When I started out tending bar the old Irish guys called it behind the stick. I never asked but I guessed it was because the bar was made of wood?
I've come to realise that a tasting room isn't that much different than a real bar. You do meet some really nice people that are into wine but the same dumb-ass public thing rears it's ugly head from time to time. Here are some favorite quotes good & bad from the season so far.
> I'd rather have this bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy....
> Do you have any ice for this?
>No I didn't like it, it was merely tolerably!
>I'm sorry I can't I simply can't taste this! Biggest pretentious Ass award!
>This wine is so good we must get dressed up to taste it! It demands respect!
>This is so good it leaves a signature on my tonque!
>Do you have any alcohol free wine for my child to try?
I actually have come to really like the winery life. It is just enough public interaction along with the chance to be a bit creative. It makes me really happy to teach people how to taste & work with a great group of people.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Working for Wine
Last week I revisited one of my part time gigs working for wine critics. Basically I just set up & pour checking labels along the way dreading washing shit loads of glasses. I do it to get the chance to taste many things that I simply can't afford or don't enjoy enough to pay huge money for! Also I get to take home the not recommended bottles which are also sometimes insanely expensive.
Frenchie Girl met me at 5:30 so we could taste the 2 things I thought we would like from the not rated list. Walking up 5th one of these bottles exploded in my bag! Looking like very well dressed NYC girls we contemplated drinking it out of the bottle on the street as it was a 250 dollar bottle we could never afford, thankfully it made it to the hotel!
I was staying at The Algonquin courtesy of price line for 125.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love old NY culture & this was the perfect place to taste even thought we had to do it out of water glasses. I have to admit neither one was very good or what we expected. Both where from Laurent Perrier one a vintage 1996 rose , the other a non vintage also rose . They where really copper in color with not much nose very closed, and not overly complex for the 96 just very unexciting. I have always liked the yeasty funky smells of baked bread, complex apple, biscuit, butter & necco wafers that for me spell out vintage Champagne that this just didn't have.
We ended up in a really great place after on 51st with a kicking wine by the glass list, pate, fromage & a hot French barman.
The next day slightly hungover I got to taste a flight of Krug which made the 2 days all worth it!
1 critic described these wines as Dominatrix wines, they hurt you & beat you down but you still love it & pay dearly. Gotta love it never could I put this on a school tasting note even thought I would like to send that one over to the WSET.
Currently tasting: Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Great nose of dill, tropical fruit, parsley
medium+ finish with same notes of fresh dill, balance of flavors & alcohol
I give it a 89 if anyone gives a shit!
Frenchie Girl met me at 5:30 so we could taste the 2 things I thought we would like from the not rated list. Walking up 5th one of these bottles exploded in my bag! Looking like very well dressed NYC girls we contemplated drinking it out of the bottle on the street as it was a 250 dollar bottle we could never afford, thankfully it made it to the hotel!
I was staying at The Algonquin courtesy of price line for 125.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love old NY culture & this was the perfect place to taste even thought we had to do it out of water glasses. I have to admit neither one was very good or what we expected. Both where from Laurent Perrier one a vintage 1996 rose , the other a non vintage also rose . They where really copper in color with not much nose very closed, and not overly complex for the 96 just very unexciting. I have always liked the yeasty funky smells of baked bread, complex apple, biscuit, butter & necco wafers that for me spell out vintage Champagne that this just didn't have.
We ended up in a really great place after on 51st with a kicking wine by the glass list, pate, fromage & a hot French barman.
The next day slightly hungover I got to taste a flight of Krug which made the 2 days all worth it!
1 critic described these wines as Dominatrix wines, they hurt you & beat you down but you still love it & pay dearly. Gotta love it never could I put this on a school tasting note even thought I would like to send that one over to the WSET.
Currently tasting: Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Great nose of dill, tropical fruit, parsley
medium+ finish with same notes of fresh dill, balance of flavors & alcohol
I give it a 89 if anyone gives a shit!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Borat- Wine tasting
this dude is fucked up! He makes wine tasting fun! Only I don't think I'd want him around on a trade tasting!
Friday, August 3, 2007
If wine is alive does it have a personality? Princes & Frogs Pairing
If wine is alive does it have a personality? I believe so! In looking back on past relationships and past loves I've decided to pair the men that have passed through my life with wines. Some are truly noble varietals from the old world, others defiantly fall into the new world of unusual wines that surprise you with good and bad things on the nose and palate.
Nose is one of the most important things for me, it can evoke memories ranging from my Dad's pipe tobacco to the funky smelling bum on the F train. Aromatic white being my favorite Gewurts always proves to be the start of something spicy, racy with a hint of playfullness that can be last for quite a while! Reisling's tend to be like great old friendships pleasant, sweet, unpredictable, fun, highly acidic, something I've come to rely on for a little peace, love & understanding in an otherwise unpredictable existance.
Just as important is the finish. Some are long & enjoyable leaving wonderful memories, medium finish is akin to short & fleeting relationships nice while it lasts but not a forever kind of thing. Others just seem to disappoint you leaving horrible tastes or just disappearing without notice after what would seem to be a good experience.
Some wines when you re taste them after a long period of drinking other things just don't seem to be to your taste anymore. You've moved on to more interesting things & what you once thought was enjoyable about this has become boring & predictable. While on the other hand there may be something you drink that has become like family. You love it no matter what, it's not always appropriate, fashionable or in balance but it's always there when you need some consistency & don't want to think so much about your choices.
My longest most loving relationship I compare to a nice old Bordeaux. At first it smelled a little like dog shit, but when I drank it I was hooked. Complex, warming, thoughtful while still being exciting enough to stay around for whatever was in store. The finish went on forever & will always fill me enough memories to remember all the good times.
Nose is one of the most important things for me, it can evoke memories ranging from my Dad's pipe tobacco to the funky smelling bum on the F train. Aromatic white being my favorite Gewurts always proves to be the start of something spicy, racy with a hint of playfullness that can be last for quite a while! Reisling's tend to be like great old friendships pleasant, sweet, unpredictable, fun, highly acidic, something I've come to rely on for a little peace, love & understanding in an otherwise unpredictable existance.
Just as important is the finish. Some are long & enjoyable leaving wonderful memories, medium finish is akin to short & fleeting relationships nice while it lasts but not a forever kind of thing. Others just seem to disappoint you leaving horrible tastes or just disappearing without notice after what would seem to be a good experience.
Some wines when you re taste them after a long period of drinking other things just don't seem to be to your taste anymore. You've moved on to more interesting things & what you once thought was enjoyable about this has become boring & predictable. While on the other hand there may be something you drink that has become like family. You love it no matter what, it's not always appropriate, fashionable or in balance but it's always there when you need some consistency & don't want to think so much about your choices.
My longest most loving relationship I compare to a nice old Bordeaux. At first it smelled a little like dog shit, but when I drank it I was hooked. Complex, warming, thoughtful while still being exciting enough to stay around for whatever was in store. The finish went on forever & will always fill me enough memories to remember all the good times.
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