Ready, set let's ride.... in honor

Ready, set, let's ride.... in honor

"The Founders of Rolling Thunder^®, Inc., Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, were ordinary men who understood that they had a right to have their voices heard and proceeded to lay down the plans for a gathering in Washington, D.C., during the 1988 Memorial Day weekend. They reached out to their families, fellow veterans and veteran's advocates to unify and form a march and demonstration in the nation’s capital. Their arrival would be announced by the roar of their motorcycles, a sound not unlike the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder. Hence, they would call themselves "Rolling Thunder^," a title that would endure time and be trademarked in 1990.

Word spread quickly and by Memorial Day weekend in 1988, approximately 2,500 motorcycles from all over the country converged on Washington, D.C., to demand from our leaders a full accounting of all POW/MIA's. As the Founders of Rolling Thunder made their stand that day in front of the Capitol, they reflected thankfully for the people who came in support of the POW/ MIA's and for the unity that was felt. This was the first Rolling Thunder demonstration. On that day, the foundation was laid for the annual "Ride for Freedom" to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall (also referred to as the "Ride to the Wall"). The number of participants/spectators in the Memorial Day weekend Ride for Freedom has grown from 2,500 to an estimated 900,000.

On the morning of Sunday, May 24, I was honored to be part of Rolling Thunder as I joined the bikers leaving the Harley Davidson dealership in Dumfries. As we rode up Route 1 to 95 North, I was in awe of those who lined the roads to see us, to witness this incredible sight and to honor those Americans who have been lost.  I vividly remember an elderly gentleman, who could barely stand, on the side of the road with his baseball hat on, holding a US flag watching in awe and I'm sure filled with emotion as we filed up Route 1. How I'd love to be able to sit down with him and listen to his story.. and to thank him for his service.

I cannot put into words what an impact this ride has had on my life but I am truly honored to have been part of it. Seeing my dad, who is a Vietnam Vet battling prostate cancer and fighting through chemotherapy, standing at the overpass as we drove up the highway gave me chills as equally as it made me proud. I specifically rode for him and for his fellow soldiers in Vietnam who were lost - Michael Thomas, Ronald Ward, Sgt. Ronald Rowell, and Harry Richardson, Jr. I thank God that Dad was able to see this miraculous sight instead of being a memory for who we were riding. Many others were not that fortunate.

It may have been my first Rolling Thunder but it surely will not be my last.

There's more to Argentina than Malbecs

There's more to Argentina than Malbecs.

 

Truth be known, Argentina has developed an extraordinary wine industry over the last five centuries.  Argentinian wines are unique because Argentina is one of the world's nature reserves. With a territory that is four times larger than France, Argentina boasts a wealth of natural ecosystems that includes vast, highly-productive grape growing regions stretching at the foot of the Andean strip to the west of the country and covers almost 540,000 acres!

Who knew?

 

These people, that's who!

 

 

 

We didn't know it before we took our "trip" to Argentina, but this we sure know it now!

 

 Mendoza is the center of reference for the wine industry in Argentina and South America and we sampled eight wines from this area.  Mendoza was compared to Washington state which made me optimistic b/c I like WA wines. Perhaps, jt shouldn't have been because I got my hopes up.

 

 

2013 Tilia Torrontes

 

 This white wine is very aromatic, crisp and has citrus notes. Its flavor is predominantly of lemongrass. I instantly started to crave a Vietnamese noodle bowl upon first sip.

 

 

2012 Catena Alta "Historic Rows" Chardonnay

 

Ahh.. yes, the aroma of this wine made me very happy - toasted coconut and vanilla.

It tasted like a watered down Napa Chardonnay and I suddenly craved roasted chicken.

 

 

Fun fact:

 The soil where this grape is grown is primarily limestone. There is calcium in limestone. Calcium is good for your bones. Therefore, drink more of this wine because it's good for your bones.

 

 

2011 Catena Zapata "White Stones" Chardonnay

 

In the beginning, this wine smelled like the beach on a breezy day. Lovely, right?
 The taste was a bit crisper than the previous Chardonnay. It was decent but I preferred the first Chardonnay. The more sips I took, the more I didn't like it though. It quickly became tart and tasted like the liquid version of a green apple Jolly Rancher hard candy. 

Not a fan.

 

Val: And...... the smell-a-thon is on!

Brad: I want to break shit now.

You had to be there. Seriously, you should be. It's so much more fun live.

 

2012 Renacer Enamore

 

Referred to as the "kissing wine," I'd have to call it the spitting wine because it made me want to spit; not kiss.  It smelled of licorice melting on the bottom of a shoe on a hot summer day.
It instantly sent a burning sensation to my sinuses. If kisses were like this, I wouldn't enjoy them as much as I do.

