DETAILS:
THEME: Big Eight Rumble: New World vs. Old World
DATE: 10/11
TIME: 7:00PM (EDT)
HOST: hershelk (PM hershelk for driving directions)

ATTENDEES LIST (so far):

1. InShadows
   
2. Loweeel
   
3. jwhite
   
4. jwhite +1
   
5. cj
   
6. Lisa (cj +1)
   
7. Rebecca (cj +2) -- Sparky, you sure you ain't coming?
   
8. iByron
   
9. Christopher (iB +1)
   
10. iB +2
    
11. hershelk (plus cats) **host**
    
12. hershelk +1
    
13. hershelk +2
    
14. hershelk +3
    
15. spdrcr05
    
16. Cheron
    
17. kkv
    
18. wootvirgin69
    
19. wkdpanda
    
20. sonadora
    
21. Lasgar
    
22. Tripgrad
    
23. theresa1013
    
24. jpmcnally

1. wootvirgin69 +1
   
2. cbloszinsky
   
3. rphilli5

1. Riesling: wootvirgin69 (2006 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Reserve, Finger Lakes, New York)
   
2. Riesling: cjsiege (2007 Rudolf Müller QmP Spätlese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany)
   
3. Sauvignon Blanc: Loweeel (2007 Mahi, Marlborough, New Zealand)
   
4. Sauvignon Blanc: hershelk (2006 Moulin des Vrillères, Sancerre, France)
   
5. Chardonnay: kkv123 (2007 Kim Crawford Unoaked, New Zealand)
   
6. Chardonnay: InShadows (2006 Maison Alex Gambal, Bourgogne Blanc, France)
   
7. Pinot Noir: Lasgar (Domaine Claude Dugat, Gevrey-Chambertin, Bourgogne, France)
   
8. Pinot Noir: spdrcr05 (2005 Melville Clone 115 Indigene, Santa Rita Hills, California)
   
9. Zinfandel/Primitivo: tripgrad (2003 Tormaresca Torcicoda, Salento, Puglia, Italy)
   
10. Zinfandel/Primitivo: cheron98 (2004 Chase, St. Helena, California)
    
11. Merlot: sonadora (2005 Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac, Bordeaux, France)
    
12. Merlot: theresa1013 (2005 Mercer Estates, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington)
    
13. Cabernet Sauvignon: NoVA/DC #6 attendees (Bordeaux, France)
    
14. Cabernet Sauvignon: jwhite6114 (2000 Corison, Napa Valley, California)
    
15. Syrah/Shiraz: wkdpanda (2003 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde, Rhône, France)
    
16. Syrah/Shiraz: iByron (2003 Ulithorne Frux Frugis, McLaren Vale, Australia)

• cheese: WF cheeses (2 types, ~2 - 3 lbs)
  
• cheese: wootvirgin69
  
• platter of mini saltenas: kkv123
  
• meatballs:
  
• crackers:
  
• bread: wootvirgin69
  
• fruit: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries: jwhite
  
• sweets: bars or brownies or something similar: theresa1013
  
• sweets: Apricot-Caramel upside down cake: cjsiege
  
• other:
  (not all of these are necessary, just running through ideas in my head)

• Nametags: kkv123
  
• plates: cjsiege
  
• napkins:
  
• utensils:
  
• paper: kkv123
  
• pens: kkv123
  (paper and pens included only because they have been generously provided in the past -- certainly we can provide our own if no one was already planning to bring some)

jwhite6114 wrote:OK, so Rosetta Stone is now ancient history (though folks may still be recovering) ... so it's time to schedule #7 ... Anyone up for September? Or should we skip ahead to October?

If the latter ... I wonder if we can make an tasty theme out of "novelty" wines with the likes of PoiZin, Seven Dealy Zins, etc. You know, those ones with the catchy names and bottles that you have always wondered if they were really any good?

So, looking from late September through October, I see:

9/27
10/4
10/11
10/18
10/28

How do these work for folks?

Uh, 10/28 is a Tuesday...

jwhite6114 wrote:OK, so Rosetta Stone is now ancient history (though folks may still be recovering) ... so it's time to schedule #7 ... Anyone up for September? Or should we skip ahead to October?

If the latter ... I wonder if we can make an tasty theme out of "novelty" wines with the likes of PoiZin, Seven Dealy Zins, etc. You know, those ones with the catchy names and bottles that you have always wondered if they were really any good?

So, looking from late September through October, I see:

9/27
10/4
10/11
10/18
10/28

How do these work for folks?

