tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60009529007645458432024-02-20T14:25:44.548-08:002001 Bottles - A Wine OdysseyThe goal is to drink and taste our way through 2001 unique bottles of wine - all the time keeping track of the wines, the locations where we sipped, the friends we shared the bottles with and the good times that were had. We can only guess how many bottles are behind us and aren't included here, but it's better to start late than never at all.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.comBlogger1215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-35168581884187910182016-03-05T17:35:00.000-08:002016-07-02T17:36:32.076-07:00So, What Now?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's now been months since I polished off and posted the 2001st bottle, the obvious question has been and remains "So, what now?" More than a handful of friends have asked if I'm going to re-set the goal and go for another 2001 bottles. Without fail, my answer has been - and will continue to be - an emphatic "NO!"<br />
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The last thing I'm prepared to do is commit myself to a specific goal or a fixed format. Unlike any Hollywood movie that reaches an audience first time around, there will be no sequel odyssey for me - despite the fact that even the original 2001 odyssey came back with 2010.<br />
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I'm thinking I need a little space. There are plenty of wines and stories out there to be discovered - and maybe written about - but I've yet to decipher a path for my involvement.<br />
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I'm confident that there will be some form of involvement - even if all I do is to continue learning about wines, winemakers and regions as we polish off a bottle here or there.<br />
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For the moment though, I think I'm just going to reflect on the past six and a half years and see if any interesting, new paths appear.<br />
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Until then, here's to all the marvellous wines out there waiting to be enjoyed.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-65304165846007267972015-09-06T17:28:00.002-07:002016-07-02T16:43:47.581-07:00The 2001st Bottle - Quite the Odyssey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Six and a half years later and here we are: time to add the 2001st - and, therefore, final - wine to The List. As the journey behind this blog has always been to celebrate the places and the people that we sipped away at and with, I think it's fitting that we reach our goal with a very special gathering of our Dinner Club.<br />
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I've personally been in a dinner club of one sort or another since university days - and that's over 30 years ago. However, our current gang (with a few changes along the way as significant others appeared and one couple retired from the club) is coming up on twenty years. Indeed, one of my earliest <a href="http://2001bottles.blogspot.ca/2009/04/time-for-dinner-club-chez-tyrant.html">posts</a> on this Odyssey was at a Dinner Club gathering at Chez Tyrant.<br />
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And the memory of that dinner and others makes tonight's feast and post all the more special. Not only am I able to pull the cork on the "last" bottle but I get to share it with friends who have been with me all along the journey. Further, we all got to raise our glasses in a heartfelt toast to Tyrant - our dear friend who passed away a couple of weeks ago. I know Tyrant was looking forward to the 2001st bottle almost as much I was because we'd been talking about pulling a few special treats from his cellar. And I do mean "cellar" in Tyrant's case. As a little example, he'd generously brought along a bottle of 1982 Grange to my 50th birthday party and it remains one of the most memorable wines I've been fortunate enough to enjoy. Unfortunately, that bottle was before I'd started the blog and, therefore, not on The List.<br />
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I'll never know the wine Tyrant had tentatively earmarked for tonight's dinner but we all managed to find a few noteworthy bottles for the occasion to knock back with him in mind.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">N.V. Lanson Black Label Brut (Champagne AOC - France)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">2014 Domaine L'Ostal Cazes Rosé (Pays d'Oc IGP - France)</span></i></b><br />
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It turns out that we had more than enough wines this evening to reach bottle number 2001. So, it was of no concern that our first two wines were ones that had already been added to The List. One of the "rules" that I had set out for myself at the start of the blog was that I couldn't add the same vintage of the same bottle more than once to The List. Lanson Black is one of my favourite Champagnes and, being a non-vintage wine, the first bottle of this baby made it to the blog long ago.<br />
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The Rosé was a recent discovery but a pleasant one all the same. The wine had been recommended at a local government liquor store when I was picking up wines for this year's Giro di Burnaby viewing party. It was a hit then and I'm more than happy to join in on a glass whenever it shows up. I often tried to avoid revisiting a bottle that I'd previously enjoyed simply because I wouldn't be able to add it to The List. Guess that won't be so much of a concern anymore.<br />
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Tonight's Dinner Club was being hosted by Lady Di and She Who Must Be Obeyed and the menu was classically inspired as Lady Di was looking to put some of the skills she'd been picking up at various cooking classes to good use.<br />
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On any normal evening, I could have easily been sated with the bubbly, the Rosé and the fresh burata served with the tastiest of heirloom tomatoes. As if that was ever going to be the full extent of a Dinner Club though.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1997. 2013 William Fevre - Petit Chablis (Petit Chablis AOC - Burgundy - France)</span></i></b><br />
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Unoaked Chardonnay and Oysters Motoyaki. I don't think anything else needs to be said. Seafood, acidity, cream.<br />
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I mentioned Lady Di was going after some classic dishes and pairings tonight. Two for two so far in my book.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1998. 2007 Rolf Binder - Heinrich Shiraz Mataro Grenache (Barossa Valley - Australia)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1999. 2008 Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz (Barossa Valley - Australia)</span></i></b><br />
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It turned out that our wine choices were a little more red-centric than the menu was but that can happen when we all take such pleasure in not disclosing the Dinner Club's bill of fare in advance. The Gazpacho wouldn't normally scream big, juicy reds, but there wasn't a single complaint to be heard until there was no more wine to be poured. I suppose it goes to show that sometimes an unforeseen pairing can work out far more favourably than you might expect.<br />
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Then again, it's entirely possible that these two wines could have been paired with a slice of toast and some Vegemite and we still would have raved. Langmeil is another favourite of mine - although we don't usually splurge on the more premium Orphan Bank Shiraz. If I had to pick an Aussie house wine (and was only allowed to spend $30), the Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz would very likely be my first choice. The Orphan Bank is just that much more layered and nuanced.<br />
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I don't think I'd tried the Heinrich before but this is a GSM (or SMG) blend that brother and sister winemakers, Rolf and Christa Binder, named in memory of their father. I don't know if Jeaux and Matinder were aware of that fact when they chose this wine but it seems uniquely appropriate for a Dinner club in Tyrant's memory.<br />
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With these two wines, there was no doubt that we were partying like it was 1999 - because, indeed, this course served up bottle #1999 on The List.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">2000. 2003 Baron Philippe de Rothschild - Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc - France)</span></i></b><br />
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The next step to happiness was beef tenderloin - cooked to order - served with baked kale and mushrooms in a wine reduction. The girls definitely had a challenging go of it with the timing on the cook of the beef since they had to juggle Jeaux and Matinder's penchant for blue steak through to Boo's more pedestrian medium cook. But, of course, they were more than up to the task and my rare-medium-rare arrived spot on.<br />
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The tenderloin was paired (by happenstance) with two Rothschild wines - albeit from slightly different ends of the spectrum. It's a rare occasion that I get to try a $15 bottle side-by-side with its more well-heeled "cousin." While Tyrant likely had some actual Mouton Rothschild in his cellar, a bottle of Le Petit Mouton was the best that I could come up with for the occasion.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">2001. 2006 Mouton Rothschild - Le Petit Mouton (Pauillac AOC - Bordeaux - France)</span></i></b><br />
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As I knew this bottle would officially be number 2001 on The List, I was hoping for a bit of "knock 'em out of the park" sip. The <i>Wine Advocate</i> declared that "the 2006 Le Petit Mouton is the finest example of this cuvée I have tasted." The winemaker noted, "Aromas of berry fruit, vanilla and spice reflect its great complexity. Round, lush, full-bodied and supported by fine tannins, it is long and ample on the palate."<br />
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Not too bad as far as pedigrees and reviews go. Amen to that. Sounds like just the wine to hit the blog's final target and goal with.<br />
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Funny thing is that, the Petit Mouton didn't really speak to anyone at our table - even when paired with the tenderloin. The wine might be right on point for the pros but, as much as we might have wanted it to, it didn't titillate our palates - at least not to the extent that many of the other wines gracing our table did.<br />
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I suppose that's part of the joy of trying wines of every stripe. The best way to discover a wine that moves you is the try as many as you can.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">2001+ 2012 Tenuta Sette Ponti - Crognolo Toscana (Toscana IGT -Tuscany - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">2001+ 2010 Fontanafredda - Serralunga D'Alba Barolo (Barolo DOCG - Piedmont - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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As previously mentioned in this post, some of the night's pairings weren't what you'd call classic. By the time our dessert of Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta with chocolate pebbles arrived, we were down to a couple of big Italian reds - a Supertuscan and a Barolo. I suppose that the unorthodox pairing was of no concern though. By now, we were simply taking in the evening and these beauties were bonus wines for The List anyhow.<br />
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Noticing that the wines had been poured as a trio of national pairings, we held a little poll of the table. The Aussies came out on top as our favourite wines of the evening, followed by the Italians and then the French. Not that there was any grand international tasting or bragging rights at stake. After all, there were (surprisingly) no Okanagan wines poured with dinner.<br />
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So, the latest round of the Dinner Club came to a close - as has the formal task of this blog. Having added the 2001st wine to The List, I now get to take some time and decide the direction the blog might take in the future. It's been quite the Odyssey. No doubt about it.<br />
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The wines. The people. The events.<br />
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It's made for an incredible adventure and, to be honest, a whole lot more work than I'd ever envisioned when I decided to upload that very first post. Drinking the wine was easy. No doubt about that. Writing the posts was a whole other exercise. Boo has called himself a "blog widow" for years - and there's a lot a truth to that.<br />
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And so, as I happily brace myself to hit the "Publish" and finish The List and my formal Wine Odyssey, I figure this won't be the end of the blog. It will definitely take a different - and not so demanding - structure but I'm hardly done with my love of wine. And that indulgence and amusement is something that will still drive me to put finger to keyboard now and then.<br />
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In the meantime, I need to send out big bouquets of gratitude to everyone who's encouraged, commented on, participated in - and endured (right Boo?) - my indulgence. It's been the most extraordinary learning experience.<br />
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I toast all of you.<br />
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And, as a final act of appreciation, I raise my glass to Tyrant. Having shared his humour, his generousity, his friendship and many a fine wine, it's a joy to share the 2001st bottle with you in mind. I wish you'd been there in person but you were definitely there in our hearts and minds. Skoal, dear friend.<br />
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<br />Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-80386623630979211392015-09-04T15:45:00.000-07:002016-04-17T11:04:08.489-07:00Expressing One's Inner-Italian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
An old card I kept on my fridge went "I always cook with wine - sometimes I even put it in the food." </div>
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Tonight wasn't such an occasion. It was an evening of peeling, dicing, crushing, saucing and canning 40 pounds of tomatoes. No wine was added to the actual tomato sauce - however, the cooks certainly took regular breaks for a sip from the glass.</div>
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Naturally, given we were cooking tomatoes, we endeavoured to tap into our inner-Italian - although truth be told, neither Boo, nor I, have any Italian blood coursing through our veins. Given that, I figured the occasion at least called for an Italian wine.</div>
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A second consideration in the wine choice - and for those who have been following the last so many posts you'll already know - was to pick a wine from the cellar that would, hopefully, be worthy of being one of the final wines to be added to The List on this Odyssey.</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1996. 2003 La Spinetta - Vürsù Vigneto Valeirano (Barbaresco DOCG - Piedmont - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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With thousands of Italian wineries to discover, we were fortunate to be pointed in La Spinetta's direction by the good folk at <a href="http://www.marquis-wines.com/">Marquis Wine Cellars</a>. Back in '08, Boo and I had planned an Italian vacation as a second honeymoon and we'd been tipped off that most wineries in Italy require appointments before you can visit and taste. La Spinetta was on the Marquis "Don't Miss" list. We took them at their word and weren't disappointed.<br />
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Naturally, having become fans of La Spinetta and their modern, premium approach to winemaking, we no longer see any of their wines on local shelves. Luckily, we still had a bottle tucked away in the cellar.<br />
