Wine MeetUp For North Front Range Members!

I have already sent the address to the guest list. If you get moved to the guest list from the waitlist, email me for the address.

=> Please note what dish you are bringing in your RSVP. The hosts have asked the maybes firm up their RSVP as soon as possible. Since their guest limit is smaller, your hosts Michael and Kathryn would like to have twenty guests show up.

Please bring a wine glass, pot luck dish, preferably with a Bordeaux or French theme, bottle of wine from Bordeaux, (and any spare paper plates, plasticware, etc. you have).

Like most regions in Europe, the Bordelais are limited to what grapes they are allowed to cultivate and sell. They also use the name of the village on the label, rather than the grape name. It only takes little investigation (or a little guess work) to figure out what is in the bottle. Of course sometimes you never know exactly what you are drinking, considering the limited varieties, you usually have a good idea.

Wine has been made in this region for over two thousand years. The region produces over 750 million bottles of wine annually. Its vineyards are protected by the weather of the Atlantic ocean, by a large forest. This set up is an ideal situation for growers. They enjoy the cool ocean breezes and utilize the ease of shipping from this large seaport, while being protected from the harsh winds and tumultuous weather the sea is known to bring.

Twenty-five percent of the wine produced in Bordeaux is white. Past Bordeaux house parties attendees were amazed at how good Bordeaux Blanc can be. A blend of sauvignon blanc, muscadelle, and semillon (one, two, or all three). These whites are polished for a sauvignon blanc based wine, with a slightly creamy tone. They are not as acidic as New Zealand sauvignon blanc, but are still very refreshing.

For those who are adventurous, Bordeaux makes some of the most famous dessert wines, called Sauternes, in the larger region of Graves. (Not to be confused with the misnamed, sautern from our bulk wine industry.) Luxurious and uber ripe, these little half bottles pack a big ripe punch, using the same approved white varieties.

Bordeaux Rouge is what we have come to love about this massive seaport with a population of over a half a million people. The approved grapes of red Bordeaux are cabernet FRANC, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, and petit verdot. Growers and producers are permitted to cultivate and vinify these grapes in any proportion. Blending two or more grape varities is a good practice. It guards against losing the whole crop to late spring frost, early autumn frost or excessive autumn rain.

Bordeaux is split into two major regions. Right bank and left bank Bordeaux feature the red permitted varieties, but grow them in different proportions according to the soil. Right bank Bordeaux (north of the Gironde River) produce wines with large portions of merlot and cabernet franc. Like the left bank regions, they also grow cabernet sauvignon, but it is not the featured grape on this side of the river. Regions on the right bank are Pomerol, Cotes de Blaye, Fronsac, Montagen-Saint Emillion, and St. Emilion to name a few. Wines with cabernet franc are very elegant and perfume like (and some of my favorites).

The left bank regions feature cabernet sauvignon. The most prestigious chateaux (sans a handful of right bank producers) are on the left bank. Médoc, Margaux, Haut-Medoc, Saint-Estephe, Paulliac, Saint-Julien, to name a few, are sub-appellations of the left bank. These wines need to breathe a little more than their right bank counterparts.

Please try to decant your bottle of wine earlier in the day. Pouring it into a water pitcher works just as well as a decanter (its what I use). You can pour the wine back into your bottle via a funnel, before you head off to the event. Bordeaux Rouge benefits greatly from a few hours of breathing. Please remember to chill your Bordeaux Blanc (it does not need to breathe).

For those who want to study this region, take notes on the village name. The region is very important. The naming conventions have been established accordning to the soil and weather. First determine what regions you like, then study the producers.

Most Bordeaux labels are missing a grape name. Don't let this intimidate or disappoint you. You can almost bet any bottle of red has either cabernet sauvignon or merlot or both. Merlot from Bordeaux has more structure than new world versions (more acidity and more tannins). Most whites are sauvignon blanc with a touch of semillon. When in doubt, ask your favorite wine shop personnel. Europeans have developed a system that praises the soil and location, aka terroir.

I will not be at this event. Please honor your host's time limits. Know when to go and when to say no.