9/27 and 10/4 work for me. 10/11 is definitely out and I might be at the Penn State game on 10/18. I don't know why we would have a gathering on 10/28 a Tuesday but that's a work night for me so I'm a no-go for that one.

cheron98 wrote:Uh, 10/28 is a Tuesday...

that's why I suggested 10/25

I think we need to do a "big eight" tasting at some point. That is, the big eight varietals that form the backbone of the wine industry: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, & Syrah.

I say that because we have a lot of newbies amongst our ranks and while we all love our Pinot Gris, Viognier, Concord, Petite Sirah, Tannat, etc., a good grounding in the fundamentals is essential because that's what people are most likely to encounter.

October would be appropriate for such a theme (as would gathering #8).

Just throwing it out there.

jwhite6114 wrote:that's why I suggested 10/25

Ahhhh! The wonders of revisionist history!

iByron wrote:I think we need to do a "big eight" tasting at some point. That is, the big eight varietals that form the backbone of the wine industry: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, & Syrah.

I say that because we have a lot of newbies amongst our ranks and while we all love our Pinot Gris, Viognier, Concord, Petite Sirah, Tannat, etc., a good grounding in the fundamentals is essential because that's what people are most likely to encounter.

October would be appropriate for such a theme (as would gathering #8).

Just throwing it out there.

Sort of like SoCal doing the all Rhone or all Bordeaux. See SoCal #2 on one of the later pages. They decided all Rhone for the 8/15 bash.

jwhite6114 wrote:that's why I suggested 10/25

but of course you did. I must have just read it wrong. Well in that case 10/25 is out as well because I'll be up in NYC for the Rangers vs Penguins game.

jwhite6114 wrote:that's why I suggested 10/25

Yeah but you POSTED 10/28.

cjsiege wrote:Ahhhh! The wonders of revisionist history!

tee hee! (giggling in my seat like nobody's business )

I am not sure what my High Holy Day plans are yet, but 9/27 is the weekend before RH (starts monday evening) and 10/11 is after yom kippur, so I may be in NJ one or both of those weekends.

I also have a case that will be going to trial (in Tacoma, WA!) that will probably last a week to 2 weeks, and I may have to stay over the weekend out there -- it's a lot of flying for one night in my bed. But I think the trial will be end of october or sometime in november.

If I had to decide this far in advance, I'd say that 10/4 works the best for me right now. I do like Byron's idea of "Big 8".

As it stands right now, I'm open anytime. However, I still have England/Germany hanging out there - with a tentative time frame of "October". Keep planning, and I'll see which way that one breaks.

L - stay out in Seattle for the weekend during the trial. (Seattle/Tacoma/wherever) You will spend way too much time in the air for one night in your own bed. Bleh!

As long as there is time for me to get from the MD Ren Faire to there, and that I hopefully haven't indulged to much of the wine from Linganore!

bunnymasseuse wrote:As long as there is time for me to get from the MD Ren Faire to there, and that I hopefully haven't indulged to much of the wine from Linganore!

What are the dates on the MD Ren Fair (and when will you be there)? We went last year, and I am hoping to go again this year.

September is out for me. I have a conference the week of 10/27 making 10/25 a no go for me as well. A training session on 10/10 makes 10/11 iffy, but doable.

10/4 is actually the best for me right now. With 10/7 being my father's birthday, I'd likely be down that weekend anyway.

I want to hear from Hershel. You out there, buddy?

iByron wrote:I want to hear from Hershel. You out there, buddy?

Weekends throughout the time period look pretty good for me, and I'm happy to host. The one day which may be difficult to host for me is October 4th, as I will be in Omaha the week before and won't be able to head back till Saturday and I'm not sure when I will get back in town on the 4th. If we do have it on the 4th and others can take charge of getting food, etc. I'd still be willing to host. My house is even painted now.

jwhite6114 wrote:OK, so Rosetta Stone is now ancient history (though folks may still be recovering) ... so it's time to schedule #7 ... Anyone up for September? Or should we skip ahead to October?

So, looking from late September through October, I see:
9/27
10/4
10/11
10/18
10/25
How do these work for folks?

10/11 is not good because it is Columbus holiday weekend.

jwhite6114 wrote:What are the dates on the MD Ren Fair (and when will you be there)? We went last year, and I am hoping to go again this year.

Fair runs from the last weekend of Aug to the 2nd to last (normally ) of October every weekend and the Monday of labor day.

I normally get the Fairever Pass as I'll end up going atleast 5x making the pass worth it, and more times after that is basically free.

tripgrad wrote:10/11 is not good because it is Columbus holiday weekend.

