September's meeting was fun, fun, fun! We went through 6 wines this month and chose three solid favorites, we did some pairing, and we came up with a calendar of events going forward, which I've already emailed everyone about. Needless to say by the time the meeting was over, we were just spent :). We welcomed another new member, Ishmael's sister Eslin, who decided yeah, she likes the idea of a wine club! Welcome, Eslin!
On to the details.
THE WINNER -- Panilonco Merlot/Malbec blend, 2005. This was great because we got to taste the way the Malbec actually mellowed the usually heavy taste of the Merlot. The wine was very fruity and low in tannins, and so very smooth. And although fruity, this wasn't too sweet. Everyone agreed that it was the favorite.
2ND PLACE -- Markovic French Pinot Noir, 2006. This was also very fruity and was dry but not overly so. We found it a bit light for a red. Robin felt it would go well with a cigar, and Loretta pronounced it "peppy, with a snap to it!" This was also easy on the tannins.
3RD PLACE -- Laurel Lake Meritage, 1999 -- Oh, the debate over this one! This complex red, a blend of five different grapes, had the members either loving it, not really feeling it, or hating it at first and loving it in the end (Robin!). Arthur pronounced it oak-free, and Ishmael immediately picked up oak. Robin called it "leathery." We went on for a good while with this one, and in the end had to include it in the top three.
THE RUNNERS-UP:
Baron Herzog White Zinfandel, 2006 -- Yes, we finally got a zin at a club meeting! This was light, smooth, and crisp. Laura labeled it sweet, and Loretta called it dry, so that goes to show how subjective our tastes are. Ishmael also called it sweet, but the sweetness goes away pleasantly.
Pugliese Riesling, 2006 -- Of course we couldn't have a meeting without a riesling! This one was not as sweet as rieslings we've had in the past; in fact, we found it pretty buttery on the nose, like a chardonnay. It was more acidic than we're used to, less fruity and more "edgy."
HONORABLE MENTION:
Chateau d'Arche French Sauternes, 2001 -- We had some fun with this white dessert wine, which we paired with cheesecake (thanks again, Ishmael!), vanilla rugelach, and madeleine cookies. Oh, how sweet it was! All paired very well, and the desserts were to die for. If you can, get hold of a sauternes and try your own pairing. It gives the wine a whole new dimension. Remember this rule: when pairing dessert wines, the wine should be slightly sweeter than the food.
We've got a number of events coming up:
Oct. 13 we'll take a day trip to the Long Island vineyards;
October 27 is our next meeting, and we'll pair wine with pizza;
December 8 is our holiday party, and we'll revisit our favorite wines of the past year.
Busy, busy, busy! I'm gathering prices for the limo for the day trip and will email everyone on that shortly.
So shop for your Oct. 27 pizza wine, everyone! Hope to see you then if not before.
