Swirl Wine

The Mysterious Easter Egg Hunt

2010-03-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hi, there,

Oh, I remember dying Easter eggs when I was little and creating, in my humble opinion at that age, an amazing assemble of artistic imagery, especially in something edible. When my brother and I went upstairs at night to our bunk beds, our Mother would hide them throughout the house in various sneaky locations. Unbeknownst to her, our dog, a big Belgian Shepard, was observing her place these delicious, colorful eggs in easy to reach, accessible spots. The dog marked the locations and remembered.

Lo and behold, when morning arrived and the hunt commenced, my brother and I noticed how difficult it was in finding the eggs that she hid. She was getting much better at hiding them, we thought. We only found a couple in some very high hiding spots, but the egg carton, that we placed the found eggs back in, was relatively empty.

"Mom," we asked. "Where'd you hide the eggs?"

She joined us in the search, but was extremely baffled as to where the easy-to-find eggs could've gone. I think she even went as far as blaming my father to some kind of treachery. He just responded with an incredulous, tired look on his face and went back to his morning coffee and the newspaper.

The dog, who was usually very chipper and excited to see us in the morning, layed quietly sleeping in the corner. Egg shells were dispersed around the dog's over-stuffed body.

The hunt was over. At least we had milk chocolate bunnies to feast on.

What will you have this Easter?

Maybe we can help.

Come in and let us hand you a bottle that will make you smile.

www.swirl-wine.net

Something wicked this way comes...

2010-02-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

Are you ready?

It is coming.

Can you smell it in the air? The cold kiss upon your cheek. Your breath visible in the air.

The storm approaches.

Two feet. Maybe more.

The havoc that Mother Nature stirs in her old cauldron of winter mix. And Baltimore trembles.

We're battening down the hatches, preparing for the worst. We have beer. We have liquor. And, oh yes, we have plenty of wine.

How about you?

Are you set? If not, you better get down here. It could be a long weekend and you don't want to go stir crazy without the essential elixirs. It could be another case of Jack Nicholson in The Shining if you're not careful.

Austin and I are stockpiling just to make sure. Can never have enough.

Definitely taking home with us a silky-smooth Pinot Noir, that we picked up earlier in the week, that is the f-bomb. The Cinnabar Santa Cruz '06 P.N., which is showing like crazy right now, and we only got so much of this allocated wine, so please don't hesitate to grab one while you can. Absolutely delicious.

See you soon and be safe out there.

www.swirl-wine.net

I remember...

2009-11-30T16:14:00.000-08:00

(A side Australian travel note):

14 yrs ago I woke up in a sub-standard hostel in Byron Bay, Australia. When I say sub-standard, let me better clarify, that I shared a small room with 4 other random guys, which had two bunk beds with no sheets and no pillows provided (we used our towel as a sheet and a rolled up pair of jeans as a pillow), one singular hanging light in the middle of the room, and there was this smell that was quite undefinable, but not too pleasant. In other words, a nice place for strangers to crash after a heavy night of drinking.

The lodging wasn't too important. We were in Byron Bay. The most Eastern point of the Australian coast. Beautiful beaches. Gorgeous scenery. A place that you permanently walk around with a smile on your face. And, most importantly for me, there was great diving to be found. A little off from the coast was Julian Rocks, a marine preserve and a convergence of two currents, which meant there was a lot of life sputtering about down there. Of course, where there's a lot of fish, there's usually a few sharks patrolling the waters as well. Good diving.

I spent my mornings under the water, waking early each day in the emerging light of dawn, as my roommates continually snored away the previous nights transgression. The afternoons were free to explore the surrounding area on bike or hiking, relaxing on the beach, or discovering new places to drink.

We would always gather back at the room roughly around the same time, to shower and get ready for dinner and whatever else layed in store for us down the line. Sometimes a roommate would leave, being replaced the next day with a fresh face. English, German, Swiss, a Canadian. Always a young, eclectic bunch. Always curious about my early morning departures, and very eager to hear about my diving experiences during dinner and what I saw that particular morning under the sea (especially if I had any run-ins with sharks).

There was a steak house not to far from the hostel. Really good meat, lots of sides, not too expensive (it must've been a pre-cursor or a model to Outback). And there was loads of Shiraz to drink. This was the time when the hype of Australian Shiraz was just beginning to build over in the States (before the Yellow Tail invasion). Big, ripe, full-bodied red with sumptuous flavors and velvety textures, oh yes. Perfect with a good steak. And perfect to share with some new friends.

One particular night over drinks, we were so immersed in our conversation about everyone's different backgrounds and cultures, and their surprising similarities and beguiling differences, that we didn't notice it was closing time. We were walking out when one of my roommates told us that he would meet us back at the hostel, and walked back in. I thought nothing of it until I saw him strolling back to our place with a couple bottles of Shiraz in his hands, both already opened and ready to be poured into some paper cups he had bought.

"I didn't want the night to be over just yet," he said.

We poured the Shiraz into the cups and someone put on a cd of Creedence Clearwater Revival, and we sat outside and drank and talked about everything and nothing. Mostly we laughed. So everytime I hear a song from Creedence, or have a nice glass of Shiraz, I think back to the time I had in Australia, and one of the most memorable evenings of my life.

Hmmm, which wine...?

2009-11-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

"What kind of wine do you like?" People ask me.

"I don't know," I reply. "Good wine," I say with a smirk on my face.

I'm joking, but seriously, I'm really not.

My preference for wine changes on a daily basis: for whatever mood I'm in, for what we're having for dinner, or even if we're just out to get really drunk.

So many different styles of wine to dive into and enjoy. Pop it open and pour it in the glass and I'll wash it all down, just as long as it's well made and well balanced, I'll be happy.