 

 

2011 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc

 

And...the game begins!

Finally, a wine that is in it to win it.......the smell-a-thon, that is!

 





 

I quickly coined this Cabernet Franc, the "Christina Aguilera wine" because it is

 

Dirrrrty!

 

It started with hints of dirty diaper and as it opened up more (swirl it, girrrl!) it turned into a scent of a kitty litter box... that four cats frequent.

It did taste better than it smelled though and I typically like stinky reds.

 

 

2011 El Enemigo Bonarda

This red has a funky smell laced with rotten fruit. I commented on how it made me want to spit and Brad delightfully gave me the dump bucket. How gentlemanly. Richie offered me his cupped hands at one tasting. I declined because he was waiting on tables that evening but it was tempting.
 Everyone takes such good care of me at my happy place.

 

2011 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon

and

2010 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino

 

Ironically enough, these last two wines, priced at $65 and $150, had no distinct smell or flavor and I believe it was because the El Enemigos destroyed my nasal cavity with their kitty litter and rotten smelling fruit aromas.
Such a shame.. Or was it?
I don't think it would have been a good idea for me to have liked these two wines given their prices.
The wine gods were definitely looking out for me while in Argentina.

 

So, this "trip" definitely opened my eyes to there being more than just Malbecs in Argentina. However, I have to admit, based on one trip alone, I'd have to say that I'd be happier if Malbecs were all there was to Argentinian wine.

 I believe in doing something well; not doing a lot of things in mediocrity.
Stick to the Malbec my South American friends.
You do them well!



 



“This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.”
― Samuel Johnson

Release the Trocken

One day, three friends went wine tasting in Germany. They were excited and hopeful to find some delicious wines from the regions of Mosel, Rheinhessen and Rheingau. While they enjoyed their adventures, they left in a quandary...

How can Germany be so very beautiful and yet its wine be so mediocre?

 

 



 

We tasted eight wines, of which five were Riesling.

While Germany is known for Riesling, it is also home of the world's third largest producer of Pinot Noir (also known as Spatburgunder) and Pinot Gris (also known as Grauburgunder). Germany is also the world's second largest producer of Pinot Blanc.  It would be an understatement to say that we were disappointed that our visit only included one Pinot Noir and not one Pinot Gris or Pinot Blanc.

 

Still, that didn't stop this trio from making the most of their German wine adventure.

 

Lassen Sie die Weinproben und Kritik beginnen!

(Let the wine tasting and critique begin!)
 

 

2013 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir

From Pfalz, this Pinot Noir was similar to watered-down cough syrup and I found myself wishing there was a spittoon within reach.

 

2012 Loosen Up Dornfelder

I have had a German Dornfelder before and enjoyed it with ease. I have even had a Dornfelder grown in the German style by one of my favorite Virginia wineres, Otium, in Purcellville and found it quite delightful. While the previous Pinot Noir made me want to "hock and spit," this Dornfelder, just made me want to spit.

2014 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose

"If you don't like wine, and you like water, this is the wine for you!"
 

This salmon-colored fish wine looked like red food coloring added to Perrier and its aroma reminded me of walking into a florist.

When asked if we liked this wine, no words were uttered....just the lovely sound of crickets.
(Grillen, to be exact, German crickets, of course.)

 

2013 Maximin Grunnhaus Riesling Trocken

 

I never thought I'd say it, but I welcomed this dry, crisp Riesling with open arms!
The aroma was reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner and made me smile.

It has one of the best names I've ever seen in a wine and, of course, we were quickly able to give it relevant nicknames.

This Gluteus Maximus Riesling was delicious - ya gotta love a "butt wine".

 

 

 

NV Dr. Loosen Sparkling Riesling

 

Just as I was thinking maybe there was hope after all for this wine adventure, then came the bubbles. We have a rule that we don't waste wine. Even if it's something that one of us may not care for, we give it the other to drink. We don't pour it out.
Well, friends, I hate to say it but, this one got poured out.

 

If only I had a plastic wand in my purse and then I could have dunked it in my glass and blew bubbles with this wine like I was five years old again.

 

 

 

2011 Robert Weil Riesling Kabinett

 

 This light and delicate Riesling smelled of Vaseline and had an acceptable first sip.
However, the second sip quickly turned sweet; too sweet for us.