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The Spinetta estate was only established in 1977 - a relative baby by Italian standards - and it climbed to "superstar" status with its introduction of state-of-the-art machinery and attention to production detail. The winery initially produced only a Moscato. It started adding reds in the 80's with the introduction of a Barbera and then upped the ante with a formerly unheard of Barbera/Nebbiolo blend. The mid-90's saw the inaugural production of Barbaresco and that brings us to tonight's bottle. Valeirano is one of three single vineyard Barbarescos that La Spinetta currently produces and they are definite stars in the portfolio.<br />
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I'll simply say that this was one heckuva wine to cook with - at least for the cooks. While I'm sure it would have imparted a grandness had we added some to a batch of the tomatoes, there was no way we were putting this rich baby into the sauce. With an intensity of body and integrated tannins, the winery's <a href="http://www.la-spinetta.com/pdf%20wine%20piedmont/Riserva%20Barbaresco%20Valeirano%202003%20Inglese.pdf">Spec Page</a> says that 2003 vintage can likely be aged up to 30 years. We obviously didn't wait that long but I think the decade we gave the bottle was sufficient time to harmonize the big flavours.<br />
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Down the road, I may not be blogging all our bottles to the same extent. I think, however, that I may have to put fingers to keys should I run across some more Spinetta wines. You know I'll be keeping an eye open for them.<br />
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<br />Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-86336014559044340292015-09-01T19:56:00.000-07:002016-04-16T15:28:48.443-07:00An Artful ChardIf you've been reading this last series of posts, you've likely noticed that I've been pulling some of our bigger guns out of the cellar for these final bottles to close out The List before I hit the 2001st wine. Tonight's wine definitely fits the bill of a "big gun." We've only got one bottle and that's because I've only ever seen one bottle for sale in a shop - and that was in New York City. I don't know that anyone carries it in Vancouver - and, even if someone did, I'd be afraid to see what price it comes in at.<br />
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I think it's fair to say that the Vancouver market has never seen many Margaret River wines on a regular basis. The region has been one that I've always had a fondness for though - ever since I tried and quite liked a bottle while I was in Australia in 1996. I returned to Vancouver and could only find two or three bottles from the region in our city and, naturally, that was at one of the premium wine shops. I tried another of the district's wines. Enjoyed it. And, with the region being two for two, I've always had a positive outlook on the region's wines.<br />
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That being said, I've been holding on to tonight's bottle for an "occasion." I think hitting #1995 on The List qualifies.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1995. 2004 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay (Margaret River - Australia)</span></i></b><br />
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Leeuwin Estate is family owned and operated and, with its bevy of national and international accolades and awards, is one of the - if not the - pre-eminent wineries in the Margaret River region. Unlike some other Aussie wine regions - like the Barossa - winemaking in Margaret River didn't really get started until the 1970's. Indeed, it was only in 1969 that Leeuwin Estate was one of the five founding wineries in the Margaret River district located to the south of Perth in Western Australia. Leeuwin, however, didn't actually make any vintage wines for release until 1978. It's been all uphill from there.<br />
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Making three separate labels, Leeuwin's Art Series wines are their "most opulent and ageworthy" wines. The first vintage of Art Series Chardonnay was 1980 and it arrived on the scene with a declaration by <i>Decanter</i> magazine that it was the best Chardonnay in the world in 1982.<br />
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My introduction to Leeuwin's Art Series Chardonnay was at an Australian Wine Appreciation Society tasting in Vancouver that involved a blind tasting of fifteen or so Chardonnay's from around the world. Leeuwin's was, by far, the favourite wine of the evening - including my score card. However, as much as I kept an eye open for it, I could never find a bottle of the wine until that New York wine shop.<br />
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The region has continued to have a romanticized hold on me though and, when Boo and I made a trip back to Australia in 2012, we decided to travel out to Perth for a quick venture down to Margaret River with Merlot Boy and Margarita. We managed to fit in a dinner at Leeuwin and finally <a href="http://2001bottles.blogspot.ca/2012/05/little-love-for-leeuwin-estate.html">added a bottle</a> of the Art Series Chard to The List - along with a couple other Leeuwin wines.<br />
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It's now time to add a second vintage to The List before this Odyssey peters out.<br />
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We had quite the scare opening this bottle though. The cork broke on me while I was pulling it out and I couldn't help but worry that, if the cork was faulty, the wine might be faulty as well. There was a heavy sigh of relief though after the first taste. The wine was still rich and velvety on the tongue. There was noticeable, although refined, oaking and some subtle hints of tropical fruit still shone through.<br />
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A rare treat but oh so enjoyable. There haven't been many wines on my journey that have as hallowed a history as the Art Series Chardonnay but isn't that exactly why we try to experience as many different wines and regions as we can. It makes those special occasions all that more special.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-21790827110876143502015-08-29T14:14:00.000-07:002016-04-10T11:39:17.210-07:00Iconic Friends Deserve Iconic WinesFrom the start of this blog and Odyssey, a major focus was always going to be who we drank our wines with and the occasions where we drank the bottles. It's definitely fitting that we were able to schedule a dinner with Elzee this close to hitting the 2001st bottle. We know very well that it's almost inevitable that, every time we get together with the lovely and talented Elzee, there's likely going to be great food and equally fine wine.<br />
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I'm happy to say that this occasion was no different - even though this was a simple, spur-of-the-moment invite to our place.<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"><i>1993. 2014 Orofino Moscato Frizzante (Similkameen Valley)</i></span></b><br />
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When I look back on all the wines that have made up the 2001 bottles, I'm sure there will be more Orofino wines on The List than all but a handful of wineries. Boo and I have been fans of the "straw-bale winery" pretty much since Day 1. We were lucky to discover Orofino very early in its existence as its owners, growers, winemakers, proprietors (and likely everything else needed), John and Virginia Weber, presented some of their first vintage at a BC Wine Appreciation Society tasting of wines from the, at that time, new on the scene Similkameen Valley.<br />
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Although its now been around for a handful of vintages, Moscato Frizzante is one of Orofino's newest wines. It is also a very popular one as it arrived as a playful, easy drinking Moscato with a splash of Riesling and Pinot Gris that brings out an acidity to counter the fruity and floral base of Moscato. In a region that really only started to make a name for itself in the last decade, t's a bit of a surprise that much of the fruit for the wine comes from Muscat vines are over 25 years old now. The fruit from those established vines, planted on Orofino's home vineyard, is augmented with grapes from the neighbouring Hendsbee vineyard, those vines having been more recently planted around 2009.<br />
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The carbonation is measured; there isn't an abundance of fizz or <i>mousse</i> but the slightly off-dry palate makes the wine an excellent start to an evening. As it did for us.<br />
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I think the Okanagan Valley has established itself as a premium region for producing more serious, traditional even, Champenoise-styled sparkling wines (just look at Blue Mountain, Stellars Jay, Tantalus and Summerhill) but there's a new breed of bubbly that's starting to emerge and Orofino's Moscato is definitely helping to lead the way.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1994. 2008 Clarendon Hills - Astralis (McLaren Vale - Australia)</span></i></b><br />
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As I journey along this Odyssey and learn more and more about wine, one of the most valuable lessons has been about the pairing of food and wine - to bring out the best attributes of both simultaneously. One of the biggest discoveries I encountered was that we "drank red but ate white." I now try much harder to match whites, rosés and lighter reds with many of our dinners while saving our beloved big reds for meatier occasions. That re-adjustment of my pairing habits over the years has definitely increased our pleasure of the wine we're drinking.<br />
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That being said, tonight's pairing does not follow any of that logic. An Aussie Shiraz isn't likely the best sip to pair with mussels - even if there are yam frites and chipotle mayo alongside - but I wanted to dip into the cellar for one of our landmark wines for this near "List-ending" bottle with Elzee.<br />
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I decided on a bottle of Astralis - although I can't say that I've tried it before or knew much about the winery. Astralis has been called an Aussie cult wine - particularly after wine critic, Robert Parker (love him or hate him) wrote in 1996, "This is the hottest wine in Australian wine circles, as it came out ahead of two great vintages of Henschke and Penfolds' Grange in a recent tasting. If readers can believe it, it is a bigger denser, more concentrated wine than the Grange." The bottle was another extravagance of one of Boo's border crossing jaunts and it seemed appropriate for the occasion.<br />
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Clarendon Hills is a small (by Australian standards), family run winery and Astralis is the flagship wine of the Clarendon Hills portfolio. Roman Bratasiuk founded winery in 1990, 40 miles south of Adelaide in the McLaren Vale district and he immediately imprinted himself with a reputation as a bit of a maverick, starting with the fact that he calls his Astralis a Syrah instead of the ubiquitous Shiraz that is so associated with Aussie wine. Bratasiuk is one of the original pioneers of single vineyard wines in Australia. His first vintage of wines were single vineyard and that was rather unheard of in Aussie winemaking circles at the time. The winery now produces up to 19 single vineyard cuvées in its portfolio and his goal has been to express the varied terroir of McLaren Vale as opposed to gunning for the biggest, baddest fruit bomb possible. Indeed, the winery produces as many as seven single vineyard Syrahs annually.<br />
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The 1994 vintage was the first Australian wine to sell for $100 a bottle and, unfortunately, it hasn't gotten any cheaper. However, it is still substantially cheaper than a bottle of Grange - if you can even find it in our Vancouver market - and any bottle like this is going to be a special occasion in our household. Like when you're breaking bread with a dear friend and drinking one of the last bottles to be added to your List of 2001.<br />
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I'll have to admit that the wine wasn't nearly as fruit forward as I would have expected for an iconic Aussie Shiraz - but I guess that was the point. It is an Aussie Syrah after all. We might have opened it a tad early as Parker's Wine Advocate originally reported that this "Astralis is very young and primary promising much more to come! Consider drinking it from 2015 to 2025+" but I definitely lean towards fruit on the palate with my wines. So, drinking it a bit earlier in its lifetime is not out of the question for me as the fruit profile of a wine tends to diminish as it ages. Besides, waiting seven years for a bottle of wine is a tough task and we were within the suggested window.<br />
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Dinner was concluded with one of Boo's homemade apple pies; however, we didn't need to worry about overpowering the pie by the wine. The Astralis was long gone by the time the pie appeared. I'd blame it on Elzee scarfing all the wine but that's about as likely as me jumping into Another 2001 Bottles - The Sequel. Hopefully, there will be plenty more dinners with Elzee and multiple iconic wines but I'm guessing they won't be documented so regularly in a blog - at least not mine.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-91270590164708788572015-08-28T14:10:00.000-07:002016-04-09T13:39:31.056-07:00A Bottle for a Theatrical Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been over a decade since Boo and I have taken in one of the Theatre Under the Stars (<a href="http://www.tuts.ca/">TUTS</a>) shows at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park and almost as long since we last had a picnic by Beaver Lake. Luckily, we get to remedy both those absences tonight as we threw together a quick alfresco basket to enjoy before making our way through the park to watch Hairspray.<br />
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It wasn't the most leisurely picnic but we had just enough time to finish off our wine and get to our seats slightly before all those theatrical juices started coursing away.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1992. 2007 Jarvis Estate - Lake William (Napa Valley)</span></i></b><br />
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Given the occasion, I pulled a wine that supposedly has a good pedigree - even though I wasn't familiar with either the wine or the producer. It's a rare enough occasion when I'll buy a $100+ wine (at least one that costs that much after the conversion from US bucks) - let alone one that I haven't tasted before. But, this Jarvis Estate blend was one that Boo had grabbed during a Washington state Costco run. Despite the fact that he's "technically" placed me on a "No Buy Leash" for some time now, he can go a little off the rails himself when it comes to Cabs.<br />
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I figure, if we can't pull out a big gun with less than ten bottles to go before reaching the blog's goal, when will there ever be an occasion that rates a little sumtin' sumtin' extra?<br />
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A mix of Napa-grown Bordeaux grapes, the 2007 vintage was a blend of Cab Sauv (39%), Merlot (38%) and Cab Franc (21%), with a splash of Petit Verdot (2%). The wine could well have stood up to a much bigger repast than we'd thrown together. There was more than enough dark fruit on the palate, however, to lend itself to simple (if hearty) sipping as we watched the sun setting over bucolic scene of Beaver Lake.<br />
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Although we haven't visited Jarvis Estate, it appears to have quite the stunning setting as well. According to the winery <a href="http://www.jarviswines.com/">website</a>, Jarvis was the first winery in the US to "tunnel a cave so large that it could hold the entire winemaking operation." That's 45,000 square feet of tunnel in the Vacas Mountains just east of downtown Napa. Sounds like it's definitely worth a visit should we find ourselves down that way again.<br />
