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WTN: Wine and Football

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Bill Buitenhuys

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WTN: Wine and Football

by Bill Buitenhuys » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:37 pm

Ok, so it wasn't a typical tailgate party. Instead of beer and brats, we had onion/feta tarts, an array of cheeses, and shortribs...with lots of good wine. Having survived his hiking vacation, Joe dropped by with Amy to watch the Pats dismantle the Vikings. Drink we did. Lill got no studying done tonight.

NV Gatinois Brut Grand Cru (Aÿ) So after reading some of the recent “young champagne” chatter on the boards, I opened this one about 2 hours prior to first pour to help take the edge off the effervescence. (Thanks Rahsaan) As much as I enjoyed this bubbly early on in the night, I found it had much more depth at about 6 hours after popping. It’s 90% pinot noir (petit noir d’Aÿ), carries lots of meaty red fruit character, and is quite full and rich. The nose has some chocolate cake batter aromas mixed with orange and apple but even with some sweet tones in the nose, it’s quite dry with tangy acidity. Worked as well with cheeses as it did with short ribs.

1987 Bodegas Martinez Bujanda Conde de Valdemar Crianza (Rioja) Uh oh, Joe is offering up a 19yr old crianza from a house that currently makes a fairly inexpensive, modest, entry level wine. The cork comes out clean and the riojan nose is evident even before it’s poured. It has a surprisingly wonderful, deep nose actually. So good, in fact, that I didn’t want to ruin things by drinking the wine. But there is plenty on the palate and finish as well. It’s not as complex or deep in profile as you would get from an aged gran reserve but this wine packs plenty. A bit thin in the middle but good rioja flavor and excellent acidity. Bodegas Bujanda sure did something right back then.

1990 Cantine Gemma Barolo Neither Joe nor I have heard of Cantine Gemma and I’ll never turn down trying a barolo. The current treatment is a mixture of barrique and Slavonian barrel but I don’t know what they used in ’90. The nose is classic aged nebbiolo of a ripe vintage, just full and beautiful. Still lots of fruit, with herbs and anise. I’m not getting any tar at all. The palate is a bit thin but the flavors are ripe and rich with a hint of residual sweetness. Good drying tannins and acidity on the back end. Another nice surprise.

1997 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (Veneto) This wine is a bruiser, particularly after the past two aged beauties. Big, chocolate-dusted, ripe, ripe fruit, an unctuous mouthfeel, lots of depth and heft, with plenty of character. It seems just ploddingly thick and sweet though and would have probably faired better on it’s own or after other younger wines. I love Bertani amarone but tonight just wasn’t the right setting for this wine.
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Rahsaan

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Rahsaan » Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:34 am

As much as I enjoyed this bubbly early on in the night, I found it had much more depth at about 6 hours after popping.


Glad to hear it worked out!
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JoePerry

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by JoePerry » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:46 am

Thanks for the notes, Bill! That was quick!

Amy and I had a great time, and the short ribs were outstanding.

Best,
Joe

Go Pats!
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Michael Malinoski

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Michael Malinoski » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:24 pm

Bill, thanks for the notes on this ecclectic set of wines. I enjoyed reading them.

As for football, if you go with the brats next time, count me in!

Michael
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Bill Buitenhuys

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Bill Buitenhuys » Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:14 pm

As for football, if you go with the brats next time, count me in!
How about brats and alsatian wines for next time? This could work.
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Bob Parsons Alberta

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:19 pm

Bill, how about Sauerkraut Garni. No problem if you need a good recipe!!!
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JoePerry

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by JoePerry » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:21 am

I've never had a Brat.

The concept scares me :shock:
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Bill Buitenhuys

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Bill Buitenhuys » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:59 am

Bob Parsons Alberta. wrote:Bill, how about Sauerkraut Garni. No problem if you need a good recipe!!!
I'd love you to email me a recipe, Bob! thanks.
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Bill Buitenhuys

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Bill Buitenhuys » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:00 pm

JoePerry wrote:I've never had a Brat.

The concept scares me :shock:

What possibly could be scary about that? :P
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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by MLawton » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:01 pm

Sounds good, but you guys probably watch the Patriots. What fun is that?

:roll:
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Bill Buitenhuys

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by Bill Buitenhuys » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:08 pm

MLawton wrote:Sounds good, but you guys probably watch the Patriots. What fun is that?

:roll:
You are right. It's much more of a challenge to watch the Redskins :P It would be nice to see them put a game together and beat Dallas this week.
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MLawton

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Re: WTN: Wine and Football

by MLawton » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:18 pm

What fun is winning every week? It takes the suspense out of the game.

How can you get excited and throw things at the TV?

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