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radfrac_archive_full ([personal profile] radfrac_archive_full) wrote2004-09-27 10:12 am

whine and cheeziness

I was going to post my notes from the tasting at the wine store, but this is even better; the notes from my whine and cheeziness party. At which there was much wine and very little cheese. At the last minute, I had an overwhelming attack of Chic Panic and couldn't figure out what to do about the cheese. Grumpy Bastard pointed out that the best possible thing to do was to include a brick of Velveeta(TM) in order to bring down the pretension volume a little. (It would have been entirely pretension on my part, since I don't know anything about cheese. It's not pretension if you Actually Know.)

Yes, it's true. My test of the Emergency Party System was successful. If you didn't find yourself there, please don't think that you're on the B-list of my heart. It's only that I didn't want to risk your happiness in such a dangerous social experiment. This was a small group of carefully chosen and trained volunteers who I knew had the psychological toughness to endure. They were the astronauts of my social circle. If I cherished you a little, considered you a little too precious to endanger, please don't resent it. Now that I know I can have people over without serious psychic injuries occurring, the endless party can commence, and you will be the guest(s) of honour. Promise.

And everyone liked my dip! There's something so Good Hosty about making a good dip. For those who are curious, here is the recipe:

1 container spreadable cream cheese
2 tbsp onion soup mix (Basis for all good dips)
1/4 c (or more) parmesan cheese
1/4 c ground pecans
dash cumin
pepper

Or, in short form, 'whatever I could find in the kitchen at the last minute.' I realized later that I had that other classic dip base, mayonnaise, but this sufficed. I know onion soup mix is so last season, but, dammit, it works. And I made Rustic Cocoa Biscuits, which were also a great success. Here is the recipe:

1. Make 1 batch chocolate-chocolate chip cookies

The End.

And now, The Wine. I took the advice of the Screaming Peacock and Leirdal and had everyone bag up their wine in brown paper (for obscure reasons I have 250 brown paper bags) and number it, and then we all tasted and made notes. At the end, we unveiled the wines and people got to write down which ones they'd choose again and which to avoid like, er, well, bad wine. It was great because there ended up being eleven wines to try, which is a nice big range. Three whites, one blush, and seven reds.

Because my friends are all Terribly Clever, their comments bear web publication, I think. They said some lovely poetic things. Especially as the evening wore on.

For your textual pleasure:

1. Hester Creek Cab-Merlot ($12.99)

This is the one I picked up at the first wine tasting. It scared people. It's true, the finish is insane. It's like you're drinking a really good wine and then you suddenly have to cross the desert to get out of your glass.

-Holy Tannins, Batman! However, nice fruit in the body, just too dry

2. Mission Hill Pinot Gris (2003) ($17.50)

We were all a bit surprised that this was only pleasant, instead of stellar.

-No! Not another white shark with no bite!

3. Domaine De L'Olivette 2001 $15.95 (organic)

This was also recommended to me by other sources. It's the wine we all wish were our favorite, because it's organic.

-Dry finish. Slightly peppery. Thin. Somewhat piquant but nevertheless gentle. As I drink, this wine seems less friendly. Almost hostile, actually.
-Lots of alcohol in the nose. Very light body, short finish.
-Gutsy, almost belligerent.

4. Summerhill Pyramid winery Solus 2001 FOCH ($23.00)

Another surprise here. This is usually a general favorite, but in this tasting was found wanting. It's the one with the sun-god face on it. Usually good label = bad wine, in my experience, but this seems to be an exception.

-Lots of tannins - kind of inky, too firm
-Like Buddha. Light red, crispy, not fruity. Sour berries.

5. Goats Do Roam 2002 ($16)

Many people thought the name of this was 'Goats do Rome.' yep. That's my friends. (It's a PAPER TOWEL HOLDER!) Sharply divided opinion here. Two people, including the one who brought it, poured it down the sink. Yet:

-Like cherry picking in summer
-Medium oaky nose. Good fruit. Very peppery

But:

-Smoky, then charred

6. Long Flat Shiraz 2002 ($13)

-Deep and somewhat thoughtful. Perhaps this wine might take itself too seriously, and yet it has something of note to say.

