Another wonderful (AKA Winederful) night of fun, friends, great wines and great food.....our wine group met at the home of Paul and Ellen! And tonight's chosen wine category was: SPANISH! A twist from what is normally a California region or varietal!
As we arrive, ready to dance the Flaminco, test ourselves against Spanish Bulls, and search for The Impossible Dream.....we are greeted with a glass of wonderful bubbly to start the evening. OK...it was Italian Bubbly...but...that's close to
Spain.....right?
Bubbly
Gets us in the mood
By now you loyal readers know the drill.....we meet and greet....wine and dine on appetizers.....set the mood.....and then..get serious....
Yummies
And more yummies
The brown bags...numbered....poured one by one...sampled, tested and tasted and rated....
While....we eat and enjoy....and laugh and drink....so let's cut to the chase.....since pictures ARE worth 1000 words.....
The Group....minus photographer as usual
Of course we KNOW....as Paul is famous for pulling something old and rare from his cellar....that there will be, well, something old and rare that we will taste! (Keep this in mind later on).
And Mike has already declared: He has researched what he brought two years ago at another Spanish night...which won! And..since he has more....and it's aged a few years.....he's expecting to take top honors.
Jacquelin, Dana and Matt and Lynn and I are kind of...well...hoping to find something exotic, memorable and exquisite, since we know so little of Spanish wines! So....let the eating and the tasting begin! As Ellen has laid out a scrumptous Spanish meal for us all......everything you can imagine...No Bull!
After we have sipped and been sated, it's time to rate and review......and the wines tonight were: (And please forgive the brief descriptions, as I really have no clue how to read these Spanish Labels)!
2004: Vina Ardanza.....
2004: Culmen Rioja....
2006: Pago de Sangara
1998: Rioja Vina Tondonia Blanco...wait! A 1998>? and a WHITE? Something OLD? Something (very ) different? Oh....we all know where THIS must have come from!.......and
2011: Brao....young and bold....definitely not old.
The reds....all so different...and definitely testing our (California trained) pallet and taste. The white....unfortunately, served last following all the reds...at a disadvantage to "win"...but definitely something different to wine!
YEP! Paul's #1!!!
Finally.....all the wines scored up.....it's time to unwrap! From "last" to "First"...and the winner..is revealed! And...its:
the 2011 BRAO! And...WHAT a surprise THIS is...because....THIS is the wine...brought by Paul! Something young, vibrant, different...but NOT from his cellar! Paul now reigns supreme....and saves having to put his donation into the wine kitty! WHAT a surprise to all......! Cheers!
OLE! Ellen, the Hostess
The evening complete, it will soon be time for the next wine night....sometime after vacations, etc. It may be awhile...but we will all look forward to seeing who brings what...and..will Paul surprise again? Will he pick something old and rare, or something new and delightful? One thing for sure.....everyone wines and wins at wine night!
OLE!
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