DETAILS:
DATE: 4/25/09
TIME: 7:00PM (EST)
THEME: Spanish Wines
HOST: InShadows (for directions, send a PM to him)

ATTENDEES LIST (so far):

1. InShadows
   - Spanish rice and chicken dish
   
2. jwhite6114
   
3. cjsiege
   - chocolate cake
   
4. Sonadora
   
5. Matt (Sonadora+1)
   
6. Hershelk
   
7. SpdRcr05
   
8. Lasgar
   
9. tripgrad
   
10. fairnymph

1. theresa1013
   
2. Lasgar+1
   
3. nabrunk+1
   
4. SpdRcr05+1

1. Loweeel
   
2. iByron
   
3. synchrodan
   
4. synchrodan+1
   
5. nabrunk

• spdrcr05 - 1989 Bodegas Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial (Winery website)
  
• sonadora - 2007 Valmiñor Albariño
  
• InShadows - 2007 Finca Luzón Jumilla
  
• fairnymph - Spanish rosé
  
• fairnymph - Quinta Do Encontro Bairrada 2004
  
• cjsiege - NV Marques de Monistrol Cava Semi Seco
  
• hershelk - Valsacro's Cosecha 2004 Rioja
  
• lasgar - 2006 Mad Dogs & Englishmen Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Monastrell
  
• jwhite6114 - 2006 Martin Berdugo Ribera del Duero Barrica
  
• tripgrad - Vina Rubican Navarra Moscatel

jwhite6114 wrote:Alrighty NoVA / DC folks ... we've set a date and theme for #11; we've completed tasting (and hopefully recovering) from #10; HAK is back in NYC and up to his usual Big Apple hi-jinx. It's time to start picking dates for #12!

Since #11 is Mar 7, and there are all kinds of Passover and Easter observation days in early April, I am thinking we should look at mid-April to mid-May for this one.

Apr 18 - jw
Apr 25 - jw
May 2 -
May 9 (Mother's Day weekend -- prob not best timing)
May 16 - jw
May 23 (Memorial Day weekend -- prob best to avoid)

Start chiming in with dates that work for you and dates that don't!

I may be able to do 4/25, I will definitely be out of town on 4/18.

As for theme... how about palate training or a regional theme? Non-fortified wines of Iberia?

I'm not available for 4/18.

available for any and all dates posted.

Hmmm...here's a theme thought everyone will cringe at. How about local Virginia Wineries? Each person bring a bottle from a different vineyard?

leroydasquirrel wrote:Hmmm...here's a theme thought everyone will cringe at. How about local Virginia Wineries? Each person bring a bottle from a different vineyard?

I was totally gonna suggest a similar theme for a Detroit tasting. Pick a Michigan wine

PetiteSirah wrote:I may be able to do 4/25, I will definitely be out of town on 4/18.

As for theme... how about palate training or a regional theme? Non-fortified wines of Iberia?

So basically Spanish wines?

I like both of these ideas and would go with either.

cjsiege wrote:I'm not available for 4/18.

I've marked you down as being available for all of the other dates. Let me know if this is wrong.

leroydasquirrel wrote:Hmmm...here's a theme thought everyone will cringe at. How about local Virginia Wineries? Each person bring a bottle from a different vineyard?

Yeah ... InShadows will surely find something good to bring, and iB has a talent for finding good stuff anywhere. Otherwise we may need to keep it a small group if we limit it to good local wines.

cheron98 wrote:I was totally gonna suggest a similar theme for a Detroit tasting. Pick a Michigan wine

So does this mean I'll get my Iron Horse Cab Franc in April?

At this time I can't make May 9 or 16, but the rest fo the dates look OK for me.

We could try to do a movie night again. The problem is once we get through formally tasting each wine we run out of time. How about a movie night theme where each person brings a favorite $10 or less wine. We open them all up, start the movie and everyone can self serve the wines. Alternatively, we could skip the movie but use the great wines at $10 or less theme. These types of tasting really help you come up with good house wines to have around.

We can't do the 16th, family wedding to attend.

I think the rest of the dates would work.

As the weather gets nicer and it stays lighter later, maybe we could consider doing a tasting outside? I'd have to talk to Matt about dates, but we live in Alexandria and have a big (for the area!) backyard and a grill...and would be happy to host at some point. We could start a little earlier in the afternoon and have a tasting and bbq type thing....maybe a dry rose tasting with bbq?

Just a thought!

jwhite6114 wrote:So does this mean I'll get my Iron Horse Cab Franc in April?

What Iron Horse Cab Franc? You're delusional.

I dunno. We'll see. Since you've excluded the whole Easter weekend thing, that means I once again have to play the flight game. Which means y'all have to pick a date pronto.

leroydasquirrel wrote:Hmmm...here's a theme thought everyone will cringe at. How about local Virginia Wineries? Each person bring a bottle from a different vineyard?

