Wine Trade Folk Fun (with Oregononian Pinot Noir Beaux Freres video)

Technical difficulties aside "capturing the moment" and then (the frustrating part...) loading to YouTube, we had a great week behind the Tasting Station last week. We were psyched to have (for the first time in a long while) a day where tasting WAS believing. Not only that, we had the great privilege of meeting several folks who really knew their stuff. This allowed us to vet some of our own knowledge, experiences and impressions tasting wine generally speaking, as well as in regard to the wine in our tasting glasses; it is this vetting that allows us to continue to step up our game and work with you, dear customer, to help you on your own wine adventure and continue to discover the vine less travelled.

It's true, we knew things were off to a great start when long-time winemaker Raimund Prum was due to stop by. He has been at the helm of S.A. Prum in Wehlen, Germany for the last 30+  years; his family has been making fine Rieslings and the like for 820 more of those, with his grandfather starting their own specific operation in 1911. (Yes, "Prum" is a name synonymous with German Riesling, if you hadn't yet noticed!) We tasted nine of his wares - all unique to the soil type and aspect of the specific site from which they hailed. Suffice to say, old vines impart magic! His wines are all incredibly well made, and worth the hefty price points they command. Keep an eye out down the line as spaces open up and we're able to start bringing in one or two of our most favorites in his all-too-exceptional lineup!

Next up in the "memorable" scheme of things, Bob Whitelatch of Claar (said "Claire") Cellars popped in. His Washington State wines have just come to market here in Boston - and we are h-a-p-p-y for it! Yes, we've heard your call and have been looking for a delicious, varietally correct UNOAKED Chard to mix things up for a while now. Whitelach's bottling was an immediate "YES!" for us on the buying front. You can find it in our cooler in the Chard section for a mere $13.99. It's a lot of wine for the money! You should also check out our "New Arrivals" area to find his brite, zesty, if not citrus-fruity Sauvignon Blanc. Another winner we had to make room for....

The day culminated with additional magic: Kurt Johnson from the exceptional, renown Willamette Valley, Oregon Pinot Noir producer Beaux Freres was in town. It was a great opportunity for us to ask him the questions about the wonderful world of Oregon Pinot we hear so often from you to get his perspective (and validate ours?). Check out our latest video to get the 411 straight from Kurt!

Total wines tasted: 57
Wines that made “the short list”: 5
One new addition you can look for: 08 Claar Cellars Unoaked Chardonnay (Washington State)