Wine Knots in the “green”
Hosts Vicki and Scott Baker toast, “May your glass be ever full.”
Randy Johnston
The Wine Knots group got together at the Baker’s residence on Friday, March 17, for a great St Patrick’s Day celebration. The Irish wines, well not really Irish, but wines with Irish heritage were the highlight of the night. Three wines were presented and found to be very different.
The first sample was a Red Blend 2013 Owen Roe Abbott Table Wine made in the Columbia Valley of Washington. This wine had a very balanced and smooth signature velvety mouth feel with a lattice of gentle tannins to support the generous ripe flavors of bold red and black fruit, plums and dark cherries.
The second wine was a Petite Sirah from Concannon Vineyard. This wine came from an Irish immigrant, James Concannon, who began making wines in Livermore Valley of California in 1883. The well-known Petite Syrah has been called “America’s First Petite-Syrah” and had a voluptuous blackberry, blueberry and layered spices flavor.
The third wine was a 2014 Concannon Vineyard Monterey County Founder’s Chardonnay. This rich and supple Chardonnay opened with a delicate citrus bouquet and showcased succulent green apple, ripe pear and juicy tropical fruit balanced by bright acidity. Nuances of nutmeg, toasted vanilla and lemon custard culminated in a creamy lingering finish. This wine was sweeter than most Chardonnays but well liked.
The evening was topped off with great Irish food including mini shepherd pies, Reuben dip, homemade shamrock chips and salsa, corned beef and Irish cheddar cheese sandwiches, dill cheese bread ring with spinach dip and “pot of gold” cookies. An amazing dessert of Baileys Irish cookies and cream parfait was made by Vicki Baker.
Then to finish off our St. Patrick’s celebration we saluted the Irish with shots of Baileys Irish Crème. What a way to celebrate the Irish!