Silver Oak just had their first big event since they rebuilt their facilities after the fire a couple of years ago destroyed everything. It was their 2004 vintage release party...and definitely more of a party than a true wine event. After fighting the throngs of crowds just to get near the front gates, I quickly realized this really wasn't so much about the wine as it was just the place to be, or, 'see and be seen' as the saying goes. I would argue to bet that 80% of the crowd couldn't name two of the varietals that make up the wine or any clue as to the makeup of the wine at all...or really even cared. Hey, it was Silver Oak for goodness sake...food, music, wine flowing freely (although it took forever to get measly pour of wine), pretty women, lots of guys, beautiful weather...what more do you need?
Well, for me, that was all fine...but I am much more inclined to pay more attention to a wine experience...maybe learn something, taste a vertical, listen to the wine maker, sit through a class about the vineyards/terroir...you know, an enriching experience of some sort. I am not sure the "cattle call" that this was is really my "cup to tea"...or in this case, my glass of wine. Maybe I'm just getting old or I'm just tired of fighting the masses when it comes to a wine 'party'. There were estimated 4,000 people that came through the gate that day...whew!
Here are a few items I'd rather see or experience when I go to winery release party or things I observe from a professional standpoint:
1. More information about the wine. There was really no direction or information about what we were tasting. Just wait in a long line to get your 2-3 ounce pour and then stand in line for 20-30 min. to get a bite of something to go with it. By the time you got your food, your glass was empty and you had to fight the crowd again...ugh! (Revised: To their credit, there were information tables and info sheets, but amongst the big crowds they could have easily been overlooked)
2. Comparative tasting of other vintages. OK, we're tasting the 2004. What was different about it over the past couple of years? How did stand up to other vintages? What was the blend for that year and why? I'd be willing to pay a little extra just to do a flight of say '02, '03, '04. Maybe they were just too focused on the '04, but then again, they did very little to provide info on it either.
3. Sell the wine more. They just assumed you knew how and/or where to purchase it. Again, there was very little direction about pricing or packages or what type of provision there was for the release party if any. I was never approached or suggested to buy the wine at any time. I'm sure they did OK with sales, but I can tell you, far less than they could have.
4. A welcome packet, brochure or map talking about what it was that I was experiencing. If it were my first time at one of these, I'd have been completely lost. I would not have known that there was also their TwoMey Merlot and their '99 vintage they were tasting in other areas. Nor was their a map or description depicting the 'story' of Silver Oak, family, or reference to the fire that forced them to rebuild this beautiful facility. I did finally find a map from someone after I asked, but they were not readily handed out when you first got there.
5. Very little personal interaction with the 'staff' of Silver Oak. You could tell that everyone with a Silver Oak shirt on was just trying to keep head above water to keep up with the massive crowds. Lots of activity and little direction.
6. No data capture of the party-goers. Nowhere did they allow anywhere to get some information about the patrons...4,000 of them! What a captive audience that got to experience your 'front door' first hand, and not one attempt gather my info. This amazes me, but I guess when you're Silver Oak, you do not need more people on your list...everyone knows you and loves you.
7. No materials to take back with me. They provided nothing to tempt me to visit them again or look them up online if I indeed had a great experience. Even just a small note card on the 2004 vintage with some details about it and contact info to follow up if I wish.
8. Nothing about their 'sister' property in Alexander Valley. I guess the focus was on the Napa property, and they had their own separate party up there. But, I actually really like the Alexander Valley wine and some reference to it would have been appropriate.
Anyway, I had a good time with friends, got to see some industry acquaintances, check out the new facility, do some great people watching and try the wine. I cannot say if I was the 'average' customer I'd be overwhelmed in to spending $100 a bottle on that particular vintage, but it was a decent enough event for my $30 entry. It was a pleasant day in the sun with my wife and friends and hey, I got two more Silver Oak glasses to take with me to replace the ones that were broken years back. Now THAT's the true "silver lining" to the whole experience...well worth it, eh?!
Until the next sip, swirl ya' later!
James
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
2009 - Time to Explore...More
One of my personal goals this year was to get a nice digital camera and begin shooting my own version of Napa Valley and the local areas. Well, after a very good referral from a photographer friend of mine, I'm off and running with my new gadget.
One of things I've quickly noticed is that you immediately become more observant about your surroundings...looking for any opportunity to shoot a good shot. I've gotten up early to catch a sunrise, taken the camera in the car on the way to work, taken it along while walking the dog, and pretty much looking at the vineyards much more diligently than ever before.
