Riesling Rules: Hustlers, Kung Fu & Pacific Rim

Happy last week of Summer (or rather full week) as we receive some heat waves and humidity times 89,000 in parts of the world, but most especially in LA this weekend…. *runs to the freezer section of literally any grocery store*…  how are you staying cool?

Maybe with some of these Stan Vegan Wine Lush Summer/Beat the Heat picks:

1. White Claw Spiked Sparkling Seltzer
   • 12 pk of variety fun ($14.99 before tax) – or just a 6pk of Blackberry aka my top flavor – usually under $10-$12 w/ tax
2. Kung Fu Girl Riesling – by Charles Smith
   • balanced to perfection the right amount of dry to sweet ratio making it a pallet pleasure and Wine Enthusiast BOSS!!! Always under $15
3. The Bruery Mischief – Hoppy Belgian-Style Ale
   • an 8.5% giant of hops, spice and fruit embellished notes.
4. Booch Craft Hard Kombucha
   • 7% ABV – probiotics and pro-pleasure principle (APPLE LIME JASMINE FTW)

Hopefully you’ll give some a shot or maybe you already have…

It’s the third Sunday Funday of September aka September 15, 2019 aka National Online Learning Day as well as Creme De Menthe Day … check out my buddy’s Insta…

Stephen aka  Potions.and.Spirits

He’s a wiz at so many cool cocktails… and I’m sure he can recommend a creme de menthe (mint liqueur) recipe to knock your… whatever is too hot to be wearing off… among so many other adult beverage recipes…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last 3 months since my last entry #NationalOnlineLearningDay … it’s you have to constantly think outside the box…. You have to be dare I say incorrigible:

perhaps by partaking in some incorrigible sips of riesling via Washington State winery Pacific Rim…. known for their incredible line of Rieslings ranging from Sweet to Dry… all sustainable… all delectable:

 

Thanks for the repost ❤ ❤ you Columbia Valley Wonder

Basically what I’m getting at beside reasonable everyday succulent wine, trendy craft brews, tres cool cocktail recipes from my old roommate/college buddy/one of my favorite queer human beings/friend/guy I made out with for a short film (“it was art”) is that … Sweet beats heat!

And nothing is sweeter than J-Lo’s performance in my favorite feel good, act like a boss, side hustle appreciation movie of the summer with equally sweet Miss Constance Wu (Fresh Off The Boat, Crazy Rich Asians) as the fellow leading lady in Hustlers (Now Playing).

Caught this movie opening weekend (this one) and it popped off with a packed AMC theater [cheers for A-List stubs…. for this being my third movie of the week…  Good Boys (raunchy rated R with a pg-13 cast for epic comedy gold) being one and IT: Chapter II (chilling on levels beyond horror… dealing with domestic violence, bullying, homophobia, horror and abuse) being my other O.O]. Hustlers opens with some incredible music (the soundtrack is fire aka good)… dancing in my seat next to my friend Christina Duran Guevara… I pulled out my canned wine… I earned it and also paid for it prior to showing up to the theater so stop judging me so hard…. (I did recycled after the movie… my wine in a can brought to you by Underwood Pinot Noir… as well as a chill in my fridge prior to the movie and the lovely people of Trader Joes as well as Kroger/Ralph’s fame… *note Underwood is also available at many many places, but only the red/pinot noir is vegan friendly*)

BACK to our feature presentation….

My eyes were glued to the screen the entire time…. Hustlers has a lot of heart and at it’s core is about the bonds of friendship and sisterhood amongst those life long friends you make in adulthood. Based on a true story/events… Constance Wu plays Destiny a girl just trying to take care of herself and her grandma, yet is failing to do so because she lacks that control factor that Romona (aka Jenny from the Block) seems to have down to a tea in almost every way. They meet at a Gentlemen’s Club… Romana being a vet captures Destiny’s eye as a mentor… J-Lo giving the pole dance of her LIFE #FiftyAndThriving… the friendship blossoms as Lopez is a nurturing friend even as a hustler she cares too much and this gets her into a lot of trouble… Keke Palmer aka Mercedes , Lili Reinhart/Annabelle, Cardi B, Lizzo, Madeline Brewer… and so many female superstars round out this cast and group and tell a story that really draws you in to empathize with how far you’ll go, overstep, displace and grow when it comes to getting by especially for family.

