Lummi Island Wine Tasting July 19 ’13
Maine
We are back from our week in Maine and my 50th HS reunion. It was the first time I have visited my home state as something of a tourist– an odd experience that comes to most of us when the passing of our parents leaves no family “home” to go “home” to. As mentioned last week, we stayed at the somewhat worn but still entirely pleasant Lucerne Inn, a familiar landmark of my youth, which we found comfortably creaky and out of square.
Last Sunday we had a double treat on the coast at the seaside family home of a classmate in Brooklin (home of Wooden Boat magazine, aka “Mecca” to wooden boat lovers!). After a little wading on the beach a short walk away, we had a leisurely outdoor brunch , complete with lobsters, corn on the cob, and fresh mussels, . On the coast we enjoyed a beautiful and comfortable sunny day, while inland temperatures approached 90. That heat wave continued till our departure flight from Boston on Tuesday morning. I had forgotten how hot and humid it can get in the Northeast…!
Here’s Pat talking with my classmate and our gracious hostess Joellyn ( her dad was my Little League coach…!) about the fine points of making truffles. If all of you are lucky, that could mean that maybe Pat will make another batch soon. Probably you should start lobbying her if you want to make that happen…!
It’s no accident so many Lummi Islanders have Maine roots; much about our surroundings here is reminiscent of the Maine coast. (though of coss we ain’t got no lobstuhs out heah like they do back theah…) One difference I noticed this time is that maybe because the terrain is more even in Maine (trees are shorter, mountains there are hills here…?), there is somehow more sky in most views, and in some way there is something comforting about that. Does that make any sense…?
The three-hour brunch was followed by an afternoon gathering at my niece’s house about a half hour up the coast, where we were treated to even more fresh Maine mussels, gathered that morning by her husband. It is worth noting that back in my youth No One in Maine ate mussels. Lobster, yes. Clams, yes. All kinds of fish, yes. But no mussels. And although there are some farmed mussels in Maine, a la our own Penn Cove, where they grow on nets hung from rafts, the “wild” ones are beautifully barnacle-laden, their shells wonderful shades of yellows, grays, and greens, and though they are good-sized, the flavor is a delight even with no accompaniment (except of course a nice white wine…in this case a perfectly serviceable pinot gris from a box!) Yes, folks, they are that good!
The Great Chili Cookoff Comes Again!
Okay, fellow Islanders, it’s here again, the something or other-th Annual Chili Cookoff this Saturday from noon to 3. This year we are neither cooking nor judging, so it will be fun to taste the delicious offerings from the usual suspects and always a few newbies. This is of course an annual fundraiser for the Heritage Trust, and draws crowds from Five Counties! (yes, I am making that up). This event has become an icon of Lummi Island Summer, so we know we will see most of you there.
And if you can still stand after all those beans, peppers, and beer, don’t forget to stop by the wine shop on the way home! We have a great tasting this weekend, featuring some new arrivals from our friends at Small Vineyards that are as Delicious as they are Curiously Underpriced! Need I say more??
This week’s tasting
Villa des Anges Rose ’12 France 90pts $10
A classic Provencal rose with fresh, crisp aromas of orange peel, wild strawberry and mineral water and a juicy, lively palate.
Martina Prieto Verdejo ’09 Spain $10
Delights the palate with flavors of nettles, ripe pineapple, dried mint, and pencil dust on a crisp, fresh frame. From vines planted in clay, shells, and limestone in the Rueda wine region.
Finca El Tesso Tempranillo ‘10 Spain $10
Already a local favorite–fruity and soft, with scents of violets, raw meat, sea salt and mineral; a perfect match for Serrano ham.
Gran Passione Rosso Italy $11
Raisined Corvina and Merlot meet to form this soft, lovely red wine with soft notes of rich red and black fruits, prunes, and raisins.
Mas Oncle Ernest “Patience” ’10 France $22
40% Syrah, 60% Grenache; perfumed nose of lilacs and roses, with fleshy palate of blackberry bramble, blackcurrant, and vanilla.
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2072 Granger Way
Hi Rich!
I enjoyed reading your Maine commentary! Miles and I are off to Orr’s/Bailey Island in a few weeks!
Hope you’re well,
~Grace