Wine Focus for August: What shall we do?

[Robin Garr]

The first of the month is creeping up on us fast! What'll it be next month, folks? Let's have your nominations, please, ideally with a bit of discussion as to why it's a good pick, one that will be easily accessible, without the average WLDGer's budget and of sufficient interest to get a lot of us involved in tasting and talk.

Have you done Beaujolais recently?

Given the heat I would have said a white wine, but perhaps you like to switch white to red from month to month. And of course Beaujolais can be light and refreshing and a good summer wine.

But, the 2009s are arriving with lots of attention, so there is also that curiosity factor. Even if they aren't the lightest iterations.

One never goes wrong with Beaujolais!

German Riesling might be a good topic, don't know if this has been recently covered.
I think there is at least a fair amount of interest in German Riesling - a wide range of styles, some good recent vintages, widely available in most markets and many at reasonable prices.

Beaujolais is great. The only fly in the ointment for me is that, like with Italian whites, I have none left in the cellar. Good reports about the 09s.

[Robin Garr]

Beaujolais is great. The only fly in the ointment for me is that, like with Italian whites, I have none left in the cellar. Good reports about the 09s.

Both ideas are good. We've had some excellent Riesling discussions in the past, and of course, David is a big Riesling fan and expert, and far from the only such on the premises.

On the other hand, I kind of like Beaujolais. The 2009s are getting some serious talk, and I recently reported on a sit-down tasting of Duboeuf's range, which exceeded expectations for me. They may be just now (or not yet) getting into some markets, but Beaujolais (and Gamay) should be available everywhere.

I'm inclined to lean toward Beaujolais for August, with a predisposition to get back to German Riesling soon. Let's keep the decision open for today, though, and make a decision by tomorrow morning.

[David M. Bueker]

How about Beaujolais for August & German Riesling for September. My October schedule is stacking up to be participation unfriendly.

Yes for German Riesling in September. It gives me an incentive to make inroads into my stocks.

[David M. Bueker]

Yes for German Riesling in September. It gives me an incentive to make inroads into my stocks.

You and me both.

[Robin Garr]

How about Beaujolais for August & German Riesling for September. My October schedule is stacking up to be participation unfriendly.

Sounds like a plan!

[David M. Bueker]

The intro for August will have to be on you, as I will be busy the next several days.

Plans for August and September sound good to me.

[Robin Garr]

The intro for August will have to be on you, as I will be busy the next several days.

Okay, I'll feature it in this weeks Wine Advisor tomorrow and post it here ... I've got an '08 Brun Terres Dorees that's just waiting for an excuse to talk about.

Can we have a discussion of Beaujolais that does not include the phrase "serious wine" or disparaging remarks about carbonic maceration?

[Robin Garr]

Can we have a discussion of Beaujolais that does not include the phrase "serious wine" or disparaging remarks about carbonic maceration?

Doubtful. But come on down! I'll try to avoid both offensive usages in my intro.

Can we have a discussion of Beaujolais that does not include the phrase "serious wine" or disparaging remarks about carbonic maceration?

Dave, we should run a poll on how many times "banana" will be mentioned during the month!

[David M. Bueker]

I wonder what would happen if one were to perform carbonic maceration of bananas? I think the pressure would build up to crazy levels until the whole thing went du-poof!

[Robin Garr]

I wonder what would happen if one were to perform carbonic maceration of bananas? I think the pressure would build up to crazy levels until the whole thing went du-poof!

In fairness, Duboeuf has abandoned the use of 71B yeast, and love his wines or hate 'em, I don't think you'll get banana out of recent vintages.

Another gee-whiz factoid: As non-intuitive as it seems, if someone holds banana and strawberry where you can smell them with your eyes closed, they're harder to distinguish than you might think. Apparently they're closer than you might expect on the aroma wheel.

[David M. Bueker]

Great. Now I really want a strawberry-banana smoothie.

[Robin Garr]

Great. Now I really want a strawberry-banana smoothie.

With a flower label!

[David M. Bueker]

Great. Now I really want a strawberry-banana smoothie.

With a flower label!

Last time I checked, Starbucks was not one of the Cru Beaulolais designations.

[Robin Garr]

Starbucks

Buy local!

[David M. Bueker]

In Enfield? You're kidding right? I think The Olive Garden runs the farmer's market here.

[Robin Garr]

In Enfield? You're kidding right? I think The Olive Garden runs the farmer's market here.

My heart goes out to you ...