As J-Lo puts it towards the end as I paraphrase… the world is a strip club and we’re all just trying to dance in it… someone else pulls are strings and we help them profit by giving our best performance… sometimes you get a chance on the pole and it pays off… sometimes you fall flat… and if you play by your own rules you still have to play the game…

See Hustlers asap and tell me what you think as well as your summer choice drink or drinks you’ve tried.

Helpful Links:

AMC Theaters -A-List Stubs – https://www.amctheatres.com/

Barnivore – http://www.barnivore.com/

National Day Calendar – https://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Pacific Rim Wines 

• https://www.facebook.com/pacificrimwine
• https://www.instagram.com/pacificrimwine/
• http://pacificrimwinery.com/

Potions.and.Spirits – https://www.instagram.com/potions.and.spirits/

Speciality Wine & Spirit Stores/Shops – https://www.missionliquor.com/ (LA County Exclusive)

Underwood Wine – https://shop.unionwinecompany.com/products/underwood-in-a-can-pinot-noir

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW ME

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Your Vegan Wine Lush (aka Hottesome)

Recon, Refresh and Runaway(s): 2018

Greeting,

It’s 2018, which we all know, but still occasionally type or write 2017 on most things in our everyday life (so don’t panic… you’re not basic).

It’s a new year, this forgetful pattern happens every cycle and “season.”

Bright side about a new year is content…. we know what that means… there’s a whole line of shows that are probably stacked up in your assortment of Netflix List, DVRs and Hulu Favorites you need to catch up on. Not to mention you HAVE to start collecting more of your favorite adult beverages for the year to pair with your shows… That’s a thing right?

LOGIC

It is in my book.

But hey let’s be considerate… maybe you’re doing the resolution thing and taking a beat from binging Amazon Prime Originals such as the Tick (not bad at all) very character driven, yet also story driven as well… rare to find that balance…

Maybe just maybe… you’re waiting until next month to have your second sip of the year… testing out your will power (30/31 days with no dranks)… maybe you’re doing Veganuary and cooking all your meals meat free for the month on top of everything else (shameless plug for all the none plant-based eaters to try it out for a few days… lower carbon footprint anyone…)…  well if you did embrace veganuary and resolutions so far… kudos to you!! If not I still like you… maybe… (but nobody needs my approval).

SIDE NOTE: when you are ready for that next sip or step in the month to come… I highly recommend consulting a friend and/or buying your beverages in pairs (and now 100% back to booze)…

Whether your next fridge & host/hostess stock be two six packs:

• New Belgium Sour Saison (Farmhouse Ale) great in a 6 pack or in a seasonal variety – 7% ABV – retail may vary
• Abita TurboDog English Brown Ale ($8 roughly retail price) 5.6% ABV

 

OR

two to three delicious individual bottles of beer 300 ml to 16.9oz to 750ml:

•  Ad Absurdum
• Berlinerish Blueberry
• Mas Mas
• All 100% Vegan Friendly deliciousness

Cellador Ales is located in the Los Angeles San Fernando Valley… pop in for some even more exquisite brew(s)

16745 Schoenborn Street
North Hills, CA 91343

photo from Cellador Ales via Facebook

You also have to have vino…

two bottles of wine at least or maybe 4 (drink 2 save 2…):

• Whitman Express Pinot Blanc – BevMo’s 5 cent wine sale – $14.95 ( that’s 2 for $15)

– honeyed (in flavor) stone fruit driven with soft tropical baking spice notes

• David Frost Red Blend – WestCape, Africa – Trader Joe’s – $5.99 ( a bottle)

– Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Pinotage

– this surprising deal is just want the doctor ordered (literally) – soft tannic smooth                  savory fruit forward blend with smoky cherry aromas. Remember wine plus you equals good blood circulation 😀

*SIDE BAR: the Sauvignon Blanc is just as palate pleasing*

OR perhaps you (also) need two bottle of your fav spirits:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey Cask Mates – IPA Edition… (how hoppy is it… <3)

photo by Mission Wine & Spirits (IG: missionliquor)

• High West American Prairie Bourbon

photo by Mission Wine & Spirits (IG: missionliquor)

 

Why do this joint buying… so you can start building up your collection for the year assuming it’s hanging on by a thread from post holiday celebration(s). I know my cellar is bare bones.