7. It Bastardo Sangiovese ($12.99)

-Smells like an anti-stress vitamin, tastes smooth and fruity

8. Painter's Bridge Zinfandel-Shiraz ($14.95)

-Light, drinkable red
-Red but tastes like a white

9. Sawmill Creek Chardonnay ($9)

-Light and vacuous
-Makes too many promises it can't keep
-A bit bland
-It's a white wine and I don't hate it.

10. Sawmill Creek 'Autumn Blush' ($9)

-Sweet, but a bit vacant
-A patio with coloured lights bobbing in the night

1000000. (I lost count but figured this was safely higher) St. Hubertus Dry Riesling ($15)

This was my other wine, and it's still a favorite with me. People pointed out that this wasn't dry at all, but sweet and almost syrupy, so that they thought it might be a Gewurtz.

-If this wine was an angel, it would have sparkly, fluffy wings
-It's a white wine and I like it. Don't tell anyone!

--rf

All text copyright the tasters...

Goats Do Rome

(Anonymous) 2004-09-27 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Paper towl holder my arse.

...Poor choice of words. Apologies.

-f.

[identity profile] lemon-pickle.livejournal.com 2004-09-27 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, that's me. The guy who brings the Velveeta to the party. Very successful outing, if I may say.

Now we just have to find tasteful ways to cook with the remaining wine. I'm thinking Pasta Night, for sure.

Much Love,
Il Bastardo Grumpy-Pants

Zin-Shiraz

(Anonymous) 2004-09-28 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, sigh, I really was looking for a big, jammy zinfandel, but got squonked at the LCB and the Strath. Another time. If you just can't wait, I really do recommend seeking out Bonny Doon Vinyards' "Cardinal Zin". The bottle has great art, silly writing and contains an elixir not to be missed. As for my offering, my official notes: feh. Kinda wussy, way too much shiraz. A small shame. Oh, and next time you want a truly silly wine, try the Sparkling Shiraz from Banrock Station. Great Sunday brunch wine - like a pre-made Kir Royal. Never take wine too seriously, just drink and enjoy (ideally in good company).

\i/

(Anonymous) 2004-09-28 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
I'm quoted! I'm quoted! Yippeee!

A very successful "do" by the way. That dip is, if not to die for, at least worth some severe personal injury.

This is a great list, and will Come in Handy.

I can't believe I told my fatal illness story. Apologies. I was intoxicated, or I NEVER WOULD HAVE TOLD. It is a good thing no one knows my mother, or I might be outed.

what paper towel holder?

(Anonymous) 2004-09-28 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Goats DO Rome"?!!! By the Tao, that makes it worth taking to another party! I got it because i like the name - now i like it even more. The wine itself, however, i utterly hated. See photo.

A smashing (with nothing broken) success. When is the deconstructed dessert party?

leirdal

on the unexpected hazards of wine tasting

(Anonymous) 2004-09-29 07:34 am (UTC)(link)
first, thanks for the wine list - I was far too inebriated by the end of the party to actually remember, or write down, which was what. or who was on first. It was a great party, and I would highly recommend the City of Lights for a convivial evening out.

second, I'd like to point out to any poor innocent schmucks (still wet behind the ears, as I was) that it is quite possible to get extremely hosed taking many many small sips of wine over the course of an evening. Be warned.

third, I'd like to thank >F< and the Screaming Peacock for seeing me safely home. I'd have made it eventually, honest. Extra thanks go to the Peacock, who had to listen (repeatedly, I think) to my guilt-ridden rendition of the tale about the time two friends walked me home and then were beaten up and ended up in the hospital after dropping me off.

last and definitely least - I'm not sure about your comment regarding Latin rules for prepositions but I can't find my Latin grammar books right now. (Hell, I can't find anything in my apartment right now!) Someday we shall have to sit down to a bottle of retsina (or can one still get Falernian wine?) and debate it :)

cheers, the other C.