If ever there were a day I needed a well-balanced, silky red-wine, today was it. The cherry and spice paired perfectly with everything my kids were NOT (nice). "You're the worst mom, EVER!" Was the gut-punching whine I heard all day. Fortunately, I know a Michelle that isn't the worst. Paired today's whine with Chateau Ste Michelle's Cabernet Sauvignon, and each sip was the best sip, EVER!

Yay! A buttery Chardonnay to neutralize my imminent mommy meltdown. Pairing La Crema's subtle apple notes with a whine from a child who didn't fall from the ol' tree. "You never buy us anything," was the all too familiar groan heard today. Felt pretty guilty until a sip of this oaky flavor reminded me, "I said the same shit when I was a kid." La Crema, Chardonnay, your bottle may be empty but the corner of untouched toys from Christmas isn't. Conscience clear.

Clo dew bwah, thank grapes for you. Its name loosely translates to "enclosed field." Well, it arrived, coincidentally, at a time I'm feeling pretty surrounded. I'm pairing its smooth, toasty flavor with a whine from my kids, my brother's kids and a few of the neighbor kids. "The snacks at your house suck!" I have crackers. I have meats. I have cheeses. Sorry, not sorry.

Little Black Dress Cabernet Sauvignon boasts that it "goes with everything." It sure does. And today I'm pairing it with the "I'm boooooooored. There's nothing to do!" By the second mouthful of its rich oaky flavor this evening, I could barely hear the haunting echoes murmuring "our house is dumb."  If a berry and vanilla spice escape is what you're seeking, this is the perfect fit.