Occasionally, I like to notate something that puts a vintage trip in perspective. This idea came to me when I use to check out Neil Martin's wonderful Bordeaux blog The Wine-Journal (pre- eRobertParker days)
For instance:
Last September 2008, during my trip to the NorthWest,
"Financial Bailout Rejected!" The stock market crashed 778
points. I made a note to see how this would affect the crazy wine prices. Bordeaux was at ridiculous highs. During my wine-buying for the restaurant since then, many prices have been slashed, some 50% or more.
Paul Newman passed away while I was on that same trip (unrelated to the stock market crash I presume). I loved him in "The Verdict."
On another trip to the NorthWest in May '07, I attended the 2-day Van Duzer celebration commemorating the Grand Opening of their new winery (the old one was in much need of an update). I caught a Mariners vs the hated-Yankees on the radio while I was rambling through the back roads around Ribbon Ridge near Penner-Ash Winery. Rodger Clemens announced he was signing with the Yankees. He did this during the 7th inning stretch from his box seats.
The big family trip to Sonoma & Napa last May '08, it was the passing of Robert Mondavi. My brother Henry & his wife, Fay told me while we were shopping at a Safeway in the Town of Sonoma. For those of you who are new to wine, you should read up on this great, but controversial man. "Harvests of Joy" and "The House of Mondavi" are two books about Mondavi that also give a good history of Napa Valley's rise to World prominence.
I remember listening to the White Sox trashing the Astros in the 2005 World Series. Dad & I would have the TV on while we would wind down from our days of touring the Walla Walla wineries. Also, the Cowboys beat the NY Giants, in OT! Obviously, that was not a playoff game.
Many other headlines have dotted my wine trips but those stand out off the top. I will spare you the entire list. I only jot down 1 or 2 on these trips. It helps me remember that vintage. There are other moments that help cement a harvest in my memory as well, dinners, lodging, non-wine related events such as the 1000+ piece puzzle the family put together on an Oregon wine vacation in '06. We would work on it during morning coffee while everyone was getting showered and fed. It took us the whole stay but we did finish it on the last day! I'm not into puzzles at all, but it turned into a weird sort of family-bonding project.
(The puzzle on the table. 1st on right is me, Marvin right behind)
So, this year before leaving, the big headlines are health-care reform, supreme court confirmation hearings, the opening of JerryWorld as we call it in Dallas (the new Cowboys' stadium), and the fact that my ever-bumbling Rangers are still within striking distance of the Wild Card and Division leaders! I wonder what the next 3 months will bring.
From what I can tell, the weather in Sonoma this year is really good, according to my brief looks at the Weather Channel every morning. Only 16 days and a wakeup!
(Stay tuned. just received a text to have lunch with John Williams of Frog's Leap!)