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As for finding ourselves at TUTS again, the pure joy that is Hairspray just emphasized the point that we'd been away from the annual outdoor shows for too long. There won't be any need to blog any accompanying wine, but I'll have to remember to check out the scheduling of next summer's shows.<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-32735485125845838192015-08-27T14:09:00.000-07:002016-04-09T13:42:37.048-07:00A Star for the Gulf IslandsHere we are down to the final ten wines before we reach the titular 2001st bottle. To kick off these "last" wines, I'm going to the Gulf Islands and to Sea Star - a new(ish) venture of owner, David Goudge, and winemaker, Ian Baker. I was excited to see that Sea Star's initial vintage from 2013 was as well received as it was. The winery entered the 2014 Northwest Wine Summit competition and came away with two gold medals, a silver medal and a "Winery of Distinction" accolade as one of only 16 wineries to win two gold medals.<br />
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Some of my initial attraction to Sea Star stems from the fact that, off and on, I've known David for many a year, crossing paths at various community and fundraising events and even the odd party or so. To see an acquaintance "burst" onto the local wine is great thrill.<br />
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The fact that the winery is located on Pender Island was equally exciting because it means we might be able to fit in a visit every so often seeing as how Axel and The English Doc have set up house not far from the Sea Star's home vineyard. Indeed, spending Thanksgiving with the boys last year was how we managed to pick up some Sea Star wines. The winery was virtually sold out of its initial vintage but David managed to find a couple of wines for us to buy.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1991. 2013 Sea Star Stella Maris (Gulf Islands)</span></i></b><br />
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It's not much of a surprise that the bulk of Sea Star's limited production is white wine. Pender Island is a cool, coastal climate and - until the warming effects of global climate change have run their full course - there won't be much in the way of big, international reds. Indeed, "coastal" is as apt a descriptor as you'll find. As far as David knew at the time of our visit, Sea Star is the only winery in Canada where the vineyard actually runs down to and touches the ocean. The winery has sections of Pinot Noir planted in the warmest parts of the vineyard but the first vintage of a varietal Pinot Noir is still some time away as the vines were still maturing to a point where the fruit is deemed good enough to result in a fully representative Pinot.<br />
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Stella Maris, which is Latin for "Star of the Sea," is a blend of Gewürztraminer and (that young) Pinot Noir "with a splash of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Ortega and Schönberger" (as the winery describes the wine). Nicely dry but with plenty of tree fruit and a bit of spice, it's a wine that easily disappears from your glass and matches nicely to full array of foods.<br />
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With the "final" bottle of this Odyssey so quickly approaching, I have no idea about where the blog might head or what might be in store. I am, however, sure that I'll be making effort to pay another - and longer - visit to Sea Star.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-43499539077314036372015-08-26T14:08:00.000-07:002016-04-02T18:37:21.543-07:00Boyz en Blanc - Tripping the White Fantastic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Launched in Paris 27 years ago, <i>Dîner en Blanc </i>has now expanded to 50-plus cities on five continents and, this evening, it's celebrating its fourth anniversary in Vancouver. Boo and I missed the inaugural event but, including tonight, we've now made the last three shows.<br />
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The simplest description of DEB is that guests "flash-gather" in a high-profile, public location and set up a chic dinner party, revelling in the iconic setting. With all the participants decked out in their sharpest white outfits and all the tables decorated completely in white, it's become one of the hardest tickets in the city to get.<br />
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With the ability of past guests to invite friends, Boo and I have been able to increase our table from the original two to four to this year's eight. Following our meeting the other week, the courses and table details were divvied up and, despite some rather annoying logistical issues with finding our designated location and collecting our wine, we finally managed to pop the cork on our bubbly and settle in for a six course extravaganza.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1987. N.V. Moët et Chandon Brut Imperial (Champagne AOC - France)</span></i></b><br />
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Knowing that this blog's task of reaching wine #2001 was nearing its climax, I started the gang off with the premium choice among the sparkling wines available for the evening. After all our initial frustrations, the classic bubble with a quartet of caviars was exactly what we needed to get re-grounded and re-set the mood for the evening.<br />
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Unfortunately, we were late to the table and didn't get a chance to wander or explore the venue. This year's secret location was the "deck" below the sails of the old Trade and Convention Centre. So, unlike previous years, the narrow deck location meant that we couldn't see all of our 4,500 dining companions. That was the biggest disappointment of the evening for Boo and I. Despite its spectacular view, this year's location just didn't seem to have same group cachet as before.<br />
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Good thing our menu was equal to - or surpassed - that of any of the other tables in our vicinity.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1988. 2014 Chartron La Fleur Sauvignon Blanc (Bordeaux AOC - France)</span></i></b><br />
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The Sauv Blanc doesn't sport quite the pedigree as the Moët does but it matched nicely with the Tuna and Scallop Ceviche accented with fresh peaches, lime, basil and cayenne. By the time we were on this second course, a number of the tables around us were already finishing up with their meals. They must have been newbies. Some of these millennials might have more energy than us old folk, but they still need to learn that slow and easy can still win the odd race.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1989. 2014 La Vieille Ferme Rouge (Ventoux AOC - Rhône - France)</span></i></b><br />
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Our next course of a trio of pâtés was paired with the Rhône blend. Duck with Fig, Duck with Black Truffle and Venison with Cranberry were served along with Cornichons, Prosciutto di Parma, Dijon and baguette. This course alone would have out-paced many of the main plates around us - but we, of course, made it clear that we were still on the appies.<br />
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Our extensive menu and leisurely pace did mean that we still had a good portion of our dinner to go when the traditional lighting of the sparklers was announced. Ah well, we needed a bit of a stretch before we sat down for the main course anyhow.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1990. 2012 Terrazas de los Andes - Reserva Malbec (Mendoza - Argentina)</span></i></b><br />
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As the evening was getting a little long in the tooth, we picked up the pace a bit though. A few of our dining companions were starting to close up shop and call it a night. That just meant they had to leave with their mouths watering as they passed our Barbecued Duck with Red Plum Compote, Saffron Basmati Rice and Buttered Peas & Corn Niblets.<br />
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By the time we started serving up the desserts, we were offering tastes to neighbouring tables - particularly since we had another trio: Crème Brûlée, Prosecco Raspberry Gelée and Macarons.<br />
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Not to mention the cheese course that followed. By then, we were carrying our platter to various tables to offer a little night cap to the neighbours. To be nice - and to allow Mr. D. and Soolu to slyly check out some of the other diners.<br />
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As tasty as the dinner was and as fine as the company was, this year's DEB didn't seem as special as years past. In retrospect, we might have been a little over-ambitious with our menu. We were definitely one of the very last tables - of a couple thousand - with food going strong at the end of the evening. Moreover, though, I think it was the large degree of separation we felt from all the other participants. The sense of community - that was so evident in previous years - just seemed to be lacking.<br />
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Of course, how can you go wrong with a dinner view like we had?<br />
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I'm sure we'll return next year - even if the blog's wine countdown will be well behind me. Our planning may need a little re-jigging but the reality of it all is when else will we be able to sport all of these white duds that we've assembled?<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-10351539930188264252015-08-25T14:06:00.000-07:002016-04-09T19:14:16.044-07:00Some Intensity With That Port?As long as Boo has been working in the same job, he's still not high enough up in the seniority rankings to rate extended vacation time during the summer. Consequently, we weren't able to join in with some of the family as they cruised to Alaska. We did get to hear some of the tales over dinner upon their return, however, and that led to a couple bottles of wine at our place afterwards.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1985. 2013 Mistaken Identity - Intensity (BC VQA - Okanagan Valley)</span></i></b><br />
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Mistaken Identity is an organic vineyard and winery that set up shop on Salt Spring Island and released its first wines in 2009. Although perhaps not "mistaken," the identity of this Cab Franc is a little mysterious. Boo and I visited the winery once (when cavorting with Tyrant on Salt Spring) and I know that they grow largely white grapes there. They certainly weren't trying to grow Cab Franc. Indeed, I rather doubt that any of the Gulf Islands are able to fully ripen any of the big red varieties; hence, the grapes for this wine were sourced from the southern Okanagan Valley. The wine was still produced in a manner to comply with VQA rules and the label advises that the grapes were also grown organically (so as to stay in sync with the balance of the home vineyard grapes), but the wine doesn't have much more of a connection with the Gulf Islands.<br />
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A simple search online didn't reveal much more about the wine either. I did discover, however, that the winery has since been listed for sale and may well have been sold by now. So, we may not run across any Mistaken Identity down the road.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1986. 1997 Broadbent Port (Portugal)</span></i></b><br />
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Like Mistaken identity, Broadbent is also a relatively new producer - although "relatively new" in the world of Port can still be decades. There's no mistaking the identity of this wine though as the Broadbent name comes from the father and son team of Michael and Bartholomew Broadbent. The former has been the Chairman of Christie's International Wine Department and his son has made a name for himself as one of the "world's top authorities on Port and Madeira."<br />
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The first Broadbent Port was produced in 1994 and the pedigree of the Broadbent name was solidified when they asked winemaker Dirk Niepoort to do the honours for them. The Niepoort family has been in the wine business since 1842 and knows a thing or two about making wine, particularly Port.<br />
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The 1997 was only the second declared vintage for Broadbent and their overall production is limited as they only make about 500 cases a year.<br />
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We came across this bottle when a client was downsizing his home and he needed to divest himself of some of his home assets because his new house wouldn't have enough space for everything. I refer to the bottle as being part of the "Carpet Collection" because Boo wanted to buy a couple of the Persian carpets that the client was selling. That meant, however, given the nature of tit-for-tat, that I got to buy some of the Port that was up for sale. Two carpets. Twelve bottles of Port. I think I let Boo off easy - and we all get to enjoy both the carpets and the Port for many days to come.<br />
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I think it particularly comes in handy when the family just pops in for a bit a tongue-wag session. Even if we didn't get to go on the cruise, we can enjoy a little vintage time of our own.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-85542357712614518502015-08-23T19:07:00.001-07:002016-03-27T12:44:08.313-07:00A Sparkling Farewell With Miss Jaq<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once again, our beloved Miss Jaq is leaving us and heading to the other side of the globe for work; however, of all places, this time she's taken a principal's position in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With Bahrain and Abu Dhabi already in her portfolio, the whole Middle East scenario shouldn't faze her too much. After all, Jeddah is perhaps the most liberalized city in Saudi Arabia but even she's wondering how different the extremely conservative, religious positioning of Saudi society will be from the relative Westernization of the UAE. Boo and I will have to wait to hear the stories this time around since there's no chance that two men could visit a single woman in Saudi when they aren't immediate family - not to mention the whole gay thing.<br />
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We always try to have the Annual Miss Jaq Wine Picnic. Indeed, there are more than a couple editions that have added bottles to The List on this blog; however, this summer, Charles and I had been away some and Miss Jaq's position came up so quickly, we weren't able to fit our little wine and dine extravaganza into everyone's schedule. At least we were able to do a little bubbly before our sweetie had to fly off to the dessert.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1983. N.V. Charles Melton Sparkling Shiraz (Barossa Valley - Australia)</span></i></b><br />
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This time around, we could only manage a Sunday morning gathering, but there was no way that we couldn't have some sort of wine event this summer with Miss Jaq. So, Sunday morning or not, we popped the cork on some Sparkling Shiraz to remind her of what she'll largely be missing over the next so many months.<br />
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Sparkling Shiraz is a bit of a rarity - even for Boo and I - and I'm not always convinced that it's a style that's entirely necessary. But trust the Aussies to find a way to serve up a chilled, full-bodied red to battle the heat of a hot day down under. This was still fruit forward - like a big Aussie Shiraz can be - but it also had a bit more effervescence than I've tended to see other versions. Not exactly vintage Champagne but it worked just fine for the garden setting.<br />
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The winery <a href="http://www.charlesmeltonwines.com.au/home">website</a> tells a neat story about how Graeme Melton arrived in the Barossa Valley in 1973 when he and a mate were driving across Australia and their car broke down. "There were two jobs going - one as a cellarhand at a local winery...and another pruning at a vineyard down the road. They flipped a coin - Graeme got the cellar hand job." He ended up working with and honing his skills under Peter Lehmann - who would later become a legend in the Barossa. However, "Lehmann refused to call his protegé 'Graeme,' hence 'Charlie' was born - and has stuck."<br />
