Big Fat Wine

It’s officially summer.  Today is the solstice.  Here at Big Fat central we have new babies.  I’m not talking about the 1000′s of bunnies running (or hopping) around but our one vine has baby gapes.  The vine was here when we moved in and we tried to identify it by the leaves and fruit last year but our lack of horticulture training proved to make this an impossibility.  By the time the fruit was ripe enough to eat the raccoons had stripped the vines bare, but it sure was beautiful.   This year our vine is covered in premature clusters.  I’m going to take that as a good sign.

Well today was the longest day of the year.  A long, cold, wet, cloudy day. Good thing I can dig a good chilly day but I sure am ready for a good warm or even hot day.

The wildflowers are blooming but they seem confused.  It has been so cold and wet this spring that I’m not sure how the yard is going to react.  The same is true for my choice in wines.  Usually by this time in the year I am looking for light, fresh reds or even refreshing whites.  This year, not so much.  I just heard that in Fairbanks Alaska today it was seven degrees warmer than it was here.  SHEESH!  Mother nature is either pissed or crazy… or maybe both.

As Always,

Love, Laugh, Learn… LIVE!

What a wonderful day.  I slept in, the sun was shining, coffee was ready when I woke up and we had 2 tastings scheduled, heaven.

We picked up 4 bottles from Chateau Ste. Michelle and hung out to taste but we didn’t go over to the retail side because there was a concert today, which I would have known if I had checked our events page, and it was crowded.  I would have loved to go to the concert but we didn’t buy tickets in time and the show sold out.  If anyone went to Crosby Stills and Nash tonight let me know how the show was.

When we left the winery we needed a bite to eat so we hit Barbecue Pete’s in Kent on our way home.  The special today was baby back ribs.  I love food you can eat with your hands.  They were cooked to perfection, the meat fell off the bone,  great flavor, great sauce.  Look for them every year at the Puyallup Fair, in Puyallup Washington  or at their Kent Washington location.

Of course, I got barbecue sauce on my shirt so we had to stop by home to change.  Then it was off to WineStyles in Federal Way for the members pick up and tasting.   The event started at 5:00, we arrived about 5:25 and the back area was already full.  As with most wine events the people were wonderful and we were able to squeeze in.  We tasted several selections and were treated to a glass of 2006 Goose Ridge Vineyards Vireo (Thanks Scott, our treat next time).  I loved the earthy nose and flavor, we bought a bottle to enjoy later.

The day lived up to its promise,  it makes me excited about what tomorrow will bring.

As always,

Love, Laugh, Learn… LIVE!

WineStyles in Federal Way has tastings every Friday at 6:00 until 9:00. After dinner at Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse we were ready to settle down and do some serious tasting. Christine made us feel right at home as soon as we walked through the door.  We were not members YET so we got teeny tiny glasses and headed over to the tasting area. I felt a bit inadequate as everyone else had a big glass. I think I had glass envy.   (Note: If you plan to attend tastings at WineStyles , join the wine club! If you’re a member you get a wine glass large enough to actually get a good swirl going. If you’re NOT a member you get this tiny glass that is half full with a measured tasting pour).

One of the distributors, VI Wines was presenting 5 selections from Italy and Argentina. Giampaolo from VI Wines greeted us and offered the first selection, a 2009 Trebbiano D’Abruzzo Talamonti from Italy.   It was crisp and fresh and seemed it would be a nice wine for hot summer days. Not my favorite but good.

The next selection was a 2008 Talamonti Moda’ also from Italy.  The first thing that hit me was the smoky fragrance  followed quickly by  the smoky flavor.    Hints of tobacco, and leather made me feel like I was sitting in some wood paneled library waiting for words of wisdom from a grizzle bearded genius.  I think this will go wonderfully with barbecued London broil, rare of course.  We bought 2 bottles.

Next was a 2008 Malbec Xumek from Argentina.   Berries and spice and everything nice… but again,  not my favorite.

2007 Syrah Xumek from Argentina.   All I kept thinking and smelling and tasting was black pepper.  I could see this wine with steak.  This was my least favorite of the group.

The last selection was a Stella Rosa Brachetto from Italy.  Okay, first I’m not usually a big sweet wine fan, BUT this wine was outstanding.  The fragrance was like young roses and it tasted like the rose candy from France that came in a metal box with flowers on the cover that I used to buy at the drugstore by my house when I was a kid.  It is sweet but not too sweet, light but full of flavor with just a little bit of effervescence.    I was in love.  We bought 6 bottles and I’m sure I will go back for more.  Christine told me that they usually have it in stock and can easily get it if they don’t.

Giampaolo was friendly and seemed knowledgeable.  He really made the experience a lot more fun with his stories, information about each wine, and great personality.

By the time we left we had not only bought 8 bottles of wine but we joined the club so next time we can have one of the grown up  glasses.

I look forward to a lot of really fun evenings at WineStyles in Federal Way.

If you plan to stop by let me know and I just may see you there.

By the way, the Seafood Pasta New Orleans at Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse was AMAZING!

As always,

Love, Laugh, Learn… LIVE!

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