Lummi Island Wine Tasting November 2 ’13

Posted at October 31, 2013

Nope, not open this Friday, either!

Well, the good news is that Ryan is back from France, and next week we will resume our regular Friday hours from 4-7, including the latest loaf of fresh-baked bread from Janice’s wood-fired oven. The bad news is that we will not be open this Friday, November 1. We will, however, be open the usual hours on Saturday, November 2 from 2-6, and look forward to seeing you then!

 

 

Grenache Blanc

rocaliere compositeFor the third week in a row we will be featuring a wine from one of our favorite French wineries, La Rocaliere located in Lirac in the southern Rhone Valley near Avignon. This week’s wine is their Lirac Blanc, a blend of grenache blanc and clairette, two varietals that may be new to you.

click on link above for lovely intro to their website…and turn your sound on

Grenache Blanc is thought to be a mutation of Grenache Noir, having originated in northeast Spain centuries ago before going to France, where it has flourished in the Languedoc and the Rhone Valley, especially in Chateauneuf-du-Pape (across the Rhone from Lirac). We found it both in Spain and France, with slightly different characteristics depending on where it is grown, and really liked it in both places. In both countries it is a major component of aromatic white blends, adding crisp acidity, medium to full-bodied texture, and slightly floral components. It can show pleasing notes of green apple, pears, cider, honeydew melon, white peaches, golden raisins, lemon, dill, white flowers, or sage. It is now grown also in Washington, and I predict it will become increasingly popular in the coming years.

Clairette is the most-produced white grape in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; it was also often used to make vermouth, because it produces wine high in alcohol and low in acidity. I confess I have not tasted a clairette by itself, so cannot say much about it, except we will look for one so we can all try it!

 

Library Reopens!

For those of you who may have been away on another planet for the past year, your attention is invited to our beautiful, newly remodeled Island Library, which recently reopened even though it is not quite fully completed or furnished. It is far enough along to earn lots of oohs and ahs from visitors, though. This project has literally been years in the planning, fundraising, and construction, and lots of Islanders played helpful roles, beginning with the tireless volunteers of FOIL (Friends of the Island Library), who saw the need, made a plan, raised money, put out the specs for bid, and stewarded the process through every step. So hats off, my friends, and Three Cheers for FOIL on a job well done!

artist’s conception, above

Also, kudos to Mark Sexton and his crew, who did a great job including lots of necessary adjustments as the demolition phase revealed a host of surprises about the original structure, and to KC of Island Quality Painting, who donated the labor for the entire interior painting. And let’s also raise our collective glasses to the entire community of volunteers who moved, dug, scraped, cleaned, stacked, unstacked, schlepped, measured, sawed, nailed, caulked, sanded, painted, shingled, swept, installed, and otherwise donated their time and talents to this massive community effort!

dscn0357 (Modified) current reality, left!

Whatcom County Library System will be moving in new shelving and books in the next week or two, and the Library will hold its Grand Opening party on Sunday, November 17. Mark your calendars!

 

 

 

 

This Week’s Tasting

La Rocaliere Lirac Blanc ’11 France $16
Grenache Blanc and Clairette blend. Subtle, elegant floral aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, and verbena. Rich and round on the palate, with wonderful notes of fresh citrus.

Montes Classic Malbec ’11 Chile           88pts            $11
from nearly 100-year old vines in the Colchagua valley; ripe dark cherry and creme de cassis on the nose while the palate offers ripe, chewy, dark cherry and bilberry fruit encased in fine tannins and a pure vanilla-y finish that is satisfying.

Terres D’Artagnan Gascogne ’10        France $9
Alluring nose of black raspberry, flowers, and garrigue leads into a very juicy, round and harmonious palate with velvety, soft, ripened tannins and fresh acidity.

Scarafone Montecucco Rosso  ’08  Italy   $12
90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A rustic Italian red with aromas and flavors of dried cherry and dark blackberry, with a somewhat toasty character that includes bramble and dried herbs with a hint of leather.

Vin du Lac Les Amis Riesling  ’10     Washington      $8
A blend of riesling (green apple aromas and flavors), Muscat (honeysuckle), and Gewurztraminer (earthy spiciness) that combine into a delightful, aromatic, and refreshing wine.

Wine Tasting

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