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What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:20 am
by Bob Parsons Alberta
I think Pinot Gris might be of interest...Germany, NZ, Alsace, Canada(!!).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinot_gris

Also recent vintages from Beaujolly land have been very good eh. :wink:

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 7:12 am
by Tim York
Hi Bob,

Personally I'd prefer to do Beaujolly and perhaps extend it to Gamay from anywhere.

I'm not a big fan of PG. I haven't a single one in my cellar. Most Alsatians are too rich to make good food matches and most Italians are insipid. The best I've ever had in my cellar were 98s from Keller in the Rheinhessen and, as befits good things, they all disappeared down my gullet about 10 years ago :D

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:23 am
by David M. Bueker
Just to keep people up to date on recent topics:

Feb 2013 - Riesling
Jan 2013 - Merlot
Dec 2012 - Sweet wines
Nov 2012 - Cab Franc & Merlot
Oct 2012 - Syrah & Syrah Blends
Sep 2012 - Sauvignon Blanc
Aug 2012 - New Zealand
Jul 2012 - Chianti
Jun 2012 - Rosé
May 2012 - Vouvray
Apr 2012 - Beaujolais
Mar 2012 - New world Rhones
Feb 2012 - Unclassified Bordeaux
Jan 2012 - Southern Italy

So we've done Beaujolais fairly recently. The gaping hole here is Pinot Noir/Burgundy.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:24 am
by David M. Bueker
And as far as Pinot Gris, I seldom drink them.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:31 am
by Rahsaan
David M. Bueker wrote:And as far as Pinot Gris, I seldom drink them.


Was there ever a Focus on 'all members of the Pinot Family'? Is that too diverse?

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:53 am
by David M. Bueker
Rahsaan wrote:
David M. Bueker wrote:And as far as Pinot Gris, I seldom drink them.


Was there ever a Focus on 'all members of the Pinot Family'? Is that too diverse?


I don't recall an "all things Pinot" wine focus, but it indeed does seem rather diverse instead of focused.

Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Pinot Meunier
etc.
etc.
etc.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:25 pm
by Joy Lindholm
David M. Bueker wrote:The gaping hole here is Pinot Noir/Burgundy.


Pinot Noir is quite a diverse topic as well - perhaps we narrow to only Burgundy or exclude Burgundy and do all other Pinot Noir?

My only other suggestion is how about NW wines? Could include Washington and Oregon both, or be limited to one or the other if that is too broad.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:35 pm
by David M. Bueker
NW wines tend to exclude our European friends. We try to be as inclusive as possible.

Another direction

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:46 pm
by Rahsaan
How about the Jura?

Wide range of wines, red, white, etc. Increasingly trendy so availability has improved in recent years and most markets should have a few. Yet most people probably don't know as much about the region as they would like to. (I'm guessing/stretching, but...)

And not on the list from the past year and might be a nice change of direction.

(Plus, you could still drink pinot noir for the die-hard supporters of that grape)

Re: Another direction

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:15 pm
by Salil
Rahsaan wrote:How about the Jura?

Wide range of wines, red, white, etc. Increasingly trendy so availability has improved in recent years and most markets should have a few. Yet most people probably don't know as much about the region as they would like to. (I'm guessing/stretching, but...)

And not on the list from the past year and might be a nice change of direction.

(Plus, you could still drink pinot noir for the die-hard supporters of that grape)

+1.

Plus the wines aren't overly expensive. Nice when a good Poulsard or Trousseau from many top producers (just about anyone not named Overnoy or Ganevat) runs about $20-25.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:07 pm
by Bob Parsons Alberta
Only Jura here is Rolet but good idea all the same. "Pinot Noir of a kind" has attraction too :mrgreen:

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:24 pm
by Tim York
Bob Parsons Alberta wrote:Only Jura here is Rolet but good idea all the same. "Pinot Noir of a kind" has attraction too :mrgreen:


I like Jura too. I have several in my cellar and would also like to explore further; doesn't Calgary have a wider selection, Bob?. Pinot Noir is good but, if Burgundy has to be excluded, please confine that exclusion to the Côte d'Or so that we can bring in interesting outliers from Auxerrois, Chalonnais, Mâconnais.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:24 pm
by JC (NC)
Jura wines would be difficult for me to find. I tried three wine shop websites in Raleigh (already more than an hour from where I live) and only one had one white Jura wine from 2005 vintage (already over the hill?) Three Cups in Chapel Hill might carry some but that is another 30 minutes further from me. I'm always game for Pinot Noir or Burgundy although I don't have many red Burgundies in the right drinking window (might have to sacrifice a couple young 'uns if we go with Burgundy.)

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:48 pm
by Mark Lipton
Jura works for me, but then I'm such a hardcore hipster that my vote probably shouldn't be counted (yes, that was sarcasm for those who care or who've already met me in person).

Mark Lipton

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:48 pm
by David M. Bueker
Do I get a trial before a Jura of my peers?

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:27 pm
by Rahsaan
JC (NC) wrote:Jura wines would be difficult for me to find. I tried three wine shop websites in Raleigh (already more than an hour from where I live) and only one had one white Jura wine from 2005 vintage (already over the hill?) Three Cups in Chapel Hill might carry some but that is another 30 minutes further from me. I'm always game for Pinot Noir or Burgundy although I don't have many red Burgundies in the right drinking window (might have to sacrifice a couple young 'uns if we go with Burgundy.)


