random wino bits
Sep. 27th, 2005 08:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lagilmanPart of the joys of the Place of Occasional Employment is that the recreational beverage industry has almost as many Events as publishing, and they're even more fun. So last night I got to slip out and attend the 45th Annual Fall Wine Tasting at the Manor, a fancy-shmancy restaurant nearby. They had three large rooms set up, divided into "old world" wines, "new world" wines, and "fine spirits." Plus two large rooms filled with tables of food. For the most part, this wasn't a hoty-toity wine tasting, but rather a solid demonstration of the accessible wines available, said demonstration being marketed to the retail side (moi) and the restaurant trade.
Interestingly enough, everyone I spoke to thought I was restaurant-side (i.e. owner/bartender/hostess/sommelier). I'm not sure what this says about me but I'm taking it as a positive. Anyway, I won't bore you with everything I tried (I was there for three hours, which is a lot of sip, swirl and spit!). But there were some notable standouts.
from Brotte, in France -- the Chateaneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2004 (listed around $14) and their Chateaneuf-du-Pape Dom de Barville 2003 ($22)
from Robertson Winery, in South Africa -- their Pinotage 2003 is rough, tough and not for everyone, but I quite liked it. Especially for the price ($8) They also had a Shiraz "Wolfkool" 2003 ($14) that wasn't bad -- will be keeping an eye out for them.
Cesari in Italy had their usual sturdy wines -- the Amarone Classico 2001 ($24) was an only-with-strong-meats libation that brought to mind LBV Ports and huge Cabernets.
McManis, out in California, had one of the most lovely sweet table whites I've had in a while, a 2004 Viognier that tasted of honey and white peach and ripe pear, for only $5! Look for the River Junction label.
And then there was Ch Ste Michelle. Three wines from there significantly worthy of note:
-Conn Creek 'Anthology' 2001. A meritage, full bodied and silky, and I may have to get a bottle next time I sell something to an anthology. *grin* ($38)
-Northstar Merlot 2001. Yowch. Columbia Valley fruit punch, emphasis equally spread between the fruit and the punch. Aged 17 months in oak, and worth the wait. ($38). For those of you who know about winemaking, Jed Steele consults for Northstar, which specialized in small lot wines. Remember this winery's name.
-Col Solare Red Meritage 2001. Part of a partnership between Ch. Ste Michelle and Antinori, one of the better-known, top-producing names in Italy. Refined rather than overwhelming, with dark fruit and mocha and a hint of nuttiness. I've been wanting to try this wine for a while, so for that alone the evening as worthwhile. ($45)
I didn't get to try enough South African wines, and I pretty much abandoned to the crowds the German and Austrian whites. You can't do everything, not unless you're way more dedicated than I am. As an aside -- there's a brand from Australia called "Thirsty Lizard." Their varitals run about $5. Not bad. Not great, but if you're just looking for a quaffer, it's not too bad.
And then we hit the Fine Spirits room, wherein I got to introduce my companion to Jefferson's Reserve (another convert!) and for my good deed was given a sampling of 30+ year old single malts, including a 1970 Glenlivet that was quite quite... Quite. Yes. ($124) Sadly, they were not pouring the Macallan 1974 ($180). What, and you thought only wines got that outragously priced? Sadly, no.
I also sampled a number of hard liquors, including the should-be-legendary Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka (50 proof, blended with actual hazelnut espresso beans, yes, which I'd pick over Kahluah, Baileys or Frangelico any day) and Desert Juniper Gin, which is slightly lower proof than usual (about 80 proof, I think), and slightly sweeter than the Cascade Moutnain gin I had before it. Lots of juniper taste, which I liked.
And then coffee, and then home, to sleep for a solid five hours. Gee, I wonder why?
What all this showed me is that, if I had to look for full-time employment in this field, I think I'd want to be a wine buyer. Those guys have allll the fun. :-)
Interestingly enough, everyone I spoke to thought I was restaurant-side (i.e. owner/bartender/hostess/sommelier). I'm not sure what this says about me but I'm taking it as a positive. Anyway, I won't bore you with everything I tried (I was there for three hours, which is a lot of sip, swirl and spit!). But there were some notable standouts.
from Brotte, in France -- the Chateaneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2004 (listed around $14) and their Chateaneuf-du-Pape Dom de Barville 2003 ($22)
from Robertson Winery, in South Africa -- their Pinotage 2003 is rough, tough and not for everyone, but I quite liked it. Especially for the price ($8) They also had a Shiraz "Wolfkool" 2003 ($14) that wasn't bad -- will be keeping an eye out for them.