The Vineyards
There is a strange beauty in the depleted vineyards right now. The vines are being pruned back and the mustard flower is almost in full-bloom weaving its way throughout the land. Where the vines were once canopied and fully green, all the greenery is now on the valley floor and hills contrasting with the barren stalks of vines...almost giving it a sinister look to the vineyards.
Another observance is the the quicker assessment of the age of the vines. You can easily discern the young, newly planted 'skinny' vines along with the thicker, more robust aged trunks that denote its length of time in the ground. After being here for while, you can actually spot the 20+ year-old vines pretty easily in one glance.
The Land
The geology here is also pretty amazing. I had a tasting with a winemaker friend of mine that was a geologist in his former life. He now owns a vineyard up on Diamond Mountain (one of my favorite sub-appellations here) and he gave a quick lesson as we were standing atop the mountain area looking down at the valley floor. He said this area is so unique in that it comprises three primary topographies/landscape formations - 1) Volcanic, 2) Glacial, and 3) Tectonic. This was all "greek" to me, but when you look around, you can actually see these type geological activities results across the landscape.
The Seasons
Then there is the seasons as it relates to the sun. As you observe the path of the sun at different times of the year, you begin to notice how it affects the vines in various ways. As the sun goes from East to West and/or lower and higher during the seasons, you see that there is somewhat of a science to how the vines are laid out. some run North to South or East to West (or vise-versa) depending on their location in the valley or across a hilltop.mountain. This is no accident and when you talk to growers or vineyard mangers, you realize there is deep philosophy mixed with wine science that goes in to the entire process.
It never fails to blow me away when I really sit and write or think about these special things about 'wine country'. I love it here. These are just a few quick observations and I'm sure much more to come as I begin to explore this region and beyond start to train my new photographic eye.
Until the next sip, swirl ya' later!
James
One of things I've quickly noticed is that you immediately become more observant about your surroundings...looking for any opportunity to shoot a good shot. I've gotten up early to catch a sunrise, taken the camera in the car on the way to work, taken it along while walking the dog, and pretty much looking at the vineyards much more diligently than ever before.
The Vineyards
There is a strange beauty in the depleted vineyards right now. The vines are being pruned back and the mustard flower is almost in full-bloom weaving its way throughout the land. Where the vines were once canopied and fully green, all the greenery is now on the valley floor and hills contrasting with the barren stalks of vines...almost giving it a sinister look to the vineyards.
Another observance is the the quicker assessment of the age of the vines. You can easily discern the young, newly planted 'skinny' vines along with the thicker, more robust aged trunks that denote its length of time in the ground. After being here for while, you can actually spot the 20+ year-old vines pretty easily in one glance.
The Land
The geology here is also pretty amazing. I had a tasting with a winemaker friend of mine that was a geologist in his former life. He now owns a vineyard up on Diamond Mountain (one of my favorite sub-appellations here) and he gave a quick lesson as we were standing atop the mountain area looking down at the valley floor. He said this area is so unique in that it comprises three primary topographies/landscape formations - 1) Volcanic, 2) Glacial, and 3) Tectonic. This was all "greek" to me, but when you look around, you can actually see these type geological activities results across the landscape.
The Seasons
Then there is the seasons as it relates to the sun. As you observe the path of the sun at different times of the year, you begin to notice how it affects the vines in various ways. As the sun goes from East to West and/or lower and higher during the seasons, you see that there is somewhat of a science to how the vines are laid out. some run North to South or East to West (or vise-versa) depending on their location in the valley or across a hilltop.mountain. This is no accident and when you talk to growers or vineyard mangers, you realize there is deep philosophy mixed with wine science that goes in to the entire process.
It never fails to blow me away when I really sit and write or think about these special things about 'wine country'. I love it here. These are just a few quick observations and I'm sure much more to come as I begin to explore this region and beyond start to train my new photographic eye.
Until the next sip, swirl ya' later!
James
Saturday, January 3, 2009
My 2009 Wine Goals
Every new year I do goals, not resolutions. I've never really liked the idea of "resolutions" per-se...they always sounded to me like exposed past mistakes or failures attempting to turn in to a new positive movement of some sort...blah blah blah. Anyway, I do several 'categories' of goals - personal, business, family, etc. - and this year, I'm adding a new category, wine.