And while you’re building up for events throughout the year… a friend’s wedding, birthday gifts, a colleague’s baby shower or a move (guilty here – currently moving as you read this) …take a beat from the prep and enjoy one of your guilty pleasure television shows or maybe a new one all together like Marvel’s Runaways (a Hulu Original series – this guy is writing a spec for, a spec being a mock episode):

This show is straight of of the comics and it’s a POW… ZOOM… ZAP… SMASH… home run… following 6 teenagers in the heart of Los Angeles who are all kind of damaged (semi typical teenagers), but not in a traditional sense whatsoever… they’re layered… diverse… brought up privileged, yet also naturally street smart.

What sets this show in motion is when these estranged friends at the time…  come back together from realizing that their parents are some of the worst people you’ll ever meet and when the kids discover this… they band together to stop them from doing terrible things… mind you these young adults are Gifted

(not to be confused with the Marvel FX show with Stephen Moyer)… inheriting gifts, smarts and for some even next level powers and abilities they can use to defend, protect and stand up for themselves…

 

this show has it all… drama, death, demons and yes even “the dirty”… and yes by dirty I mean sex. It’s kind of honesty in the most real way with characters battling not just the bad guys but their feelings, issues and fears.

From left: Stacey Yorkes (Brigid Brannagh) Dale Yorkes (Kevin Weisman), Victor Stein (James Marsters), Geoffrey Wilder (Ryan Sands), Janet Stein (Ever Carradine), Catherine Wilder (Angel Parker), Leslie Dean (Annie Wersching), Robert Minoru (James Yaegashi) and Tina Minoru (Brittany Ishibashi), shown.

You can catch the entire first season on Hulu. If you don’t have Hulu try it out for free use the link below and get an extended free trial (for first time users):

Check out Hulu FREE for 30 days, on me! Plans start at $7.99 after free trial. Terms apply. http://mbsy.co/gzlWZ

 

Helpful Links:

 

Cellador

http://www.celladorales.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CelladorAles/

David Frost

https://www.frostwine.com/

Hulu

http://mbsy.co/gzlWZ

Mission Wine & Spirits

http://www.instagram.com/missionliquor

Whitman Express

http://whitmanexpress.com/

 

THE HAND-TYPED TALE: “ALES”, “AUVS”, and “ARDS” (“HANDMAID’S”… “SAY YES”)

HEY LOVES IT’S BEEN TOO LONG,

I’m sorry… I’m back… still black, but also Native American, and a splash of Irish… not that that matters in my eyes… we’re all human (or are we dancers? Brandon Flowers isn’t quite sure either) #ColorBlind

So what’s new… I started a new job in wait for it… SOCIAL MEDIA 😀 and… I JUST contributed to this awesome beautiful indie LGBTQAIP… feature film (I’m an Associate Producer – don’t forget my social media shout out guys……………… *cough cough scream*) that will likely end up on Netlfix, Hulu, and Amazon (all those things we love… screw you cable… you’re dead to me… though I mean for VH1 reality shows (like the typical ones you’d assume I’d fall prey to… ANTM – America’s Next Top Model, Love & Hip Hop LA and RuPaul’s Drag Race) I might reconsider a summer affair… “sssh don’t tell your mother… cool for the summer… *melodic bridge*).

After this feature-length film is completed and screened in local and surrounding areas… you’ll see it wherever we can get it out… and like all other films from the project creator/writer AND director STEWART WADE, who wrote and directed the feature films COFFEE DATE (2006)

and TRU LOVED (2008), as well as directed the feature film SUCH GOOD PEOPLE (2014) so many good cameos…

AND Directed and wrote the web series  The Coffee House Chronicles (2015-)… with this guy (your Vegan Wine Lush AKA Hottesome) as a background extra ❤ #CentralCastingGotMeLike oh wait I know them… bye felicia… I have friends.

SIDE NOTE: I swear I’m only sipping the wine… not chugging it… don’t judge me… or else I might get a little shady… O.O…

Name that movie!!! I’ll give you a social media shout out (twiter, facebook, instagram, periscope, tumblr… you name it) when you share my blog and a follow ❤

So what is this rant I’m on… this subliminal message I’m pushing on your palate like a sassy Sauvignon Blanc (just in time for this pre-summer heat…) or a cool refreshing Chardonnay cattier than your ex in a heated argument where everyone gets burned… “…Tu Madre.”

