Lummi Island Wine Tasting March 10, ’12
The Art of Wine in Spain workshop last Sunday was packed to the rafters, with a good time had by all. Ryan has really stuck a chord with his unique ability to link the concept of terroir with not only the signature soil and climate that produce the grapes of a region, but also the cultural elements of food, art, and literature from the same region. I loved his reading of the scene from Don Quixote where, asleep and dreaming, DQ is slashing wineskins with his sword, splashing wine Everywhere, immersed in the illusion that he is prevailing against an evil foe–to the chagrin of the innkeeper and his faithful Sancho!
THE NEXT “ART OF WINE” Workshop is NEXT SUNDAY, March 18!
The Art of Wine in Italy
Ah, si, signoras et signori, tune in to the dark fruit and spicy aromas of a fleshy Valpolicella as the lively Baroque strings of
Vivaldi fill the room…ponder the celestial tableaux of Michaelangelo while savoring a bold “Super-Tuscan” blend of the native
sangiovese with the interloping cabernet…revel in the absurdist genius of Fellini’s mise-en-scène paired with a glass of the golden-colored Frascati that has been the drink of Rome for almost 2000 years…!
See flyer for details about each workshop, and call Ryan soon to reserve your place (758-2020), as many have already signed up for the whole series.
Willows Willows Willows
Last Saturday we enjoyed a nice turnout, some regulars and lots of new faces. The Willows is open again after a two-month remodel and reorganization, and our dear friend Lisa, who mans (womans?) the front desk there (bless her heart) channels many of the Willows guests our way on Saturday afternoons (not that there is much else to do here, as most of you know…!). As often happens, many guests came and went before I remembered to get the camera. This handsome couple are both lawyers; one practices law, and the other sells airplanes for Boeing. Can you guess which is which…?!!
In the midst of the many dislocations and disruptions facing many Islanders because of the (excuse me, rant coming on) idiotic, moronic, self-serving, unimaginative, misinformed, and misanthropic policies of our illustrious County Council over the past six years, which have made life on Lummi Island unsustainable for those with young families, those who commute to the mainland for work, and those who have always had to scramble to meet various economic challenges to continue to live here, the present success enjoyed by the Willows has given some 40 people work and income, and that is a wonderful thing for which we are all grateful.
“Cuters and Cuters” “Cuters and Cuters” “Cuters and Cuters”
We have known for some time now (years!) that our little space has amazing acoustics. This becomes clear to everyone present when the ninth or tenth person enters the space and attempts to engage in conversation. Somewhere around that number (we have commented on this before) the noise level jumps discontinuously some quantum level. It is really quite puzzling, much like the phenomenon of traffic jams, in which you crawl along for miles at a snail’s pace until, for no apparent reason, you emerge into a clear zone and the traffic resumes normal speed. HUH? WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT? So we have actually been exploring various anti-acoustic panels we might install on the ceiling to muffle the sound.
Given all that about sound, a fairly major and eye opening ( more like “ear-opening) Major (perhaps “minor…?) event of the day was the delightful discovery that there is an Upside to the acoustic sensitivity of our little space. This came about because a charming young couple from the mainland spent much of the afternoon with us before the conversation turned to the fact that they played music, and had their instruments with them, and would we be interested in having them play at the shop sometime? Well,sure, good idea, how about Right Now??!! So they did! They are Kelly and Timothy, aka “Cuters and Cuters” (their current stage name); she plays mandolin, he guitar, and sometimes there is a cellist, and they sing. Their rhythms remind me of Fado, but they didn’t know about it. All you need to know is that they sat by the stairs to play, and they sounded GREAT! They have promised to return, and we heartily look forward to it!
In the meantime, we would like to open up the idea to our regulars and visitors that we welcome visits from acoustic musicians on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. We can’t pay you, but you can have a free tasting, pass a hat, hawk CD’s, and schmooze with the faithful. How about it? Play for 30 minutes, get a free wine tasting. (Best to call in advance: 758.2959)
Political Rant Political Rant Political Rant
Finally, I am afraid I cannot let this week pass without acknowledging the surreal political scene unfolding around us daily, mostly from the lunatics vying for the Republican Presidential nomination, but more importantly, from the fact that these Bozos have any traction at all in a supposedly sane world. (In these troubling times of course it is only natural to turn to Wine for the solace and comfort we all long for…!)