I never have really thought of doing 'wine' goals until now. Now, that I am living in wine country and working within the wine industry, I think it is more appropriate. I have a new position in the industry working for a high-profile premium winery that has solidified my presence here and staying in Napa Valley for a while. I couldn't be more pleased with starting 2009 in this manner.
Now for the goals...here goes:
1. Drink/open the wines in my collection that are probably near or past their prime. Believe it or not, this is no easy task. I have several 80's and 90's California reds that just plain need to be opened and drank asap. I see a "drink it or dump it" party in the near future.
2. Expand my collection to include more French, Italian and German varietals. 90% of my collection is CA red. This is primarily because when I collected a lot early on, I just flat out did not know what I was doing and made the common mistake more amateurs make. Through my wine training I've learned that regions like Piedmonte, Tuscany, Barolo, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone Alsace, Mosel, Rheingau, etc. and the such provide for much more interesting wines to age.
3. Try more wines from Spain, Argentina, Chile and Portugal. Not only do these wines provide for some incredible values, the wine quality has surprised many experts in a very short time.
4. Join a dynamic wine club (or two). It's been over 5 years since I was a member of a wine club...and I miss this immensely. Only this time around instead of joining only from one winery, I am going to mix it up and try to include a club that exposes me to new varietals from around the world that I may not normally find on my own.
5. Take some more wine classes and possibly finish my 3rd level Sommelier training. The biggest thing I've learned in my training so far is how much I actually do not know. It is truly an endless vat of information that one can only hope to grasp a small percentage of within a keen area of interest.
6. Learn more about wine making. This is probably the area of least knowledge in my wine arsenal. Aside from constantly asking questions and observing about the process from winemakers I have met and/or worked with, I'd love to some day actually make a batch of my own wine.
7. Travel to new wine country/region. This one is pretty simple...Italy (Tuscany & Piedmonte). It has been on the radar for several years and it just needs to happen sooner than later.
8. Add more features on my personal wine website, LocalWino.com. I have had this site for over a year and have several new cool ideas/features I want to add to it...much more to come soon.
9. Work a wine harvest season. Now that I am working directly with a winery, I am very excited about working in the middle of a harvest (Aug. - Oct.). The amount of activity during this time is unparalleled and there is so much to learn. Lots of extra hours, but well worth it.
10. Keep up with my wine blog writing more regularly. Ideally, every week. But knowing what type of work schedule I am probably going to be dealing with, a more realistic goal is bi-weekly. I'll leave it at 2-4 times a month I will try and write about something new...I will have more 'material' to work with being more involved, so maybe I can make it happen.
So, there's my top-10. A great start already to the year...wine-wise that is. On New Year's eve, we did open three decades of wine spanning the 80's to 2005, I've updated my blog (here), I bought some Riesling and Piedmonte wines, made a 'date' with a winemaker to learn more about the processes and joining a local wine club this week that spans the globe...now about that vacation to Italy...better talk to my new employer soon.
Until the next sip...swirl ya' later!
James
Chief Wino
I never have really thought of doing 'wine' goals until now. Now, that I am living in wine country and working within the wine industry, I think it is more appropriate. I have a new position in the industry working for a high-profile premium winery that has solidified my presence here and staying in Napa Valley for a while. I couldn't be more pleased with starting 2009 in this manner.
Now for the goals...here goes:
1. Drink/open the wines in my collection that are probably near or past their prime. Believe it or not, this is no easy task. I have several 80's and 90's California reds that just plain need to be opened and drank asap. I see a "drink it or dump it" party in the near future.
2. Expand my collection to include more French, Italian and German varietals. 90% of my collection is CA red. This is primarily because when I collected a lot early on, I just flat out did not know what I was doing and made the common mistake more amateurs make. Through my wine training I've learned that regions like Piedmonte, Tuscany, Barolo, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone Alsace, Mosel, Rheingau, etc. and the such provide for much more interesting wines to age.
3. Try more wines from Spain, Argentina, Chile and Portugal. Not only do these wines provide for some incredible values, the wine quality has surprised many experts in a very short time.
4. Join a dynamic wine club (or two). It's been over 5 years since I was a member of a wine club...and I miss this immensely. Only this time around instead of joining only from one winery, I am going to mix it up and try to include a club that exposes me to new varietals from around the world that I may not normally find on my own.