Unless you're from out of town, which makes it perfect. Of course, 10/8 is better for me.

Meanwhile, what are the thoughts of a Big Eight theme? Given the purpose of this, I'd also suggest a bit more coordination than usual so we don't get over- or underrepresented on any varietal.

Proposal (which the group can accept, reject, or modify at will.

- Nothing but varietal wines from the big eight varietals: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz. Varietal will use the US definition of at least 75% varietal, even if it's not labelled as such (so a right-bank Bordeaux would count as a Merlot if we can verify 75% or more of Merlot).
- 100% varietal are preferred. We want people to experience as pure a form of the varietal as possible. This is an educational experience as well as a social one.
- Keep the distribution balanced. At least two of each varietal. The model of one Old World/one New World seems appropriate. Suggested locales (by no means required):
- Riesling: one from Germany, one from Finger Lakes
- Sauvignon Blanc: one from France; one from New Zealand
- Chardonnay: one Burgundy; one US (perhaps one unoaked as well)
- Pinot Noir: one Burgundy; one Oregon or New Zealand
- Merlot: one RB Bordeaux or Italy; one from new world
- Cabernet Sauvignon: one LB Bordeaux (75% Cab); one Napa
- Syrah: one Rhône/OW; one Australian or South African

That alone would be 16 bottles. more than enough for a typical tasting. We could learn something, too.

Whattaya think?

iByron wrote:Unless you're from out of town, which makes it perfect. Of course, 10/8 is better for me.

Meanwhile, what are the thoughts of a Big Eight theme? Given the purpose of this, I'd also suggest a bit more coordination than usual so we don't get over- or underrepresented on any varietal.

Proposal (which the group can accept, reject, or modify at will.

- Nothing but varietal wines from the big eight varietals: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz. Varietal will use the US definition of at least 75% varietal, even if it's not labelled as such (so a right-bank Bordeaux would count as a Merlot if we can verify 75% or more of Merlot).
- 100% varietal are preferred. We want people to experience as pure a form of the varietal as possible. This is an educational experience as well as a social one.
- Keep the distribution balanced. At least two of each varietal. The model of one Old World/one New World seems appropriate. Suggested locales (by no means required):
- Riesling: one from Germany, one from Finger Lakes
- Sauvignon Blanc: one from France; one from New Zealand
- Chardonnay: one Burgundy; one US (perhaps one unoaked as well)
- Pinot Noir: one Burgundy; one Oregon or New Zealand
- Merlot: one RB Bordeaux or Italy; one from new world
- Cabernet Sauvignon: one LB Bordeaux (75% Cab); one Napa
- Syrah: one Rhône/OW; one Australian or South African

That alone would be 16 bottles. more than enough for a typical tasting. We could learn something, too.

Whattaya think?

I'm game.

And if it appeases the crowd, I am willing to bring a 2000 Corison Cab (for the Napa rep).

(assuming it's a date I can make, of course)

iByron wrote:Unless you're from out of town, which makes it perfect. Of course, 10/8 is better for me.

Meanwhile, what are the thoughts of a Big Eight theme? Given the purpose of this, I'd also suggest a bit more coordination than usual so we don't get over- or underrepresented on any varietal.

Proposal (which the group can accept, reject, or modify at will.

- Nothing but varietal wines from the big eight varietals: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz. Varietal will use the US definition of at least 75% varietal, even if it's not labelled as such (so a right-bank Bordeaux would count as a Merlot if we can verify 75% or more of Merlot).
- 100% varietal are preferred. We want people to experience as pure a form of the varietal as possible. This is an educational experience as well as a social one.
- Keep the distribution balanced. At least two of each varietal. The model of one Old World/one New World seems appropriate. Suggested locales (by no means required):
- Riesling: one from Germany, one from Finger Lakes
- Sauvignon Blanc: one from France; one from New Zealand
- Chardonnay: one Burgundy; one US (perhaps one unoaked as well)
- Pinot Noir: one Burgundy; one Oregon or New Zealand
- Merlot: one RB Bordeaux or Italy; one from new world
- Cabernet Sauvignon: one LB Bordeaux (75% Cab); one Napa
- Syrah: one Rhône/OW; one Australian or South African

That alone would be 16 bottles. more than enough for a typical tasting. We could learn something, too.

Whattaya think?

i think that that is such a ROCKIN' idea that i'm going to, err, borrow it for my own purposes here in Chicago!!!

tripgrad wrote:10/11 is not good because it is Columbus holiday weekend.