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In 1984, the Charles Melton winery was established and it has since gone on to become known for its premium Rhône-style reds. Indeed, the winery doesn't even make any white wine. They now produce approximately 15.000 cases annually in total, with most of those bottles being some combination of Rhône grape varieties. While I'm not so sure that you'll find a Sparkling Shiraz produced in the Rhône, there's something to be said about Aussie ingenuity.<br />
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During the 80's when many farmers were pulling out their old Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines under a government replacement program, Charlie was known as one of the Barossa winemakers who encouraged those farmers and vineyard manager to embrace and treasure those old vines and forego the planting of more fashionable varieties. Hence the winery's ability to showcase all their big Rhône-styled wines.<br />
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Charles Melton isn't a name that I see regularly in the Vancouver market but I'll think I might just need to keep an eye open for it.<br />
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We didn't have nearly enough time with Miss Jaq before she had to depart. We'd hoped she'd be able to join us for a late lunch or early dinner but she had to pay her respects to other friends. We carried on with our day with her in mind though, dining on mussels. Boo and I will always wax fondly about a marvellous dinner of môules-frites (mussels and fries) that we had with Miss Jaq in a quaint coastal town in Holland some years back. To this day, it seems we can't order mussels without her name coming up - and that's definitely a good thing.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1984. 2011 Larkmead - Lillie Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley - California)</span></i></b><br />
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Knowing that there aren't many bottles left to be added to The List before we hit the big 2001, I thought we should splurge a little and pull the cork on one the bottles we'd picked up during our drive down the West Coast to San Fran a couple of years back. With so many wineries located in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys and only a couple of days for touring, we had to rely on recommendations as to which wineries to prioritize - more than a couple of folks spoke highly of Larkmead.<br />
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Although I'd never heard of the winery before, it has quite the history. The vineyard was originally owned by Little Hitchcock Coit - the very woman that the landmark Coit Tower in San Fran was named for. The winery website doesn't provide much information but the <a href="http://www.napawineproject.com/larkmead-vineyards/">Napa Wine Project</a> says that "before prohibition, they were considered one of the four great wineries in Napa Valley along with Beaulieu, Inglenook (now Rubicon) and Beringer." Our tasting at the winery was very relaxed and informative, especially as our discussion covered the history of the Napa and of Lillie, the woman, as much as it did the wine.<br />
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The winery produces largely Bordeaux-styled wines and Lillie is a nod to Sauv Blanc utilized in Bordeaux whites. I'm rather unexperienced with Bordeaux whites - indeed, I don't even know if they qualify as appellation wines if they don't contain Semillon - but this was indicative as neither Sancerre, nor New Zealand. I wouldn't say that it was unique enough to merit its own category of Sauv Blanc either. We must have been swept up in the romance and stories during our tasting at the winery because the wine didn't impress us as much on this occasion. I didn't find the complexity or flavour that I expected - at least not at its rather hefty price point (>$50).<br />
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Good thing I'm a pretty happy guy with almost any chilled, white wine when it's accompanying mussels - with or without Ms. Jaq at the table.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-6641207744468109962015-08-20T19:06:00.000-07:002016-03-25T15:17:21.207-07:00A Lemberger to CelebrateHaving successfully shared a little - and literal - taste of the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference with Boo the other night, I figured "let's just carry on and give it another go." As such, I trotted out another surviving bottle of the bumpy ride home encountered while returning from the Finger Lakes.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1982. 2011 Ventosa Vineyards Lemberger (Seneca Lake AVA - Finger Lakes - New York State)</span></i></b><br />
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Now, there might the odd person that would question the urgency or necessity of hustling for a bottle of Lemberger. Indeed, there are likely more folks that would think you're serving stinky cheese rather than wine if you told them that Lemberger was on the menu. But, I'm going to chalk this bottle up to being in the right place at the right time.<br />
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As mentioned a couple of posts back, I'd been lucky enough to join up with the WBC15 Pre-Conference Excursion and we were treated to dinner at Ventosa Vineyards by the <a href="http://www.senecalakewine.com/">Seneca Lake Winery Association</a>. The folks at <a href="http://ventosavineyards.com/">Ventosa</a> were in a particularly celebratory mood that day because they had learned - just that day - that the winery's 2011 Lemberger had won the 2015 Governor's Cup for the Best Overall Wine at the annual New York Wine & Food Classic competition. They referred to it as the Oscars of New York wine and the place was clearly abuzz.<br />
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Our little Canadian contingent had taken an immediate liking to Ventosa's free-spirited winemaker, Jenna LaVita, and we joined up with an after-dinner party at Jenna and her partner's side venture, a pub and craft brewery - Lake Drum Brewing. Although her award-winning wine wasn't even for sale at the winery yet, she had a couple of bottles at the pub and she let me twist her arm into selling me a bottle to take home. With only 256 cases of the wine and a major award to shout to the heavens, I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't have ever come across a bottle otherwise.<br />
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See what I mean when I say, "right place, right time."<br />
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Given the accolade showered upon it as New York State's top bottle, however, the wine wasn't as full or as flavourful as I might have hoped. To be fair, maybe the bottle was suffering some bottle shock from the flight home - after all, it had only been a couple of days - but we didn't catch the "powerful" spice or notes of juniper or eucalyptus on the nose that the winery speaks of. I can see the "under-ripe blackberries" reference but I'm not sure that'd be the hallmark of an award-winning wine for me.<br />
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All the same, it was a welcome find and I was thrilled to have a chance to meet with Jenna, to celebrate her big win and to add this bottle to The List. May she experience many more such awards in the vintages to come.<br />
<br />Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-30624136405427502812015-08-18T10:13:00.000-07:002016-03-25T13:32:52.048-07:00Bringing the Finger Lakes Home to Vancouver Despite having to endure an unexpected overnight stay in Chicago - with no excitement to be had following our late arrival at the hotel we were put up in (hence no wine to add to The List from Chicago) - the trip home from the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference has me back home and looking to reach the heralded 2001st bottle and the "finish line" for this blog.<br />
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Although I would have loved to have done so, I wasn't able to bring much wine back with me from WBC15. Indeed, I was dinged for duty at Canadian Customs for the "extra" wine that I did bring back. Turned out I paid duty on a bottle that didn't even make it back to Vancouver in tact. I'd packed a bottle of Fox Run's Hedonia in my luggage - wrapped in a couple of socks - only to find broken shards of glass and some rather wet clothes when I finally opened the bag.<br />
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Not that this comes remotely close to being a silver lining, but it was pointed out to me that Hedonia is a dessert wine and that my dirty socks had never smelled so sweet.<br />
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Luckily, the other bottles made it home safely and I figured it was only fair to open one of the Finger Lakes wines for Boo since he didn't partake in any of the excitement that was WBC15. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1981. 2014 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling (Seneca Lake AVA - Finger Lakes - New York)</span></i></b><br />
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Among the few things that I remotely knew of the Finger Lakes before departing for WBC15 were that its winemaking history as a region was rather similar to BC's own Okanagan Valley and that it was probably best known for its Rieslings. Being the Riesling fiend that I am, I was particularly looking forward to the chance to sample some of the higher praised Finger Lakes labels.<br />
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One night while dining out in Manhattan, Boo and I started chatting with the table next to us as we couldn't help but hear that the majority of their conversation related to wine. It turned out that all three of the diners were involved in the New York wine trade. So, naturally, I wanted to canvas their thoughts on New York Rieslings and ask for a few suggestions. All three of them recommended Hermann Wiemer as one to try. Coincidentally, the proprietor of the bottle shop just around the corner from our hotel made the same suggestion. So, the quest was set.<br />
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I never actually saw a wine shop near our Conference hotel but, luckily, I'd noted that Miss Selfie, The Suje and Gone Girl were cavorting amongst the vines on their way up to WBC15. So, I asked them to pick up a bottle of Hermann Wiemer if they happened across one. Naturally, Miss Selfie made it a priority to do just that - and Boo got to be an additional beneficiary.<br />
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According to their <a href="http://wiemer.com/winery/history/">website</a>, "Hermann J. Wiemer is regarded as one of the pioneers of the wine industry in the Finger Lakes." Coming from a family with 300 years of winemaking experience in Germany's Mosel Valley and relying on his own winemaking and viticultural studies, Mr. Wiemer emigrated to the Finger Lakes in the 1960's, long before anyone thought that the region could support vinifera grape vines. His own experiences led him to believe that the region could realistically grow and ripen Riesling and Chardonnay grapes and that the warming effect of Lake Seneca could help the vines survive the winter chills.<br />
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Relying on "German folk wisdom" that "Riesling grapevines would flourish where black cherry trees thrived," Mr. Wiemer purchased 80 acres of land which has since become the HJW Vineyard. His wines have been lauded by magazines and critics and the winery has been named one of the top Riesling producers in the U.S. on numerous occasions.<br />
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The winery currently boasts nine Rieslings in its portfolio - ranging from dry through single vineyard to dessert wines like the cherished TBA or Trockenbeerenauslese. Our bottle is the winery's classic, signature wine and, as you might expect, it had a definite Germanic profile.<br />
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Both Boo and I thought the praise was well deserved. More nuanced than most New World Rieslings (particularly if you're thinking Clare Valley or New Zealand), the acidity was well balanced with subdued citrus notes and minerality. We were singing Miss Selfie's praises loudly.<br />
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I only wish I had more Wiemer wines in order to do a little taste comparison with some of my favourite BC Rieslings. I'll have to see if I can make that happen over the next thousand wines or so. I think it'll be worth the effort.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-77391042834324030162015-08-16T19:05:00.000-07:002016-03-13T12:42:49.635-07:00Last Nights and Hot Molten Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's our final night at the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference and, traditionally, there's a banquet where the Wine Blogger Award are presented. WBC15 is no different. </div>
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Of course, as with any proper "gala gala do" (as Vancouver <i>bon vivant </i>and social correspondent<i>, </i>Fred Lee<i>,</i> would call them), before-dinner cocktails were <i>de rigueur</i>. I couldn't really call her my drinking buddy this time around (since she was pregnant and wasn't drinking) but, once again, April from <a href="http://sacreddrop.com/">Sacred Drop Channel</a> was attending WBC in all her glory and she was lucky enough to be representing <a href="http://www.hylandestateswinery.com/">Hyland Estates</a> and <a href="http://www.solenaestate.com/">Soléna</a> wineries and her sumptuous suite just happened to be available for refreshments.</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1978. N.V. Fox Run Hedonia (Finger Lakes - New York State)</span></i></b><br />
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I ran across Fox Run Vineyards' Hedonia (a noun meaning the "ability to experience extreme pleasure") during the Pre-Conference Excursion. It's a fortified dessert or cocktail wine that the winery promotes as being great with a slice of orange on the rocks. I simply added the rocks and used vodka instead of an orange slice. Seemed to work just fine. Actually, I was fashioning it after some of the Icewine martinis that we see at home in Vancouver. - mostly because I still had the better part of a bottle of Grey Goose that I'd picked up at the airport in Duty Free and I wasn't going to be able to take it home with me.<br />
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I don't know if fortified Traminette (the grape used to make the wine) is produced by more wineries than just Fox Run - or if anyone's ever blended it with vodka before - but it proved to be a lovely segue into our evening. Whether or not it played any part in our exuberant "participation" in the glass blowing demonstration that the Corning Museum of Glass held before the dinner, I suppose we'll never know.<br />
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What I do know, however, is that it is insanely easy for a slightly lubricated crowd of wine bloggers to find every possible double entendre you might imagine during a presentation on glass blowing. Who would ever have thought that such an artistic and ancient art could cause so many howls of silent laughter. Fortunately, our naughty banter was all on the down low with a group Direct Message stream flashing across our phones. </div>
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I will definitely try to keep this thread on my phone for posterity because I'm convinced it will deliver joyful memories and tears of laughter for years to come. Just a handful of the (not-as-naughty) comments:</div>
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- "We arrived just as the glass was all 'hot and drippy like honey.'"</div>
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- "Because who wouldn't love a good, matching rim wrap."</div>
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- "I like it thick and chunky at the rim."</div>
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- "Don't stop blowing." "Sage Advice."</div>
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The show and demonstration was summed up by "You are all naughty and I love you!"</div>
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There were more than a few comments about needing to head out for a cigarette before joining up for the banquet. Let's just say that any cool downs didn't stop the insanity. It was certainly as lively a banquet as I've ever attended (save one fraternity event many years back that ended in an all-out, flip the tables bun throw - but that was another lifetime) with table after table vying for attention. </div>