Anyway, this week, in which many events competed for our “R U Kidding Me” award, one event stood out which is, I must say, unprecedented in my lifetime (and I am an Old Guy) as a departure from collective norms. That is the astonishingly hateful and slanderous attack by right-wing commentator Rush Limbaugh on a young (read “powerless”) female law student because she testified before Congress in favor of coverage for birth control in national health insurance plans. The thing that takes my breath away is that Limbaugh’s comments are so slanderous and hateful, yet somehow under today’s rules he can say these things without fear of legal action. And while it is somewhat reassuring that some 45 companies that have sponsored Limbaugh for years have pulled their ads, it is clear that both their decisions to sponsor him and their decisions to drop him were purely financial. If, as Mitt Romney claims, “Corporations are People, my friend,” we can be sure that they are not fettered by the inconvenience of mere conscience…and that is not very comforting….
Okay, moving on…
This week’s wines: I didn’t realize it when I picked these, but they are all about Big Flavor, an antidote for the SNOW and freezing temperatures this week!
Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino 2010 Italy WA89pts $13
It’s back! A gorgeous white wine, with hints of papaya, passion fruit, flowers and light honey woven together in a fabric of notable elegance, followed by clean mineral notes that frame the finish beautifully– a totally convincing, harmonious white to supplement nearly any dish.
Emilio Moro Resalso ’07 Spain $13
nice density to the berry, floral and vanilla notes in this lively red. Medium-bodied, with light tannins and enough acidity to balance the sweet oak.
Piatelli Malbec ’09 Argentina $15
Complex nose of exotic spices, floral notes, and assorted black fruits; impeccable balance; a generous and inviting malbec, well made and a solid value.
Ojai Santa Barbara Syrah 05 California $24
Juicy, up-front style; delicious cassis and cherry fruit interwoven with licorice, camphor, and pepper
Lummi Island Wine Tasting March 3 ’12
THE NEXT “ART OF WINE” Workshop is THIS SUNDAY!
The Art of Wine in Spain
Take a tipple of aged, dry Sherry while you indulge in the sensuous imagery of Garcia Lorca and the engaging symmetry of Picasso…taste the nuances of a rich red Rioja as the ethereal notes of Ravel tickle your ears… pair Cervantes’ Don Quixote with the outlandish scenarios of Almodovar and a plump, juicy Monastrell from Jumilla…indulge and learn!.
See flyer for details about each workshop, and call soon to reserve your place! Call now… Ryan: 758-2020
FRIDAY NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT
We continue to be open Friday evenings from 4-7. For $5 you get generous tastes of a couple of particularly nice wines and a tasty plate of crackers, cheese, olives, and charcuterie to help take the edge off after a hard week. We like Fridays because we get to sit on the other side of the bar and schmooze with all of you while Ryan does the hosting and pouring. It’s our little Friday night salon. Let your hair down, come on by on the way home, and stock up for the coming week!
Avignonesi Avignonesi Avignonesi Avignonesi
When we were in Italy in 2010 we made a journey east of Montelpulciano into the dramatic rolling hills that define the region. The Avignonesi winery is set on top of a ridge in an old monastery; the entry drive along the top of the ridge goes through a long double row of thick, old cypress trees that have been here for a LONG time. We were originally drawn here after learning that the winery used the ancient settonce system, in which every wine is the center of a hexagon of vines planted in all directions and trained by the alberello method. With no wires between the vines, people and equipment can traverse the vineyard in many directions not possible with the strict rows of the cordon method.
So of course we were delighted to find a lovely (and inexpensive!) wine from Avignonesi to offer for tasting this weekend. It is something of a “super-tuscan,” a blend of sangiovese (“blood of Jove”), cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. We had a case around for the last week or two that has somehow disappeared, and another few just coming in. This is a spectacularly under-rated wine for its modest price of $14.
This weekend’s wines:
Four Vines Naked Chardonnay 09 California
“Naked” means “no oak” on this wine, which offers a strong Sauvignon-like citrus edge, with notes of lime and lemon. Medium- to full-bodied, clean and refreshing– an old favorite here, though it’s been awhile since we carried it…
(Also, you might notice that the usual 4Vines label is altered slightly to give the vines a little more, um, personality…)
Casillero del Diablo Carmenère ’10 Chile $9
Forward and direct, showing a range of sour cherry, red licorice and damson plum notes liberally laced with toasty vanilla.
Familongue “Le Carignan” ’09 France $12
A hit at Ryan’s recent “Art of Wine in France” tasting, this lovely old vines carignan has brambly dark fruit, a soft palate, and great depth of flavor.
Avignonesi Rosso ’08 Italy $14
Primary aromas of raspberry, cherry cola and sweet spices. Juicy, pure red berry flavors are complicated by tobacco and earth notes with addictive fruity appeal. Finishes medium long and gentle.
