Lummi Island Wine Tasting St. Patrick’s Day ’12
Saint Patrick Saint Patrick Saint Patrick
I first learned about St. Patrick’s Day when I was a small child. My mother was of Irish descent from both sides of her family (Collins and Gillis), and mighty proud of it. So she would NEVER have let us go to school on March 17 without at least some display of the Green. Not only did that mean some article of clothing, but it also meant wearing one of two little pins she had; one was a leprechaun, and the other was a shamrock. Now, bein’ Irish meself, I got nuthin’ against shamrocks, but when I was a little boy, sure and I did have a preference for wearin’ the leprechaun over the shamrock. And of course I have no idea why…it was just kinda cute is all!
That o’course raises the question of why we wear green in the first place on St. Patrick’s Day, eh? Well, why do you suppose, because originally some say that green was an Unlucky color in Ireland and that the color for St Pattie’s Day was Blue , not Green. (who knew?). In our family, at least, the explanation that makes most sense is the separation between Catholics and Protestants: Catholics wore green and Protestants wore orange. That is why the Irish flag has three stripes–green for the Catholics, orange for the Protestants, and white for peace between them. If ya don’t wear green, it’s a disappointment, but if ya wear orange, sure ‘n’ yer gonna get pinched!
Of course, we know “peace” between the Irish Protestants and Catholics has not always been an easy road–not in Ireland, not in America. My mother used to tell stories of her childhood in Maine (where I grew up, too), when the KKK was active even in the North, and cross-burnings and violence were directed against Catholics, and it was pretty scary. Her father was “the Catholic dentist,” distinct from the rest, so there was a solid cultural divide. Now, it is of course a comfort to know that here in 2012 America the Catholics and Protestants (and Mormons) are no longer divided, and have united whole-heartedly toward the peaceful respect of all religious and secular points of view…… Thus we measure our progress…and upon reflection, that may explain why you don’t have to be Irish to need a drink from time to time…and of course We Are Here For You, regardless of your religious orientation… Wine is religion-neutral, as any good leprechaun knows!
I will also take a moment on St. Pattie’s Day to offer a toast to me dear departed mother, proud to her dying breath of her Irish roots. “Remember,” she would often entreaty us, “you’re a Collins!” And proud of it, Mum, proud of it!
THE NEXT “ART OF WINE” Workshop is THIS SUNDAY, March 18!
The Art of Wine in Italy
Ah, si, signoras et signori, pair a fleshy Valpolicella with the lively Baroque strings of
Vivaldi…ponder the celestial tableaux of Michaelangelo while savoring a bold “Super-Tuscan” blend of sangiovese and cabernet…try Fellini with a tipple of the ancient grape malvasia …taste the wines, hear the music, see the art, hear the poetry…now That is Terroir!
ALSO— The last workshop in this series is in two weeks…The Art of Wine in Germany, and is already nearly full, so call now!
See flyer for details about each workshop, and call Ryan soon to reserve your place (758-2020)…only two spaces left!
Javier Javier Javier
Probably because the Heritage Trust annual dinner was last Saturday, many of our regulars came by last Friday night instead of Saturday…quite festive! That made Saturday more of a day for visitors; now that the Willows is open again, we are seeing more new faces each weekend who are staying at the Inn or one of several other rentals the Willows is now managing.
As most of you know, our shop is up a narrow stairwell such that we hear the door open and footsteps all the way up the stairs, but don’t see the arriving guests until they reach the top and enter the room. Everyone gets a greeting (unless we are Really Busy), and even after seven years we most often recognize anyone who has ever been in before. We can also usually tell if we have not seen someone before. It gets tricky, though, if someone you have seen somewhere else comes in, so they look familiar, but not in our setting.
So it was last Saturday when a charming young couple came in, and though they had not been in before, he knew me and knew the shop. And he looked familiar, but from where??? It turns out they were Javier and Shyla Alfonso, owners of Pomum Cellars in Woodinville- Javier is one of my favorite Washington winemakers! He is Spanish by birth, having grown up in the famous Spanish wine region of Ribero del Duero. His Tinto (teen-to) wine is made from tempranillo (temp-r-r-r-aneeyo) grapes, like the wines of his childhood home. We have carried the Tinto, his top blend called “Shya” (named after his wife!), and his Pomum Red blend. In honor of his visit last weekend we will be pouring the Pomum Red this weekend. Salud!
This week’s wines:
Alta Vins Domus Pensi Blanc Spain $11
Bracingly clean and zippy, this garnacha blanca comes from 1200 ft altitude from the Terra Alta region in the hills near Tarragona. (We’re going there next month!)
Alta Vins Crianza Spain $18
From the same producer, a red blend with balanced French oak and integrated tannins yielding soft notes of vanilla, rhubarb, cinnamon, and highland coffee. Try with foie gras or grilled onions!
Leese-Fitch Cabernet 09 California $10
Deep ruby in color, the nose has notes of black cherry, root beer syrup, and cedar. The 2009 vintage of Leese-Fitch Cabernet has flavors of rich berry cobbler, cappuccino, chocolate covered mints, currants & fig cake. It finishes with toasted marshmallows and dried blueberries.
Pomum Red 08 Washington $19
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Syrah, 10% Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec from an array of top vineyards in the Yakima Valley including DuBrul, Upland and Dineen . The wine is brick-red in color with noticeable exotic spice and dried herb aromas. On the palate, the wine expresses tart red cranberries and cherries. The finish, long and smooth.
Quilceda Creek 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is here!
Through an odd set of circumstances, we have apparently received our annual allocation of the new 2009 QC cab before any other wine shops in the State. Now I know that doesn’t mean a thing to most of our regular visitors and followers, so as a result we still have most of the QC releases from the past six years or so in stock. Someday, we suppose, the word will get out and collectors will beat a path to our door for it, right…? So this post is a bit of an experiment, really, triggered by this curious moment in which we are the first shop in the State to have the wine in stock. (And like most of the other vintages, we will probably still have ours years after everyplace else has long since sold out!)
For those of you who don’t know, Quilceda Creek is one of the world’s very best producers of cabernet sauvignon, having earned unprecedented critical acclaim, its last eight vintages having earned nearly perfect scores of 99-100 points from critic Robert Parker. Suffice it to say it is highly regarded and rarely appears on wine shop shelves (except, you know, out here on the Frontier…)!
Robert Parker’s review:
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley might, in the long run, prove to be at an even higher level (than the ’08). This beautifully proportioned, fragrant Cabernet deftly combines elegance and power. Give it a minimum of 4-5 years of additional cellaring and drink it through 2034.99-100 pts
Read Winemaker Paul Golitzin’s comments on the wine.
Anyway, we have a few bottles available at $190 per bottle. If you are interested drop us an email (info@artisanwineclub.com) or give a call (360.758.2959).
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.
2072 Granger Way