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Could it have had anything to do with all the wine?<br />
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<span id="goog_751162777"></span><span id="goog_751162778"></span>We did manage to get through our meals and the awards, however. Each course was accompanied by two Finger Lakes wines, together with a few assorted surprises. As is my tradition with this blog, I won't add every wine from the dinner to The List but I will add a couple that I found particularly enjoyable.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1979. 2012 Fox Run Lemberger (Finger Lakes - New York State)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1980. 2010 Wagner Meritage (Finger Lakes - New York State)</span></i></b><br />
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Of course, I was familiar with Fox Run since (as noted above) we'd visited the winery the other day. I'd concentrated on the Rieslings while at the winery - no surprise there - but Lemberger is becoming a bit of a "go to" red grape in the Finger Lakes. It's characteristically bright, red fruit and good acidity helps pair it with food. Selling it as a varietal wine - under the name Lemberger - might be its biggest hurdle. It sounds like someone's serving you stinky cheese.<br />
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Get past the name and it can be a tasty, lighter red with all sorts of serving options. Fox Run doesn't make a lot of the wine but they're having trouble keeping what they make in stock. Not a bad problem for a winery to have.<br />
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The Wagner Meritage also paired with our main course and provided quite the contrast with the Lemberger. Bigger and bolder, it is a true Meritage or Bordeaux blend of predominantly Cab Sauv and Cab Franc with a healthy dollop of Merlot thrown if for good measure. Growing Bordeaux grapes, especially Cab Sauv, can see uneven results. Consequently, Wagner only makes its Meritage in years that they find exceptional. Prior to 2010, they'd only made a Meritage in 2001 and 2007. They also skipped 2011, but they plan to release a 2012. The 2010 proved to be popular with more folks than just our table as it won Double Gold at the New York State Fair in both 2013 and 2014.<br />
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The Meritage won't challenge a big Napa Cab or Aussie Shiraz but it was a nicely nuanced wine that had more structure to it than I likely would have expected from a Finger Lakes wine coming into WBC15.<br />
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Conference organizers weren't done with us yet however. Dinner was followed by a festival tasting in one of the Museum of Glass's courtyard foyers. The tasting provided a final opportunity to visit a few wineries that I'd come to recognize and discover a further few. Knowing that the tasting was following dinner, many of wineries brought sparkling or dessert wines. Paired with a full array of desserts, the evening party would easily have been considered a worthy success even if it had been a solitary event being held independently of a chock-full evening. I could have easily spent twice as much time visiting this last assortment of Finger Lakes wineries.<br />
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But, last call came quickly and, heavy sigh, there were still after parties yet to come.<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-78970040916731329252015-08-15T19:03:00.000-07:002016-03-05T13:51:44.813-08:00A Sense of Seneca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my third Wine Bloggers Conference and it's been the same story at all three: the surprise winery visit is a guaranteed highlight. The conference sets up a series of side trips and the delegates just board a bus without knowing what their destination will be. The toughest task is trying to coordinate your crew so that you all get on the same bus. Like herding cats I tell you.<br />
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We were likely the last bus to load and some of our folks more-or-less just ignored where they were being directed to get on our bus but the gang somehow managed to stay intact - and, as luck would have it, I think we happened on to a lovely outing.<br />
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As with the Pre-Conference Excursion, our bus wound its way back to the shores of Seneca Lake - although this time we travelled up the eastern shore to the Banana Belt that we'd previously heard about. The "tropicality" of the sub-region was manifested more as rain forest than equatorial sunshine however - at least for a brief portion of our visit to the vineyard. A little shower did nothing to dampen our moods or the vista though. Everyone's biggest concern was that the rain might be watering down the wine in our glasses.<br />
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The theme to our excursion was "Senses of Place" and we were first greeted in one of the Hazlitt 1852 vineyards by principals of four local wineries - <a href="http://hazlitt1852.com/">Hazlitt 1852</a>, <a href="http://www.keukaspringwinery.com/">Keuka Spring</a>, <a href="https://www.heartandhandswine.com/">Heart & Hands</a> and <a href="http://sheldrakepoint.com/">Sheldrake Point</a> - two from Seneca Lake and two from neighbouring Cayuga Lake. Much to my delight, our hosts each poured a Riesling to provide a sense of the terroir as they discussed the region and their particular directions and aspirations for their viticulture and winemaking. <br />
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The next step to happiness was a walkabout tasting at Hazlitt's dining pavilion. Each of the four wineries offered a couple of different wines while providing a chance for a little one-on-one discussion.<br />
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There were a couple of standout wines on my dance card: the Hazlitt 1853 Cab Franc and the Heart & Hands Polarity, the latter being a "unique white wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes" (at least that's what the winery website calls it - sounded like a Rosé to me, but a tasty one at that).<br />
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Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to try all the hard ciders and craft beers that were also on offer before we were called to the dinner table.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1977. 2012 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Cabernet Franc (Finger Lakes - New York)</span></i></b><br />
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Although this Cab Franc wasn't one of the wines that was served with dinner, as mentioned above, it was a favourite for the day and I certainly requested enough refills to qualify this as the one bottle to add to The List. Turns out I'm not the only person to take a hankering to the wine. Within a couple weeks of our leaving the Finger Lakes and WBC15, this wine ended up winning the Best Red Wine at the 2015 New York State Fair. Not that I had any extra room in my luggage - or on my Customs declaration - for additional bottles, but I do wish I'd have had a chance to visit the tasting room and pick up at least one bottle of this full bodied and richly flavoured wine to bring home.<br />
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A four course menu was prepared by local restauranteur, Dano Hutnick, and paired with a wine from each of the four wineries present. From chilled tomato soup and seafood stuffed cabbage to pork cheek goulash and home grown apricot napoleon, chef aimed to emphasize what was local and fresh at the moment. Our host wineries continued to show their versatility and poured Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and a Riesling Ice Wine.<br />
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As leisurely and enjoyable as our outing had been, we were corralled back onto the bus as a reception at the Rockwell Museum had been planned back in Corning. Proving that our hosts were more than just pretty faces, they kept a (by now) much livelier crowd both occupied and amused with craft beer and Riesling tattoo stickers. I tell you, there's never a dull moment at these Wine Bloggers Conferences.<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-33107106318022979802015-08-13T22:00:00.000-07:002016-02-28T17:59:13.511-08:00A Party with the Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Beyond being simply excited to see all the WBC15 wine bloggers, the folks at Ventosa Vineyards were particularly overflowing with excitement while we were visiting. Turned out, earlier in the day, the winery and winemaker, Jenna Lavita, were advised that they had won the Governor's Cup trophy at the 2015 New York Wine & Food Classic competition. Chosen as the "Best of Show" for their 2011 Lemberger, they were in a particularly celebratory mood.<br />
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With that exciting news in hand, the party kept going after our WBC15 dinner had ended. Jenna and her partner, Victor, also operate Lake Drum Brewing and their brewpub was the perfect locale for a little impromptu bash. Jenna invited us bloggers along to their festivities. Joining the fun was a no-brainer seeing as how the pub was just down the road from our hotel.<br />
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Taking our wine goggles off for a mix of craft brews, I'm not sure the locals expected their guest Canucks to shake their groove thang to Dancing Queen and a few other old school tunes as the vinyl hit the turntable. Having no dancefloor proved to be no impediment to our determined crew.<br />
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Simply heading home to the hotel would have been the wisest plan but, at the time, grabbing another bottle of wine and heading down to dock to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower seemed ever-so-much more exciting. Boo had texted me that the shower was at its peak and the stars are a whole light brighter in Geneva than they are back home. Miss Selfie, The Suje and Gone Girl joined me for for a little laid back action. That is, literally laying back on the dock to look up into the sky.<br />
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Except, of course, when we had to sit up to take another sip of wine.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1975. 2013 Forge Cellars Pinot Noir "Les Alliés" (Finger Lakes - New York - United States)</span></i></b><br />
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The kids picked up this bottle on their way up to the Conference. Forge Cellars is more of a virtual winery. It's a collaboration of three partners: a <i>vigneron</i> from Gigondas in France's Rhône Valley, a local, newby grape grower and a winemaker/partner of another New York winery. The 2013 bottling was only the third Forge vintage and they currently buy all their fruit and use the other winery's facilities to make the wine.<br />
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Unlike many start-up wineries in newly developing regions, the gents behind Forge did not go the route of producing a full range of wines to cover all tastes. They simply look to express what they feel best represents the Finger Lakes. As such, they decided that the two most interesting grapes for the region were Riesling and Pinot Noir and they've only made a couple different takes on the two varietal wines so far - with the <i>Les Alliés</i> being a single vineyard offering from the east side of Seneca Lake.<br />
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There were only 222 cases of this wine produced. So, we were lucky to have our bottle to watch the stars by. Unfortunately, the paper cups and pitch black lighting likely didn't showcase the wine to its greatest potential but it was a completely enjoyable venture - despite the fact that we saw very little meteor action before we called it a night. The show likely got better as the night progressed but it was only a matter of hours before we'd need to get back on our excursion bus. That and the fact we were out of wine.<br />
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As Gone Girl later noted, however, "We'll always have Geneva."Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-76303345624790119282015-08-13T19:01:00.000-07:002016-02-27T13:18:45.447-08:00Pre-WBC15 Excursion - A Short Dip Into the Finger Lakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had no idea, when I started this little blog of mine, that it would morph into such a significant part of my life. Six years ago, I would never have foreseen my arriving for my third Wine Bloggers Conference - and making my way to New York state's Finger Lakes none-the-less. But it has and I am. Indeed, following the marvellously entertaining - and informative - experiences I had three years ago in Portland and two years ago in our own Okanagan Valley, I know that the next five days are going to be jammed pack with wine, wine and more wine.<br />
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And I can't wait - particularly because I know very little about New York wines. Except for a group tasting station at this year's Vancouver International Wine Festival, I'd be hard pressed to remember any other exposure to the region's wines back home. If memory serves though, we did run across at least one Finger Lakes Riesling the last time Boo and I visited NYC.<br />
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One thing I learned at my previous Wine Bloggers Conferences is that, while the seminars and conference events are all that and more, fitting in some additional visits to the wineries themselves is always an extraordinary bonus. Consequently, I was thrilled to be able to sign up for WBC15's Pre-Conference Excursion. The actual conference kicks into gear tomorrow evening but I was joined on the bus by a handful of bloggers to mosey off and see a bit of the Finger Lakes and its wineries first hand for the balance of today and parts of tomorrow.<br />
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Our destination is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail where a series of events have been organized by the <a href="http://www.senecalakewine.com/">Seneca Lake Winery Association.</a><br />
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The Finger Lakes region is a series of eleven lakes that were created upon the retreat of glaciers from the last Ice Age. They range from large and deep to small and shallow and they are now home to around 130 wineries. Those wineries produce about 90% of the wine made in New York state and a majority of them are located near Seneca Lake, a primary reason being that the lake is incredibly deep and, consequently, has an ability to store heat during the winter thereby helping with the viability of the vines through what can be some harshly cold temperatures. All the lakes also have a cooling influence on the surrounding areas, providing some moderating effect through the summer growing season - another crucial benefit to good viticulture.<br />
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There are two other leading sub-regions that host "wine trails" of their own - Cayuga Lake and Keuka Lake but they'll have to wait for another day.<br />
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Our first visit was at <a href="http://www.bellangelo.com/">Bellangelo</a> - about half way up the western shore of Seneca Lake. The Missick family and the folks at Bellangelo teamed up with <a href="http://www.kingsgardenvineyards.com/index.php">Kings Garden Vineyards</a> (from the eastern shore of the lake) and one of the local, artisan cheese producers. Together, they offered an in-depth look at Riesling - perhaps the grape I most associate with the region - and at a Cab Sauv vertical, something I would definitely not have expected.<br />
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I think it's safe to say that my foremost goal for the Finger Lakes visit was to garner some exposure to the local Rieslings. As anyone who regularly reads this blog will know, I'm a super-fan of the grape. Bellangelo must have known that as they went full bore and introduced us to their "Riesling Experience" - a presentation of nine different examples of their varietal Rieslings. The wines ranged from dry to semi-sweet, covered four vintages and included their Reserve bottling and a single vineyard wine. The range of notes was surprising and I'll readily admit to requesting a second and third pour of the Reserve.<br />
