Libation Station... "The Wine Shop Chronicles"
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Events and stuff...I've been away from the shop since Saturday, trying to get miscellaneous projects done, yard work, cement slabs and sunken deck pillars realigned---easy stuff. We both ache from tip to toe but at least our external domestic contributions are showing results. Weeds are temporarily at bay and walking down the deck steps no longer requires an extra arm on the railing.
Events are nearing and the usual First Wednesday Whatevah is approaching the soonest with synchronicities and synergies occurring on June 4 between 5pm and 8pm.
On Saturday, June 21 we are teaming with The Dulce Plate in La Conner for an Argentine wine dinner. The menu is available for viewing on our events page. Call the shop or email if you wish to participate. Chef Bryan has put together quite the array as usual so we suggest you bring your appetites.
Last night we sampled one of a new Washington winery's wares. It would reside on the shelf for around $30-$32 a bottle. I need to know more about the winemaker and vineyard and history and philosophy to get my palate around it as I was overwhelmed as usual with what I consider too much generic fruit and wood. I think it's time I start delving into the vineyards and see what methods are being used. I'm having a real difficult time differentiating wines in this price range as of late and though labor and land are substantially pricier here on the left coast, I am consistently being left with wanting more out of the bottle than I have been getting... price regardless. Maybe my palate is changing. Maybe I need to know more about what is going down and fermenting in the gullet and where it came from. The other day Georgiann sampled a wine and broke out into blotches. She is not that intolerant to sulfates, or at least not in wine. That biodynamic word keeps popping up. That terroir concept keeps raising its stinky earthy head. It may have something to do with a particular book I'm currently reading. It is more of a confirmation than enlightening reading experience as things I have suspected are on quite a few others' minds. More on this later when I'm done with it.
Labels: Events, The Dining Amenity Enhancement Project, wine and health
Monday, May 19, 2008
tasteless in Seattle...The heat the past few days, unexpectedly stifling, and the air thick and humid would normally bring out thoughts of rose's, clean crisp Loire whites, Spanish Albarino, maybe a Portuguese Vinho Verde... maybe a Gruner. My taste buds were not back. The best my palate could muster, differentiate, were notes of saline-like nonsolutions, maybe pencil eraser saturated with charcoal, and asphalt... briny asphalt. It wasn't pleasant. Only sipping lemon ginger tea and a Belgian ale worked and it was difficult because Shelly Humula's wine club Vino Venerata visited the shop Saturday night for a reasonably top shelf tasting including some specific cheeses that literally melted in the mouth. To discuss the wines being sampled without being able to sniff, swirl, and slurp along with all involved was something I was unaccustomed to. To be in the moment, one should be all the way in the moment
Sunday got a little better and yet with still reason to worry as today, two of my favorite distributors were bringing out new finds, old vines, and Louis/Dressner such lines. I couldn't tell if my mouth was watering from the anticipation or memory. I was prepared for disappointment. It wasn't all that bad, though the buds still are out of whack.
I know there was a ton of fruit on the Saint Emilion which I know from at least the smell that it was spectacular for being under $20 on the shelf. I know the unoaked Chinon Cab Franc was as big as a Cahors Malbec. I know the Dolcetto was as big as any from Italy that I have tasted recently, definitely not of the old world way. My palate was seriously de-Parkerized. I couldn't find the fruit. Luckily G and her highly sensitive hyper palate was there to nod some confirmation and also there were other things lurking about. That's what is so great about multi dimensional wines... there's a little something for everyone, even one with a lousy sinus infection.
Sometime soon, within the next two weeks, these wines will be on the shelf, and I still am adamant there will be plenty of complexity and eyebrow lifting interest under the $16.00 range. I may even have to lengthen the $12 and under rack as what I think I assume I found based on previous maybes was very impressive. Until I get all my buds back, it will have to do.
Labels: Events
Thursday, April 17, 2008
noises...
This shop of things fermented, yeasty manifestations and with the paraphernalia to accompany is in an old downtown area, tucked between a hyper frantic freeway bypass and an interminably immovable river, power lines draped with cormorants, light posts peppered with pigeons and plenty of their speckled residuals, and seagulls and ravens scavenging loose lid dumpsters. Sometimes the old downtown gets squeezed from the opposing applied pressures: a multi lane to places elsewhere and a revetment not high enough when needed. There are few and far between cars that pass at 3am though there are many ways to do so. And there are critters that lurk in the shadows testing weaknesses to exploit while darting between headlights. I encountered one such critter last night as all the doors surrounding the building were violently shook. The critter light did it's job, illuminating the area upon the detection of movement. Maggie wineshop dog extraordinaire went dog postal and added to the various degrees of deterrence. I was asleep in the loft, coincidentally spending the night to keep on track with manuscripts and the such so, in a wee morning hour stupor, was unable to re-pants myself in time to see who the potential perpetrator was.I'm rarely here working all night. I now feel this type of occurrence happens more often than I feel comfortable with. Internet cameras? Permanent residence? Dobermans? High voltage defense mechanisms? Maybe I could just leave $20 out in the planter each night and a cheap bottle of wine... except the State says the wine give-a-way is illegal. Oh well.