Love is Tragic, Love is Passion, Love is Beyond

“SAY YES is a feature film about a young woman who realizes she is dying and tries to ensure that her husband and beloved brother continue on after her death as a romantic couple. This film explores sexuality in a very open and honest way with some sense8 pansexuality, fluidness and bisexualiy… it’s 2017 and people need to know they don’t have to be anything but who they are 100% of the time and not be afraid. A heartfelt story of lost and love told in a raw empathic way.” – Say Yes The Movie

Being vulnerable is hard… easier with a drink in your hand, but whether you’re Drowning Your Sour(row)s (a soon to launch YouTube channel w/ local Beer Enthusiast & Specialist “Alan Garcia” of Mission Wine & Spirits in Sherman Oaks, California and myself as a guest periodically) or Keeping Up with Keeping your feelings on lock you need an outlett… and movie & tv shows help us relate and go “that fictional character knows my pain… does anyone else feel like this… have you felt like this… yes? Well we should talk more…” and maybe (usually) that doesn’t always go from Red to Green in life… but you feel me, right?

Take the Hulu Original Series The Handmaid’s Tale w/ star Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men) that follow the protagonist Offred (renamed from her previous life…) around in a post apocalyptic  present day America where the government is dictating everything including women’s lack of rights and life is an eye for well….

A lot of women, a lot of people (or so I feel) can still/more than relate to this today… and it’s comforting (in a really ucked way to know you’re not alone and not to give up on your truth.

I’m almost caught up with the craziness that’s happening to Moss’ characters companions Ofglen (Alexis Bledel of Gilmore Girls) and Moira (Samira Wiley from Orange Is The New Black #JusticeForPoussey ), but to just see that we’re on the brink of this even now… we need to fight with our hearts… all of us… together to be free to be ourselves!

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Will you drink to that? When you do… Remember My Recommendations:

1. Pres’quile Sauvignon Blanc ($20-$25 – lowest deal price at Mission Wine & Spirits Stores – all in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas) – a unique sauv with creamy honeysuckle, citrus zest, toasted vanilla, and great full-bodied Blanc –
2. Matchbook Chardonnay ($9 on BevMo!’s 5cent sale) – right in the middle citrus driven buttery white with minerality and light to moderate oak – usually the best for people split on chardonnay some people like no oak and some love it… this one is close to both worlds – Medium in Body
3. Clendenen Aligote ($20 range) what is Aligote… it’s tropical, it’s dry, unbiased – like the offspring of Chard & Sauv Blanc… and though this Aligote is of California it still has the grace of a true gote (hailing from Burgundy, France) – Quite Full in Structure
4. The Boulevard’s Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale ( +$15 in 6pk, +$10 in 750ml) – basically an entry level sour w/ a touch of tart, cream and subtle hops – the crowd pleaser in a diverse mix of drinkers – not too sweet, not to dry, not too hoppy but from the people who only drink cider to the stout drinkers… you have a winner – The Boulevard knows their audience.
5. Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Ale ( $12 to $22  – available in 4pk or 25.4oz ) – Scent of a sour, taste of off-sweet  tartiness, mouth feel crisp refreshing zest – definitely a win if you’re a sours enthusiast like my amigo Alan #bromance

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If you or someone you know who loves helping out indie projects like SAY YES or just promoting freedom to love and express without fear or judgement… this film can and will do a lot of good for those who can’t or feel they can’t. All I’m asking with a giant mega please is for help… donate anything… we’ll take your couch, gym bag, purse and Luke Cage swear jar change… and if you can’t then share (everywhere and anywhere you can)… it would mean so much not to mention it will make an impact…

not just for the LGBT community, but for our community… lushes (mostly jk), lovers not fighters, fighter who are also lovers, for life, human beings/equals/equality in a positive way…

“I HAVE A DREAM!” – MLK JR
Thank you for your time!

Raise A Glass to Say Yes & Wine – whatever is in it your cup… you deserve to be you!

(I’m on water now… always hydrate!!)

Have a beautiful day!!!