I can't believe that Cave Taureau in Durham wouldn't have at least one Jura wine. (339 West Main Street, Durham, (919) 908-9877). They opened this fall and it's kind of like a Chambers St Wine of the south. Only smaller and a bit more expensive. But there can only be one real CSW!

Plus the owners are no strangers to wine boards, you might know Nathan V.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:13 pm
by Mark Lipton
Rahsaan wrote:
JC (NC) wrote:Jura wines would be difficult for me to find. I tried three wine shop websites in Raleigh (already more than an hour from where I live) and only one had one white Jura wine from 2005 vintage (already over the hill?) Three Cups in Chapel Hill might carry some but that is another 30 minutes further from me. I'm always game for Pinot Noir or Burgundy although I don't have many red Burgundies in the right drinking window (might have to sacrifice a couple young 'uns if we go with Burgundy.)


I can't believe that Cave Taureau in Durham wouldn't have at least one Jura wine. (339 West Main Street, Durham, (919) 908-9877). They opened this fall and it's kind of like a Chambers St Wine of the south. Only smaller and a bit more expensive. But there can only be one real CSW!

Plus the owners are no strangers to wine boards, you might know Nathan V.


Matter of fact, they list two Jura wines on the website right now.

Mark Lipton

Re: Another direction

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:27 pm
by Dave Erickson
Salil wrote:
Rahsaan wrote:How about the Jura?

Wide range of wines, red, white, etc. Increasingly trendy so availability has improved in recent years and most markets should have a few. Yet most people probably don't know as much about the region as they would like to. (I'm guessing/stretching, but...)

And not on the list from the past year and might be a nice change of direction.

(Plus, you could still drink pinot noir for the die-hard supporters of that grape)

+1.

Plus the wines aren't overly expensive. Nice when a good Poulsard or Trousseau from many top producers (just about anyone not named Overnoy or Ganevat) runs about $20-25.


I was about to argue that there is quite a bit more to Gamay than Beaujolais, but I think a Jura (and probably Savoie--they seem to go together) focus would be a very good idea.

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:29 pm
by Dave Erickson
JC (NC) wrote:Jura wines would be difficult for me to find. I tried three wine shop websites in Raleigh (already more than an hour from where I live) and only one had one white Jura wine from 2005 vintage (already over the hill?) Three Cups in Chapel Hill might carry some but that is another 30 minutes further from me. I'm always game for Pinot Noir or Burgundy although I don't have many red Burgundies in the right drinking window (might have to sacrifice a couple young 'uns if we go with Burgundy.)


3 Cups has closed its doors. I think the departure of Jay Murrie had something to do with that. In any event, I'd be happy to pick up a nice Arbois for you here in Asheville and ship it.

Re: Another direction

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:31 pm
by Salil
Dave Erickson wrote:I was about to argue that there is quite a bit more to Gamay than Beaujolais, but I think a Jura (and probably Savoie--they seem to go together) focus would be a very good idea.

Ooh, Jura and Savoie together? That sounds great. Been wanting to explore Savoie a little further - there seems to be a ton of value there.

Re: Another direction

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:42 pm
by Mark Lipton
Salil wrote:
Dave Erickson wrote:I was about to argue that there is quite a bit more to Gamay than Beaujolais, but I think a Jura (and probably Savoie--they seem to go together) focus would be a very good idea.

Ooh, Jura and Savoie together? That sounds great. Been wanting to explore Savoie a little further - there seems to be a ton of value there.


I've got a couple of Dupasquier wines from the Savoie courtesy of the boys at SM, both of which are in the "drink soon" queue.

Mark Lipton

Re: What shall we Focus on in March?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:58 pm
by David M. Bueker
At least I have some wine from the Savoie. Also from Selection Massale.

I will be interested to see how this plays out. We often strive for more "interesting" topics then the thread flames out after a couple of pages. Hopefully that won't happen this time.

Alpine

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:08 pm
by Rahsaan
As a nitpicker I tend not to think of the Jura and the Savoie together because they don't share any grapes and the grapes do not seem to have much in common (Mondeuse is not to Poulsard what Gamay is to Pinot Noir, in my experience).

BUT, they are both Alpine regions and if it's all about extended participating, that could be a good idea. And what about embracing the broader region and doing an Alpine Wine Focus. That might not matter to the extent that Switzerland comes into play because no one even has the wines (except for a very few Euro contributors) but then again Trentino might drift too far.

So Jura and Savoie could be a good middle ground.

Re: Alpine

PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:24 pm
by Mark Lipton
Rahsaan wrote:As a nitpicker I tend not to think of the Jura and the Savoie together because they don't share any grapes and the grapes do not seem to have much in common (Mondeuse is not to Poulsard what Gamay is to Pinot Noir, in my experience).

BUT, they are both Alpine regions and if it's all about extended participating, that could be a good idea. And what about embracing the broader region and doing an Alpine Wine Focus. That might not matter to the extent that Switzerland comes into play because no one even has the wines (except for a very few Euro contributors) but then again Trentino might drift too far.

So Jura and Savoie could be a good middle ground.


Hey, I drank a Swiss Pinot Blanc just last year, young Rahsaan! Of course, it was hand transported to my home by an old friend who now lives in Zurich. :wink:

Mark Lipton