Lummi Island Wine Tasting Groundhog Day Weekend ’12
GROUNDHOG DAY
It is Groundhog Day as I write this, so it’s time again to consider its place in the great sidereal movement by which we humans reckon time and the passing of the seasons. As we discuss periodically in these pages, we are all familiar with the greater solar holidays, the two equinoxes and the two solstices that mark the official transitions from one season to another.
There is also an ancient tradition of celebrating the “cross-quarter days” that fall halfway between these major events. February 2 has long been known as Candlemas, Imbolc, Oimelc, Brigit, Brigid’s Day, Bride’s Day, Brigantia, or Gŵyl y Canhwyllau, falling midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In many ancient traditions it is considered the beginning of spring. In the picture, it is labeled “1st.” Our culture (yes, I use the word loosely) usually refers to it as “Groundhog Day,” but it has–literally–cosmic significance. Who knew??
As it turns out, we had a lovely, mostly sunny day today, and that probably means that the Groundhog saw his shadow, and by popular belief that means there will be six more weeks of Winter. Of course, as we can see from the diagram, it doesn’t really matter, because whether the Groundhog sees his (or her) shadow or not, there are STILL six more weeks until Spring Equinox, i.e., “winter.” I only mention this because I think here in the PNW we should just declare that Groundhog Day, aka the winter-spring cross-quarter day, is officially Our First Day of Spring. Judging from the pussy willows and other buds that are starting to appear around here, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Yay!
The Evidence is before us: six weeks ago the sun set over the hump of Orcas Island on the far left in the first picture (center of right pic). Tonight it was over Mt. Constitution. See? Spring can be anytime we say it is!
FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY
We WILL be open Friday evening this week (Feb 3) from 4-7. Ryan will be pouring a couple of nice wines, and there will be munchies. We like Fridays because we get to sit on the other side of the bar and schmooze, and because they are a little “salon-like.” Come on by!
RYAN’S TASTING WORKSHOP SERIES
Ryan is kicking off the New Year with a new series of FOUR tasting workshops on Sunday afternoon, two weeks apart, beginning . This series will be modeled after the last workshop in the summer series, in which he explored the cultural influences of the region along with the wine. So you taste the wine with regional food, experience the literature, see the art, learn about the land the the climate, and at some level make connections that link them together. 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, and call soon to reserve your place! And I can’t resist posting this photo I took of Ryan at our New Year’s party…
Saturday’s Tasting:
La Cana Albarino 09 Spain 90pts $14
Light gold-colored with an unusually fragrant nose of mineral, lemon zest, and spring flowers that jumps from the glass, on the palate it exhibits a creamy texture, vibrant acidity, and a lengthy, refreshing finish.
Honoro Vera Monastrell ’09 Spain $9
Tank aged 100% Monastrell. Its pleasing nose reveals notes of underbrush, mineral, and blueberry leading to a savory, spicy, nicely balanced medium-bodied wine.
Yellowtail Reserve Shiraz ’08 Australia $8
Cherry, blackberry, and chocolate aromas, plush mouthfeel, spicy finish with seamless tannins…
Goose Ridge Vireo 06 Washington $20 WS93pts
Firm, rich and distinctive for the black olive and roasted meat overtones that swirl around the red berry and cherry flavors, persisting impressively on the long, expressive finish. Stylish and focused, this has miles to go. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot
Lummi Island Wine Tasting January 28 ’12
2012 2012 2012
Okay, we’re BACK! We count ourselves fortunate to have hit the road heading south before the weather turned, well, ugly around here. We spent a few days with friends on the Oregon Coast at Yachats (“yah- hats”), where we enjoyed sunny days, walks along the water, and endless pounding surf…not to mention this amazing blowhole about a five minute walk from our rental (or as we learned many years ago in Mexico, “la Bufadora!” (click on photo for larger version)
After that we had a lovely drive from the coast along the Umpqua river into the Umpqua Valley wine region. We were so impressed with the scenery and the wines that we are going to work on setting up a little wine tour there, possibly also including the Rogue River appellation near and around Medford, where we also had some surprisingly good wines. Stay tuned, more on that down the road!