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HELPFUL LINKS:

~For Donation or Support~

http://www.pinkstart.me/en/sayyesmovie

https://www.missionliquor.com

https://www.bevmo.com

http://dmvineyards.com

http://www.presquilewine.com

~For References~

http://www.barnivore.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1274384

~For Content~

http://www.netflix.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkIUBaj5PrtiEObW-e4P39w/videos 

~For Updates~

Follow, Like, Subscribe!
ME
https://www.veganwinelush.wordpress.com
https://www.twitter.com/hottesome
https://www.facebook.com/HottesomeINC

ALAN GARCIA

SNAPCHAT – yothisalan

ALAN READE

(Producer of Say Yes & Coffee House Chronicles)

http://textengine.net/

https://www.twitter.com/textengineinc

STEWART WADE & SAY YES

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1274384

https://www.twitter.com/StewartWade2

https://www.twitter.com/sayyesthemovie

https://www.facebook.com/sayyesthemovie

http://www.pinkstart.me/en/sayyesmovie

 

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*disclaimer – this blog is a mashup of the crowd funding page for Say Yes and the ideas, passions, and thoughts of Quintin Henry Ellis Jr aka Hottesome aka the Vegan Wine Lush. The pics in this entry were found from various public search engines and are not my own. I/he does not plagiarise and always gives credit when and where due :)*

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SPLITZ for “SPLIT”

Hey lushes….  how are you? Sorry for the delay, but if you’re like me you have this strange need to see a thriller/suspenseful movie as soon as possible (as I did) then you know sometimes it’s too hyped up and other times it’s just right (like Goldilocks and those “Berenstein” Bears THAT they don’t actually say are them… but WE KNOW) and like a “good” M.Night Shyamalan plot twist (few and far between on the level of “shit to okay” to quote my friend

@ChrisBStation via twitter and… – https://www.youtube.com/ChrisBstation)

 

you can just see some things coming from miles away… the whole point of a thriller especially a suspenseful psychological is to build antici……………………….

• Dial M For Murder

• Psycho
• 

• Memento

• Se7en

• Disturbia
• 

to name a few of the great Thrillers….

PATION!

And of course if you’re like me… a lush with an opinion of all things dark, mysterious and cleaning up at the box office… then you have to pick it apart… lucky for us we have wine (or your poison of choice).

Does “Mr. M” (Night Shyamalan) think it’s hard to shock us a.k.a. be original…

Weeeeellllll… he isn’t completely wrong… my advice though is don’t try to do it all alone… mash up (co-collaborate) your thriller with another or a more gory horror…. get all Grindhouse with it.

If there was a better time in the world to be (fill in the blank)… Champagne would pop itself…

Popping bubbly with POP

(that crazy moment that makes you jump out of your skin in these epic films)

Life is short and scary as made obvious by Friday, January 20th. So get out try or experience as much as humanly possible!!!!

Since there are so many kinds of Champagne (France only) and Sparkling (any where else) wine, why not try a quarter (1/4th) size the standard bottle and get 187ml of bubbly goodness otherwise known as a split (quarter-size bottle = 187ml). Sparkling flights!!!

If every a time to sneak in some booze during a movie like a great/bestie friend of mine as well as myself did when we were foolish enough to see The Blair Witch Project re-make (very shock value heavy…. at times overwhelmingly suspenseful… maybe beyond too much) one can presume will only be mediocre – too heavy story and not enough reaction… this is when…

you DRINK

Split (the movie) is worth seeing – I enjoyed it… but overall a solid 82% of 100/B- in my book. Concept great! Just a lot of key elements that were simplified such as everyday human interaction and the amount of build (in a suspense “horror” thriller were very far between)

“I am not a crook, just a vegan wine lush.”

Like the film “You’re Next” from the incredibly talented director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett… #Winrett team (also the mad mines behind the Blair Witch reboot)

– the redeeming quality can often be everything else (when motives/strong plots fail)… like your leads (Sharni Vinson) in this case…. perhaps your score (soundtracks are life!!! – I literally download the soundtrack to It Follows and purchased whatever I could find from the composer – alias Disasterpiece), production design, costume/wardrobe… lighting army nation, and all your behind the scenes crew can also enhance and save your film where talent or “other key elements fail”. As these amazingly underappreciated crew members frequently do.

If this is the case… then play it all up… milk it until the coconuts come home.

Use every thing in your “Squad” arsenal…

Without ruining You’re NEXT or Split… I’ll say the motive is so petty (easily fixed by putting the sources of the motive in terminal or immediate danger), yet realistic that for a select some who saw it just wasn’t a complete home run (sort of 3rd base though)

Other Thriller, Suspense and/or Horror Movies to look forward to:

Get Out (Feb 24) – Director/Writer and Comedic Actor Jordan Peele’s very intense horror in a post election world where racism is scarier than Mike Pence being 2nd in command.