 

 

2012 Dr. Loosen Riesling Spatlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr

 

This silky Riesling reminded me of what I enjoyed when I first started drinking wine. It was nice to remember that time but even nicer to be able to appreciate how much my wine tastes have expanded.  I have nothing negative to say about this wine; it used to be a friend of mine. A friend that you don't forget but you just have nothing in common with anymore.

 



 

2011 Maximin Grunhaus Riesling Auslese-Abstberg

Welcome to your typical German Riesling, ladies and gentleman!

 At $82.99, you can enjoy liquid candy and I will not even ask you to share!

This wine should be baked in puff pastry as a dessert; not served as a liquid.



\

 

Thankfully, for us, there is Washington State wine available in the region of Germany which is referred to as my happy place.  As soon as the Riesling show was over, we immediately started searching for a big, voluptuous West Coast red!



 

 The 2011 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon saved our German wine trip from disaster!

Its dense colors, firm tannins and well-defined acidity was the epitome of Washington State style.

It even made the steak and cheese pizza sigh in delight.

Or wait, maybe that was me...

 

 

And the quote of the night goes to silly passport Brad:

 

"I love the smell of a Cabernet in the morning!

It smells like victory!"

 

A fun trip to Germany chock full of fantastic memories, a beautiful Riesling butt wine that made us release the Trocken, and a Washington State red that made the trip worthwhile.

 

 Sieg, in der Tat!



(Victory, indeed!)

An Abstract comparison

My obsession with Orin Swift wines began when I first tasted the Abstract wine many years ago.  I bought as many bottles that my happy place had available and then that beautiful wine seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth. A few years later, a friend came upon a bottle in Michigan and brought it back to me. Then two years ago, another friend surprised me with two bottles as a birthday gift. 

About two years ago, the new vintage of Abstract came out. I was very excited because it had seemed like forever since I had seen Abstract on the shelves. It was Halloween at my happy place when my friend surprised me with a bottle to share. I was disappointed. It was nothing like my original love but then again nothing ever is, is it?

This colorfully-labeled vintage was definitely not the same as my blacked-out label vintage. I remember decanting it and it helped but it still wasn't the same. Perhaps the colorful label didn't help any because I admired the texturized blacked-out label just as much as its contents. Still, I bought a bottle and put it away to see if aging would help it any. I also wanted to do a side by side tasting at some point.
 

Last winter, I took both bottles to my parents' house to share with my dad, the Evil Red Genius and my favorite guy. I was the only one who had ever tasted either of these wines and wanted "my people" to be able to compare the wines side by side. They all know how much I adore Orin Swift but it would be interesting to see if they agreed with me or thought I was crazy. Then again, if they thought I was crazy, then I wouldn't have to share, would I? (insert devious laugh here)

 

First, we would taste the 2010 blacked-out love of my life vintage:

 

Yes, after all these years, I was still madly in love!!!

Oh Abstract... smooth with a little bite.  Smells like muddy tennis shoes with a very berry taste.
It instantly made me and the Evil Red Genius think of the Jason Aldean song, "Dirt Road Anthem".
(/I'm turning off the real life, driving, that's right/I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires.)

Next, we would taste this same wine but after it had decanted two hours to see if it had changed.

It had definitely changed!
 In fact, although I didn't think it was possible, it got even better!

It smelled like a rain forest, wet moss and was absolutely divine. The wine was bolder others claimed it tasted like a completely different wine now!
 In fact, two quote-worthy comments were, "Oh my God, this is good!" to "Cheers to you, Val!"
It's a great feeling when I am in love with a wine and others reciprocate!

Next, we would try the 2012 colorfully-labeled Abstract:
 

 

Right out of the bottle, this vintage smelled of flowers, azaleas actually, and was not dirty or muddy. In fact, it smelled good but completely different from the other vintage.

It had a definite bite on the finish and almost a medicinal flavor.

 

The decanted version was definitely better in that it smoothed out the wine and took away the bite.(Good job, decanter. That's what you're supposed to do) 

An aroma of flowers dipped in paint combined with sweet baking spices thankfully replaced the previous medicinal flavor.

Isn't it amazing how decanting a wine for two hours can make a world of difference?

 

So, what's the verdict of the Abstract comparison?

 

 Everyone agreed that the blacked-out label had more quality than the colorfully-labeled vintage.

While no one but me would deny the colorfully-labeled Abstract, it was quite obvious that the blacked-out label vintage was by far superior!

I'll turn them all in to Orin Swift fans if it kills me! (There goes that devious snicker again).

 

 

 

Fresh grapes and wine are perhaps the most luscious foods we mortals encounter during our sojourn here.

~ Jeff Cox, From Vines to Wines