Lynn O’Keefe and her Irish Coffee
Bernadette Fideli
A change in season means many things: a change in weather, a change in wardrobe and a change in the wine you drink. Gone are the days of “winter” with the big cabs and tanniny reds. Uncork the middle of the road wines: not too big, not too light, the so-called “Goldilocks” of wine! John and Lynn O’Keefe invited the Wine Stewards to discover the “Tasting Notes of Spring.” Members were assigned specific wines to bring and each gave a short presentation on their choice. From the crisp white category, guests chose Unoaked Chardonnay, Chablis, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. Red selections included Young Pinot Noir, Light Rose, Malbec, and Light Loire Reds. A Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay from New Zealand provided a welcome surprise to experienced Chardonnay drinkers. It is a crisp wine that tastes of the succulence and freshness of the grape. No hiding behind oak. White peach, grapefruit and melon with a hint of pineapple flavors are featured. Another New Zealand wine, Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc, was a sipping delight. It offers a crisp fresh palate with lively tropical and citrus fruits characters. Matua is a Maori word meaning head of the family. It is the first winery to produce Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. Among the reds, Petite Petit was a delight to experience. It is a blend of petite Sirah and petit Verdot. It is a substantial, dense, full-bodied, whopper style of wine loaded with pure black fruit and vanilla flavors. With such a variety the Wine Stewards enjoyed a productive evening of discovery and fellowship. The evening ended with a serving of Lynn’s potent and decadent Irish Coffee. What better way to welcome spring.