A Cure For Wellness (Feb 17) – starring the talented Dane DeHaan (Chronicle, Kill Your Darlings, The Amazing Spider-Man 2) – where a young executive is sent to retrieve the CEO of his company who has checked himself in at an ominous wellness center.

SPLITS (187ml) to try while looking forward to as well as during these upcoming films ;):

• Tiamo Prosecco – sunflower on the nose, in the sip, on a Sunny day, soft apple and gentle spice 🙂
• Moet & Chandon BRUT – classic acidity, blackberry, citrus, tulip bouquet.
• Pommery POP – soft, crisp, lavish
• Zonin Prosecco – world famous, hard to fine… not quite extra dry (as most prosecco is classified, which is less dry than Brut… in case you don’t remember from other entries)

Alternative to splits (flights/funsize):

50ml – chopin rye vodka – bold smoke, spice and mushroom kick

50ml – three olives apples & pear – like sauvignon blanc w/ vodka

50ml – macallan 12yr – sherry case, not smoke, creamy vanilla

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22oz  (bomber)- Modern Time Universal Friend – grape saison – vegan friendly perfection

12oz (can) – Get Up Off That Brown Golden Road Brewery – English style brown ale

12oz(bottle) – Omission (GF – Gluten Free) Lager – crisp light easy drinking

22 oz (bomber) 101 Cider House Black Dog Cider – enough said

11.2oz(bottle) Petrus Aged Pale – (sour ale) taste like champagne and cider had an ale baby

 

These are just some of the vegan friendly splits out there (wines are the most likely out of all adult beverages to fall shy of being “v” friendly due to the fining agents used to process and create finale product… beer the next… most hard spirits are vegan friendly not so much Bailey’s)… if you see splits not listed (LaMarca, Korbel, + Freixenet are all NOT veggie life friendly), odds are they don’t make the cut and are not suitable for vegans, vegetarians and those alike…

Always drink responsibly especially at the movies… O.O

CHEERS!!!

Helpful Links:

http://www.bevmo.com

http://www.totalwine.com

http://www.missionliquor.com 

http://www.barnivore.com

http://www.imdb.com

untappd.com

Follow, Like, Subscribe!

https://www.veganwinelush.wordpress.com
https://www.twitter.com/hottesome 
https://www.facebook.com/hottesome
https://www.facebook.com/VeganWineLush/

 

 

 

Stranger… Savory… Shiraz/Syrah… Things

#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.

Stranger Things (Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven)

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)

• Dreamcôte “Outlandish” Syrah (Carbonic) – $25-$30 – very rich flavor mild peppery jammy fruit light tannins smooth finish – cherry aroma/taste  like amazing well fermented juice – from Los Olivos, CA

• 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

13646 Burbank Blvd.
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:

http://www.bevmo.com

https://www.missionliquor.com/

Enjoy Stranger Things… don’t forget the Syrah/Shiraz and sweet treats.

 

“Rebel” with A Cause (…get… chocolate wasted…)

So it’s been a while since we’ve done this dance of pop culture, sassy whit, what’s good and great drinks I recommend for all (vegan friendly, which means unless you don’t drink wine, beer or spirits for personal reasons… you can have it 😀 … a lot has happened…and I mean a lot and not to bore you with my life, but when you have to break up with your significant other after 6ish month because he’s been lying to you about his full identity because he’s in some sort of mental witness protection program from being attacked in the worst way possible and not dealing with it aside from filing a police report and telling a friend he never sees that messes with your heart… good news there is we’re friends and he’s getting help… #LoveNotHateForParisAndTurkey #LoveThyNeighbor #LoveLove

Then your (my) car gets impounded for the dumbest reason not to mention your (my) car is falling apart all at once all of a sudden (headlight, blades, tires, head gasket, radiator)… good news there I fixed 3 out 5… now if the old Wild Blue aka Wilder aka the sleek blue Hyundai Elantra Hatchback  could pass smog we’ll be back in business… though the Orange Line has been enlightening and eco as well as monetarily efficient ( *ping*)

Next you (I) have to find new roommates ASAP because the people you /we had in place to help you/us take over the lease weren’t reliable… one of them you’ve known for years but they ALL bailed at the last minute putting you in crisis… (which I have so many people interested in moving in and making the rest of summer a breeze)

Finally you start a new job #MissionWine&Spirits (<3  it) all in the matter of hours to days all this happens… not to mention a ton of first world problems… falling out with family members… major death in your family and in the world… tucked in-between…