5. Take some more wine classes and possibly finish my 3rd level Sommelier training. The biggest thing I've learned in my training so far is how much I actually do not know. It is truly an endless vat of information that one can only hope to grasp a small percentage of within a keen area of interest.
6. Learn more about wine making. This is probably the area of least knowledge in my wine arsenal. Aside from constantly asking questions and observing about the process from winemakers I have met and/or worked with, I'd love to some day actually make a batch of my own wine.
7. Travel to new wine country/region. This one is pretty simple...Italy (Tuscany & Piedmonte). It has been on the radar for several years and it just needs to happen sooner than later.
8. Add more features on my personal wine website, LocalWino.com. I have had this site for over a year and have several new cool ideas/features I want to add to it...much more to come soon.
9. Work a wine harvest season. Now that I am working directly with a winery, I am very excited about working in the middle of a harvest (Aug. - Oct.). The amount of activity during this time is unparalleled and there is so much to learn. Lots of extra hours, but well worth it.
10. Keep up with my wine blog writing more regularly. Ideally, every week. But knowing what type of work schedule I am probably going to be dealing with, a more realistic goal is bi-weekly. I'll leave it at 2-4 times a month I will try and write about something new...I will have more 'material' to work with being more involved, so maybe I can make it happen.
So, there's my top-10. A great start already to the year...wine-wise that is. On New Year's eve, we did open three decades of wine spanning the 80's to 2005, I've updated my blog (here), I bought some Riesling and Piedmonte wines, made a 'date' with a winemaker to learn more about the processes and joining a local wine club this week that spans the globe...now about that vacation to Italy...better talk to my new employer soon.
Until the next sip...swirl ya' later!
James
Chief Wino
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Testing the 1997 Vintage
Since the latest reuniting with my collection, I had to go through the laborious (yet fun) task of inventorying all my wines. During this, I discovered several individual bottles of the 1997 vintage (a case in total) that I decided were worthy of a 'horizontal' CA Cab tasting. For those of you not familiar with the term - horizontal - it refers to putting together several different wines of the same year/vintage (and preferably region) for comparison tasting. Vertical tasting refers to the same wine/winery of different successive years.
Anyway, I decided to invite a group out to share in the experience. As you can imagine, it was not hard to get a lot of takers to go out and taste a bunch of premium '97 California Cabs. I had read and heard various reports about the highly revered '97 vintage with very mixed reviews of the sustainability of these wines. Overall, the "word on the street" was DRINK NOW! OK, I'll oblige, if I have to.
So, we decided to make a go of it at the local restaurant that does not charge a corkage fee. Here was the line-up:
'97 Far Niente Cab
'97 Franciscan Magnificat Red
'97 Hess Collection Private Reserve (black label)
'97 Spring Mountain Reserve Cab
'97 Dry Creek Vineyards 'Epoch' Millenium Cuvee
'97 Cakebread Cab
'97 Bacio Divino Prop Red
'97 Beringer Alluvium Red
Without boring you with all of the details of the individual tastings, I'll provide the highlights of the 'event' in summary:
- Across the board, all the wines held up very well and with the exception of one that had a bit of leaky cork, the wines still had plenty of life
- The 100% Cabs seem to have held up a little better than the blends that had leaned out a bit
- Two wines in particular needed a lot of decanting time - the Far Niente and the Spring Mt.
- The "juiciest" of the wines was the Beringer Alluvium Red exhibiting the most upfront fruit
- The wine that held its structure the best was the Hess Collection Reserve
- The best food wines were the Franciscan Magnificat and Bacio Di Vino
- My overall winner was the Hess Collection Reserve - big fruit, structure, balance, got better with every sip, good with the meats, and still had legs to store longer if needed.
After reading so much about the '97 vintage and how it was under-performing, it was nice to get a chance to experience it for myself. I think the main thing is that with the huge expectations upon launch, it had nowhere to go but down. If I was to give the collective group a rating for the year, I'd put it in 92-94 category, which is still outstanding.
I've got a few more '97's to try along the way here that includes some more revered brands such as Harlan, Staglin, Caymus, Mondavi, Justin, La Jota and many more. So, I'll gladly report back as I begin to pop these during the holiday season.
In the meantime, I'll just have to suffer opening a myriad of other 90's cabs to sort through the collection to find the missing gems...tough work I know, but someone has to do it. Never has the cliche - "so much wine and so little time" - been more appropriate with the job at hand.
