Page 2
Part II
The two dozen+ flights of wines are organized by a crew of
"volunteers" and without their valiant efforts, none of this massive
tasting would be possible.
This year our panel was assisted by this talented trio...
Michael Singsen
Kimberly Schafer
& Duncan Ballash
Thanks, Kids!
The two ring leaders of the weekend circus are
Chandler Moore (left) and
Carol Seibert.
Both are wearing 'regulation' Anthony Dias Blue clothing.
"It's the Blue Lifestyle, you know." they explained.
To properly record this historical event, a 'group' photo
is taken.
And then it's back to the grindstone...
One of the Cha-Cha's has a good ear for gold medals.
Having wrapped up our first day, we adjourned to the lounge for a cool one.
Ron Washam and Bob Beerstein.
Here's a beer with a nice head...
Badda bing, Badda Boom...
New York Charlie puts the "Mara" in "Mara-Thon"!!!
Every year we have a "Judge's Dinner"...so we made our way to the top
floor for this bit of conviviality.
Here is a trio of judges who don't think they speak English
with an "accent."
George Skorka couldn't decide on white or pink, so he grabbed both of them.
Tim and Elise.
Tim McGarr.
Carol and Andy...
The Baker's Wife.
Katie B-C
David and Janet
Steve Pitcher discusses the difficulties in telling time at the Wehlener
Sonnenuhr on foggy or rainy days.
"It also doesn't 'work' at night." he explained.
There's an Überraschung.
Ellen and Ken Landis Shore are happy to be here.
Andy, Michael and Lisa.
Kate Radburnd
Jeffery Stivers
Dana Farner
Everyone then sat down to dinner and we began with a little
crab meat first course.
Jeffery checks out the "scores" from Parker and The Wine Spectator
for the wines on the table. He also checked the Dodger's score.
Valery and Dana discuss the upcoming NFL season and the impending 49er
quarterback controversy.
The Right Way.
In the neighborhood, but not quite right.
Little Miss Sunshine
A nice Côte-Rôtie accompanied the beef.
Clos du Marquis.
Pontet Canet.
No wonder she's smiling.
Having the Judge's Dinner after the first day of tasting meant Andy had less
time to "hold court."
Charles and Lisa serenaded us with
"How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away"
followed by their rendition of
"Forget the Night--Help Me Make it Through the Door."
Dessert...
And dessert wine provided by Drake...
"George, I'm thinking of awarding a gold medal to Wine C."
"Bob, I think that's a great idea!"
And so--
Double Gold!
Meanwhile, there were several candidates for this year's
PURPLE PALATE AWARD
Of course...
It's apparent that Rebecca and Kimberly are driving Tim to the edge...
And this year's winner....
And so the man with purple glasses congratulates the
Possessor of the Purple Palate.
Saturday's lunch was like "home cooking" for
Wilfred...
And we had some fortune cookies...
A few others---
Kimberly Charles says "I used to think I was indecisive about gold
medals. Now I'm not so sure."
Asking about this vintage of Nouveau Beaujolais is like asking how the Pepsi is
this week.
The difference between god and a winemaker is god doesn't think she's a
winemaker.
Cork Dork George Skorka says "Screw caps are twisted."
Steve Pitcher asked Rebecca Chapstick if she liked Riesling.
"I dunno. I've never Riesl-ed."
Valery Uhl's wine "compass" always points north...
...of the gate.
Tim McDonald, who speaks 'wine',
says the average winemaker doesn't
think he/she makes average wines.
The difference between Fumé Blanc
and Sauvignon Blanc is like the
difference between night and evening.
Anthony Dias Blue says "No wine
is perfect, but some are closer
than others."
Back at the tasting...George Skorka shows off an
unprecedented scoresheet...
Not even a single bronze medal...
When we finished tasting our assigned flights, we took on three additional
line-ups before wrapping up our day.
And then it was "Miller Time."
Except we had Lebbe beer...
Here's a sneak peek into the room where the wines are
opened and poured for the judges...
Sunday morning we all returned to for the Sweepstakes'
tasting.
Andy leads the crew through the sparklers and white wines...
Tabulating the votes in Mister Wizard,
Paul J. Bourbin.
The smockless Rebecca Chapa.
"I've been called a lot of things in my time, but smockless wasn't one of
them!"
|
A Few
SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS |
BEST SPARKLING
WINE
MOËT et CHANDON CUVÉE DOM PÉRIGNON 1995
"Oenothèque" |
BEST DRY WHITE
WINE
BÜRGERSPITAL
2007 Würzburger Stein Gewürztraminer
Spätlese trocken |
BEST DESSERT
WINE
PULLUS 2008 RIESLING "LATE HARVEST"
STAJERSKA - SLOVENIA |
BEST RED WINE
STORRS WINERY & VINEYARDS
2007 CENTRAL COAST GRENACHE |
BEST FORTIFIED
WINE
MAZURAN'S VINEYARDS
1951 VINTAGE PORT "One Vineyard"
NEW ZEALAND |
Many thanks to Carol Seibert and Chandler Moore for
organizing such a wonderful event.
Thanks to Anthony Dias Blue.
I appreciate the opportunity to participate, judge, sniff, sip & spit and
nominate various wines for medals.
Thanks, as well, to Bob Silverstein and George Skorka for having me on their
panel.
Thanks to all the judges for being such good sports and allowing me to intrude
and take photos during this remarkable weekend.
We hope to see everyone again next year!
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