You can get a tad side tracked… #DifficultPeople

http://www.hulu.com/difficult-people

A great late in life coming of age/set in there ways comedic tale of two mid 30s something besties navigating their way through life & love in the entertainment industry  with the sassiest crudest unfiltered yet cultured attitudes you’ll ever experience… and they’re Jewish. SHALOM. Julie Klausner (Mulaney) and that oddly adorable Billy Eichner (Parks & Recs) are the greatest pair with a fun supporting cast including Gabourey Sidibe (American Horror Story: Coven & Hotel), Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, All Over The Guy) and SO MANY GUEST STARS [(recently – Nyle Dimarco of DWTS & ANTM, NATHAN LANE, John Mulaney (Netflix Comedy Special), Sandra Bernhard (Rosanne)]… like more than an Awards Show Special… HULU ORIGINAL SERIES – season 1 up and 2 currently airing in case you’re longing for a summer show to fill a void. Difficult people pairs well with any cocktail.

We all have issues we deal with and it’s nice to find and/or have people you can just be yourself around and despite all the set backs and the bittersweetness of 2016… like if Trump wins…. super bitter… like overly sulfuric pungent wine that smells as bad as it taste bitter (it’s gone bad… step away from the bottle). There’s more cheer where that came from… you have to “just keep swimming” and the best way to do that is to find some “zin” and I’m not just talking about Zinfandel:

Top Everyday Pick: 

• BOLD like the name – spanks your nose, whips your pallet very S&M with pepper, nutmeg, savory deep black/purple fruit and some chocolate on the taste – SLEDGEHAMMER ZINFANDEL       $8-$15 a bottle

Top Treat Yo Self Pick:

• Saldo Zinfandel by The Prisoner Wine Company (originally of Orin Swift) $25-$35 a bottle – soft cracked pepper and semi sweet deep cherry, silky spicy blackberry nose, feel ,and appeal  – full finish zin

When I say find zin however I mean find that place or that moment in the day where everything else is just noise in the background… while you escape twirling a drink in hand like the mad genius you are (because in that moment you’re a diabolical life lush/lover of life with very little worries). This euphoria is something I enjoy when I can as much as I can… like I do at local tastings (find some near you – http://www.laweekly.com/).

My buddy Nick Sampson of Rebel Coast Winery is someone you may run into at one of these reasonable tastings/pre-gamers… I haven’t known Nick long, yet in the short amount of time I’ve spent getting to know that awesome dude little by little. #bromance THAT Road Warrior ( aka MAJOR BAD ASS Rep/Brand Ambassador) for Rebel Coast Winery one of my favorite wineries… (SLO DOWN being another – their red blends are fun… no white blend yet :/)

… Nick has made me more unknowingly self aware of how even when your friends aren’t around or someone bails like those potential roommates I almost had or the Rebel Coast Mobile ( a “little miss sunshine” tricked out old school volkswagen bus) did when Nick first came to my local choice BevMo! in Encino, California and left him to do his thing with no immediate ride back for when he was done:/…lol rude…those are lessons in that “we can make our own fun…”. I mean… how do we make new friends? We go out and find them… drinks help break the ice (this rule applies to dating too… though there are apps for that).  When you started a new school, job or chapter in your life you had to put yourself out there to get by even the reclusive. Pick a topic and go bananas… you may break some comfort zones… you may discover new ones…

While at this most recent tasting w/ Nick I was join by Chris [@ChrisFroehler] a friend just a friend lol in case your mind was going there… I mean the guy is handsome, but he’s my friend and I don’t see him like that and he’s married to the beautiful Mary [@MaryIdaF ] who was absent this time …though I got to party with them at the LA VEGAN BEER & FOOD FEST a small fun group of 6 of us eating, drinking, laughing and having the best sweatiest Saturday (June 18th) in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl  – EVERYONE SHOULD GO (… sorry I segue often…).

So my point about making new friends is that I met Chris & Mary doing these tastings as well as Caleb McLemore – an up and coming comedian/actor/uber pilot/BevMo tasting host/long suffering SONIC fan (the band or the character?…. find out…)

https://twitter.com/Fresh_Guile

http://calebzane91.wix.com/entertainer

At this tasting #TeamTable5… We chatted as a group and one on one  (Nick & I, Caleb & Chris)…mostly because when drinks get in your system topics start to take a left turn or a right… me and Nick took a left discussing creative arts & culture -living in the now, not being afraid to put yourself out there as say a graffiti artist, jewelry maker, make-up specialist, free style rapper or artistic baker… no degree… no certifications just you… add a little variety and you’ve got this cluster explosion of talent, passion, and prosperity… maybe you won’t be rich or maybe you’ll be rich by your standards…. who is to say… (Nick & I are basically hippies… somewhat nomadic… which I sometimes forget in harsh times, this was not one of those times). Something about Rebel Coast and there groovy vibes that just feels right….