Once again, I'm getting lots of volunteers to assist in this tedious project. Hmmm, good to be popular in this respect I guess. Cheers!
Until the next sip, swirl ya' later.
James
Chief Wino
Anyway, I decided to invite a group out to share in the experience. As you can imagine, it was not hard to get a lot of takers to go out and taste a bunch of premium '97 California Cabs. I had read and heard various reports about the highly revered '97 vintage with very mixed reviews of the sustainability of these wines. Overall, the "word on the street" was DRINK NOW! OK, I'll oblige, if I have to.
So, we decided to make a go of it at the local restaurant that does not charge a corkage fee. Here was the line-up:
'97 Far Niente Cab
'97 Franciscan Magnificat Red
'97 Hess Collection Private Reserve (black label)
'97 Spring Mountain Reserve Cab
'97 Dry Creek Vineyards 'Epoch' Millenium Cuvee
'97 Cakebread Cab
'97 Bacio Divino Prop Red
'97 Beringer Alluvium Red
Without boring you with all of the details of the individual tastings, I'll provide the highlights of the 'event' in summary:
- Across the board, all the wines held up very well and with the exception of one that had a bit of leaky cork, the wines still had plenty of life
- The 100% Cabs seem to have held up a little better than the blends that had leaned out a bit
- Two wines in particular needed a lot of decanting time - the Far Niente and the Spring Mt.
- The "juiciest" of the wines was the Beringer Alluvium Red exhibiting the most upfront fruit
- The wine that held its structure the best was the Hess Collection Reserve
- The best food wines were the Franciscan Magnificat and Bacio Di Vino
- My overall winner was the Hess Collection Reserve - big fruit, structure, balance, got better with every sip, good with the meats, and still had legs to store longer if needed.
After reading so much about the '97 vintage and how it was under-performing, it was nice to get a chance to experience it for myself. I think the main thing is that with the huge expectations upon launch, it had nowhere to go but down. If I was to give the collective group a rating for the year, I'd put it in 92-94 category, which is still outstanding.
I've got a few more '97's to try along the way here that includes some more revered brands such as Harlan, Staglin, Caymus, Mondavi, Justin, La Jota and many more. So, I'll gladly report back as I begin to pop these during the holiday season.
In the meantime, I'll just have to suffer opening a myriad of other 90's cabs to sort through the collection to find the missing gems...tough work I know, but someone has to do it. Never has the cliche - "so much wine and so little time" - been more appropriate with the job at hand.
Once again, I'm getting lots of volunteers to assist in this tedious project. Hmmm, good to be popular in this respect I guess. Cheers!
Until the next sip, swirl ya' later.
James
Chief Wino
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Reunited...and it Feels So Good...!
I waited five years...five trying, wishful, lonely years...to be reunited with my valued wine collection. Let me explain...
I started collecting in the early 90's after a few trips to Napa. My first purchase was a half-case of 1989 Beringer Cab with a random single bottle of 1988 (which I still have). I kept trying to collect wines but ran in to what most do in the early stages, I drank all my collections with little regard on how to actually begin accumulating the right wines. I had the odd couple of case always laying around, but most were "drinkables".
Then I met someone on a trip to Napa that gave me a few pointers on how to really 'collect'. The first step was setting aside a chunk of money ($500 - $1000) to buy en-mass separating out those to drink and those to put away for a while. Plus, learning to buy 6, drink 3, buy 12, drink 6, etc. so you actually accumulate some that you can open later along with buying some 'untouchables' for 10-15 years. I had accumulated about 150 wines or so, of which half were ready to drink (RTD). I was also a member of several winery wine clubs in the 90's collecting several wines from specific wineries that I liked (Sterling and Hess in those days...).
Then I discovered WineBid.com. Through some juicy financial years in 2001 - 04 I went on a tear buying some REAL collectibles from all over getting my collection up to about 500 bottles. I bought the the big 450 bottle Vin-temp cooler and stored a lot in my cool basement when I lived in Denver, CO. Ahhh...times were good.
Then I moved to Vancouver (Canada) for a special 2-year work project. I had to move my collection to a secure facility in Colorado, cancel all my wine clubs, could not ship anything up there and had virtually no access to fine wines without costing a fortune. (what was I thinking...?? ugh, sigh!!) And, I had to drink Canadian wines along with the odd import from Spain or Australia. California wines were ridiculously expensive and pretty much unavailable with the taxes and tariffs they put on US wines/alcohol. (what was I thinking (2)...??)
