This the yearly "Grand Tasting" at my local wine chain. It is notable to me for, last year, having missed lunch and their food table, I decided to go through the tables anyway and try the wines. Amateur that I am, I hate to discard and waste the wine and spill it out so, by the fifth table or so, I was a bit foggy. As I reached for the glass to sample, I knocked over a bottle of unopened wine from the table, which hit the door with the biggest bang I've heard away from a firing range. Every head in this huge place turned to see what happened. A wine seller picked up the bottle, miraculously unsmashed, and put it back on the table (I wouldn't have bot that one) while I mumbled some apology and my wife grabbed my elbow and said "we're done". I can't remember if they snapped a Polaroid mug shot of me to put next to the door for this year's tasting but I wouldn't be surprised. Aside from a chance to tell a story, I'm posting this year's list of wines so that if the savants on this board see several that I can't miss, please let me know. This year, I'm going to eat something first and discard (I think).
I notice the years are not listed...
Table 1 - Trio Wines
____ Pine & Post Riesling, Washington
____ Pine & Post Chardonnay, Washington
____ Andeluna Chardonnay, Argentina
____ Andeluna Torrontes, Argentina
____ Pine & Post Merlot, Washington
____ Pine & Post Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington
____ Andeluna Malbec, Argentina
____ Andeluna Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina Table 2 - Boston Wine
____ Juve Y Camps Brut Rose, Spain
____ Itsas Mendi Bizkaiko Txacolina, Spain
____ Castillo de Almansa Garnacha Tintorera, Spain
____ Bodega Pirineos Mesache Tinto, Spain
____ Almira Los Dos, Spain
____ Rioja Vega Joven, Spain
Table 3 - K's Importing and Distributing
____ Gancia Asti, Italy
____ Gancia Prosecco, Italy
____ Gancia Moscato, Italy
____ Laurel Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, California
____ Marrenon Chardonnay, France
____ Zestino Pinot Grigio, Italy
____ Cubica Pinot Noir, California
____ Le Vieux Logis Cotes du Rhone, France
____ Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico, Italy
____ Cellier de Princes Chateauneuf du Pape, France Table 4 - Horizon Beverage
____ Korbel Sparkling Rose, California
____ Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
____ Big House White, California
____ Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, California
____ Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, California
____ Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel, California
____ Banfi Centine Toscano Rosso, Italy
____ Montecillo Crianza, Spain
Table 5 - United
____ Bollinger Brut NV, France
____ Zenato Pinot Grigio, Italy
____ Argiolas Costamolino, Italy
____ Falesco Vitiano Rosso, Italy
____ Mazzoni Toscana Rosso, Italy
____ Il Poggione Rosso, Italy
____ Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre, Italy
____ Gaja Promis, Italy Table 6 - Commonwealth Wines
____ MacMurray Pinot Gris, California
____ Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
____ Frei Brothers Chardonnay Russian River, California
____ MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California
____ Whitehaven Pinot Noir, New Zealand
____ Dancing Bull Zinfandel, California
____ Frei Brothers Merlot, California
____ Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Continued on next page...
Table 7 - Carolina
____ Peter Lehmann Layers White, Australia
____ Rombauer Chardonnay, California
____ Peter Lehmann Clancy's Red, Australia
____ Penfolds Bin #2 Shiraz Blend, Australia
____ Nine Stones Hilltop Shiraz, Australia
____ Rodney Strong Alex Valley Cab Sauv, California
____ Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, California
____ Caymus Conundrum, California Table 8 - MS Walker
____ Domaine St Michelle Brut, Washington
____ Hugel Riesling, Alsace
____ Hogue Late Harvest Riesling, California
____ Cono Sur Dry Riesling, Chile
____ Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling, Washington
____ Columbia Crest Grand Estate Chardonnay, Washington
____ Columbia Crest Grand Estate Merlot, Washington
____ Chateau Ste Michelle Cab Sauv Indian Wells, Washington
Table 9 - Classic Wine
____ Marcel Martin Vouvray, France
____ Lafite Special Reserve White, France
____ Tariquet Sauvignon Blanc, France
____ Blondeau Sancerre, France
____ Lafite Special Reserve Red, France
____ Chateau Lyonnat, France
____ Chateau Coucheroy, France
____ Cote Jardins Cotes du Rhone, France Table 10 - Ruby Wines
____ Crios Rose, Argentina
____ Crios Torrontes, Argentina
____ Santa Rita Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Chile
____ Casillero Del Diablo Pinot Grigio, Chile
____ Santa Rita Medalla Real Carmenere, Chile
____ Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
____ Layer Cake Malbec, Argentina
____ Alice White Lexia Red, Australia |
