A Tale of Three Wines...

 

The Goddess of Wine and JD started off Tuesday at their home-away-from-home, the Savory Palette in Morro Bay. Our little group of "Paletteers" tries to meet every Tuesday afternoon to catch up on the week's events, trials, and tribulations, while supporting our local wine bar. 

I found this modest 2017 Vin de Pays, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from Triennes, a project from two Burgundians, Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, joined by their Parisian friend, Michel Macaux. They looked for land in the south of France, and in 1989, found the Domaine du Logis de Nans in the Var, north-east of Marseille.

The wine was deep purple in color; the nose delightfully rich in baking spices and red fruit. We paired it with an artfully made cheese plate, but had to leave earlier than usual, so we put a cork in the bottle and took it home. The tasting notes from the winery suggest that this could be aged another 10 - 15 years. Hmm...not so much, but very tasty now.

Slowing wining back to 'normal'...

JD & Larry

The Goddess of Wine and JD took a quick trip south to Los Olivos and Solvang. First time since December 2019. It felt good. And odd. JD's been running errands and making the occasional foray down to Ellay, but I haven't been anywhere south of San Luis Obispo.

We stopped in at Tercero for a too-short visit with the irrepressible Larry Schaffer. He's got some new and interesting wines available. And he's been keeping busy doing Zoom tastings, both public and private. Admirable. You should check them out. Chatted briefly with a young couple who were just learning about wine. Always good to see bright faces light up with those 'aha' moments. 

A new year of wining...in San Simeon...

A bucolic scene at San Simeon
(photo by Rico Mandel)

This past year has been so challenging for everyone. I am pleased and amazed to see how so many of my wine colleagues have pivoted (the latest buzz word) and adapted to the new normal. Many event planners have created online events, virtual tastings, all designed to keep their base engaged. Others, like myself, stepped back a bit, waiting to see how things would develop. I tried not to give in to depression, but there were days that my major accomplishment was getting the bed made. 

Meanwhile, vaccines were being made and distributed! Hope on the horizon! Grownups in the White House! I started feeling a bit better, and after getting my first shot of the Pfizer vaccine, began to feel that I could return to the world. Carefully.