Lummi Island Wine Tasting February 25 ’12
LEAP DAY LEAP DAY LEAP DAY LEAP DAY
Well, I have just been on a weird little browsing journey. As often happens when I start this blog, I look for something timely, humorous, zany, or offbeat to start with. So because it’s 2012, it is also a Leap Year, and that means that there is a whole day reserved for February 29. So, okay, I thought, what about those people who were born on Leap Day? There is the old thing about their only aging 1/4 as fast as the rest of us, and I found this old site (1996) which does a nice job of debunking that. Surely there must be some kind of story here…?
Well, okay, I thought, let’s read more (yes, I confess, I do speak to myself “editorially”), and that led me to “famous people whose birthday was Leap Day.” Most I had not heard of, but two stuck out– Jimmy Dorsey (1904) from Big Band days, an acquaintance of my parents, and “Tempest Storm” (real name Annie Blanche Banks) 1928, identified as a legendary striptease dancer. Okay, I thought, that’s a great stage name, let’s find a picture of her. The Web being what it is, there was no shortage, most not appropriate for this blog (even though tame by contemporary standards). The photo that caught my eye is on the left, with her next to…could it be…are you kidding? OMD…it’s Elvis!
Further browsing revealed details of their connection in an excerpt from her memoir —an interesting read–and by the way, she was also acquainted with the likes of Mickey Rooney, JFK, Englebert Humperdinck, and Sammy Davis Jr. And most important, of course…and which is the whole point here– she was a Leap Day Babe…er, Baby…!
So to all you Leap Day Babies out there, drop by this weekend or next (oh, what the heck, there can’t be that many of you, come BOTH weekends!) for a Free Wine Tasting. One birthday every four years…you deserve it!
THE ART OF WINE Workshop Series The Art of Wine in Spain The Art of Wine in Spain The Art of Wine in Spain
This past Sunday was the first of Ryan’s four workshops (The Art of Wine in France)–it was full, it was REALLY fun, it was fascinating! Ryan leads you on sensual journey linking the wine, the art, the literature, and the food of four regions in each country.
The next workshop is on Sunday, March 3: The Art of Wine in Spain:
Take a tipple of aged, dry Sherry while you indulge in the sensuous imagery of Garcia Lorca and the engaging symmetry of Picasso…taste the nuances of a rich red Rioja as the ethereal notes of Ravel tickle your ears… pair Cervantes’ Don Quixote with the outlandish scenarios of Almodovar and a plump, juicy Monastrell from Jumilla…indulge and learn!.
See flyer for details about each workshop, and call soon to reserve your place! Call now… Ryan: 758-2020
FRIDAY NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT
We continue to be open Friday evenings from 4-7. For $5 you get generous tastes of a couple of particularly nice wines and a tasty plate of crackers, cheese, olives, and charcuterie to help take the edge off after a hard week at The Factory. We like Fridays because we get to sit on the other side of the bar and schmooze with all of you while Ryan does the hosting and pouring. It’s our little Friday night salon. come on by on the way home, and stock up for the coming week!
DISCOUNT DISCOUNT DISCOUNT
After all these years, probably everyone knows about our “Buy any four bottles and we pay the sales tax” policy. Here in the Evergreen State that is a pretty big deal because the sales tax is a whopping 8.6% including the local taxes. We started that policy years ago because we thought if Haggen’s could do it, WE could do it. Of course, they have a lot more volume than we do (that’s why so many of you bring in your old Haggen’s wine bags for us to reuse (keep ’em coming, it really cuts down our bag expense!). But really, we would like to be your Go-To wine shop, and would love to hear suggestions about what it would take to make that happen. We are working on a system to let you pre-order online for either pickup at the shop or even delivery on the Island. Let us know if that is appealing.
Also, we do have feedback from some of you that bought wine during our end-of-2011 $99 case sale that you like the idea of just having us pack up a mixed case for you. We would also appreciate any suggestions about what that might look like. Your thoughts will be most appreciated!
SPRING SPRING SPRING 
In case you hadn’t noticed, and in accordance with our Decree on Groundhog Day, it is really trying hard to be Spring around here. As nearly as I can tell, the only thing holding it back is that some of you are still wearing Winter Blues (as we called them in the Navy) and staying home on weekends when you should be stepping out— and coming here to join the fun. While the old Zen adage is true that
Spring comes, the grass grows by itself
That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t also take a mental and perhaps spiritual housecleaning to notice that indeed the days are longer, indeed the snowdrops are in bloom, indeed the daffodils are only days away from blooming…!
Revelers from last weekend…!
This week’s tasting:
Novelty Hill Chardonnay Stillwater Creek 09 Washington 91pts $17
Smooth and round, with a spicy, creamy blanket wrapping around a deftly balanced core of pear and citrus flavors that extend into the graceful finish.
