Happy Hour on the Beach -

The time has finally come: my first picnic on our new beach at the lake house. We have dreamed about having a beach out at Blueberry Hill for at least a decade! I’ve been saving my 2017 Ignis from Kuhlman Cellars for a special occasion. It seemed fitting to toast the beach with a really good glass of wine.

Ignis, which means “fire” and is a nod to its unique caliche fire rock terroir, is a bold blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. You know how much I love my red blends! What captures you immediately is the amazing bouquet. The wine spent 21 months in French Oak barrels and it shows. To me, Ignis smells like raspberry jam and chocolate.

With strong flavors of juicy plum and a hint of dark chocolate, Ignis is one of those wines perfectly suited for sipping on its own. It’s what I like to call a “fire pit wine”, a wine that’s worthy of a lingering night by a fire pit. Out at the lake, I decided to take in the view. The lake is so pretty in the winter. It looks more blue than in the summer!

I also happened to get another BreadEx delivery on this particular day and the most gorgeous loaded focaccia with caramelized onions and roasted garlic was left on my doorstep just before I left for the lake. What could be better than huge, fluffy focaccia and an exceptional glass of wine by the water?

This is such a pretty time at the lake, so quiet and peaceful. The daffodils are blooming – the first sign of spring! I don’t know about you but I’m ready for sunset boat rides, kayak adventures, and blueberry picking. Much more lake content to come!