Where can I drink or buy Rudi Wiest Selection German wines?

Okay, finally, hopefully, here is the map I created on Google to show you all the fine establishment in my territory that carry the wonderful German wines from the Rudi Wiest portfolio.


View Where can I find Rudi Wiest German wines? in a larger map

The wine experience that will make me buy more red Burgundy

Last evening, the stars were aligned for me to feel strongly for a beautiful, unmistakable, delectable red Burgundy.

I don't often drink red Burgundy - and I don't have nearly enough experience with high end red Burgundy, nor do I know enough about it....... but I knew enough to tell myself I needed to experience more of what Volnay is...... and I knew enough to not believe in the concept of "not great vintages" and I knew enough to know that Comtes Lafon is a great producer.

And finally, I knew enough to ask Samantha Dugan at The Wine Country for advice when it comes to choosing a red Burgundy.

The 2004 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay pictured above is a bottle that initially purchased last year, close to Christmastime when I was working my last few days at The Wine Country - the plan was to bring this and a few other bottles to Canada and share with my in-laws who are really into red Burgundy, especially my mother-in-law who doesn't particularly love Italian reds or Bordeaux or other such heavier reds, but loves red Burgundy. Well, I can understand her palate and I thought this wine would be perfect to share with her and the father-in-law and the hubby.

This bottle also happened to be on sale at the time, if I recall correctly, and I thought, oh, what a bargain.... and I also loved how it was an 04 vintage, but I knew that the 2005 vintage was being heralded as the perfect vintage, and though I like wines from perfect vintages, I often love wines from less than perfect vintages. They are like the pound puppies I plan to adopt, so loveable and cute and surprisingly great, compared to the perfect purebreds that will give you exactly what you asked for at a hefty, premium price.

As an aside, earlier in the year when I went to a special restaurant and tried to order a 2004 Burgundy, I was steered by the sommelier to the 2005 of the same wine.... I always wondered if I should have stuck to my guns and gotten the 2004, but of course the 2005 was perfect, and everyone at the table loved the wine....... but last night, I got my personal justification that there is nothing wrong with 2004 red Burgundy. Nothing!

The 2004 Comte Lafon Volnay was one of those wines that took my breath away at the first inhale..... the first inhale told me that this is a Burgundy, unmatched by Pinot Noir produced anywhere else, though still with the characteristic qualities of the grape...ie some similarity to Pinot Noir elsewhere but not the same. Does that make sense? This aroma was captivating and the flavor on the palate fantastic, not too fleshy, not too thin, not to oaky, not anything too anything, just perfect.

This was a wine that went well with all our dinners at Marche Moderne, a wine that followed our Champagne wonderfully, a wine that thankfully we did not gulp too quickly such that after we finished our food, we still had a full glass each to enjoy on its own.

Now that this bottle is just a memory for me, my plan is to go back to The Wine Country, peruse the Burgundy section, and the sale bin, and pick up what might possibly be left of vintage 2004..... this is what wine loving is about.

It's Fourth of July, and the livin' is easy

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Earlier this week I celebrated Canada Day on Wednesday July 1st - Canada is the nation of my citizenship and where my immediate family resides - I celebrated with a simple semi-day off which ended up rich in work on the phone and a local visit to a nearby account. It ended up being a very productive day.

Yesterday, Friday July 3, a holiday for many folks, I spent the day working at a couple of different Whole Foods stores helping out on the retail floor, a skill I am not unfamiliar with.... Whole Foods was and is having a big wine sale this weekend - 20% off all wines when you purchase 6 bottles or more.

Today, July 4, I'll also be out at Whole Foods, the Torrance location, where my friend and former co-worker Yvonne is the Wine Specialist... I'll be pouring some of my German wines, namely 2007 Becker Pinot Noir, 2007 Schnaitmann Evoe Rose, 2007 Rhein River Riesling, and 2007 Pfeffingen Dry Riesling.

And to celebrate the Fourth, the national holiday of my chosen land, provider of great opportunities to individuals of all colors, shapes, sizes, and origins, where even a gal like me born in Hong Kong, raised in Canada, can march right in (well, drive down the I-5 interstate) and work in the hospital business for almost a decade then eck out a living in the wine biz...... tonight we celebrate with a bottle of American wine!

The chosen wine is pictured above: 2007 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc - a Rhone-style, or specifically Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc-style wine from Paso Robles. Sure, its history suggests something of half-French origins, but this wine's chosen home is 100% California. Maybe a little like me. :)

So while we drink it tonight, I'll think about what I love about the United States of America:

* It's fun here

* I like the people

* People here love running and wine

* People are friendly, open, and generous

* It's a big and interesting and beautiful geography (did you know that the Chinese translation for the name America is "Beautiful Country"? Now you do!

* You can have fun, exciting careers here

* There's so much to do!

* There is diversity and complexity, and always more things to learn

* I met my hubby here!

* It's close to Canada!