Reds, Whites, and Blues Cuvee: Wine Tasting July 3, ’10
About six months before we opened this place, in fall of 2004 (could it be that long?) we went to our first distributor tasting, a private one, actually, over in the industrial netherworld of West Seattle. We had NO idea what we were doing, and we didn’t know (this is where we Learned!) that when you are tasting a bunch of wines, you can’t let yourself swallow ANYTHING, or you will wind up as we did, sleeping it off in the car for a couple of hours before heading home.
One of the wineries this little outfit carried was Longoria, a boutique winery in Los Olivos (think “Sideways”). Fast forward–a couple of years later, we were in Los Olivos with some college classmates, and went to the Longoria tasting room. To make a long story short, they also make a wine they call Blues Cuvee, which is mostly cab franc, and for a number of years they have commissioned a poster for the label. You may have noticed that when we are not showing a particular artist, we have a set of “default” posters, and four of those are the very ones, and I am sure you will agree they are Very Cool! Here is the whole gallery (I just ordered the four we don’t have yet!).
The other part of that is that every year since then I think “Oh, yeah, Fourth of July…we oughta have an annual tasting called “Reds. Whites, and Blues Cuvee,” and of course it would be even better if we had a blues band or musician…but alas, I have always been talked out of it. NOT THIS TIME! No, this time we are going to do it. I have NO idea where the Blues music is going to come from, might have to dig out some old records, or some of you could bring your bands or your instruments and play on the little deck out front (NOTE: FREE TASTINGS FOR PERFORMING MUSICIANS!). Just in case no musicians show up I may set up the old turntable, though, so bring your old blues records and we’ll give’em a spin!
she’s saying “THAT wine is AWESOME!”
Mandrake gestures hypnotically…(am I the only one who knows what that means..???)
This week’s wines have to match our theme…!
Gordon Bros sauvignon blanc Washington $8
Aromas of citrus, melon and mango; flavors of lime, pink grapefruit and melon; a clean, crisp, versatile partner with fish or fowl.
Ninet de Pena Viognier ‘07 France $8 (remember, if it weren’t for the French, there wouldn’t BE a Fourth of July!)…Straw in color. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, slate, lilac, dandelion, honeysuckle, frisee, endive, not oaky, with lots of earthy elements. On the palate, off-dry notes of nectarine, peach, & intense floral element. For the price this stuff is fabulous!
Lost River Merlot 06 Washington $20
Notes of black currant and cassis, cherry, and licorice. 2006 represents a near perfect vintage for Washington Merlot. Tasted this last fall…you’re gonna like it!
Longoria Blues Cuvee ’02 California $20
This is the wine featured in the great posters we show in the gallery as part of our “default” art, when we are “between artists.” The wine is from the hills near Santa Barbara, and is mostly based on cab franc. Only have two bottles left, should be enough for tasting, and of course we can order more (now on the 2007).
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2072 Granger Way
Shoot! You missed the Umpteenth Annual “Red, White, and Blues Festival”! Longoria Wines and Buttonwood Farm Winery presented their annual salute to fine wine and the Blues, from Zac Harmon, in the vineyard at Buttonwood Farm’s pond LAST Saturday…
Next year, perhaps the Mariners will be playing in CA, so you can plane, train, or bus yourselves downhere as a group. Bring chairs & blankets, some geoducks, and listen or dance to some great blues! You can even bring some www. (Walla Walla Wine) to share-and-compare. Have a great Fourth of July. Or should I text “FOJ”?