We also spent several days in Napa Valley, enjoying the sun, food, wine, and family. Even there it was freezing in the morning, but warmed up to the mid-fifties by afternoon…ahhhh! Tasted some wine here and there, and I did order a bunch from one of my favorite winemakers, David Coffaro, which should arrive next week sometime. When it comes in we will have a special event to let you try them. David is sometimes called the “Mad Mixmaster” because he grows a wide selection of varietals, some quite unusual, and blends them together in unusual combinations. Trust me, this is real winemaking, and you are gonna love these wines. Warning: they are a little more expensive than most of us drink daily, but you won’t be able to resist. Below is a photo of the winery; yes, that is a big screen and big speakers, more often the winery is cluttered with barrels, the latest high-tech wine equipment, hoses, a forklift, and activity. Watch the blog for more on this, and don’t miss it! (click on photo for larger version)
FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY
We WILL be open Friday evening this week (today, January 27) from 4-7. Ryan will be pouring a couple of nice wines, and there will be munchies. Come on by!
TASTING WORKSHOP TASTING WORKSHOP TASTING WORKSHOP
Ryan is kicking off the New Year with a new series of tasting workshops. This series will be modeled after the last workshop in the summer series, in which he explored the cultural influences of the region along with the wine. So you taste the wine, experience the literature, see the art, learn about the land the the climate, and at some level make connections that link them together. 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 human culture to show how this wine could only come from this place. See flyer for details, and call soon to reserve your place! And I can’t resist posting this photo I took of Ryan at our New Year’s party…
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!
This week’s wines:
Altarocca Arcosesto Orvieto ’10 Italy $14
A crisp, clean, fragrant white wine (grechetto, procanico, malvasia), bright and sunny with minerally notes of flowers, citrus, and dried fruits.
Portteus Bistro Red 09 Washington $10
58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, aged in small French oak barrels; medium body with flavors of blueberry, chocolate, cola, cigar, plum and a nice creamy finish.
Bodegas Ateca Atteca ’09 Spain $14 90pts
Displays aromas of cedar, an earthy minerality, black cherry, and lavender leading to a savory, deep, well-balanced red with succulent fruit and a lengthy, seamless finish.
Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero ‘05 Spain WA92pts $21
Purple-colored with a complex bouquet of wood smoke, toast, crushed stone, and blackberry. Supple, ripe, and forward, this tasty wine can be enjoyed now through 2015.
Wine Tasting January 21 ’12…? Unlikely!
Pat I have been on the road for a couple of weeks…a few days on the Oregon Coast –beautiful, sunny, temps in the fifties, lovely. Then several days in Calistoga, freezing at night, sunny and fifties in the daytime, some wine tasting, mostly laid back family time.
At the moment we are ensconced in a motel in Weed, CA, after a fairly challenging drive on I-5 in snow with chains required, a few hours at 30 bumpy mph. The feeling is very similar to being safely anchored in a snug harbor after too much wind and too many waves on the water…safe, snug, and happy to get off the road.
Ryan opened the wine shop last Saturday, but no one came by so he closed about 5pm. Given the continuing nasty weather, the shop will also be closed this weekend. We hope to be back in a day or two, and hopefully we will reopen to nice weather next weekend, possibly Friday evening as well as Saturday.
Wishing you all well in this challenging weather, and looking forward to seeing you soon!
(Picture below posted by Lummi Island photographer Robert Keller. )
Best New Year’s Eve ever…!
NEW YEAR’S NEW YEAR’S NEW YEAR’S
Well, it’s official! The Sixth Annual East Coast New Year’s Eve Gala was the BEST EVER! But don’t take my word for it– see the photos for yourself (links below)! A rough count suggested we had 60 people in our little space at one point, but that doesn’t seem possible. Even though it was crowded, the new layout from last summer really helped traffic flow, opening the back corners to traffic. (All right, by “traffic” I don’t mean it was necessarily easy to get into the back corner– or go anywhere for that matter– but it was possible, and people seemed to do it, with some effort and care.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The shop will be closed for inventory this weekend, January 7. We regret any inconvenience.
2. We will be open regular hours (2-6pm) the remaining Saturdays in January (Jan 14th, 21st, 28th).
3. We NOT be open Friday evenings during January–ONLY Saturday afternoons.
THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS
Thank you all for being part of the special community that has evolved around our little wine shop, and for the continuing nourishment that you all bring and share with us and with each other. Here’s looking forward to another great year together!
NEW YEAR’S EVE PHOTOS
2072 Granger Way