Lummi Island Wine Tasting June 25 ’11
Well, here it is, the Summer Solstice. I have never figured out if the Solstice (longest day of the year) is the same think as “Midsummer NIght’s Eve,” since mid-summer would be, technically speaking, halfway between summer solstice and fall equinox, the summer version of Groundhog Day, which is, as we all know, halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. This diagram explains it all in simple terms. (All you need to know is that a good diagram is worth thousands of words, and a poor diagram is worth…well……..hmm)
THE BIG NEWS is our NEW SUMMER HOURS: Beginning June 30 we will be open THURSDAY AND FRIDAY EVENINGS FROM 4:30 -7:00 PM!!! (As well as the traditional Saturdays from 2-6pm). We are not entirely sure what this is going to look like, but down-the-road possibilities include munchies, an abbreviated tasting –maybe one red and one white?– and a chance to avoid the weekend rush and pick up a few bottles for the weekend. It might even morph into a Friday night “salon”…where Anyone might show up, and we could find ourselves talking about…Anything!…more about that next week! For now, pencil in the possibility of a Thursday or Friday night visit!
possible Salon topic: “And you think MY outfit is Weird??…!!!
The two big wine hits last weekend, imho, were the Perazzeta rose and the Piaggia Carmignano Riserva, which I got on a closeout. The wine was so good, we sold out quickly, but–good news–I found another case which we should get in before the Fourth! This is one of those wines I am tempted to move directly to the private cellar: a lovely wine at a bargain price!
Wine Tasting Classes with Ryan Wildstar
The last class in this series is July 10 and will will pair wines with art, music, and poetry. I have NO idea what that is going to look like, but I am Totally looking forward to it! Call now to reserve a spot! The first three classes have been fun, informative, and delicious, with interesting and delicious wines and food pairings.
This week’s wines:
Gordon Brothers Chardonnay ’08 Washington $10
A mix of new and used French oak. The nose offers up a hint of toast, baking spices, apple, poached pear, and white peach. Vibrant on the palate, it has plenty of savory fruit and a lengthy finish.
La Coterie Beaumes de Venise ’08 France $15
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 5% Mourvedre. Like a fruitcake, with aromas of ripe red fruit and blueberry jam; hints of kirsch, raspberry, licorice and earth on the palate; a spicy, bold and powerful wine to enjoy with lamb, venison, wild boar or even your mother in law.
Massimo Malbec 08 Argentina $10
Big and succulent, with engaging notes of blueberry pie and rich plums that into the spicy, cedary, and floral finish.
Antonio Sanguineti Nessun Dorma Toscana ’08 Italy $38
Magnum in individual wood box, beautiful package. Super-Tuscan blend of sangioves, cab, and merlot, with notes of black currant and cherry, followed by spicy chocolate. Rich and spicy on the palate, the red fruit comes on strong in the middle, with chocolate rounding out the finish.
Lummi Island Wine Tasting June 18 ’11
Seattle, a Tasting Menu
Here’s a link to yet another NY Times food article featuring our neighbors at the Willows Inn. This one talks up the Seattle food scene as a context for what’s going on at the Willows: fresh, local, creative. Few, however, are as dedicated to those three pillars as Willows chef Blaine Wetzel, who continues to pull in people from all over for the local food experience here on Lummi Island. (see pictures)
(new world!)
Wine Tasting Classes with Ryan Wildstar
The first two Sunday afternoon classes have been a huge hit! The next class is June 19 and will focus on comparing Old World and New World wines: California chardonnay vs. white Burgundy, California pinot noir vs. red Burgundy, and Australian Shiraz vs. southern Rhone. We have one or two spots open, so call now 758.2959. The next class will be July 10 ( I think we are skipping the 3rd..?), and will pair wines with art, music, and poetry. I have NO idea what that is going to look like, but I am Totally looking forward to it!
I kinda lost track of orders and spending the last week or two, so we have a Ton of wine, way more than we have room to display. All you need to know is that we are a virtual Tsunami of good stuff to drink at the moment, so be sure to come on by this weekend. We have the regular tasting on Saturday, French class at noon on Sunday (mais ouI, avec M. Ryan!) followed by the Old World/New World tasting class at 2.
