Oh my friends, forgive me for sounding a leetle yuppie-douchey, but I really love Napa. The hub and I got married there, so it has a special place in my heart. Also, it’s pretty and I really like wine, so it all works out.

My most recent trip was very short but fun, and I discovered some lovely new wines. Yaye! Also, I ate at the Culinary Institute, which is a rad old stone building with a rad view and a pretty tasty restaurant. I recommend it!

The loot! No, I’m not a drunk. Yet.

As you can tell, this trip I ended up with a LOT of sweet wines. I think there are also a few lovely whites in the cases, but the vast majority is sweet. Why? Because sweets are damnhellass tasty. Also, I tend to prefer lighter wines in the summer. Also, we visited mostly Italian-style wineries and I don’t really like Italian-style reds. Also, I tend to use them for dessert.

Now my wine philosophy (and booze in general) is drink what’s tasty. That’s the only rule I follow. Sure, I’ll take a leetle sniff before I drink if it smells yum, but that’s the extent of my wine skillz. I have no interest in chewing, swishing, gargling, or spitting. I’ll pair with food if I think something will be especially tasty with dinner, but mostly I just drink what’s open. Hell, I even chill reds. All the time. And drink them! (I actually like them better that way.)

So, after much ado, here are a few of my favorite sweet wines. These bottles are around $20-30 a pop. I know they’re a bit pricy, but I only spring for these once every year or two. Also, you can order online, depending on your state laws. But ordering online is by the case only (in a grouping of 6 or 12 bottles). The good thing is that you can mix and match the wine.

First up, the site of my wedding, V. Sattui! When we picked this venue for our wedding, we were just looking for an awesome place. We didn’t even taste the wines here until after we booked the wedding. Good thing the wines are sooo tasty.

From left to right:

Gamay Rouge: This is probably one of my very favorite wines ever. The keebot has told me that this is the wine that made her realize not all wines had to taste like ass. And it’s true. This wine is very easy to like. And it tastes like strawberries without any actual strawberry content. It’s sweet without being cloying. I just like to drink this mofo by itself. Also, it comes in a sparkling version called “Cuvee Rouge” that I highly recommend.

Off Dry Riesling: V. Sattui also offers just a dry version of this wine, but this guy is a little bit sweeter, so I love him more. This is not a super sweet wine. It’s actually listed as a white. It’s got just a touch of sweetness that’s lovely, but I think people that really aren’t into sweets could still like this guy. I’m not good with wine descriptors, but this guy is kind of floral, kind of fruity, and kind of hard to describe.

Muscat: Here is a definite sweet wine. Probably too much for some people, but I love it. It reminds me of a kind of grape we used to get back home called Scuppernongs, which are omnomnom. Probably a similar variety. It’s very fruity and grapey and made of happy. This one is dessert all by himself.

Now on to Castello di Amorosa!

This winery is new since my last visit. We only really went to check out the castle they constructed on site for the sheer awesomeness. But the tour tickets same with a wine tasting, and who am I to say no to booze? Fortunately, the castle isn’t just a gimmick, they actually make good wines. And are somehow affiliated with V. Sattui.

From the left:

La Fantasia: Oh my. This mofo is up there with the Gamay Rouge. It’s very berry tasting. I actually screeched a little when my husband poured out the remainder of our sample in the little spittoon thingie. Blasphemy! So tasty. It’s listed as a rose, but seems almost like a red to me. I haven’t opened up my cherished bottle of this yet, so my notes are from the tasting, but I highly recommend.

Il Raggio del Sole: This is another muscat wine, but more accessible than the V.Sattui Muscat. By that, I mean not as sweet. Definately fruity, but also kinda floral and dry. Also, I like saying Muscat. Muscatmuscatmuscat.

Now to end with a wine not from the trip:

This stuff is $4 from Trader Joes, tastes a little like sweet tarts, and looks like sparkling water. But it’s still been my go to wine for the summer. It’s Klassy.