Rumblings on Wine - Snowstorm Edition

[David M. Bueker]

So far I have managed to survive Dryuary 2022 without spilling any wine. Hasn't really affected my overall paper towel usage. Oh...wait...that's not what it means?

What wine goes with Wordle?

There was a Dutch study of 10 Year Tawny Ports ( https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2022/01 ... age-claims ) that found a number of mostly cheaper wines did not meet an average age of 10 years. Fascinating study that managed to prove some wines did not meet a rule that doesn't actually exist. Yay Science!

I was asked what wine I could never give up. I through about it for 10 seconds and said "Champagne."

I don't recall who actually said it, but David Schildknect (or maybe it was Terry Theise) once wrote about a winemaker who said vintages come too quickly. I agree. Winery "save the date" emails come way too often, and it's as if the next vintage comes every six months rather than every twelve. Dropping from lists (actually did the unsubscribe!) just to keep things from turning into an avalanche.

Had a Pinot Noir this week (Domaine de la Côte) that was very good. It was intellectually interesting, and also food friendly. Problem was that it was not any fun to drink. It turned into an academic exercise rather than pleasure. Hello "unsubscribe" link.

Chili tonight, so it will be Zinfandel. Zin always makes me smile. It's fun!

Chilli great! Me..Chinese BBQ Duck.

[David M. Bueker]

Chilli great! Me..Chinese BBQ Duck.

That sounds delicious Bob!

No snow here, but unseasonably chilly. Space heaters in use; work quite well when we're only using 1-2 rooms at a time.

For snowstorm folks, sounds like red wine and fireplace time. Stay warm...

[Jenise]

We briefly considered doing a dry January. No doubt we would benefit from the exercise, but social obligations made it impossible.

We have, however, successfully cut back by about half. Like last night, after a dry afternoon watching football with dry-January believers, I poured us each a cold glass of cheap California chardonnay (purchased for a marinade, leftover) on ice. It was thirst-quenching after all those peanuts, which was all that was needed. When Bob asked for a second glass, I said 'no'. Damp January Victory!

Okay so I was rooting for KC and SF and didn't get either, but along the way I kind of fell in love with Joe Burrows so there's my pick for the Superbowl.

What vintage was your Domaine de la Cote, David? I was unimpressed by the '14 early in its life, but a bottle about two months ago was Burgundian magic.

On Friday night I opened a 2004 LdH Tondonia Blanco. It re-opened the wound that was me finding and buying the last two bottles available at retail in Haro, giving them pride of place in the nine bottles (only nine!!!) I was allowed to bring home in my luggage on that trip (due to a stopover in Dubai) and somehow months later realizing I only had one. I couldn't have lost it. Was I mistaken about having two? No no, I remember how excited I was to find them after discovering I couldn't buy the Blanco at all at the winery, which we'd visited, and the retailer expressing chagrin as he had finally decided to take those home for himself that very night (I did not give one back, I told him you're here, you'll get more). The box arrived home in my luggage, unopened. And yet somehow...did I dream it? Did I have an LdH loving friend who would help themselves to it? Perish the thought. But anyway, I had one and now I have none, and the veal scallopini in sherry sauce with artichokes was a very, very worthy partner.

[David M. Bueker]

It was a 2019 Domaine de la Côte.