Wine Flashback - Bolla Soave

Cheers It's Friday!
This week I was having wine flashbacks - remembering my first real wine memories.  My very first was the tear shaped "jug" of Almaden RhineWine that my parents drank when I was young.  (Almaden wine has quite a history, I did google it - they are now in the business of the BOX.)  Next down memory wine lane were my college days - Bolla Soave.  I thought I was so international drinking this wine, after all I was in Minnesota.  Finding a bottle of Bolla Soave these days is not so easy, at least in Georgia.  For old time sake and curiosity, I did buy a bottle for $7.99, I realized my taste in wine has changed, profoundly!

Italy now has three levels of quality classification for Soave.  Soave DOC, the lower level of quality (this is where my Bolla Soave comes in),  followed by Classico DOC,  where the majority of Soaves are produced and at the top,  Soave Superiore DOCG.  After being... disappointed - with the Bolla Soave,  I did purchase a Soave in the Classico DOC level, however, I realized my favorite "go to wine" years later is Sauvignon Blanc.  I know it's Friday and I usually try a new and unknown wine, but tonight I am just happy to have my current stand by, every night staple - Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc.  Wine Spectator (my favorite guide for rating wine) gave the 2008 a 90 out of 100.  And....I have found this wine for as little as $6.99 ~ DEAL!!!!  Paired with my comfort wine tonight is Cypress Grove Chevre Purple Haze cheese.  The Purple Haze is a first for me and it is a thumbs -  way UP.  It is sprinkled with lavender and fennel pollen and well, - Cheers It's Friday!

What are your first "real" wine memories?  What is your favorite "go to wine"?  Where do you buy most of your wine?

P.S.  More wine memories to come....