by a little black pepper and a slight note of resin from an old college doobie, left on the kitchen table.  Long forgotten are the drier, more subtle fruit notes of the versions of this wine from Croatia and Italy.  Not to discount them - they are outstanding - just very different than ours. California Zinfandel is a big hitter and can reach over 15% in alcohol, no problem.  We have lots of sunshine.   Delectable notes of chewy black fruit and forest floor, a little sandalwood and wonderful acidity render this grape monster a classic and with all this sunshine, I am led to consider another fine product grown under our warm and giving climate:  Blackberry Soda Cannabis.

Pairing a fine cannabis with this beautiful wine was an easy choice. The Blackberry Soda strain lifts enticing, sensual and deep, aromatic blue and blackberry notes up your nose when you first get a whiff.  As you are enjoying the fruity sensation, little highlights of coffee and spice are to follow and the berry and cherry flavors from its' genetics, run deep.  Hints of earth and a faint note of ancient, RC Soda drying in a picnic can in the sun as you hold a nuggie up to your olfactory.  Blackberry Soda shares its roots in both Indica (80%) and Sativa (20%).  It is a cross between the rare, Plushberry and Blackberry Kush strains and harbors some seriously deep genetics.  THC in this dark and purple weed runs between 20-25% and is delicious.  This is a dark, rich production just as the Martin Ranch Zinfandel wine.  Fruity and long in depth with hints of grandma's ripe berry pie and yesterday's coffee grounds, this cannabis is stellar.

In pairing this two California treats, my food recommendation would, certainly be, smoky BBQ.  Whether you are a vegan or omnivore, some grilled veggies or BBQ spareribs would be a fine accompaniment after a pipe full of Blackberry Soda and big glass of Martin Ranch Zinfandel.

You can find Martin Ranch at Vine and Barrel Wines in Petaluma, California and Organicann, just north, in Santa Rosa where there is a steady supply of the lovely, Blackberry Soda Strain.

WEED AND WINE REVIEW

RADIO COTEAU SAVOY CHARDONNAY AND BRUCE BANNER #1

On my latest trip to Mendocino, California, I met with some old friends who are experts in growing cannabis.  When I explained to them that which i was pursuing in my new Weed and Wine Review, they were ecstatic.  They loved the idea and promptly presented me with the very strongest cannabis they had for my first authored piece on these two, very finest products, that are California.

Looking through all the different strains of beautiful, dried, cannabis that this fine couple grew, I knew that as a writer, I would have to discipline myself in focusing on just one champion to reign as the perfect pairing for one of California's premiere chardonnays.  There is, quite simply, a smattering of strains grown all over the world.  Here, before me, were 14 that, alone, this couple grew!

The wine I brought along, Radio-Coteau, is a gorgeous wine that is, truly, representative of the finest that the Anderson Valley and, moreover, California can produce.  Minimal oak brings a pleasant, woody and toasty note that accentuates the crisp, green, apple orchard fruit in its depths.  When I described the oaky, toasty, buttery notes of the wine, they then handed me a pipeful of their selection, Bruce Banner #1.  This was a perfect match.  Piney and woody with a deep dried fruit note of young, green apple and fresh lemon, this strain of cannabis is a splendid partner in this pairing that can only be made in California!   This creamy smooth smoke left a buttery note with a hint of dried tea leaf - much like the mild oak note from the Radio Coteau. 

Bruce Banner #1 is a very special strain of cannabis.  The four times High Times winner, Bruce Banner is an evolution of the Sour Diesel Family and a lovely, sweet strain named, Strawberry Cough.  Sour Diesel is a genetic blend of the most famous strain in the world - OG Kush(Hindu Kush X Chemdog).  Strawberry Cough is a cross between Haze and another lovely, sweet strain named, Strawberry Fields.  It is predominantly sativa and is a very alive and awakening smoke that is better for daytime use.  Paired with some chilled Radio Coteau Chardonnay, the back porch under the cool of a tree can make for a relaxing but social afternoon with your friends chatting up the joke that is today's politics.

The counterpart for this fine herb, Radio Coteau Savoy Chardonnay, is a lovely wine that genuinely represents the cool, coastal climate where its' grapes are farmed.  Warm summer days with drastic cooling from the nearby Pacific ocean provides for lengthy maturation on the vine.  This, in turn, creates incredible depth and nuance and loads of characteristics that we can identify throughout each sip.  A little toke of some deeply flavorful marijuana - God's herb - and the best summer lounge chair just got markedly better!
You can find Radio Coteau at Vine and Barrel in Petaluma and, both, Mercy Wellness in Cotati and Organicann in Santa Rosa carry Bruce Banner #1 ganja.

Buy Fine California Wine - Vine and Barrel