{"id":30,"date":"2009-08-27T11:45:25","date_gmt":"2009-08-27T18:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artisanwineclub.com\/?p=30"},"modified":"2009-08-27T11:53:25","modified_gmt":"2009-08-27T18:53:25","slug":"lummi-island-wine-tasting-august-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artisanwineclub.com\/index\/lummi-island-wine-tasting-august-29\/","title":{"rendered":"Lummi Island Wine Tasting August 29"},"content":{"rendered":"

A million or so years ago when I was a young naval officer, the unwritten rule was that conversation in the wardroom (officers’ mess) should avoid the three controversial subject areas of sex, religion, and politics to avoid offending anyone. Nowadays, these are often popular and lively topics of speculation and debate, especially among familiars.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Anne-Jerry-Ria\"
\nThe reason this is on my mind is that it was a quiet day in the wine shop on Saturday, relatively speaking, beginning with a nice couple visiting from Chicago. He was reserved and cordial; she was lively and outgoing. Shortly after they arrived, Anne and Jerry (our most loyal “regulars”–see Anne’s blog<\/a>) stopped in, including Anne’s daughter Clare, currently an Anglican seminarian. So it seemed natural to move into a conversation about religion, which moved to social justice issues, which moved to general values, which moved to politics.<\/p>\n

As far as I know, our out of town guests were not offended, but one wants everyone to feel welcome, so one gets concerned sometimes. Ah, perhaps it is always a risk with a spirited debate and an interesting discussion…it is probably the main reason our shop is in existence, an ongoing salon, fueled by good wine, where we can enjoy musing about anything and everything.<\/p>\n

\"vashon_pair\"
\nOur other new guests were Kim and Carolyn from Vashon Island. Pat lived there for a time in the Wayback years, when carrying her first and only child who is now forty. We are impressed that these charming young women are not only married (in Canada) but have gone to the further trouble to have the same last name, even if they can’t “marry” in Washington. They still have a bit of “newlywed glow” about them, makes you smile to be around them.<\/p>\n

In some way the wines seemed secondary to the day, but all were tasty and appreciated. We cleared the last of the 2004 Juan Gil, which opens the door to the ’06, which is even better! The Montinore white blend contunued to please, and the Emilio Moro “Resalso” tinto fino (i.e., tempranillo<\/em>) won some advocates with its chewy freshness. But the Marchetti Rosso Conero montepulciano was the star, with its smooth texture and dark fruit. I am increasingly impressed by each wine I taste from this Italian artisan winemaker!<\/p>\n

This week we are pulling a few more mature reds off the shelves:<\/p>\n