Tomorrow night from 4-8pm, Jonathan of Cascade Trade will be in to pour a tasting for the kick-off to the annual downtown tulip festival street fair. Something from Argentina. Something different.
On Saturday we will be pouring more tastes, gorging ourselves on foot long corn dogs and sipping pinot grigio. It is an amazing combination especially with the restaurant grade yellow mustard.
Labels: Events, Other Observations
Monday, March 31, 2008
AprilThe tulips are threatening to sprout within the next two weeks but I'm not so sure winter is ready to relinquish its hold on the agenda of discomforts both cold and wet... which usually means even colder. Although, last night, a possible exclamation proclaiming enough is enough was felt above our home in terms of very loud thunder preceded by white flashes of lightening that may have signaled an official end to winter... maybe. It's really cold out this morning. So in the same vein, I'm not ready to start tossing clean, light, and refreshing wine at a hope of a warm early spring that is not looking too promising. We had 3 inches of snow in the yard last Thursday and another 3 inches Saturday; back to the wood pile and the comfort wines.
The wine club selections this month will reflect the bold and fruit forward characteristics of eastern Washington viticulture with a little twist. The wineries are on the other side of the Columbia River. The theme is about red wine from Oregon that in not Pinot Noir. I've had to reduce the price on both bottles to squeeze them under the $45 cap but find that squeeze reasonable as they are too perfect a combination for late season stews and roasts that warmth more than what the wood stove can provide.
This month's First Wednesday Wine Whatevah!!! Will feature a return of a favorite bubbly we ran out of last October. Aria, a wonderful full bodied Cava from Spain that is 100% pinot noir will be offered along with some other surprises. We will also be having a Pampered Chef party in the loft for any and all who wish to attend. Munchies will be provided.
April 2nd , 2008
5pm to 8pm
5pm to 8pm
Labels: Events, Wine Alert
Monday, April 23, 2007
sweet sweet achesAs of late, our friends have noticed we have been both appearing more than a wee bit gaunt and haggard. Last night we bagged whatever leftover food and wine was available after our current catered winemaker series class
and slowly, with lame wings tucked, worked our way through less maniacal back roads to some friends' home for deeper delves into topics of conversation and a real easy yummy meal and low maintenance end of the day. The subject of our perceived tired eyes and worn bones was brought up. Our hosts own their businesses, one a general practitioner clinic and the other a jewelry business so we all seemed to be generally on the same plane with regard to the why's and how's behind our friends' concern for the apparent demise of our well being. The consensus was basically the lack of experience our concerned loved ones have in living the life of a net-less entrepreneur.During the past three weeks, we have managed to reasonably build out our now functioning new location, move most of that which resided elsewhere, beef up our inventory, prepare for the residuals of a three day downtown street festival, attend a two day wine festival in Vancouver, pour at a dual location wine tasting, attend and sell wine at a 120 seat wine dinner, and host a wine maker class. The coming two weeks will be filled with more work on the new shop, a participatory sponsorship of a sensory evaluation class through WSU, two more tasting events, and a weekend trip to Walla Walla for their spring bottling. To say we are exhausted is an understatement, but I'm not sure it's a bad thing. One has to understand the exhilaration of ownership toward such accomplishments and the feeling that your message is getting across, that the real reason you are doing what you are doing is more than minimal contribution and that you are making a difference. This is called passion. We got to experience the rush of inspiration and see the definition and of such passion in action yesterday.
Don Corson of Camaraderie Cellars is passionate about his wines. This is typical of most boutique wine makers. They push the envelope of excellence at every turn, searching for new ways to coax the grape into giving a little more than previously thought possible. They are simultaneously both innovative rule breakers and guardians of the highest standards.
Don takes it a step further in that the wine is more than juice to be perfected. It is an accompaniment to the delights of life, thus the name "camaraderie", it is the catalyst for common interest that binds the complexities of the pleasures of food, friends, drink, and frivolity. Speaking of food, Teri Engberg of Tasteful Vineyards Catering really put out the spread, far beyond expectations. The goat cheese stuffed dates encrusted with Parmesan cheese were delightful. Thank you both for a spectacular afternoon.
Labels: Events, The Dining Amenity Enhancement Project, Wine Alert
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Fell into my glass......and can't get out. But at least we got the new shop presentable enough for an official slurp or two. Georgiann worked the new location while I sat propped, a semi-comfortable wedging between the wall and bar at the old location. I think the First Wednesday Wine Whatevah went without a hitch. So I've been told. Today I'm doing web stuff as the 1600mgs of Ibuprofen kicked in nicely. A shop dismantling, move, and remantling in 8 days with a trip to Vancouver in-between is tough on deez ole bones. We're smiling though. We are open for biz at both locations until we're not.