Cesari in Italy had their usual sturdy wines -- the Amarone Classico 2001 ($24) was an only-with-strong-meats libation that brought to mind LBV Ports and huge Cabernets.
McManis, out in California, had one of the most lovely sweet table whites I've had in a while, a 2004 Viognier that tasted of honey and white peach and ripe pear, for only $5! Look for the River Junction label.
And then there was Ch Ste Michelle. Three wines from there significantly worthy of note:
-Conn Creek 'Anthology' 2001. A meritage, full bodied and silky, and I may have to get a bottle next time I sell something to an anthology. *grin* ($38)
-Northstar Merlot 2001. Yowch. Columbia Valley fruit punch, emphasis equally spread between the fruit and the punch. Aged 17 months in oak, and worth the wait. ($38). For those of you who know about winemaking, Jed Steele consults for Northstar, which specialized in small lot wines. Remember this winery's name.
-Col Solare Red Meritage 2001. Part of a partnership between Ch. Ste Michelle and Antinori, one of the better-known, top-producing names in Italy. Refined rather than overwhelming, with dark fruit and mocha and a hint of nuttiness. I've been wanting to try this wine for a while, so for that alone the evening as worthwhile. ($45)
I didn't get to try enough South African wines, and I pretty much abandoned to the crowds the German and Austrian whites. You can't do everything, not unless you're way more dedicated than I am. As an aside -- there's a brand from Australia called "Thirsty Lizard." Their varitals run about $5. Not bad. Not great, but if you're just looking for a quaffer, it's not too bad.
And then we hit the Fine Spirits room, wherein I got to introduce my companion to Jefferson's Reserve (another convert!) and for my good deed was given a sampling of 30+ year old single malts, including a 1970 Glenlivet that was quite quite... Quite. Yes. ($124) Sadly, they were not pouring the Macallan 1974 ($180). What, and you thought only wines got that outragously priced? Sadly, no.
I also sampled a number of hard liquors, including the should-be-legendary Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka (50 proof, blended with actual hazelnut espresso beans, yes, which I'd pick over Kahluah, Baileys or Frangelico any day) and Desert Juniper Gin, which is slightly lower proof than usual (about 80 proof, I think), and slightly sweeter than the Cascade Moutnain gin I had before it. Lots of juniper taste, which I liked.
And then coffee, and then home, to sleep for a solid five hours. Gee, I wonder why?
What all this showed me is that, if I had to look for full-time employment in this field, I think I'd want to be a wine buyer. Those guys have allll the fun. :-)
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no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 01:34 am (UTC)-=Jeff=-
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 01:40 am (UTC)if so, I'm doomed, then....
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 02:24 am (UTC)"Adding tobasco sauce ... to drown out the earthy tones and hint of nutmeg." :P
-=Jeff=-
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 05:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 05:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 05:59 am (UTC)See? Only took 3 goes. I've been going for too long today.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 08:21 am (UTC)Barossa Valley, hrm? Think your dad would adopt me?
*and then there's this thing called The Grange...
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 09:00 am (UTC)And with that kind of comment, my dad might well discard me and adopt you instead!
Why doncha come DownUnder and I'll give you a tour!
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 11:58 am (UTC)Deal.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 02:06 pm (UTC)30+ year old single malts, including a 1970 Glenlivet that was quite quite... Quite. Yes. ($124) Sadly, they were not pouring the Macallan 1974 ($180). What, and you thought only wines got that outragously priced? Sadly, no.
I just paid $350 for a 1966 Balvenie (distilled Feb 1966, bottled Nov 1997), $180 for a '74 Macallan is cheap woman! :)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 02:17 pm (UTC)I was at a trade show, m'dear. Lord knows what the final retail markup will be...
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 02:43 pm (UTC)Sounds great.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 02:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-28 04:45 pm (UTC)wine and whine
Date: 2006-09-05 06:48 pm (UTC)FF