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On the whole, I didn't find the acid to be as bracing as with some of my favourite Okanagan Rieslings, but it was a memorable introduction to the region - particularly when paired with any number of the local cheeses, breads and charcuterie that were graciously provided. I've got to say that I'm a long time fan of goat cheese but this was the first time I'd ever been offered a chance to milk a goat. I think the ladies, including the goat herself, will be happier to sell me the cheese and leave the milking to the pros however.<br />
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As mentioned, there was also a ten-year Cab Sauv vertical presented by Kings Garden Vineyards and owner/winemaker, Mike Oleksyn. The first words out of most everyone's mouth was "I would never have thought that the region is hot enough to ripen Cab." His reply? "Taste the wines and you tell me."<br />
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We hear the same "you can't grow Cab here" statement in the Okanagan and, as Mike pointed out, it's all about where you're located and the <i>terroir</i> you find yourself in and on. He advised that his vineyard is located in a micro-climate known as the Banana Belt and he figures he's been able to consistently ripen his grapes in all but a couple of years. In part due to my extended rendezvous with the Rieslings, I wasn't able to taste the full flight; however, I was intrigued by the wide range of opinions that were voiced as to which years were favoured most by our crew.<br />
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Our time allotted at Bellangelo, though leisurely, quickly came to an end and we were back on the bus making our way to our host hotel in the town of Geneva at the northern end of Lake Seneca.<br />
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After a quick check-in, we journeyed on to our next destination - a rendezvous with the Finger Lakes Wine Women at Ventosa Vineyards. The Winery Association knew that they were going to host a dinner as part of our excursion and they went all out, canvassing their members to submit concepts for the evening's events. The proposal chosen celebrated the growing presence that women are playing in the wine industry in the Finger Lakes.<br />
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Bringing together owners, winemakers, researchers and even a part-time burlesque dancer (on top of her winery duties) from four of the Association's wineries, we learned how these women were making headway in an industry that is predominantly male-centric - once you move beyond the tasting room.<br />
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Each of our hosts recounted stories of how she ended up treading the vineyard trail and what some of the trials and tribulations were that she'd encountered along the way. From having to convince a winery principal that, indeed, a woman could operate a tractor to being asked if she was crazy when deciding to give up law school, each woman's perspective was unique. Yet, all of them emphasized their belief that part of the Finger Lakes' strength and growth as a winemaking region stems from a larger than usual proportion of women participating in the local wineries.<br />
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Our group was also taken for a tour through part of the Ventosa vineyard, where we were put to work for our supper. Hardly. We did receive, however, some notes on how the growers and winemakers look to evaluate the ripeness of their grapes. We collected a selection of grapes and saw a demonstration on the use of a refractometer to measure to the must weight or amount of sugar present in the grape juice.<br />
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After that incredibly taxing activity, we were treated to a four course meal that a pair of wines from each of the four wineries participating: <a href="http://ventosavineyards.com/">Ventosa Vineyards</a>, <a href="http://www.leidenfrostwine.com/">Leidenfrost Vineyards</a>, <a href="http://www.3brotherswinery.com/">Three Brothers Wineries</a> & Estates and <a href="http://standingstonewines.com/">Standing Stone Vineyards</a>.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1974. 2012 Ventosa Vineyards Pinot Noir (Seneca Lake - Finger Lakes - New York State)</span></i></b><br />
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It only seems natural for me to add one of our host's wines to The List and Ventosa's Pinot was introduced, along with our sweet corn and cheddar risotto cake, as one of the winery's most popular wines. Fruit forward and easy drinking, it was popular at our table as well. In fact, with a little finagling, part of an additional bottle magically appeared for a few re-pours.<br />
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The balance of the dinner included a candied beet, melon and arugula salad, Finger Lakes filet with Cayuga blue cheese and a peach and ginger galette. The wines ranged from a Blanc de Blancs and Pinot Rosé, through Gewurtz and Riesling to Cab Franc and a Cabernet Port.<br />
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As if that weren't enough, everyone moved to Ventosa's banquet room for a walk around tasting of many other offerings from our four host wineries.<br />
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Let's say that, as far as introductions go, the Seneca Lake Winery Association and the Finger Lakes region started off on the right foot.<br />
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And, as packed as our day had been, we weren't done yet...<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-82853494164910673022015-08-12T19:00:00.000-07:002016-02-20T12:46:16.351-08:00'Twas the Night Before Bloggers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While Boo needed to trundle home to Vancouver, I shuffled off (kinda close) to Buffalo. The 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference was about to get underway in the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. Needing to be in Corning by mid-day Wednesday, I made my way from NYC - by bus none-the-less (no planes or trains and I didn't have an automobile) - and spent the balance of Tuesday getting acclimated to Corning with a night on the town.<br />
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No sooner had I settled into the Conference hotel then I ran into blogging buddies from past Conferences, Peter and Nancy Bourget - better known as the <i>bons vivant</i> behind the <a href="http://pullthatcork.com/">Pull That Cork</a> blog. Feeling the need for some nourishment - and, of all things - a glass of wine, we toured Corning's main drag and happened upon the delightful restaurant/bar, <a href="http://www.handandfoot.co/">Hand + Foot</a>. Not only did the vibe call out to us but the cozy hideaway was made all the more enticing by the little poster in the window announcing that they were featuring wines especially for visiting wine bloggers. How could we pass them by?<br />
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After striking up a full-out wine nerd conversation with one of the owners and the bartender <i>du jour,</i> we took them up on one of the bar's current faves.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1972. 2014 Getariako Txakolina Ameztoi (Getariako Txakolina D.O. - Spain)</span></i></b><br />
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So the story goes, this wine is called Txakoli and the additional letters on Txakolina translate to "the Txakoli." Ameztoi is the producer and is one of the biggest fish in a small pond when it comes to Txakoli. The wine has been largely made for home consumption, in the Basque region of Spain, until the 1980's when a few districts and varieties achieved Denominación de Origen (or appellation) status. Txakoli wines are primarily produced as white wines but there are also red versions and, as we discovered here, a few Rosés as well.<br />
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Txakoli whites are made from the Hondarribi Zuri grape and they are known to exhibit a slightly chalky, minerally with citrus notes and a noticeable spritz or light fizz to them. They are made to be drunk while young and fresh. This Ameztoi Rosé is similar in profile but is a bit bolder with a 50/50 blend of Hondarribi Zuri and its red counterpart, Hondarribi Beltza.<br />
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I was particularly gung ho to try the wine, thinking that I was going to add two new grapes to my Wine Century Club tally. After all, Hondarribi anything was as foreign a sounding grape as I could remember running across. Hondarrabi Zuri is apparently also known as Crouchen and learning that surprised the hell out of me because we actually drank a bottle of <a href="http://2001bottles.blogspot.ca/2012/05/hiding-sailor-crouchen-riesling.html">Crouchen</a> (blended with Riesling) a couple of years back when Boo and I were touring wine country in Australia. I'd have never guessed that I'd already added Hondarribi Zuri to my tally as Crouchen. Go figure.<br />
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Luckily, I still get to add the red grape, Hondarribi Beltza to my tally as grape #196. While the white grape seems to have travelled a bit - if only to Australia in small amounts - Jancis Robinson reports, in her tome Wine Grapes, that the red Beltza is extremely rare and isn't found in many vineyards outside of Basque country. She notes that it reminds some of Cabernet Franc when made into a full red.<br />
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Eric Asimov wrote in the New York Times that "the vast proportion of Txakolina is consumed in Basque country. You find it virtually nowhere else in Spain, except in Basque restaurants, and very little is exported around he world, with one major exception: the United States." Mr. Asimov also reported that the Ameztoi family only started making the Rosé in the last decade but they find that the local population has no affinity for this different take on the wine and almost all of the winery's Rosé is shipped to New York.<br />
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Txakoli traditionally accompanies Basque snacks like anchovies and preserved tuna. I'm not so sure it was the best of fits for my incredibly rich pulled pork, grilled cheese sandwich. But the sandwich was so good, I likely could have drunk the bar's dishwater and still been sated.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1973. 2012 Királyudvar Tokaji Furmint Sec (Hungary)</span></i></b><br />
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Being the experienced drinkers that we were, we decided - after a little bit of discussion - that we just might be able to handle a second bottle before calling it a night. We stayed on the wine trail less travelled and ordered a dry Tokaj. I'm not all that familiar with Tokaj wines - primarily because they aren't that common in our Vancouver market but also because they're often found only as high end dessert wines that come in at a pretty penny - but, unlike the Txakoli, at least I knew of them.<br />
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Királyudvar is an historic estate in Hungary. The name translates to "Kings Court" but the estate had lost much of its glory until an American businessman, Tony Kwang, purchased it in 1997. The tale goes that Mr. Kwang was visiting Budapest and tried a "6 puttonyos" Tokaji Aszú dessert wine that made such an impression that he travelled 200 kilometres the next day where he discovered Királyudvar, purchasing it a couple of months later. He has since embarked on a modernization of the winery that also included the introduction of biodynamic farming to the estate.<br />
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As mentioned, Tokaj wines are probably best known as dessert wines, in large part because the local Furmint and Hárslevelu grapes are susceptible to the botrytis rot, as are the world renowned Sauternes wines of Bordeaux. As such, the promise of a dry Furmint was an intriguing option.<br />
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Similarly to the recent introduction of the Ameztoi Rosé, this dry version of a Tokaj was only proposed as a new innovation for the winery in 2005. Indeed, it is still sees a relatively limited production in that only 2000 cases made in 2012.<br />
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A blend of 85% Furmint and 15% Hárslevelu, I found the Királyudvar to be more enjoyable to my palate that the Txakoli. And, more than that, these actually are two new grapes to add to my Wine Century Club tally - numbers 197 and 198. I'm getting so achingly close to 200 that I might even reach my Doppel membership before we knock back the 2001st wine on The List. Furmint and its offspring, Hárslevelu, are grown mostly in Hungary where they are believed to have originated from; however, they have travelled somewhat around Central Europe, to neighbouring countries like Austria, Slovakia, Croatia and Romania. The two even found their way, as a pair, to South Africa.<br />
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This little venture on the town in Corning certainly proved that there's a whole world of wine out there to be discovered.<br />
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I've since read that Txakoli is often "poured in an exuberant arc from a bottle held high above the shoulder into tumblers to create a bust of bubbles in the glass." Such an experience was not our's but I think my excitement at getting another three grape varieties to add to my Wine Century Club tally more than made up for the lost opportunity for a show. Besides I think there'll be plenty of show to come with Mr. and Ms. Pull That Cork - and all the other bloggers - over the next couple of days.<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-71206567792661455602015-08-11T18:59:00.000-07:002016-02-14T13:04:31.469-08:00Retro Drinks and Faded Eccentrics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I suppose it goes without saying that all "naughty weekends" must come to an end. We'd reached our final night in NYC and, for the last dinner out, we decided to go old school and visit El Quijote at the historic Chelsea Hotel. Who wouldn't be intrigued when their guide book (in our case <i>City Secrets - New York City</i>) has two separate entries, the first exclaiming that "the Quijote is a survivor, and the better part of its patrons - writers, catalog models, hospital workers, legitimately eccentric denizens of the Chelsea Hotel - appear to be among those who have gone too far down their chosen road to contemplate coming back...[and is] the best spot to take in the underlit defunct elegance of the place."<br />
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The second entry extols that the restaurant and bar are "one of those places where 'old' New York isn't re-created - it simply never left...The spirits collection includes crème de menthe, Dubonnet, and sloe gin - things you'd think no-one has ordered in years until the night you come in here for a perfect Manhattan and you see a woman of tattered beauty - maybe a 1948 Miss Nassau County or a former showgirl nursing one of those retro drinks in the curve of her arm."<br />
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The lure of a renowned paella didn't hurt either.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1971. 2014 Bodegas Faustino VII Tempranillo Rosado (Rioja DOC - Spain)</span></i></b><br />
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I just know that, if there's some variation of squid or calamari on a menu, Boo will order it. With chorizo and paella completing our dinner table, I figured a Rosé would be a nice fit. There was something about the deep pink hue of the wine that just seemed to say that the wine belonged here. The acidity was noticeable and helped counterbalance the richness of our chosen dishes. While not as elegant as the Whispering Angel we drank yesterday in the park, we had no problem finishing the wine long before we had to call it an evening with our paella.<br />
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Like the vintage cocktails that were hailed in our guide book, Faustino wines could very well have been served here at El Quijote for decades. The Chelsea was built between 1883 and 1885. Faustino has been making wine for over 150 years and the restaurant opened its doors in 1930. Something tells me that <i>Rosados</i> have been on the wine list here regardless of the favour or disdain Rosé wines may be experiencing at any given time.<br />