Hey...Italian & Spanish wines?????


EDIT: Unless we do Big 8 of course. (If here) I can take on either world Riesling. I've got new world already & know of a good old world.

jwhite6114 wrote:I'm game.

And if it appeases the crowd, I am willing to bring a 2000 Corison Cab (for the Napa rep).

(assuming it's a date I can make, of course)

Wait -- did CJ already commit one (two?) of these from the woot off? If so, then I'll think of something else.

jwhite6114 wrote:Wait -- did CJ already commit one (two?) of these from the woot off? If so, then I'll think of something else.

Ok, see that is a strange subject. I WAS going to front a bottle for #6, but may want to shift that to #7 and substitute in a Paso Robles "player to be named later" in for #6.

iByron wrote:


- Riesling: one from Germany, one from Finger Lakes
- Sauvignon Blanc: one from France; one from New Zealand
- Chardonnay: one Burgundy; one US (perhaps one unoaked as well)
- Pinot Noir: one Burgundy; one Oregon or New Zealand
- Merlot: one RB Bordeaux or Italy; one from new world
- Cabernet Sauvignon: one LB Bordeaux (75% Cab); one Napa
- Syrah: one Rhône/OW; one Australian or South African

I'll take care of the Sauvignon Blanc. I have several Sancerres and NZ Sauvignon Blancs in the cellar.

We need an Alsatian Reisling in the mix. I would go with Oregon over NZ at this time on the Pinot unless you are really trying to compare similar climates. Also, definitely need an unoaked chardonnay as it would be nice to compare with one that has some fruit showing. So what? we had 22 wines ate the last one.

cjsiege wrote:Ok, see that is a strange subject. I WAS going to front a bottle for #6, but may want to shift that to #7 and substitute in a Paso Robles "player to be named later" in for #6.

Either way, you've already provided a Corison. And if you make it for #7 (sensible), the Napa Cab is covered, too.

hershelk wrote:Weekends throughout the time period look pretty good for me, and I'm happy to host. The one day which may be difficult to host for me is October 4th, as I will be in Omaha the week before and won't be able to head back till Saturday and I'm not sure when I will get back in town on the 4th. If we do have it on the 4th and others can take charge of getting food, etc. I'd still be willing to host. My house is even painted now.

whyfore in Omaha? PM me and we'll try to work something out if you're going to have any free time.

I can probably cover a NW Merlot.

hershelk wrote:I'll take care of the Sauvignon Blanc. I have several Sancerres and NZ Sauvignon Blancs in the cellar.

We need an Alsatian Reisling in the mix. I would go with Oregon over NZ at this time on the Pinot unless you are really trying to compare similar climates. Also, definitely need an unoaked chardonnay as it would be nice to compare with one that has some fruit showing. So what? we had 22 wines ate the last one.

Those are just suggestions.

I left out Zin (suprised nobody called me on it) which would be somewhat difficult to do OW/NW. I mean nobody drinks Primitivo, right? Might just have to settle for "Old Vine/New Vine".

iByron wrote:Those are just suggestions.

I left out Zin (suprised nobody called me on it) which would be somewhat difficult to do OW/NW. I mean nobody drinks Primitivo, right? Might just have to settle for "Old Vine/New Vine".

Another possibility in order to provide more variations on individual variatals would be to split the big eight into two tastings. Do the whites and maybe the pinot in the first group and then the bigger reds in the second group. We could bring in some more new world wines for comparison as well.

hershelk wrote:I'll take care of the Sauvignon Blanc. I have several Sancerres and NZ Sauvignon Blancs in the cellar.

We need an Alsatian Reisling in the mix. I would go with Oregon over NZ at this time on the Pinot unless you are really trying to compare similar climates. Also, definitely need an unoaked chardonnay as it would be nice to compare with one that has some fruit showing. So what? we had 22 wines ate the last one.

Thanks for the shout out for the Alsatian Reisling! As I read the list, it was the first thing that jumped out as missing.
As for unoaked Chardonnay, I recall liking the Kim Crawford quite a bit, as I do their Sauvignon Blanc. [ But not as much as the Whitehaven, which IMHO is superlative. ]

I know my preferences lean more towards whites than others do, so I'm happy to bring both an Alsatian Reisling (to be determined) and the Kim Crawford unoaked Chardonnay.

hershelk wrote:Another possibility in order to provide more variations on individual variatals would be to split the big eight into two tastings. Do the whites and maybe the pinot in the first group and then the bigger reds in the second group. We could bring in some more new world wines for comparison as well.