Excellent idea, and we could possibly extend this theme a little more. It would have to almost be a day event but we could go to one of the better known VA wineries for a tasting. I would recommend Horton vineyards as that winery since they probably have the most diversity in wines in the area. We could have personalized tours and everything. It is a hike for most of us. I think the only person who would really champion this idea would be cj, but I love to drive on the weekends. Just expanding on an idea out there.

On a side note, Horton's pig pickin' is July 11th. Get your tickets now if you would like to attend.

InShadows wrote:Excellent idea, and we could possibly extend this theme a little more. It would have to almost be a day event but we could go to one of the better known VA wineries for a tasting. I would recommend Horton vineyards as that winery since they probably have the most diversity in wines in the area. We could have personalized tours and everything. It is a hike for most of us. I think the only person who would really champion this idea would be cj, but I love to drive on the weekends. Just expanding on an idea out there.

On a side note, Horton's pig pickin' is July 11th. Get your tickets now if you would like to attend.

Oh, I'm all for a C'ville expedition. I've even got leads on some decent places to stay. (At least decent in my book. YMMV.) And if we're going to Horton, We also need to go to Barboursville and Keswick (my favorite!) while on THAT side of C'ville. And then we go to...... [wander off to do more research]

cjsiege wrote:Oh, I'm all for a C'ville expedition. I've even got leads on some decent places to stay.

Depending on the size of the crowd, I have a place out in West VA 20 miles this side of Moorefield we could stay in overnight. Work our way west stopping along the way, stay overnight then follow a different path back.

Alternatively when the whether gets nice I am willing to hold a night in the country tasting.

hershelk wrote:Depending on the size of the crowd, I have a place out in West VA 20 miles this side of Moorefield we could stay in overnight. Work our way west stopping along the way, stay overnight then follow a different path back.

Alternatively when the whether gets nice I am willing to hold a night in the country tasting.

Now that's an offer I can't refuse. Count me in!

hershelk wrote:Depending on the size of the crowd, I have a place out in West VA 20 miles this side of Moorefield we could stay in overnight. Work our way west stopping along the way, stay overnight then follow a different path back.

Alternatively when the whether gets nice I am willing to hold a night in the country tasting.

Ooooh, wine tasting, AND an adventure! Now THAT'S an idea I could get behind!!

I haven't made it definite yet but there is now a charity Texas hold-em tournament on the 25th of April to help raise money for a 14 month old girl who's liver totally failed. I wish I could do both that day if the 25th is chosen but the tournament is being held from 2-11pm, which is a lot later than usual for them. I haven't bought the ticket yet but I should soon if I want a seat.

Let's revisit the whole Memorial Day Weekend thing. If the idea is to head out to hershel's little cabin in the woods or do the winery hop thing, would that weekend really be all that bad a choice to do it?

I'd like to come... April 25th is out since I'm heading to Buffalo that weekend, but any of the others MAY be possibilities. Depending, y'know, on y'all picking a date and flight options etc etc. Although if tommy is gonna come, driving may be back on the table. Since we can split driving

My best friend lives in the DC area. If you guys choose a weekend that school is out, like Memorial Day, maybe I'll be able to make the trip down as well

Sounds like there are a lot of folks who would go for a holiday weekend. I, for one, won't likely be able to do any holiday weekends (family time), but if that works for the crowd then I can put it on the table in the date selection.

jwhite6114 wrote:Sounds like there are a lot of folks who would go for a holiday weekend. I, for one, won't likely be able to do any holiday weekends (family time), but if that works for the crowd then I can put it on the table in the date selection.

I probably won't be around any long weekend over the Summer. Hopefully, I'll be doing lots of job interviews, but my weekend schedule will be sporadic and subject to change at a moment's notice.

Stupid legal job market.

I'm good for any date (i.e. put me down for all of them J-dub)... although I'll express a preference for either the 25th or the 2nd as these bracket my birthday.

I'm definitely up for the wine tour! Like IS I love going for drive on the weekends. Although I'd certainly participate in a themed fixed site tasting as well.

Edit: She's a lot more dependent on dates, but I'm going to go ahead and say I'm +1

darlenee1 wrote:My best friend lives in the DC area. If you guys choose a weekend that school is out, like Memorial Day, maybe I'll be able to make the trip down as well

Speaking of said best friend, she joined woot without my knowledge and is a tentative yes for your previous gathering (nabrunk). Small world!

jwhite6114 wrote:Sounds like there are a lot of folks who would go for a holiday weekend.

I've got to throw my cap into the ring for non-holiday weekends.

I've previously attempted just such a winery tour on a July 4th weekend using a cabin at Bryce as home base, and it was not quite what we anticipated.

The crowds, both on the roads and at the vineyards, were horrendous. Barboursville and Horton were particularly bad. At Barboursville, tasters jostled for position along the entire length of the counter, standing four people deep. The staff was overwhelmed and so were we. Halfway through the wine list, we left.

At Horton Vineyard, the gentleman pouring our tasting was none other than the owner himself, Dennis Horton. When it became clear that our primary interest was learning about the wine (rather than "getting a cheap buzz" like everyone else, he muttered) he kindly slowed the pace of our tasting down, serving three or four groups before returning back to us.