So what is "good" wine?

Well, that's why we have wine tastings every Friday, so you can come in and taste and experience different tastes and textures of several styles and then figure out just what you consider to be good wine. The more you taste, the more you find out what flavors turn you on and excite your senses, and the easier it is for us, once you know what you like, to get a bottle into your hands that will knock your socks off.

So then, let's taste some wine.

Come in on a Friday to one of our wine tastings and experience something new. Something that might become your new favorite indulgence.

Friday wine tastings 3 ~ 7pm.

Get in here, we'll have a glass waiting for you.

http://www.swirl-wine.net

Pssst, over here...

2009-11-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

Wait.

Listen to me.

Slowly put down that bottle. I have something else just for you.

I want you to stow away your inhibitions, lay rest to your fears, and take a chance that we're going to lead you away from what you're used to, from what you normally get, and introduce you into a different realm of taste and texture that you didn't know existed but yet secretly craved and desired all along.

There is an element of absolute trust that is so apparent in this business and so essential. It really just boils down to trust that we'll take care of you, and we don't take it lightly. Same as when you go to a mechanic or have the plumber come over. What they're telling you, you're usually taking at face value (the head gasket is blown? Sure, whatever you say) as long as the problem is fixed, you'll be happy.

And that's all Austin and I want to do, to make you happy. Of course, there's always room for trial and error, but on the most part, we feel that there is a lot of quality wine out there made by small producers waiting to be discovered, and then quickly ushered into contact with you, our friends.

Come in and give us a test drive, we won't let you down.

http://www.swirl-wine.net

Finding that needle...

2009-10-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

October 7th, Crisp Chilly Fabulous Fall Evening

The balancing act...

In day-to-day life, all of us find the need to seek out that center, that point of balance which will keep us from going over the edge. That edge, which seems to inch closer and closer as the day grows long, is that ever tilting see-saw that definitely keeps us on our toes, and all we need to do, is to balance. The same goes with wine. It is, after all, a living entity housed in the home of a glass formed bottle. That center, that balance is what we seek, what we crave when finding a wine of worth. A wine that represents quality. Balance.

A wine of worth is something pleasurable that we stake our reputations on, whether it is a $10 bottle or $100 bottle. It speaks to our very sense of quality and taste, and it is what lures one in or keeps one from never venturing back.

Finding that needle in a hay stack is our quest. Sometimes it serendipitously stumbles into our laps, and sometimes we just have to keep digging, but that elusive needle is out there, waiting to be discovered. And with wine, there is always something to discover.

Just come in and pick our brains. There is a wine sitting on the shelf right now, a wine that's perfect for you, and it's waiting for you to take it home to enjoy.

Cheers,

Austin & James

http://www.swirl-wine.net

Why Open a Wine Shop?

2008-08-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

August 29, 2008...Friday... A chilly, miserable night

Why open a Wine Shop?

We have this question asked to us quite often, and it's something we had to ponder long and hard before delving into the financially, emotionally, and physically demanding commitment, that is entrepreneurship. With backgrounds in the world of restaurants and retail, my husband and I were no strangers to hard work, long hours, and making other people rich! After we met, fell in love, and decided that we wanted to travel this life journey together (could I be more Velveeta cheesy? yes!). James put on hold his desire to become a nurse, while I held off on my delusions of becoming a pop star/reality t.v celebrity, and we decided that owning our own business could be both lucrative and fulfilling. Let the drama and upheaval unfold!

After years, four to be exact, my father serendipitously stumbled upon a store for sale right in our hometown. Here we were chasing dead end leads in Colombia, P.G. County, D.C., Bel Air, and in the end, finding the perfect space in the burbs of Baltimore(Timonium/Towson). The area where we grew up and both our families currently reside. So, armed with years of experience, anxiety, good intentions, and an idea to create a warm, inviting space to expand ones knowledge and joy of wine, Swirl was born.

So...we found ourselves newlyweds and the proud owners of a hefty loan, whoopee!! A side note, to those who have been to their favorite bar/restaurant/shop and said to themselves, "It looks so cool and fun, I could open up my own place!," think long and hard of what that really means! We were fortunate to have the support and aid of our family and friends, not to mention a passion for all things pertaining to wining and dining.

Swirl Wine, is our idea of a judgment free zone, for cork heads of all levels and backgrounds to explore, learn, and enjoy themselves. With our weekly wine tastings, private events, and one-on -one interactions, our hope is that the Swirl Wine community grows and inspires! Our philiosopy is one of quality over quantity, and value over mediocrity. We are always on the prowl for new and interesting wine producers dedicated to their craft and quailty. So,stay tuned...
Cheers,
Austin and James

http://www.swirl-wine.net

The Birth...

2008-08-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Swirl Wine

Aug. 28, 2008 - Thursday, 6pm

Welcome all you heathens to our little blog dedicated to the hedonistic pleasures of vino and dining! Not to mention the shameless promoting of our wine and spirits shop Swirl!

We would gladly take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and the reason why we birthed this wee little blog. My husband and I have always been intrigued with the powerful connection between drinking, dining and the ability of these two activities to gather people together. We find it both thrilling and humbling to share our knowledge and passion with those of like minded hedonistic pleasure seekers. That being said, it was no surprise to our friends and family that we took that love of life and tasty libations and opened a boutique wine and spirits shop in our hometown of Baltimore (more about our shop to come).

We wanted to create a space where we would be able to reach a vast like-minded audience interested in sharing our love for wine, spirits, beer, food, entertaining, and well, anything else that brings happiness and joy to life. Look forward to guest appearances by our staff, friends, and industry peers sharing their experiences as well.

So, let the fun begin!

Cheers,

Austin and James

http://www.swirl-wine.net