Lummi Island Wine Tasting July 6 ’13 4th of July Weekend
CCSVI (Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency)
Last Saturday we had a long conversation with visitor Ben Munkres about CCSVI (which stands forChronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency), and its possible role in the development of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The theory is that MS and a number of other chronic debilitative diseases are caused by, or at least made worse by, blockages or constrictions of veins that move blood from important centers of brain activity. CCSVI advocates believe these blockages can be alleviated by vascular surgery or angioplasty.
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See brief ‘before’ video
See brief ‘after’ video
In Ben’s case, he had rapidly advancing MS for several years and had lost a considerable amount of function when he learned about CCSVI. He told all of us in the wine shop about how he felt his symptoms disappear while the procedure was being done a couple of years ago. So now he is on something of a crusade to extol the benefits of the procedure.
If you Google CCSVI, you will find a lot of information pro and con. As Ben suggested, much of the “con” is from mainstream medical interests. He is convinced that the medical and pharmaceutical industries have been doing very well with diseases like MS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimers, conditions that are chronic and increasingly debilitating over time, with essentially no hope of recovery…perfect Cash Cows. There is nothing so convincing as someone who has experienced a Miracle Cure, and these days the credibility of medical, financial, and insurance institutions has been deeply compromised. My take-away from the afternoon’s conversation is that vascular intervention worked for at least one man, and I would probably look into it if I or anyone close to me was so unfortunate to get one of these really horrible related conditions.
The Italians are back!
Lovers of Italian wines will have noticed our stock has been getting quite lean of late. Partially that is because we order many of the Italian wines we carry from an importer called Small Vineyards. Twice a year their representative puts on a tasting at a nice Bellingham restaurant for those who buy wines for shops, stores, and restaurants in the area. What sets the SV tastings apart from most others is that it is a sit-down affair, with a story about each of 20 or 25 wines, their wineries and winemakers as you taste them, along with a parade of delicious food. This is in sharp contrast to typical trade tastings, which are in a warehouse-sized room with perhaps hundreds of wines at 20 or 30 tables, and your mission is to taste as many as you can in a couple of hours, and maybe pick a few to bring into the shop.
Btw, this SV model is the same one we will be using in the shop very soon to introduce YOU to wines Ryan will be importing from France in the fall. Samples will be arriving soon, and just as SV does, we will host an event in the next few weeks where you will be able to taste each wine, munch a little something, and hear about who made it and where it comes from. Then you can pre-order those that you want and a few months later: Voilà, here is your wine!
As for this weekend, we will be pouring three of the new Italian arrivals, each the latest vintage of wines we have been consistently impressed with year after year. As I write this I am “previewing” the 2011 Poderi Elia Barbera d’Asti, and it may be the best one ever, smooth and delicious, with dark notes of cranberry, leather, and maybe just a touch of horse sweat on the nose…!
Fourth of July
Every Fourth of July I like to remind people to “Watch out for Falling Elephants!” That’s because of a limerick that was popular in our neighborhood in New England when I was a kid. It goes like this:
“I asked my mother for fifty cents
To see the elephant jump the fence;
He jumped so high he touched the sky, and
Didn’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
Well, this morning Judy O came by for a small “wine emergency” (Remember: we are open Fridays 4-7, Saturdays 2-6, and anytime for Wine Emergencies!) I knew that Judy grew up on Cape Cod, and here it was the 4th, so I asked her if she knew the limerick, and she did! That suggests it is a New England thing, not just a Maine thing. Cool! Pass it on: maybe it can become a Global Thing, and Everyone can be on the alert for Falling Elephants on the Fourth!
This Week’s Tasting
Trevisiol “Rosecco” Sparkling Rosé Italy $15
Where prosecco meets rosé; Light and effervescent wine that dances on the tongue with fresh berries, lively acidity and gentle bubbles.
Marchetti Later Harvest Verdicchio ’12 Italy $16
Full-bodied with lush notes of pear and melon, with beautiful acidity. An extra month on the vine delivers not sweetness, but rather greater body, structure, and fruit essence. Entirely satisfying!
Poderi Elia Barbera d’Asti ‘11 Italy $14
Balanced, soft, and rich, with freshly pressed cranberries on the nose, and lush palate of pomegranate, bright acidity, and soft tannins that beg for pairing with a savory meal.
Stonecap Cabernet Sauvignon ’11 Washington $9
Opens with aromas of blackberry, spice, and oak followed by flavors of currants, raspberry, and hints of chocolate and coffee on a smooth finish; a perfect companion to grilled meats.
Almirez Toro ’08 Spain 91pts $22
Vivid ruby. High-pitched red berries and spices on the nose. Silky in texture and emphatically fruity, offering fresh raspberry and cherry flavors and a hint of tangy minerality. Very fresh, with strong finishing spiciness and lingering mineral note. Impressive clarity and focus.
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2072 Granger Way