Feedback was mixed last week about the ‘new layout.’ I suppose really it’s not that big a deal, but it is a struggle between aesthetics and function to move out the bistro table we have had in the front end the last couple of years. As usual on Thursday nights while I am doing this blog, Pat is out with the weekly mah jong game, which rotates among the group. Tonight they are in the wine shop, but alas, the bistro table is out on the deck wondering what will become of it in the unfolding remodel. Being a long-time hoarder of anything that might come in handy sometime, I have some challenges letting go of this table, which has added elements of comfort, function, and visual interest to the shop. I find myself reluctant to give up pleasing ambience for any sort of commercial pragmatism. The new challenge is to improve circulation without having our little space losing any of its warmth and charm. The goal is to make it even better (yah, like that’s even POSSIBLE…!)
New Theo’s chocolate shipment!
We have a new shipment of Theo’s chocolate bars (to tide you over between periodicTruffle Occasions), and there are a couple of new flavors that are completely Irresistible: milk chocolate with salted almonds and dark chocolate with toasted coconut…MMMMmmmmmm!
they have no idea Ryan’s light box (by his left ear) is recording their every move…!
Craig and Kelly, with high hopes for their Canucks in the Stanley Cup playoff…kinda reminds you of those dear, sweet, Chicago Cubs fans…”against all odds our team could, you know, conceivably prevail every million years or so,,,”This week’s tasting:
Perazzeta Sara Rosado di Montalcino ’10 Italy $12
From the same grape as Brunello (sangiovese grosso), this beautiful rose has it all: rich, bold, flinty, and summery. Only one case, this won’t last long!
La Coterie Cotes du Rhone ’10 (organic) France $10
Dark velvety purple black in colour to rim. Very young. Very primary aromas, Floral scents, blue berry fruit, hints of smoke and garrigue with a sprinkle of liqorice. Nice flow in the mouth, youthful exuberance, slightly jammy with a touch of cocoa. Has a very good heartiness with gives promise for the future.
Waterbrook Reserve Merlot 07 Washington $20 WS92pts
Ripe, pure, focused and beguiling for its balance, offering blueberry, raspberry and plum fruit at the core, layered with hints of red pepper, clove and peach fuzz as the finish extends extraordinarily well.
Piaggia Carmignano Riserva ’02 Italy $20
Got a few of these on a closeout, no rating available for this vintage. Opened a bottle, but it was seriously corked…even at that it was so good I drank a fair amount. This usually sells for $45, come see what you think!
Lummi Island Wine Tasting June 11 ’11
this first line I am supposed to say something that will impress Google’s robot so it will list us with the Stars. But the fact is that it is again late (a lot of wine over the gums), and it just doesn’t feel very creative to play the Google game right now. Not that there is a lot of creativity going on.
We are rearranging the furniture at the moment. At a “meeting” (tasting sponsored by Judy, and you locals know what THAT means) yesterday afternoon with Judy and Ryan, we are exploring some new furniture arrangements for this weekend as a way of trying to address several issues.
First, the way our space is set up tends to bottleneck people around the bar, and there are a couple of problems with that. First, a lot of people never go further into the space, so they don’t look at the art and rarely buy wine from the nine wine displays out front by the windows, and that is kind of a problem, because that’s where the Spanish wines, the Australian wines, the South American wines, the French wines, and the Italian wines are located, and we have a really awesome selection of each, so you are being seriously cheated if you don’t ever go there and check it out (I’m just saying…!).
Second, we want to open up the space by the front windows and make it more navigable, available, and accessible; right now it is tight quarters.
Third, we want to develop some other niches where people can take their glasses and put their heads together, so we are exploring various ideas from little cafe tables to pubby sideboards.
For this weekend, all you regulars should know that as an experiment we are moving the “bargain rack” to the other end of the shop, to the little alcove at the North end of the space. All of this is intended to make more efficient use of the space..feedback will be very much appreciated.
All YOU need to know is that these ideas have come to us from our friends and advisors, Judy and Ryan, who grow Oh So Roll Our Eyes Weary of dealing with our deeply ingrained ‘Morons from Outer Space Open a Wine Shop” limitations, because we always think of this place as an Art Project, not as a ‘Business,’ whatever that means. Our trusted followers should know that our priority is to maintain the spirit and energy we have come to love about this bizarre little operation, and your thoughts and opinions would be most appreciated as we explore a few changes in our layout. So drop in and check out the changing floorplan, and let us know what you think.
