Lummi Island Wine Tasting September 28 ’13
Another Equinox
This photo was actually a couple of days late (too cloudy on actual equinox). But you can compare the photo from last year (the camera was failing) and see that indeed the point of sunset has moved further south from our view of last year’s equinox point. All of you (both of you…?) who have followed this blog for awhile know that this business of the solar and lunar years holds a fascination for me, something about the Drama of how these huge Cycles of Sun and Moon and Earth affect everything we do. It is easy to understand how obvious it must have been to our distant ancestors that our Fate rested in the constancy and predictability of these repeating seasonal cycles.
Nowadays we can back far enough away from this sunset image to visualize our planet’s rotation and its annual orbit of the only Star we really know: all intimations of Infinity. So it makes perfect sense that our ancestral mortal beings on tiny planet Earth should have been awestruck enough by the Miracle of the Sun to have deemed it worthy of worship. Makes sense to me on these occasions when we take a moment to reflect on the celestial phenomena that define our existence…it’s almost enough to make you want to create some kind of ritual in which you sit in a group around a fire and eat and drink and dance and celebrate the Mystery of it All …!
(as usual, click on images for larger versions)
Newlyweds, Zero to Ten
Some stroke of fate last weekend brought us two couples celebrating wedding anniversaries. The newlyweds were celebrating their wedding, of course, which we could call their 0th annniversary (go ahead, say it out loud– “zeroth;” it’s perfectly acceptable mathematical Jargon!), while another couple were celebrating their 10th. One important take-way from their visits is the delightful contact jolt of well-being we all get when we are around people who are happy. It’s a drug we all love, and I’m sure you will all join us in wishing these two couples long and happy lives together, full of deep affection and good fortune. (Can you tell which couple is which…??!!)
It’s the Bottle, Stupid!
On most Mondays I join a group of curmudgeonly contemporaries for “brown-bag” lunch. Our friend and long-time member Bob Fodor, who passed on to the next world last winter, referred to us affectionately and jokingly as the “Manly Men,” which is quite a chuckle because this is a group of card-carrying nerds (I mean that in the nicest possible sense!); creative, inquisitive, curious, a little technical, a little artistic, a little independent, and more than a little skeptical of any and all Sacred Cows. In other words, like me, only, you know, more so…i.e., not your usual image of “manly men.”
One of these fine gentlemen recently encountered a wine he particularly enjoyed, and suggested I order a few for him, so of course I ordered a whole case so we can ALL try it! The wine arrived today (Hurray, Drydock is over!!!), so we will be pouring it this weekend: Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi. I have never tasted this wine, and am looking forward to it. By the way, the lovely bottle mimics blown-glass bottles used in the region hundreds of years ago.
Gavi is a famous white wine DOCG zone in Piedmont, Italy, surrounding the city of Gavi. Dating back to the 17th century, Cortese is the grape behind the wines of Gavi di Gavi, distinguished by its crisp, floral, peachy, aromatic qualities. It is mostly found around the city of Alessandria and the Monferrato hills. The wines are best enjoyed young; it goes well with Asiago and Parmesan cheeses, and is often paired with seafood.
Geese
Most days around noon we walk the dogs from the house down to Legoe Bay. Last week I posted a photo of the Great Blue Heron we encountered along the wetland just inland from the Bay. This week, with mostly gray skies and curiously little wind, I was struck by a collection of Canada Geese which had settled onto a small bar in the part of the wetland. Like monks in a Zendo, they sat very still most of the time, and the still water added glassy reflections. The combination of still birds all oriented in the same direction (sunlight from the left), the perfect reflections in the still water, and the soft fall colors in the grass and brush formed a compelling image….
This week’s tasting
Three Rivers Steel Chardonnay ’11 Washington $13
Notes of stone fruits, mineral, and green apple; medium-bodied, lively and fresh on the palate, with a clean, focused texture, juicy acidity and a good finish.
Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi ’11 Italy $17
Bright golden color. Scent of overripe pears, spices, citrus fruit and aromatic herbs; Well balanced notes of honey and butter; full-bodied and savory.
Ventisquero Carmenere ’10 Chile $10
Glass-staining purple. Smoke-accented aromas of black and blue fruits and violet, with a peppery topnote. Juicy and light on its feet, with a seamless texture and good clarity to the fresh blackberry and blueberry flavors.
Domaine Escaravailles les Sablieres ’10 France $14
(70% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre) exhibits a seductive style filled with black cherry and strawberry fruit intermixed with Provencal herb and earth notes. Medium-bodied, deliciously fruity, pure and well-made.
Avignonesi Rosso de Montepulciano ’11 Italy $17
Perfumed aromas of red berries, violets, cinnamon, and almond flower. Juicy and bright, with precise strawberry and redcurrant flavors and lively acidity. Finishes long and fresh, with lingering floral perfume.
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