Andy Timmons & Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Andy Timmons was born July 26, 1963 in Evansville, Indiana. His music career began at age 13 with a rock band called Taylor Bay. His early influences were Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton, two outstanding session musicians.

Following in the footsteps of Lukather and Carlton, he developed quite a career as a session musician backing the likes of Simon Phillips, Olivia Newton-John, Kip Winger, Paula Abdul, and Paul Stanely in addition to playing alongside Steve Vai & Joe Satriani (G3 tours), Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, and Pierre Bensusan. On several of the videos included below, his tone is reminiscent of Eric Johnson.

His journey into the world of session players led him to serious music studies that included classical and jazz. He ended up in Texas, which has a vibrant studio scene. In 1988, he formed the Andy Timmons band, which attracted the attention of the members of the pop-metal band, Danger Danger, with whom he toured the world,

opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper. He’s sold over a million records and has a repertoire that ranges from blistering instrumental guitar to blues to the Beatles.

In 1993, after four years with Danger Danger, he returned to his studio career in Dallas where he’s released eight CD’s, all to critical acclaim. He has been consistently voted a Top 20 Best Guitarist in several publications and was voted Musician of the years four years in a row in the Dallas Observer Music Awards. He’s a fantastic musician and a great listen on a cool autumn Saturday night.

Cry for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaVVZYOvMFY

Ghost of you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqQwWvIt81I&feature=related

Lydia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwH85PjDbhY&feature=related

Beware dark days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl7eVbz0iTc&feature=related

Helipad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USTWe3asA6A&feature=related

Electric Gypsy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93cuDyqXQm8&feature=related

Gone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04ufLAs_y3c&feature=related

Beautiful, Strange: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrnjr-Mhnb4&feature=related

Redemption:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsf7wXppEC4&feature=related

Move on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kk2sC1Ogys&feature=relmfu

Deliver us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVob6skLMA&feature=relmfu

Headed for the ditch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC-NVauJ7y8&feature=related

With Steve Vai, Beat it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53b4ArjE5tI&feature=related

Resolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_zNHuZST0I&feature=related

It’s finally cooled off here in Nebraska, but I can’t let go of summer just yet, so I suggest a 2011 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (~$14.00). If ever there was a classic example of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, this is it.  Aromas of citrus and lemon explode on the nose. Bright, clean flavors of grapefruit, lime, and tropical fruit stun the palate followed by a zesty finish. It’s my favorite summer wine and goes great with fish or chicken and, of course, the guitar of Andy Timmons. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Zinfandels Under $25.00

My wife and I are big fans of zinfandels. In fact, I'd say it's her favorite wine. They are a bit darker and heavier than the Pinot's. Some of the best I've ever tasted are reviewed below in my "under $25.00" list.

1. Franciscan Oakville Estates; California; ~$22.00. This one has long been our favorite. Something about this winery just always yields great zins. It's dark red with lots of blackberry, current, and a hint of vanilla overtones. Bouquet is marvelous. It's sometimes hard to find but it's worth searching for.

2. Seven Deadly Zins, Michael-David Winery; California; $13-$16.00. Another of our favorites. Widely available...and I like the name.

3. Sin Zin, Alexander Winery; California; $19.00. Similar to the Seven Deadly Zins. Both are delicious and have catchy names.

Those are the favorites. Try one and enjoy!

Summer wines under $25.00

I love wine. Having been in executive management for over twenty years, I've had some good ones, usually on an expense account with business people. Anyone can find a good wine for a hundred bucks. In fact, if you pay a hundred bucks and it isn't good, you have a big problem.

The real challenge for me is to find really good wines for under $25.00. Ones that I serve and recommend to friends...and sometime horde for myself! So, in the coming days I will discuss some of my favorites and going forward, I'll add new ones as I find them. While I've found some of the best wines I've ever tasted for $25.00 to $50.00, that's a bit pricey. As you will see, I usually try to stay around $15.00. Unless it's absolutely critical, I'm not going to specify a particular year as these wines are very consistent and I get frustrated when I can't find a recommended year at the store.

So, since it's summertime and the livin' is easy, let's start with whites, Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings to be exact. Both types are light and refreshing, perfect for warm summer nights. The Sauvignon Blancs will be drier while the Rieslings are slightly sweet.

Sauvignon Blanc:
1. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc; New Zealand; about $16.00.
Chill it well. Make sure you use a large wine glass and fill it about one-third full. Swirl the wine and smell the bouquet. It explodes with peach, citrus, and grapefruit. The taste is refresshing with citrus overtones and a clean finish. My absolute favorite of the group.

2. Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc; California; about $20.00. Very clean, refreshing. Not quite as strong a bouquet as the Kim Crawford. Whitehall Lane is a very good vineyard, its Cabernets running $40.00 and more.

Riesling:
1. Snoqualmie Naked Riesling; Washington; $10.00. Excellent wine. I discovered this one while eating at Legal Seafoods in Boston. Slightly sweet, excellent finish. Yum!

2. Bridgeview Blue Moon Riesling; Oregon; $10.00. Incredible taste with distinct honey overtones. Great for just sipping on the porch, while you watch the sunset.

3. Chateau St. Michelle Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling; Washington; about $22.00. Dr. Loosen wines are famous in Germany. It's an Alsatian style Riesling, not as sweet as the first too. While I really like it, it's tough to pass up the other two given their price is half as much. But try it anyway. It's a true German style riesling.

Tomorrow, I hit some summer reds. Gotta go. My Snoqualmie Riesling is getting warm.