Or maybe even geographically -- e.g., Bordeaux vs. on one tasting and Rhone/Alsace/Burg in another.

Just based on my experience with #5, a lot of the roses seemed to blend together (in part because it was difficult to determine a good order), and I think an all-whites or most-whites might suffer the same way.

So one might be:
Rieslings, SBs, Merlots, Cabs

And the other would be
Chard, Pinot, Zin, Syrah

Loweeel wrote:Or maybe even geographically -- e.g., Bordeaux vs. on one tasting and Rhone/Alsace/Burg in another.

Just based on my experience with #5, a lot of the roses seemed to blend together (in part because it was difficult to determine a good order), and I think an all-whites or most-whites might suffer the same way.

So one might be:
Rieslings, SBs, Merlots, Cabs

And the other would be
Chard, Pinot, Zin, Syrah

Good ideas all.

The listing wasn't meant to be limiting, though not all-inclusive either (there's extraordinary Riesling in the northwest ... Eroica anyone?). More to be balanced and representative of what folks are most likely to see.

How about this?

Since we're so far out and haven't even picked a date yet everyone commit to bringing just one bottle until we fill in two of each or get two weeks away (whichever comes first). After that, anyone can fill in the blanks (first) and then bring any others.

Doesn't matter where they come from, but they should be at least 95% varietal: easy for the whites, Pinot, and Syrah; less so for Cab, Zin, and Merlot. Since Chardonnay is the Vodka of wine, we'll require at least one oaked and one unoaked lest they be indistinguishable.

If we did that, here's what I have so far:

Riesling: cjsiege
Riesling:
Sauvignon Blanc: hershelk (Sancerre or NZ)
Sauvignon Blanc:
Chardonnay (oaked):
Chardonnay (unoaked): kkv123 (Kim Crawford, New Zealand)
Pinot Noir:
Pinot Noir:
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel:
Merlot: bunnymasseuse
Merlot:
Cabernet Sauvignon: jwhite6114 (2000 Corison, Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Syrah: iByron (2001 Ulithorne Frux Frugis, McLaren Vale, Australia)
Syrah:

That Kim Crawford sounds interesting. Malolactic fermentation but unoaked sounds like a nice combo (many unoaked chards forego malolactic in the name of "the fruit"...as if).

Discuss

iByron

Was a date settled on? My parents cancelled on me for coming out here in October, so I might be able to wander back out that-a-way. Y'know, depending on if I'm allowed back after #6

cheron98 wrote:Was a date settled on? My parents cancelled on me for coming out here in October, so I might be able to wander back out that-a-way. Y'know, depending on if I'm allowed back after #6

You are welcome any and every time!

I'm in, and tenatively +1 ... this far out who actually knows what my calendar is going to look like. If I put this in.. then everything else gets to schedule around it.

I'll bring Pinot. 2005 Melville Clone 115 Indigene Pinot Noir. It's not Oregon as suggested so if we are fixed on that, I'll have to go shopping.

Put me down for the oaked Chard. I have quite a few of those laying around. If push comes to shove it'll be the Lake Anna Barrel Select Chardonnay. Of course we could even differentiate between the oaks on American oaks vs French oaks.

So if we did a big eight, we have so far:

Riesling: cjsiege
Riesling:
Sauvignon Blanc: hershelk (Sancerre or NZ)
Sauvignon Blanc:
Chardonnay (oaked): InShadows (Lake Anna Barrel Select, Virginia [tentative])
Chardonnay (unoaked): kkv123 (Kim Crawford, New Zealand)
Pinot Noir: spdrcr05 (2005 Melville Clone 115 Indigene, Santa Rita Hills, California)
Pinot Noir:
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel:
Merlot: bunnymasseuse
Merlot:
Cabernet Sauvignon: jwhite6114 (2000 Corison, Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Syrah: iByron (2001 Ulithorne Frux Frugis, McLaren Vale, Australia)
Syrah:

iByron

Upon the following assumptions:

1. y'all don't hate me after #6
2. I can find the means to get out there in October which shouldn't be too hard to do
3. you set a final date within the next couple of weeks so I can book a flight or plan a drive
4. my Chase ever arrives intact

I will be there with the 2004 Chase Zin to cover NW Zinfandel.

Otherwise I'll scrounge up another Zin. Do I have the Saxon Brown? I might bring that one.

Holy cheap flights!

So, are we set for sure on 10/4? Like if I book a flight, you're not all gonna change it on me?

Since the Chase arrived intact, I will bring the 2004 Chase Zin. Who's hosting?