#NetflixMadeMeDoIt
Made me/us/you (hopefully) binge the entire first season of Stranger Things starring a crazy talented ensemble cast, that includes Winona Ryder (BeetleJuice; Girl, Interrupted) David Harbour (Quantum of Solace:007, End of Watch, Suicide Squad), Matthew Modine (The Dark Knight Rises, Weeds) and an insane amount of talent via teens, preteens and young adult actors and actresses who all steal the show at one point or another. The conviction of these talented individuals is through the roof so much so that you start to believe you’re with them…
So what’s it about in a nut shell… it’s a mystery drama sci-fi that ropes you in… to this small community in the 1980s where your best chance at communicating is a walkie talkie since phones aren’t that helpful with all the strange going on.
A boy in a close group of best friends (like Sandlot/Little Rascals close… only 4 boys instead of a gaggle) goes missing and you have no idea where he is, what took him or what else in this town is going on other than what’s on the surface… until the reveal of a girl, damaged soul under a torn gown and dirt from the forest that encompasses most of the town. 
It’s very Montana-esque meets that town in Elvira Mistress of the Dark (you know the one…) with a revival movie house, ol’ school sheriff station, and genuinely friendly neighbors (who like check on you and bake you food… like where are we…). So as soon as you see this epic teaser opening with the young boy… who is running and making it all the way to his house off the road… then to his shed in the back of his house as this unknown thing follows him under the cold veil of night… light fills the room and this thing or person (we of course don’t yet see) and him vanish…
Next day people rationalize thinking of course he left early for school or stayed with a friend or whatever… I mean it’s like Forks (yaas I just referenced Twilight… deal with it) …. nothing ever happens there… until it does…. so not to give away any spoilers but D&D is major in this show, parallel worlds… and psychic abilities as well as X-Men references/abilities… you don’t really have to pick a favorite character because they are all so so good… which is why I enjoyed many of these episodes all 8 (complete first season) available on Netflix.
So how does wine/drinks play into this share… well while watching Stranger Things over the course of one weekend… finishing the finally 4 in one sitting… I pulled out delicious decadent dessert(s) and a glass or 4 of wine…
One of the wines I enjoyed was a Shiraz…
Shiraz or Syrah (one in the same depending on the country) – originates from South-East France (Rhône) and there is used mostly as a blending grape… the name Shiraz is more closely tied to Australia, where it is a very popular varietal… though the name Shiraz isn’t set in stone for Australia only….
Jam Jar Shiraz – a semi-sweet and slightly sparkling shiraz is of South Africa in origin. It is something I’ve definitely enjoyed a lot and a favorite of one miss Tiffany K. Wong (my recent former roommate but always friend who lives for sweets)… add some berry-like dessert to thinks smooth coco-ish strawberry, black cherry swirl of red wine on your pallet and you’ve got what I like to call a pilot…. Jam Jar goes for $8-$15 a bottle at most places. So you’re down 1 episode and half a dessert… and half (or in my case a full) bottle of wine and you’re ready for the next… you may have to work the next day… but you’re HOOKED.
Next bottle could be one of my choice pick Syrahs and/or Shirazes:
- Unsung Hero Shiraz – $5.99 – labeled vegan friendly – fruit forward blackcurrant w/ a touch of allspice… delightful aroma… delightful finish… like a inexpensive slice of heaven in a glass – Western Cape of South Africa
Yes… Shiraz can be from Africa…. if you’re from Africa… why are you Shiraz??? You can’t just ask someone why they’re red wine (Mean Girls Wine humor).
- Michael David6th Sense Syrah – $15 (price range) succulent spice very bold blackberry, raspberry, and savory fruit – Lodi, CA (San Joaquin County)
- PENFOLDS SHIRAZ BIN 128 – $30ish (price range) – well known respectable winery as well as wine – full bodied dense black fruit racy fun on the pallet – Austrilla (Connawarra region)
Fun Fact Syrah’s (also Zinfandels) are typically higher in abv% than most other red varietals.
So maybe a bottle and half later you know what Eleven is capable of…. that the missing boy has been taken and is hanging on for dear life… until… pause for another bite of dessert….
Check Out:
Daphne’s Desserts
Sherman Oaks, Ca 91401
6am to 8pm Daily
(818) 906-4991
Highly recommend vegan homemade (beyond) pop tarts (which is what I ate during this binge) & vegan empanadas
Ice tea as well as hot (earl grey, my fav)
Great raves from close friends about the streusels, cookies and ice cream (everything is fresh, all natural ingredients – not everything is vegan though I know they can be) – you can earn points and freebies (which is how I share with close friends who don’t live close by… so like, follow, subscribe and I’ll do my best to return the favor(s) with flavor)
http://www.daphnesdesserts.com/
https://twitter.com/DaphnesDesserts
https://www.facebook.com/Daphnes-Desserts-87523514462/
JAM JAR WINES
http://jamjarwines.com/sweet-wines/
https://www.missionliquor.com/
http://www.dreamcotewines.com/
SHOP:
https://www.missionliquor.com/
Enjoy Stranger Things… don’t forget the Syrah/Shiraz and sweet treats.
Vegan Wine Lush 
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