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It was a unique glimpse at New York and the vibe certainly lent itself to the conclusion of a naughty weekend. It also left us with a craving to make our way back to NYC, hopefully sooner than later.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-53196433028105915882015-08-11T18:58:00.000-07:002016-02-13T12:24:11.756-08:00Revisiting a Beverage on the Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unfortunately, we've already hit Monday and it's Boo's and my last day of our naughty weekend in New York. Luckily, it was another sun-filled day, allowing us the chance to accomplish one more standout activity - taking in the Manhattan skyline and walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. Funny, with only forty bottles to go on this Odyssey of mine, heading back to the Brooklyn Bridge was almost like coming full circle on this blogging experience.<br />
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I was only a couple of months into the blog the last time Boo and I visited Berra Yogi in NYC. And, as was becoming a tradition when visiting the Big Apple, we made a quick tour of the DUMBO area (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and took a bit of a wine break while walking the bridge on our way back to Manhattan. That <a href="http://2001bottles.blogspot.ca/2009/06/beverage-on-bridge.html">post</a> was six years ago and back at the #88 wine on The List.<br />
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Once again, we'd have been better off grabbing a wine back around the hotel because it was surprisingly hard to find a bottle while wandering around DUMBO. There was supposed to be a wine shop in the area but we couldn't find it - even after waiting half an hour for the scheduled opening time. Thankfully, we finally found an upscale corner store that stocked a handful of wines. Probably less than a dozen wines - mostly commercial bottles that weren't befitting such an august occasion as we had in mind - but there was one bottle that at least had a bit of promise.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1970. 2011 Restivo Malbec Reserve (Patagonia - Argentina)</span></i></b><br />
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In retrospect, it's surprising that a shop with only a sprinkling of labels would feature a wine from Patagonia as one of it offerings. I can see Malbec as being a popular, crowd-pleasing choice but I would have expected a more commercial, general release wine to be from Mendoza. I don't partake in Patagonia that often. So, I didn't mind running across this bottle at all. I just wish it hadn't been such a task to find it.<br />
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As might be expected from an Argentine Malbec, there was plenty of body and dark fruit but there was a bit more nuance and depth to the wine than I had expected considering I found it in a corner grocer.<br />
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Admittedly, it's the walk over the bridge and not a stop, sit and sip on the bridge that's the allure of this landmark. So, we quickly toasted our return to the bridge and to the almost 1900 bottles that we've finished off in between visits.<br />
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That's a lot of wine under the bridge.<br />
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We had two more scheduled stops to make today: the obligatory shopping spree at Century 21 and a visit to the World Trade Centre memorial. Given the historical background to 9/11 and a common tendency to hyperbolize the tragedy, I found the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to be incredibly understated and restrained. The two waterfalls, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, were both incredibly contemplative and emotive. Boo and I both found it to be a superb commemoration.<br />
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There were too many people and security guards to refill our wine glasses and soak in the atmosphere but there was no escaping the deep sense of loss that the memorial stirred.<br />
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We weren't able to take in the actual Museum but, perhaps, that just means that we'll have to visit the city yet one more time - whether it be for a naughty weekend or something a little more substantial. Either way works for me.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-88136040362101143122015-08-10T18:57:00.000-07:002016-02-13T12:26:01.016-08:00An Angelic Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With so little time to spend and so many things to see, we scheduled today for a bit of wandering - for just making like a native Manhattanite on a sunny Sunday. You know, like having a bit of lunch in Central Park and taking in a museum. Finding a place to buy some take-out or to grab a bottle of wine on the Upper East Side before noon turned out to be a lot more difficult than I'd have expected. We never did find wine and our sandwiches would hardly have been written up in any food writer's homage to Big Apple cuisine, but I'll take lunch on a Central Park bench any day.<br />
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We figured we'd only have enough time to do justice to one museum and, accordingly, we chose the Guggenheim (since we'd done the Metropolitan, the Natural Museum of History and The Cloisters on our last trip to town).<br />
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Gotta say that I'm certainly more familiar with wine than I am with modern art. While there were some intriguing pieces, there were more <i>oeuvres</i> that just had me scratching my head. Can't say that there were many pieces that I might be able to find a place for in our home. Colour me surprised.<br />
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Following our circuit of the whimsical, surreal and perplexing, the Upper East Side, thankfully, revealed a bit of herself to us and we found a small wine shop that was open on Sunday. Knowing that we were heading back to Central Park - and to one of my absolute favourite locales in all of NYC - to rest our weary tootsies, I spied what promised to be a splendid pairing for our destination.<br />
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The crowds and perpetual parade of folks at the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace isn't the most treasured facet of my attachment to this landmark. That would be more of its easy atmosphere for contemplation when you find yourself virtually alone in the space. But, lying down on the adjacent grass, with a glass of wine, as you watch the world go by is pretty ideal all the same.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1969. 2014 Caves D'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé (Côtes de Provence AOC - France)</span></i></b><br />
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A bottle of chilled Rosé on a hot, sunny afternoon, while lounging in a much-loved haunt is about as good as it gets in my book. And how great is it that we happened onto a bottle of Whispering Angel for our visit to the Angel of the Waters? I wouldn't call it a whisper that the label cried out to me back at the bottle shop; it was more of a scream. Like, "Angel wine, Angel fountain. Don't you see the symmetry?"<br />
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I understand that this is a rather well-known and well-received Rosé among many critics and in a number of markets. I don't recall having seen it in the Vancouver market at home but, then, our market is more awash in the more economic, commercial Rosés - unless they're locally produced in the Okanagan. This Provençal version - as to be expected - is primarily Grenache, Rolle (local name for Vermentino) and Cinsault. Dry with hearty minerality, it didn't take long to finish off the bottle.<br />
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Naturally, just after we'd finished our last sips and were packed up and ready to head out, the floor show - or should I say "terrace" show started up. We'd been perfectly seated for the show to come but the Afro-Bats arrived about 15 minutes too late. We stuck around to watch the comedy/acrobatic show for awhile - and Boo was even plucked from the crowd to "participate" in a stunt - but, ultimately, there was a lot more banter and solicitation than there were tricks performed.<br />
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Sunday in the park is one thing, but cocktail hour was calling our name back at the hotel.<br />
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<br />Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-14156641447824986212015-08-10T15:54:00.000-07:002016-02-08T16:29:10.193-08:00Turning The Table in Manhattan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the perks of our hotel in NYC was a rooftop deck where martinis on our own or communal wine and sangria tastings offered a civilized passage to the evening, all while sipping and recounting the day's activities with the Empire State Building filling our immediate skyline.<br />
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No wine to add to The List with this post but I am pleased to add a Guest Alcohol:<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: orange;">Long Table Distillery London Dry Gin (British Columbia)</span></i></b><br />
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Boo and I are creatures of habit in that we always grab a bottle of Vodka and/or Gin before boarding a plane at YVR so that we have some ready cocktails when we reach our destination. We were quite surprised to see <a href="http://longtabledistillery.com/">Long Table</a>'s Gin available as we readied for our flight to New York. Craft distillery wares aren't usual fare at the Vancouver Airport. This was quite a treat and I think it easily lived up to the pressure of meeting Manhattan cocktail standards.<br />
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Thing is, we were enjoying our martinis so much that we cut our timing close to make it to Broadway - especially since we were going to grab last-minute tickets. We opted for Hand to God - an irreverent puppet comedy that takes fundamental religion in small-town Texas to task. Naughtier than even Avenue Q's puppetry magic. We laughed long and loud.<br />
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If this was to be a naughty weekend in The Big Apple. This was Broadway at its naughtiest. And we loved it.<br />
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<br />Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-49730078692676531602015-08-09T18:54:00.000-07:002016-02-08T15:42:56.852-08:00The High Line & Wine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You might say that one benefit of being well behaved - some might say boring - upon the arrival of our naughty weekend in Manhattan, is that we actually got up early enough to grab coffee and a bit of a wander before our scheduled rendezvous with old friend, Berra Yogi. Ms Yogi had to teach a class first thing and we arranged to meet at Eataly around 11.</div>
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Boo and I recalled the Union Square Greenmarket as a major find during our last foray to NYC. My sense of direction wasn't as sharp as it should have been but we eventually found it. I know that I'd be a regular if I lived here. Even if the foods weren't as enticing as they were, the people watching alone was worth the effort.<br />
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Of course, we had what turned out to be one of the biggest laughs of the entire trip. We'd paid some hefty American dollars for last night's grilled duck hearts. Well, sure enough, we found a booth at the market that was dedicated to all things Hudson Valley duck. The sign that caught our attention most, however, was "Why not try some Duck Hearts <b><i>as a treat for your cat or dog</i></b>." Seems like there isn't much difference between haute cuisine for yourself and your pet in NYC.<br />
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I don't know anyone who feeds duck <i>rillette</i> to their pets though. So, Boo and I got right back on the duck and grabbed some for our pending picnic lunch with Berra Yogi.<br />
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If we found the Union Square Greenmarket to be exciting, Eataly was downright orgasmic. I'd never heard of Eataly before but it's a veritable love letter to Italian cuisine. It's as if my favourite Italian deli in Vancouver and Whole Foods had a love child - and then doubled or tripled the size. Mamma Mia!<br />
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We grabbed some smart coffees and wandered aisle after aisle, desperately trying to limit the number of items we threw into our basket. This was going to be one helluva picnic.<br />
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Despite all the fun we had cruising the aisles, we were running late and had to mosey on. But, not before we hit the adjacent - all Italian - wine shop.<br />
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It was now Saturday afternoon in Manhattan and the High Line - an elevated and abandoned spur of the old New York Central Railroad that's been converted into a linear park through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea - was packed. Surprisingly, the least used section of the park seemed to be the only grassy section. We took up residence and ripped into our treasures from Eataly.<br />
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Oh, and opened a couple of bottles of wine.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1968. 2013 La Spinetta - Toscana Vermentino (Toscana Fermentino IGT - Tuscany - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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There was no hesitation before I grabbed this bottle for the picnic. La Spinetta is one of my favourite Italian wineries - ever since Boo and I visited it during our visit to Italy in 2008. Problem is, no one in the Vancouver market seems to carry their wines at all. Seeing that this was a Tuscan wine was also a little surprising in that we visited La Spinetta in Piedmont where the winery was established. If I'd previously been told that there was also a Tuscan operation, I'd forgotten.<br />
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We know La Spinetta more for their Barbarescos and other reds but I figured a picnic in Manhattan's summer heat called for a cooled white. I'm not really familiar with the Vermentino grape - particularly as a varietal wine - and I have no idea if this bottle was a good, bad or indifferent representation of the grape. There was a richness to the body but not a lot of fruit on either the nose or the palate. Herbal notes were perhaps a little more noticeable. All I know is that paired with prosciutto, cheese, olives and incredible bread - not to forget the duck rillette - and I was a happy camper.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1969. Villa Sparina Gavi (Gavi DOCG - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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I knew nothing about this wine; however, it was in the wine shop cooler, it had a interesting bottle and I'm always up for trying out something new.<br />
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Gavi is the region. Cortese is the grape. Turned out that it didn't do too much for any of us. It came across as tamer than the Vermentino and the acidity, that might have brought the overall reception up a notch or two, was decidedly missing. In looking up the grape in Jancis Robinson (et al)'s tome, <i>Wine Grapes</i>, even the sub-heading for Cortese is "generally rather bland northern-Italian white that shows its best varietal face in Gavi." Like the La Spinetta, I don't know if this was a favourable take on the varietal wine but it didn't do anything to make me swear allegiance to the grape for time memorial.<br />
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Once we eaten our fill of Italian fare and re-corked the balance of the Gavi, we wandered some more along the High Line and bid "<i>adieu</i>" to Berra Yogi. Unfortunately, she was off to work. As for our plans, cocktails and Broadway sounded like worthy strategy.<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-80446648598757486912015-08-08T18:55:00.000-07:002016-02-07T11:42:19.165-08:00A Naughty Weekend in NYC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Out of the Pride Parade panoply and into the fire. Following our adventures in Pride last weekend, Boo and I were looking to keep the groove flowing - and where else to give it the old college try than in the Big Apple!<br />