– RCW one of there infamous inspirations/mottos

---

“WINE IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL”

When they talk you should listen, especially… to the Rebel with(out) a cause Mr. Sampson who is pro Fresno (his roots) and pro NO Bakersfield ( he strongly dislikes it… like the worst hangover you could have… separate discussion… same day… reasons will remain undisclosed for now). Nick informed me there’s a huge gathering of creatives in Downtown, which is Downtown Los Angeles in a nut shell except at this gathering every so often this is the kind of place whether you’re artsy or not you could appreciate (all those aboved mentioned creatives in one place blending as one… LIKE (how often do you use the word like… count)

the 2 amazing blends from Rebel Coast Winery, which I’ve boasted in previous blogs… Gotta Catch Em All, Gotta Drink Em All and Gotta Read Em ALL #VeganWineLushGO …

 

• Reckless Love (Red Blend) – When Syrah meets Cabernet aka Paso (Robles) meet Alexander (Valley)… it’s a not so casual relationship. This wine creates a deep semi coco cover cherry with lavish wipe berry assortment on the tongue… the aroma is earthy like walking through well made licorice inside a toasted oak home with fresh cranberry

– the hype is real the struggle doesn’t break the bank… around $20 a bottle – “it’ll make you feel better” – said that lady from the 80s who had it altogether…

http://www.cc.com/video-clips/at543x/inside-amy-schumer-80s-ladies

• Sunday Funday – (White Blend) – this is like drinking fresh brewed ice tea or fruit infused lemonade only it’s alcoholic – the fun is literally everyday like it was this Friday w/ Nick, Caleb, and Chris… I almost forgot to swirl, smell, and sip (“the proper way” to taste wine) – but the Funday is so easy and the best of 3 grape varietals (Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, and Viognier) that you get everything you need as you untwist the top in this fruit forward wine of – apricot (Viognier), lime (Chardonnay), and pineapple (Sauv) send chills through you in an all sensory appeal. #WhiteChocolateCovered #CandiedTropicalFruit

Rebel Coast Winery is available at so many places [BevMo, Whole Foods, Catcher In the Rye (Toluca Lake, CA), Bodega Wine Bar (Santa Monica, CA), and so many other bars, events, and alcohol beverage retailers]. The new company I’m working for will soon be another  place these amazing wines will be available with Nick leading pours in store if I have anything to say about it. Maybe one day Rebel will release a Sparkling wine to round out their awesome and truly one of a kind assortment… Rose Prosecco perhaps? Prose? Rosecco? Or a chocolate fusion named after Chip… sky is limitless with rebel just “don’t let tonight be a waste…”

SIDE NOTE (since this is a chocolate nod entry) – Chocolate Shop Wine is the best and most vegan friendly full on chocolate flavored wine – literal dark chocolate in bed with semi red wine – for a party in your mouth.

Check out my twitter and facebook page fed if you’re having a great day or less than mediocre one… I always like, comment, retweet and get back… wine is your friend, but so is the person you’re drinking it with #CHEERS

https://twitter.com/Hottesome

https://www.facebook.com/VeganWineLush/

WINE VLOGS COMING SOON W/ SPECIAL GUEST(S)

Check out all the people who make Rebel Coast Winery – like Chip whose number is on the cork of every Reckless Love Bottle ❤ – they care – Rebel and all there great team/staff is about looking at the Mr. (or Miss or There/They) Brightside and living in the now… not care free but carefun 😀

http://rebelcoast.com/pages/team

https://twitter.com/RebelCoastWine

https://www.facebook.com/rebelcoastwinery/

Also Check Out:

http://www.barnivore.com/

http://www.slodownwines.com/

https://www.missionliquor.com/

http://www.chocolateshopwine.com/

*  This Blog entry is dedicated to everyone whose life was taken too soon in Orlando, France and Turkey… nothing is worth a life… have a glass of wine and chill the “f” out #RebelWithACause *