Labels: Events, Other Observations
Monday, April 02, 2007
No Stops Till Vancouver...... except for that annoying border thing. Delving into all the after particulars of this past weekend adventure will most likely take several posts; much to do about wine... much not. The original and primary purpose of this trip was to attend the Vancouver, BC International Wine Festival where we get to sample many incredible wines that the State of Washington disallows for reasons too ridiculous to mention. To be fair, BC does the same thing only in reverse. I wonder if we will ever get a North American Union with borderless lest bull with one of those common currencies and a free market mentality. Doubtful.
We started with granting instant employment status to two of our friends as the event we attended was for industry folk only. I'm not sure what the difference was as opposed to the general public tasting as all the tasting tables were elbow to elbow f
rantic; maybe fewer people draped about the floor in various twisted mounds of drunkenness.
We started with granting instant employment status to two of our friends as the event we attended was for industry folk only. I'm not sure what the difference was as opposed to the general public tasting as all the tasting tables were elbow to elbow f
rantic; maybe fewer people draped about the floor in various twisted mounds of drunkenness.The picture to right shows the density involved. What you are seeing is one half of six such rows. We had about 3 hours to cover everything. We generally sampled the upper end on as many tables that we could push our way to. $100 Chilean Cabs and $120 Hermitages were really hard to swallow... not.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Growing pains...Monday the 19th at the end of the sanctioned workday, at a time when binary triggers fire and hexadecimal rules demand adherence, the Washington State Liquor Control Board performed its duty and turned the key a little further as prescribed by the rules of scheduled events, jettisoning our particular consciousness from its current confines into a new physical realm with a new site approved liquor license.
We are starting the move into our new shop!!!
Still in downtown Mount Vernon, located where "The Skagitonians" office last resided, next to Scott's Books and Calico Cupboard; this has been a long process and though we have previously alluded to such a happening, we have kept the details secret until the risks of the laws of Murphy could be minimalized. Three previous attempts to move were thwarted at the last minute leaving a terribly bad taste in our mouths.
This is a dream move for us as it releases us from some specific restrictive confinements particular to how we wish to participate in the communal aspects of brick and mortar retail. Our plan is to triple our wine inventory, add specialty food items, amplify our wine specific events, and increase our community involvement with regard to projecting our organically honed brand... "Wine is food. Food is life. Life is art."
We also are raising eyebrows, industry and State wise, by keeping our current location. Yup, this is an expansion, not just a move. More on The Libation Station Old Town Grainery Small Box Discount Wine Warehouse concept as it unfolds in the next few weeks. (Steve and Carol B, you gotta be smiling about that.)
Labels: Events, Other Observations
Rumor has it, it was quite the yummy Pinot tasting with a couple surprises thrown in--like a Spanish Pinot Cava and a Burgundy Chardonnay. I wouldn't know because I was chewing on several spoonfuls of Sheetrock dust. Time is of the essence. April is about to pounce and we need to ramp it up to get the new shop open in time for the Tulip tourist rush. We be stressed. But in the meantime, we still can toss a quick wine sipping with phenomenal wines. Much thanks to Shelly Humula of Vino Venerata for her passion for great wine, enthusiasm to bring people into the realm of food and wine, and the paired delicacies. I won't miss too many more of these, paint and polish be damned!
Labels: Events
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
8, 9, 10...Okay, this is no longer funny. With global markets in a tailspin because China suggested it might maybe look at some kind of subliminal stock market regulation, my eyes, ear, nose, and throat situation has reached critical. I woke up this morning looking for swarms of locust being herded over the horizon by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I currently am floating on gallons of non-wine oriented beverages and oodles of herbal maybe remedies. As such are suspect with regard to the purveyors of more standardized medicine, I have also resorted to the pharma stuff as a double precaution. I'm bloated in oh so many ways.
So with that in mind, and a full plate of taxes, event schedules, and other noteworthy tasks to be accomplished, I hereby horizontally with Kleenex in hand give a heads-up that some previously scheduled events have changed due to unforeseen circumstances... primarily because the winery scheduled double booked and placed us as a secondary priority. I'm not overly happy with that and will make immediate and possibly long term adjustments.
Check the EVENTS page for updates.
Labels: Events
Friday, December 22, 2006
Events... Winemaker Class SeriesEach class is approximately 2-1/2 hours of information, tasting, and appetizer pairings. Bring pen and paper... you?ll need it.
January 20th
David Stephenson
From Stephenson Cellars. An extremely small production from Walla Walla, typical Walla Walla fruit but with unique complexities and characteristics that is gracing tables in fine dining establishments up and down the coast..
March 17th
John Bell
From Willis Hall Winery. See, hear, and taste why John's wine is our top Washington seller? Washington Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Dolcetto, Malbec, and Viognier all from Washington 's top vineyards.
April 21
Richard Corella
From Chandler Reach Vineyards... a vineyard that produces some of the most sought after grapes in Washington . We were very impressed with the Parris label but have yet to have the opportunity to showcase these wines... until now.
$45 per person per class
Sign up for all three... $40 per person
Labels: Events
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View my page on OpenWine Consortium
This work by Libation Station, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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