Then I moved to San Diego in '06 where I was in a few temporary living situation with work and personal stuff and it did not make sense to move all the wine out until I had the facility to take it back in. At this point, I really did not know what I had in my collection any more as my inventory sheets got messed up with all the moves and computer changes. At least I was able to drink CA wines again at reasonable prices.
Fast forward to Napa. I moved here in March '08, but again in a temporary situation as I was making a shift in work industries directly to the wine market. Finally, in July of this year we finally found a 'home' in Yountville (just North of Napa proper) where we are going to be for a while. After much trial and tribulation (and $$), I was finally able to get my wine, my cooler, and my wine stuff all shipped out from Colorado to Yountville.
At last, a physical reconnection with my long lost wines. Inventoried, organized, valued and well put away for the moment. And, all-in-all, they are in pretty good shape. Out of 40 cases, I only lost about 2 cases of wine to age/leakage/transport. The majority of all my valuables are very much in-tact. The bad/good news...I really have way too much wine to drink as most are 90's reds that need to be drunk now. I know, I know, you all feel very sorry for me...gee, why is everyone being so nice to me now...? I have a lot of new-found friends it seems.
Anyway, in my following blogs I will be giving some fun tasting notes on certain vintages, most from the 90's. And, believe me, I will work hard on getting through all of them in a timely manner...thank God for the Holidays coming up...more reasons to drink!
Until the sip...swirl ya' later!
Cheers,
JM
Chief Wino
I started collecting in the early 90's after a few trips to Napa. My first purchase was a half-case of 1989 Beringer Cab with a random single bottle of 1988 (which I still have). I kept trying to collect wines but ran in to what most do in the early stages, I drank all my collections with little regard on how to actually begin accumulating the right wines. I had the odd couple of case always laying around, but most were "drinkables".
Then I met someone on a trip to Napa that gave me a few pointers on how to really 'collect'. The first step was setting aside a chunk of money ($500 - $1000) to buy en-mass separating out those to drink and those to put away for a while. Plus, learning to buy 6, drink 3, buy 12, drink 6, etc. so you actually accumulate some that you can open later along with buying some 'untouchables' for 10-15 years. I had accumulated about 150 wines or so, of which half were ready to drink (RTD). I was also a member of several winery wine clubs in the 90's collecting several wines from specific wineries that I liked (Sterling and Hess in those days...).
Then I discovered WineBid.com. Through some juicy financial years in 2001 - 04 I went on a tear buying some REAL collectibles from all over getting my collection up to about 500 bottles. I bought the the big 450 bottle Vin-temp cooler and stored a lot in my cool basement when I lived in Denver, CO. Ahhh...times were good.
Then I moved to Vancouver (Canada) for a special 2-year work project. I had to move my collection to a secure facility in Colorado, cancel all my wine clubs, could not ship anything up there and had virtually no access to fine wines without costing a fortune. (what was I thinking...?? ugh, sigh!!) And, I had to drink Canadian wines along with the odd import from Spain or Australia. California wines were ridiculously expensive and pretty much unavailable with the taxes and tariffs they put on US wines/alcohol. (what was I thinking (2)...??)
Then I moved to San Diego in '06 where I was in a few temporary living situation with work and personal stuff and it did not make sense to move all the wine out until I had the facility to take it back in. At this point, I really did not know what I had in my collection any more as my inventory sheets got messed up with all the moves and computer changes. At least I was able to drink CA wines again at reasonable prices.
Fast forward to Napa. I moved here in March '08, but again in a temporary situation as I was making a shift in work industries directly to the wine market. Finally, in July of this year we finally found a 'home' in Yountville (just North of Napa proper) where we are going to be for a while. After much trial and tribulation (and $$), I was finally able to get my wine, my cooler, and my wine stuff all shipped out from Colorado to Yountville.
At last, a physical reconnection with my long lost wines. Inventoried, organized, valued and well put away for the moment. And, all-in-all, they are in pretty good shape. Out of 40 cases, I only lost about 2 cases of wine to age/leakage/transport. The majority of all my valuables are very much in-tact. The bad/good news...I really have way too much wine to drink as most are 90's reds that need to be drunk now. I know, I know, you all feel very sorry for me...gee, why is everyone being so nice to me now...? I have a lot of new-found friends it seems.
