Lummi Island Wine Tasting July 30 ’11

Posted at July 28, 2011

First, a relatively serious note, regarding the national budget nonsense. Being burdened as I am with being a recovering Economist, all of this daily drivel about “extending the debt limit” is just too much to bear. All you need to know is that BOTH so-called “sides” in this so-called “debate” are way, way, way far from any kind of Reality.

Rather than expound on this at any length, I will simply refer you to what I believe is the most cogent presentation of the issues facing us that I have heard. What neither party is talking about is that since 1940 the share of taxes paid by corporations has fallen enormously relative to the share paid by individuals (from 50% more to 75% less), while the marginal tax rate in income over $100,000 has fallen from 95% to 35% (not including volumes of new loopholes). Add two never-ending and extravagant wars, and you have spending out of control and revenue cut to the bone.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to take to the streets. The solution is not how much more to take from the middle class and the poor so the so-called Private Sector can create jobs and make it all better (new jobs are all offshore). It is probably true that the idiotic and sadistic Republican plan is marginally worse than the moronic and serving-the-same masters Democratic plan, but at the end of the day it is still more for Wall Street and less for us. As one famous Indian Chief of old put it about treaties with the White Man: “First they take the loaf, and then they take the crumbs.”

Sorry about that, but every once in a while I just gotta Rant.

On other fronts, last weekend was bad for Signs. A few weeks ago one of our regulars unfortunately backed over the sandwich board in front of the shop; I was able to make an acceptable (if you don’t look too closely) repair. Last weekend it got run over it again, and it held up pretty well except for a few tread marks. It also turned out that the sandwich board we place at the end of our street  was found in the ditch on Legoe Bay Road near where it usually stands, with one hinge torn, and of course the inevitable tire marks. And one big corner smashed a bit. So they are tough little buggers.

This last weekend of July is noteworthy–and poignant–because it marks the departure from the Island of some of our closest friends, all of whom we have met through our little wine shop: Kier and David are finishing their month down the street and heading back to Oregon, and Leigh and Brian are headed to the mainland on the first leg of their next Airstream adventure. Dear friends, you will be missed!

Last week’s wines were pretty uniformly a Hit; all showed very well in the way that makes you want to sit down and enjoy a glass with some good food, good friends, and good conversation. I think this week’s will partner well with the nice weather we are promised. Please drop by, we’d love to see you!

We have gotten a BUNCH of wine in over the last couple of weeks that I think you will like a lot. Last weekend we poured the Mt Baker riesling, and on Thursday and Friday their delightful Rousanne, a terrific bargain at only $9. I ordered another five cases, cuz this vintage is almost gone, and I really like this stuff. We still have a few in the shop if you can’t wait, but more is on the way.

This week’s wines:

Quinta de Aveleda vinho verde  ’09    Portugal       $10
Selected from the best grapes (Loureiro, Trajadura and Alvarinho) from the year’s harvest for blending vinho verde  to produce a high quality Vinho Verde.

Montfaucon Gardettes rose ’10     France         $12
A rosé de saignée with a deep pink coloured blend of Cinsault, Counoise and Grenache with delicate aromas of peach and violets.

Secco-Bertani Valpolicella Valpantena Ripasso 07    Italy          $14
The wine undergoes an 11-day maceration in vats at a controlled temperature and then refermented over Recioto Amarone skins, following the traditional Veronese technique called “Ripasso”. 75% of the wine ages in large Slavonian oak casks, 25% in French oak barriques, for approximately 18 months; it is refined in bottle for a minimum of 90 days.

XYZin ’08    California       $14
Opens with an attractive aroma of rose petals, juicy pomegranate, and warm brown sugar. Strawberry, and plum fruit dominate the entry and lead to a plush mid-palate redolent of dark cherries and mulberries complemented by earthy dimensions of sandalwood, fresh bay leaf, and chocolate.

Wine Tasting

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Comments are closed.