a good cause and rose' from St John USVI

My wife and I have gotten to know Michelle over the past months and this cause is a great one to remember her sister in a positive way. We have donated 3 nice bottles of wine to the silent auction and hope to attend. If anyone reads the blog and sees this please let her know where you saw the mention.
David

Step Right Up! Get Your Tickets Now!
It's that time of year. Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the Krystal Pepper Memorial Scholarship. We'll be having the event on April 18, 6-10 pm.

The Scholarship, for first time readers, is in memory of my little sister, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 21 almost a year and a half ago. We established the scholarship to help elementary education majors at Thomas More, just like her. Krystal loved kids.



Our goal is to raise $25,000 over the course of the next two years. Last year we raised almost $10,000 through the first benefit and a wine tasting.

Just like last year, we've got some great wine gift baskets in the Silent Auction, including a basket from David & Jan Lazarus's personal cellar, a beautiful French wine basket from The Party Source, wines from Kinkead Ridge, Hyde Park Wine & Spirits, and Harmony Hill. I hope to gather more wine donations as well before the benefit. There are also other goodies, including a free class at the Midwest Culinary Institute and a $25 gift card to the Summit, tickets to the Cincinnati Opera, tickets to the zoo and the museum centers, and more.

Last year I acquired a gorgeous necklace in the silent auction (Swarovski crystals shaped like a bunch of grapes) that everyone loves. Maybe you'll find something equally wonderful this year. In addition to the pretty awesome silent auction, there is also a raffle that proved immensely popular last year.

Dinner is included in the cost, as is the cost of beer and wine. The benefit is being held again at The Briarwood Reception Hall in Hebron, KY. (That's just out by the airport.)

I would love for my readers to show my family that you actually read my blog. Please come! You can purchase tickets online for $30 or at the door for $35. Your little ones, age 10 and under, are free.

Please tell everyone you know.

Thanks for your support.

Cheers,

Michelle


> All the information is here:
http://www.wine-girl.net/2009/03/klp-benefit-tickets.html


Jan and I have been in St John on what may be the last big vacation we take for some time, since we will soon become wine shop owners and wedded to the business (Chateau Pomije wines in O'Bryonville). Anyway, we have enjoyed some nice wines that I brought down with us including Veraison Stagecoach cab and Fisher Cameron cab. I did purchase a really nice wine down here though that I had not had before. The Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc Oeil De Perdrix 2007. I have tried Belle Glos Pinots before, but not the rose'. This was a treat, bold full of strawberry with a hint of pencil lead. A rose' made for food to besure, but also friendly enough to enjoy on a hot night. Not your everyday wine, but as I have said before there are always special occasions. I am not sure how available it it is as many wines available in St John that are often unavailable anywhere, but the winery. If you can find it treat yourself.

Don't forget the Krystal Pepper event, it should be fun!

A good Zin

Last night we were having burgers and I though, what else goes with burgers than zinfandel. We have been getting Papapietro Perry Zins as part of our club shipment for the last few years and I had tried one shortly after we got it a couple of years ago and was not blown away. I got to thinking though that since the Pinots benefit from extra time in the bottle, perhaps the Zins also need an extra year. I selected a 2005 Elsbree vineyard. We popped the cork and were delighted. It had loads of fresh fruit flavors and hints of zesty spice. There is nice prickly black raspberry, that finishes with a pleasant tingle on the tongue. This is a Zin that benefits from some breathing time, with complexity which builds with several hours of air time. If you have patience the rewards will be great. In fact it would not hurt to open the bottle 24 hours before consumption and vacuvin the bottle. Just that introduction of oxygen to the wine allows it to develop beautifully. The Zins of Papapietro are certainly up to the quality of their Pinot Noirs.

An unusual grape

Last night we had broiled salmon and barley risotto and I opened a bottle of Les Brugueres, 2004 from Scala Dei. This Spanish wine is made from white Grenache and has a pleasant minerality with a hint of creaminess. I tried this wine several years ago, because it was different and I had never had a white Grenache before. I was pleasantly surprised at the complexity of the wine and the potential versatility that it offered. It has the body of a chardonnay or viogner paired with the crisp minerality usually found more in Alsatian whites or cool climate whites such as pinot gris from the pacific north west. This is a pricey wine at $25, but I think it is worth it for a new experience. Try something different and see what you think!

A very special bottle

Over the week end we tried a bottle of Sequoia Grove Semper V with some friends for Open that special bottle night. This is a Bordeaux blend that is only produced in exceptional vintages and to date has been made only in 1999 and 2002. I have one bottle of the '99 which we found in St John, Virgin Island several years ago and I had purchased two bottles of the 2002 on release from the winery. Since I am drawn to the fruit of California, this was a natural for the special bottle night. It did not disappoint, big bold and rich with some air. It is a pricey bottle, but if you can find it, well worth the money for that very special night.