As we were leaving, Dennis remarked that he wished we had come on another weekend. We did, too.

My .02.

jwhite6114 wrote:It's time to start picking dates for #12!
Since #11 is Mar 7, and there are all kinds of Passover and Easter observation days in early April, I am thinking we should look at mid-April to mid-May for this one.

• Apr 18 - jw is s&m h tc*
  
• Apr 25 - jw l cj is s&m h tc*
  
• May 2 - cj is s&m tc*
  
• May 9 (Mother's Day weekend -- prob not best timing)
  
• May 16 - jw cj is tc*
  
• May 23 (Memorial Day weekend -- prob best to avoid)

* - indicates maybe (traveler)

Start chiming in with dates that work for you and dates that don't!

I like 4/18 because it is right after Income Tax due date. Also the earlier we hold the next, then we could also do it again at end of May.

tripgrad wrote:I like 4/18 because it is right after Income Tax due date. Also the earlier we hold the next, then we could also do it again at end of May.

4/18 and 4/25 are appearing the front runners at this point. That would leave late May and early June likely starting points for #13.

We have a mix of folks, it seems, who can do either 4/18 -or- 4/25, but not both. Do we have a volunteer host who can help determine which of these dates will work best?

darlenee1 wrote:Speaking of said best friend, she joined woot without my knowledge and is a tentative yes for your previous gathering (nabrunk). Small world!

That's funny! She and her hubby made it to NoVA #10, and appeared to have a good time. She has chimed in on #11 as well (though she cannot make it), so hopefully we have another DC regular!

jwhite6114 wrote:That's funny! She and her hubby made it to NoVA #10, and appeared to have a good time. She has chimed in on #11 as well (though she cannot make it), so hopefully we have another DC regular!

She told me she had fun! I look forward to attending one of y'alls tastings with her in the future

if it is May 2nd I will be +2.

Edit: I've secretly switched this post with somebody's else. Let's see if they notice.

If we hold #12 (or lucky #13) on May 30, then it will be on my birthday!

4/25, 5/9, and 5/23 are all good for me.

First post updated -- 4/25 is looking like the best candidate so far.

Any objections to calling this one for 4/25?

Anyone willing to host on 4/25?

jwhite6114 wrote:First post updated -- 4/25 is looking like the best candidate so far.

Any objections to calling this one for 4/25?

Anyone willing to host on 4/25?

Fine by me. My friends will be upset, but meh their loss.

I can always host, if you don't mind slugging out to da burbs. Sleeping arrangements can always be negotiated.

jwhite6114 wrote:First post updated -- 4/25 is looking like the best candidate so far.

Any objections to calling this one for 4/25?

Anyone willing to host on 4/25?

4/25 is no good for me - Buffalo tasting. Which means you get no Cab Franc

And, iirc, no me means no tommy, which means you don't get whatever wine you snaked from him either

InShadows wrote:I can always host, if you don't mind slugging out to da burbs.

I'm good with that! Means I have 1/2 hour less of driving to do!

CpprCr8 wrote:I'm good with that! Means I have 1/2 hour less of driving to do!

'Burbs is good for me, too (as long as it ain't that awful Tom Hanks movie). But if 4/25 doesn't work for our traveling friends, does 4/18 work better for everyone?

Edit: Hmmm ... 4/18 looks like we lose Loweeel, CJ, and Lasgar, but pick up TCat, OctoCat, and TripGrad.

InShadows wrote:Fine by me. My friends will be upset, but meh their loss.

I can always host, if you don't mind slugging out to da burbs. Sleeping arrangements can always be negotiated.

Where are the 'burbs' by your reckoning? I'm a 'burb dweller myself (ugh, Manassas) so closer (to me) is better (for me)!

Did I mention that it's not all about me?

darlenee1 wrote:She told me she had fun! I look forward to attending one of y'alls tastings with her in the future

Hi Dar! Tricksy, ain't I? I did have fun at the woot, and hope to make another soon!

nabrunk wrote:Where are the 'burbs' by your reckoning? I'm a 'burb dweller myself (ugh, Manassas) so closer (to me) is better (for me)!

Did I mention that it's not all about me?

The 'burbs are Woodbridge.. aka Hoodbridge aka Ikeaville aka Potomacville...

I know I can do 4/25 and 5/2; I could probably do 4/18 though it'd be annoying. It'd be cool to meet the out-of-towners who can make that date, so that would persuade me....

I could also do 4/5 or 4/11 though I'll be observing Passover (sephardic-style) dietary restrictions on the latter date - I know I'll be town in early April to help my friend remodel the apartment she just bought (downtown, much closer to y'all!).

Israeli wine tasting - March 10, 2009
This class will introduce you to a variety of styles from wineries
throughout Israel. Though a small country, the growing
conditions are diverse! We will have 2 whites, 2 reds and a dessert
wine. Three cheeses, two typical of the region, will be paired with
each style.
Our guest lecturer, Jay Caplan, has lectured often on Israeli wines.
The wines were selected to show the quality as well as variety that is
currently being produced.
Cost is $20 cash.