Wine Tasting Classes with Ryan
The next class is June 19 and will focus on comparing Old World and New World wines. We are very close to full, so be sure to call soon!
NIcole from the Automatic Earth takes a wine time out from blogging to save the Planet…
Brian trying to turn Mark into Mini-Me…
We couldn’t tell these lovely ladies that no, Lummi Island is not actually on the Mediterranean…
Sean, Elizabeth, and Leigh drop in from their time-trip to 1958…
Okay, so this penguin walks into a bar…
Ryan’s tasting class brings everyone to Wine Satori… even better than the Rapture…!
This week’s wines:
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.
Haystack Needle ‘the Eye” 07 Washington $10
The Haystack wines are assembled by Washington negociant Bob Bullock from juice purchased from various Washington wineries: Graceful and gutsy, this blend includes Merlot, Cab, Malbec, and Syrah with notes of raspberry, plum, & blueberry.
Velobra Cesanese di Piglio ’04 Italy
Fresh, intense and captivating aromas of cherry and
plum; in the mouth it is meaty, lively, fruity, and balanced. Ruby red color with dramatic shades of violet and intense aromas of prunes and mature cherries with a pleasing undertone of spice. A wine of great body, intense and persistent; serve with red meat, roasts and aged cheeses.
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.
Lummi Island Wine Tasting June 4 ’11
Last weekend was of course Memorial Day Studio Tour. Weather was pretty good, the crowds were out, and we had celebrated the opening of Ryan Wildstar’s show (and the continuation of Mary Beth’s photos) Friday night to a small but festive group of friends and family.
REMINDER: This Sunday is the second in our series of wine tastings with Ryan: A Nose is a Nose is a Nose Component Tasting, Sunday, June 5th, 2-4pm $20 (filling quickly, register now!)
A look at how wine and wine-making is influenced by terroir (soil composition) and typicity (the degree to which a wine reflects its varietal origins). To enhance the experience, we will assess a variety of wines side-by-side with an assortment of herbs, spices, rock composites, fruits, etc. that exemplify the components often reflected in the nose and on the palate. We will also talk about the basics of Biodynamic and Organic wine-making. Enjoyed with: 2 Whites, 3 Reds, and a dessert wine of different varietals from various wine regions. Surprise pairings with each wine (one pairing MIGHT be a new batch of truffles….!)
Interesting lighting on the trunk of one of the alders outside the shop in last weekend’s sunshine…yellow moss…??
Great wines for the tour last weekend. Still have some of the great bargains from Black Oak, the pinot noir from Italy and the Chardonnay from Lodi for $7, both entirely drinkable, wines to put away by the caseload for a rainy day. Or a sunny day. Or even better, a summer evening on the deck. Actually all of the wines last weekend were chosen from our “Best Buys” of the year so far, so the one thing they all had in common was overdelivering for their humble prices. Which is a Good Thing.
Well, it’s late, and time to turn in. The evening started tonight with the presentation at the Grange (Lummi Island’s unofficial Town Hall) by Nicole Foss from the website Automatic Earth. She talked nonstop for 90 minutes barely pausing for breath, and it was all very interesting (despite the unpleasant hissing and popping microphone). Check out the website for further info on how you can be ready for the BIG part of the financial collapse, which she says is yet to happen, and a lot of other really interesting ideas about energy and finance.
two more couples drawn to our shores by the Willows!
are these guys cute or what? This week’s wines:
Overstone sauvignon blanc ’10 New Zealand $10 vibrant aromas of gooseberry, citrus and melon notes with flavors of guava and passion fruit followed through with crisp, vibrant acidity.
Castle Rock pinot noir ’09 California $10 Bright aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry, tea, and herbal spice; on the palate smooth with a silky texture and mild tannins, with flavors of black cherry, plum and spice.
Castellare di Tonda Chianti ’08 Italy $10 A pretty good value in Chianti– one that has a lot of fruit and charm for the price. Try this, and ask yourself if you don’t need a case around for quick pasta dinners!
Lost River Nooksack Redd ‘08 Washington $18 Our friends at Lost River make this special blend of cab, merlot, and cab franc to benefit the Nooksack River Salmon Enhancement Administration…a worthy cause, AND it’s DELICIOUS!
2072 Granger Way