Rubio San Polo ’09 Italy $14
From Montalcino, but neither a Brunello nor a Rosso, this lovely upstart bursts from the glass with layers of dark fruit that build with notable intensity. Plump and engaging, thi wine is a huge overachiever in its price range.
Chateau Lestrille Bordeaux Superior ’09 France $14
A hit at last weekend’s Workshop: Modest plum and cherry fruit is laced with rhubarb and savory herb hints, which persist through the juicy finish.
Garnacha de Fuego 08 Spain $9
Sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines; purple-colored with spicy black cherry aromas that jump from the glass; this is a forward, friendly, ripe effort with no hard edges.
Lummi Island Wine Tasting February 18 ’12
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FEBRUARY 19: The Art of Wine in France
Ryan has put together a new series of FOUR tasting workshops on Sunday afternoons, two weeks apart, beginning THIS WEEK, FEBRUARY 19! Each tasting will explore experientially how the wines of a region embody the cultural influences of the area. So you taste the wine, eat the food, see the art, hear the literature, and at some level grok the links among them. It’s fun, it’s interesting, it’s amazing, and we are really looking forward to it! It puts wine into the broader context of its cultural setting to show how this wine could only come from this place. See flyer for details about each workshop, and call soon to reserve your place!
Call now…room for just one or two more for this Sunday! Ryan: 758-2020
FRIDAY NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT
We continue to be open Friday evenings from 4-7. For $5 you get generous tastes of a couple of nice wines and a little plate of crackers, cheese, olives, and charcuterie. We like Fridays because we get to sit on the other side of the bar and schmooze for a change. It’s a little “salon-like,” and may morph into something more structured come Spring. Come on by– it’s a lot easier to chat than on a busy Saturday!
GRUNER VELTLINER GRUNER VELTLINER GRUNER VELTLINER
Our white wine this week is curiously unknown by most Americans. It is the most abundant grape in Austria, and they drink so much apparently little escapes their borders! It has the complex flavors and great acidity of riesling, the fullness of chardonnay, and often a spicy, peppery tang– so it pairs well with just about any dish, and it’s delicious all by itself.
Read more: It’s Gruner “Velt-LEEN-er !!” (not Gruner VELT-leen-er!!…who knew???!)
DAVID COFFARO DAVID COFFARO DAVID COFFARO
Last week’s special tasting of current releases from David Coffaro made believers out of all who came by. The wines are big, plush, and fruit-forward, definitely New World (well, except maybe for the Carignan…) and a bunch of you splurged for a bottle or two ($25-30 range). Still, we have a bunch left, so look for it. If you didn’t get by to taste them, all you need to know is “it’s not your mother’s merlot.” (depending on your mother, of course).
OLD VINES OLD VINES OLD VINES
Like the reverence some cultures have for their ancestors, wine lovers often develop a reverence for Old Vines. Grapevines being what they are (thirsty sun-worshippers– sound familiar??), the older they get, the deeper they grow. The deeper they grow, the more the water they drink takes on the chemistry of the soil they inhabit.
Vines are “mature” after about 30 to 50 years, and the term “Old Vines” usually is reserved for 80, 90, or over 100-year-old vines. These venerable beings are in the business of alchemy at its highest level, transforming water and sunlight into grapes, the fruit of the vine, the nectar of the gods (and mortals!) that so greatly enhances and illuminates life on this Earthly plane.
Read more: (click)
This week’s tasting:
Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner “Gobelsburger” ’10 Austria $16
Subtly floral scents; complex notes of cress, citrus peel, fresh green bean, and even coffee and lentil combine for a delightful intro to this delightful Austrian varietal. The brashly juicy palate leads to a finish of impressive length, wherein salt, stone, and iodine convey dynamic and complex interaction with fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Peirano Estates The Immortal Zin Old Vines 09 California $10
Hand selected from gnarly, twisted, 115-year-old vines; deceptively subtle aromas of this wine combine red and black cherry, mineral, earthy rhubarb and slightly spicy red fruit; palate is wrapped in velvety layers of sweet red cherry, strawberry, cocoa and juicy red fruit leading to a lengthy, almost breathless finish.
Tres Picos Garnacha ’07 Spain WA92pts $14.
Heady black cherry and blackberry aromas, Asian spices, incense, and mineral notes lead to a dense, layered, rich old-vine Garnacha that over-delivers in a big way, leading to a layered, intense, rich Garnacha with gobs of succulent fruit, excellent balance, and a plush finish.
Perazzeta Erio ‘09 Italy $14
From a family winery just south of the Montalcino appellation (we also carry their exceptionally good olive oil!) comes this Sangio, cab, syrah blend (”Super Tuscan)– Balance, extract, and rich, intense fruit..
2072 Granger Way