Anyway, in my following blogs I will be giving some fun tasting notes on certain vintages, most from the 90's. And, believe me, I will work hard on getting through all of them in a timely manner...thank God for the Holidays coming up...more reasons to drink!
Until the sip...swirl ya' later!
Cheers,
JM
Chief Wino
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Music & Wine
I love music, wine and new experiences. I love to travel. I hate the process of traveling, but I love the experiences travel brings both far and near. One of the things I like most about traveling is that I always seem to have some sort of epiphany moment along the way. I think it is just being in different environments and with various people that lends way to expanded thinking...at least for me.
On a recent trip to see my (new) nephew in Colorado, I attended many family functions. Most notably, a wedding for my niece as well. That's when I had my moment. Wine and music have a lot in common. That is, depending on the occasion, certain wines/music should be entertained.
In this particular case with the wedding, the music started off soft jazzy-slow as people mingled in, switched to certain particular songs for special moments, stayed mellow for the meal, got progressively louder and then switched gears for full on dance mode until the end mixing in a few slow songs for the romantics.
What occurred to me is that it would have been fairly inappropriate to play loud dance songs during the meal or conversely mellow jazz as everyone began to liven up. I think of wine in a similar manner and it reminds me of one of my wine teachers who always professed that there is place (occasion) for almost all wines and few should be discounted.
Think of it this way...it basically goes with the main premise of good food and wine combining - Match the 'weight' of the wine with the 'weight' of the food. Similarly, matching the proper wine to the occasion. I'm probably not popping open a nice vintage Champagne in the clubhouse after a round of golf with the guys...you get the picture.
Consider how you want to rev-up their palate, work in to the food, have with the meal and then finish off the evening. Not always, but when you have the time to plan it out. Although many will rebuke the "perfect" wine parings syndrome, I do believe that you should very much consider the occasion as much as the meal at times.
Some examples:
- Bring light fruity wines to a saucy BBQ
- Go with old-world style crisp whites with a beach crab/oyster fest
- Rose Champagne with sushi
- Rieslings/Gewurtz with spicy, savory foods
- Rose's as appertifs
- Old-world reds to game/meat roasts
- Classic vintage wines to special occasion dinners
- French wine with French food, Italian wine with Italian food, etc.
Anyway, like most of life, there are few absolutes, but worth the consideration. Next time you are responsible for bringing or choosing the wine, don't be shy to go beyond just what people are used to drinking...be the one to expand their horizons, they'll thank you for it later.
Til the next sip...swirly ya' later!
James
Chief Wino
On a recent trip to see my (new) nephew in Colorado, I attended many family functions. Most notably, a wedding for my niece as well. That's when I had my moment. Wine and music have a lot in common. That is, depending on the occasion, certain wines/music should be entertained.
In this particular case with the wedding, the music started off soft jazzy-slow as people mingled in, switched to certain particular songs for special moments, stayed mellow for the meal, got progressively louder and then switched gears for full on dance mode until the end mixing in a few slow songs for the romantics.
What occurred to me is that it would have been fairly inappropriate to play loud dance songs during the meal or conversely mellow jazz as everyone began to liven up. I think of wine in a similar manner and it reminds me of one of my wine teachers who always professed that there is place (occasion) for almost all wines and few should be discounted.
Think of it this way...it basically goes with the main premise of good food and wine combining - Match the 'weight' of the wine with the 'weight' of the food. Similarly, matching the proper wine to the occasion. I'm probably not popping open a nice vintage Champagne in the clubhouse after a round of golf with the guys...you get the picture.
Consider how you want to rev-up their palate, work in to the food, have with the meal and then finish off the evening. Not always, but when you have the time to plan it out. Although many will rebuke the "perfect" wine parings syndrome, I do believe that you should very much consider the occasion as much as the meal at times.
Some examples:
- Bring light fruity wines to a saucy BBQ
- Go with old-world style crisp whites with a beach crab/oyster fest
- Rose Champagne with sushi
- Rieslings/Gewurtz with spicy, savory foods
- Rose's as appertifs
- Old-world reds to game/meat roasts
- Classic vintage wines to special occasion dinners
- French wine with French food, Italian wine with Italian food, etc.
Anyway, like most of life, there are few absolutes, but worth the consideration. Next time you are responsible for bringing or choosing the wine, don't be shy to go beyond just what people are used to drinking...be the one to expand their horizons, they'll thank you for it later.
Til the next sip...swirly ya' later!
James
Chief Wino
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