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I'm set to make my way to the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference that's being held next week in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Boo decided not to join me at the conference but I was able to talk him into a naughty weekend in Manhattan beforehand.<br />
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We arrived at our hotel late Friday night and were pleasantly surprised with the fact that we were staying a stone's throw from the Empire State Building. Not that Manhattan is ever without a view at hand, but catching one of the iconic shots from your front door and your room window is a bonus.<br />
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Desperately eeding a bite to eat, our concierge directed us to Lupolo, a new hot spot that just happened to be on the same block. He advised that there's normally up to a two hour wait to get a seat but we might luck out seeing as how it was already 10 p.m. and our hotel had an "arrangement" for priority seating for its guests when possible. Despite the hour, the restaurant was full. After a surprisingly brief wait, we took two seats at the bar.<br />
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The name - Lupolo - apparently means "hops" in Portuguese and this was a take on the beer-centric tavernas in Portugal called "<i>cervejarias</i>." In New York terms, we'd found an upscale brewpub. Thing is, we didn't know that at the time. We'd been told that the proprietor had a more elegant, Michelin-starred restaurant in town and this was all about Portuguese tapas. In retrospect, that probably explains the limited wine list.<br />
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No matter, we took the bartender at his word that he had a Rosé that paired perfectly with everything on the menu.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1967. 2014 Herdade Rocim Mariana Rosé (Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal)</span></i></b><br />
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Turned out he was correct.<br />
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Herdade Rocim is an example of a new breed of Portuguese wineries, particularly in the southern part of the country, that are adopting a more modern take on winemaking - including cropping yields, production standards and updated equipment in the winery and a goal to execute a more restrained and elegant wine (as compared to many of the rustic and simple table wines that Portugal was more associated with in the past).<br />
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The winery was only established in 2000 - a mere pup by Portuguese wine measures. Their Rosé is a blend of Touriga Nacional (60%) and Aragonez (40%) (a regional name for Tinta Roriz) that was medium-bodied and fully dry with, perhaps surprisingly, a nice streak of acidity.<br />
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As suggested, the wine went far too nicely with our range of tapas - from shrimp turnovers and octopus rice to <i>açorda</i> (bread porridge) and duck hearts. The last plate was a special that night and it was a real hit with Boo and I. Composed of duck hearts that were grilled with pickled mango and jalapeños, we thought this would be a prime dish to try and recreate for our Dinner Club. We just wouldn't be able to tell Lady Di or She Who Must be obeyed that the protein was duck heart.<br />
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Being tired from the day's travel, we didn't stick around for a second bottle or any of the multiple offerings on tap. Nor did we play bright-eyed tourist and hit the town. Kinda sad, in hindsight, for a Friday night of a "naughty weekend," but it felt like a pretty good start for a couple of old guys like us.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-71993988526550492712015-08-03T17:42:00.000-07:002016-02-06T17:51:20.358-08:00Pride & Prosecco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alright, I won't try to kid anyone. This post is going to be far more story- and photo-centric than it could ever be about wine. After all, I can't say that I know anyone who attends a Pride Parade thinking it's going to be a high end, snootified wine tasting. We're far more likely to be applauding vintage biceps than Barolo and praising pecs than Pétrus.<br />
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That being said, our little gang does try to accentuate our celebration with a sip here and there.<br />
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For a slew of years now, our good friends, Lady Di and She Who Must Be Obeyed, have hosted a Pride Parade gathering. They live right on the parade route and we've laid stake to a section of sidewalk that puts us smack dab in the action. It started with a simple recreation of a living room with some patio furniture and well-placed plants. In the last five years, the number of guests has grown and the outdoor designs have taken on a life of their own - including smart cocktails, appies and BBQ - with annual themes eventually creeping into the picture. This year, the grrrrlsz opted for an Arabian Nights/ I Dream of Jeannie concept.<br />
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Boo and I hit the tickle trunk and pull out all things Abu Dhabi from our visits with Miss Jaq in the UAE.<br />
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Seeing as how the Parade is always held on the Sunday and our celebration stats kicking in around 10.30, the cocktail of choice is often a Mimosa. So, there's usually a steady stream of corks being popped for more bubbly. Only problem with blogging the wines is that most decently priced bubbles don't come in vintages. It makes it hard to continually find new bottles to try and add to The List.<br />
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There are always a couple to be found though - particularly with the increasing interest in Proseccos and other Italian bubblies.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1965. N.V. Cavicchioli 1928 Spumante (Modena - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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Not only was this bottle perfectly festive for a Pride Parade, its <i>demi-sec</i> sweetness also worked well for the Mimosas. The Spumante might have been a bit too sweet to drink for long on its own - although you could, especially on a hot summer's day. The lower 8% alcohol level was helpful as well, given the length of the Parade.<br />
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The most remarkable part of this year's Parade was that Justin Trudeau (just before he was elected Canada's new Prime Minister) wandered right alongside our oasis. Not noticing that the Liberals' contingent was approaching, I'd just picked up a smokie for lunch and, naturally, I took a big bite JUST AS JUSTIN CAME WITHIN A COUPLE FEET OF ME!! Not only could I not speak to him, I couldn't even shake his hand as mine was covered in grease and mustard. All I could do was shrug, point to the dog and attempt a weak smile as I mumbled "sorry" with my mouth full.<br />
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If that's not enough to drive a guy to drink, don't know what is. If I hadn't had one in my hand at the time, I would have needed to grab another.<br />
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Once the Parade was over and our oasis was put away, Boo, Mr. D. and I made our annual trek over to the big fair at Sunset Beach where we sit back and watch the crowds while sipping on a bottle or two.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1966. N.V. Sommariva Conegliano Valdobbiadene Brut (Prosecco Superiore DOCG - Italy)</span></i></b><br />
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This year, we stuck with the keep-it-cool-and-refreshing, bubbly theme.<br />
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This was yet another Italian bubbly that I hadn't run across in the Vancouver market. Drier than the Spumante, I was just as happy that neither Boo nor Mr. D. were sipping at the same rate they were this morning. It meant there was more for me to drown my sorrows with. After all, how many times do you get the opportunity to shake hands and/or chat with your country's head political leader? And there I am with a wiener in my mouth.<br />
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I can't even imagine what (our future) PMJT was thinking as he passed by. Hopefully, he saw a number of even stranger things during the course of the day.<br />
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Despite the political mis-step, it was a grand day for all. Next year, I may have to either forego lunch or pay better attention to which groups are approaching during the Parade. The good thing may be that I'll be long finished with blogging The List. So, I'll be able to drink whatever we like next year. No stress in picking wines - just in being careful when contemplating my next wiener.<br />
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Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000952900764545843.post-5056206464380072012015-07-30T15:26:00.000-07:002016-02-06T15:41:31.381-08:00A Little Planning en BlancIt may cause all sorts of controversy and it even spawned an alternatively themed protest but, like it or despise it, <i>Dîner en Blanc</i> has established itself on the Vancouver social calendar over the last three years. It doesn't appear to be slowing down either as this year's fourth edition is set to light up the night in white with its largest gathering yet.<br />
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Knowing that there would have to be incredible energy and supreme inventiveness put into this year's plans, we figured we should have a gathering of the clan to puts some plans to paper. Naturally, Soolu brought along a Vodka punch to get those creative juices flowing.<br />
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Boo and I learned of the Parisian off-shoot too late to make it to the year one show but we've decked ourselves out in white for the last two years and done what we could to brighten up the scene. Once you've attended one of the grand affairs, you have the opportunity to invite two guests the following year. Boo and I grew to a foursome with Mr. D. and Soolu last year and, this year, we're up to eight.<br />
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With our gaggle of gays being that large, we're hoping for more than a little fabulous and "<i>Je ne sais quoi</i>" at our table. After all, if Boo and I are, once again, going to be among the oldest folks in attendance, we have to bring just a little bit more to the table to show all those Millennials that being long in the tooth doesn't mean that you don't know your way around a soirée. We may no longer party until dawn with the post-dinner bash, but I'm going to argue that it's only because we're so stuffed after eating our extravagant meal.<br />
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The wine selection at <i>Dîner en Blanc</i> is limited - and uninspiring - at the lower end of the price range. So, we made up for lacklustre wines at the actual party by pulling the corks on some interesting wines tonight.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1961. 2012 Henry LaGarde Malbec (Mendoza - Argentina)</span></i></b><br />
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Despite my jones for all things Argentine, I can't recall having previously run across a Henry LaGarde wine. I don't know what kind of a presence they have in the Vancouver market but I don't think they even attended the Vancouver International Wine Festival the year that Argentina was one of the featured regions. That was in 2010 and we saw more Argentine wines that year than probably any other, ever.<br />
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Ah well, their Malbec is now on The List and the bottle didn't last long at all with this group. That should be no surprise, however, Malbec and dining al fresco just go hand-in-hand. The easy fruit just seems to slide out of the glass - much like how some of our group will be gunning to slide the pants off some of the bounty of strapping diners at the party.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1962. 2010 Les Halos de Jupiter - Rasteau (Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC - France)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">1963. 2006 Black Hills - Nota Bene (Okanagan Valley VQA)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: orange;">2008 Red Rooster Meritage</span></i></b><br />
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Once the BBQ was out of the way, I seem to have gotten more caught up in our planning session than I was in taking photos for the blog. I know. What's wrong with that picture? Well, the answer is that there is no picture of two of the evening's wines. I suppose you'll just have to take me at my word that the Nota Bene and Red Rooster empties were there during the next morning's clean-up.<br />
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Les Halos de Jupiter and its selection of Rhônes is gaining a bit of a following locally. I'm more familiar with their Châteauneuf-du-Pape but this Côtes du Rhône Villages is a welcome additional to the fold. I remember - from many, many years ago when I was just being introduced to wine - that I regularly reached for a Côtes-du-Rhône for picnics and the like. Funny how I'm still a fan.<br />
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I don't need to go into Black Hills much here since this is the sixth vintage of Nota Bene to be added to The List. Bottles from 2001 through 2005 are already listed. As one of the Okanagan Valley's icon wines, it seemed a natural to bring it out for some iconic Dîner planning.<br />
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The Red Rooster Meritage isn't as heralded as the Nota Bene but this wine did win a 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Award as one of the province's top wines and the winery certainly has as many of its wines mentioned on The List as any other because of Boo's and my long-time association with Red Rooster's Adopt-A-Row program. The 2008 Meritage has actually been added to The List in two formats since we've polished off a regular bottle and it was the wine that filled Boo's 3-Litre, 50th birthday bottle that we recently added at <a href="http://2001bottles.blogspot.ca/2015/06/boos-big-day.html">#1939</a>. Hence, it doesn't get added again tonight.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>1964. 2005 Château Rieussec 1er Grand Cru Classée (Sauternes AOC - France)</i></b></span><br />
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Once we'd divvied up the various courses and decided who was bringing what plates and service items, we settled into Boo's peach pie and a treat to toast this night and the big evening to come.<br />
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I don't pretend to know much about the First Growth wines of Bordeaux - at least not from a tasting standpoint. The price tag attached to a Château Margaux or Lafite Rothschild doesn't quite fit my budget - whether for Tuesday night or a special occasion. I think it's safe to say that I haven't met a Sauternes that I didn't like though and this one happens to be a <i>Premier Cru</i> (meaning that the winery was identified as one of the top wines in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855). Château Rieussec is still around today; however, it has changed hands a number of times since the 19th Century. The most recent sale, in 1984, saw Rieussec purchased by the Domaines Barons de Rothschild, owners of Château Lafite Rothschild. Different owners or not, it would seem that the "premier" classification is still being earned as the 2001 Château Rieussec was named <i>Wine Spectator</i>'s Wine of the Year in 2004. Luckily, we picked this one up when Marquis, perhaps the city's top private wine shop, had some on sale.<br />
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If we can't drink such a bottle on the actual big night, we might as well do so when making our plans for the dinner.<br />
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Now, we just need to get all our ducks in a row. That is BBQ Duck and a row of cheeses for a final course.Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10780915815141544313noreply@blogger.com0