The Green Muse
Before the Louche
I was in New Orleans hanging out around St. Louis Cathedral listening to the street musicians play, when I realized it was time for another drink. Before stumbling into the unknown, I decided to go inside the cathedral to ask for guidance. 
Something told me to leave, take a left down the alley, and if I see Jesus, I’ve gone too far, but first take a right to the museum and in there you’ll find what you’ve been searching for. I did as instructed, and felt a great sense of relief. After washing my hands I made a left out of the latrine and headed down the alley.
An enchanting lady was standing inside a small but very inviting cafe. Thais is her name. A nice breeze blew within and carried me inside the Pirates Alley Café to an empty stool. Thais poured me a Blue Moon with a slice from an orange container. Before I had time to sip the brew, two guys walked in with satchels, and without hesitation pulled out a Green Fairy.
The Green Fairy came in three bottles. Her main ingredient in all three is Artemisia absinthium. If you drip ice water over her she’ll louche for you. I sipped her slowly over a couple of hours and she now has a hold on me.
Eventually, two scientist found their way into the Pirates Alley café, and as scientist, they were ready and willing to do some research. Ted Breaux had done most of the work already. It was our job, the two scientist and me, to discover which characteristic we liked most about the Green Fairy. Is it her herbal fragrance of anise and fennel, or the licorice on her tongue? Perhaps it’s the feeling that she gives you from her thujone. It could be the ritual that you undergo for her in order to see her come alive and dance nakedly in your glass. Whatever the case may be, I can’t wait to see her again, the Green Fairy, in July, in New Orleans.
NOTE -
“…The debate over whether absinthe produces effects on the human mind additional to those of alcohol has not been conclusively resolved. The effects of absinthe have been described by some as mind opening.[65] The most commonly reported experience is a 'clear-headed' feeling of inebriation — a form of 'lucid drunkenness'.[67] Chemist, historian and absinthe distiller Ted Breaux has claimed that the alleged secondary effects of absinthe may be caused by the fact that some of the herbal compounds in the drink act as stimulants, while others act as sedatives, creating an overall lucid effect of awakening.[68]
Long term effects of low absinthe consumption in humans remain unknown, although the herbs in absinthe have both painkilling[69] and antiparasitic[70] properties.” Wikipedia.
I’m drinking these wines I call recession wines. The only criterion is price. They must cost $10.99. Here’s the first review (however, I’ve started drinking a bunch of these about two weeks ago. Reviews are pending).
This one is actually very good. I wasn’t expecting too much and I’m totally impressed. Cool ripe green apple and honey are on the palate. The balance between fruit and acidity is perfect. It finishes long and solid. In one word... gorgeous.
This one is definitely brut, but tangy also. I’m tasting tangy tangerine and musk, very crisp and citrusy. It has a beautiful golden yellow color in the glass. Lingering flavors on the back on the throat. Honeyed nose.
Glass to lips, juice to palate, contact - swish. My god, this one is simply lovely. It has a creamy soft texture but with an excellent mouthfeel and medium to full body making it hard to believe that it matured 100% in stainless steel. Honey and lemon persist with some cinnamon spice and a non-puckering tart finish. Lovely! Perfect!
It was 545pm, Christmas Eve. After leaving the grocery store it occurred to me that I was out of wine. I drove from Edmondson road to Brentwood Wine and Spirits in 5 minutes. With only 10 minutes to shop, and Krug on my mind, I headed straight for the Champagne section, but didn’t find Krug, or Ruinart, and the Veuve Clicquot was way overpriced. I found myself somewhat pissed about the situation. After taking a deep breath, I picked up a strange bottle of red wine – the “Ass Kisser”. Walking around I eyed the words Rombauer, and without hesitation my right hand grabbed it and my feet made a path for the cash register. The rest is history.
Seductively elegant, and elegantly smooth. The fruit, oak, cream, and acidity balance are incredible. The mouthfeel is so incredibly perfect I almost don’t care what it taste like. However, dark fruit, mild oak, a little char grill smoke, and a moderate amount of acidity combines to give this one a seductive character.
This $10.99 wine has a big fat nose with loads of vanilla, oak, and charcoal. It’s full-bodied, and taste like dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, blackberry, and spice. Lingering finish. The blend is 59% Shiraz and 41% Grenache. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a “Fine Red Wine” as is plastered on the front label, but it is a tight red wine with 14.5% alcohol, and lots of flavor so, there you go!
Yellowish greenish tint on sight, and on the nose there’s a nice must with floral and stone fruit accents. the palate comes through with earthiness/yeastiness and an effervescent zest combined with green apple and lime flavors, and a refreshing pucker-less acidity. Delicious!
Every now and then, a wine comes along that just blows your mind in terms of taste/price-point. I began my wine journey in 2004 drinking only red wines, and when I realized this, particularly after noticing that winecology.com only featured red wines, I went to my favorite Wine Shoppe and filled my cart with whites. I will not forget the moment I sipped the 2004 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. As soon as I tasted it I was hooked on New Zealand SB. Stone, and citrus fruits exploded on my tongue. It was truly an awakening to the world of white wine for me. The 04 Kim Crawford SB cost $11.99
This one is moderately herbaceous, with soft lemon grass, citrus, and stone fruits leading the way. Hints of pepper mingled in acidity takes center stage and balances nicely throughout the finish.
It seems as though I haven’t drank a Malbec from Argentina that I didn’t like. This Ben Marco is my favorite... for now.
This one has a big California fruit bomb nose, and somewhat of a fruit bomb tongue but sour spice, and a perfect cola-like acidity balances it out.
Dense in glass. Cigar box nose. Cigar leaf, blackberry, and plum on palate
This one has a sparkling bright red color with nice clarity in the glass. The scent is a dusty, earthy, peat moss, and cherry blossom. Tart cherry, raspberry, ground cover, and a high acidity marking the sweet tart flavor is on the tongue. Light bodied. Tartness mellows slightly after decanting.
This one will turn new wine drinkers off red wine. It’s dry, tight on the fruit and has a moderate amount of oak, tannin, and acidity. On the tongue: bell pepper, cocoa powder, and pencil lead. This one is upright and stiff even after decanting.
Blend:
75% Merlot
15% Cabernet Franc
5% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Malbec
This wine is very good. It’s balanced and full bodied. The mouthfeel and texture are tastefully all over the palate. It sits dense in the glass, and opens with intense aromas of rich ripe fruit. Loads of dry fruit, mild oak, black pepper and light spice are on the tongue, and it goes down with a nice lingering finish. Impressive for organically grown juice.
