A core groups of cork dorks made their way up to the Upper East Side to dine on a magnificent feast prepared by Jim and coordinated by Jocelyn on May 17th. 10 wines found their way from bottle to gullet, and we are only sorry that more could not partake (some last minute no-shows were unfortunate, but that left Jim and Joc with plenty of leftovers!). We also welcome Larry Levine and Jos Stella to the group and hope to see them again at future events. Mike Edelhart, another bi-coastal, also attended. And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for:

FOOD:

Appetizers

– Truly outstanding chicken wings that were marinated for 30 hours in honey, soy, sherry, garlic, and Chinese 5 spice
– Vietnamese spring rolls with shrimp, chicken, water chestnuts (roll with lettuce and cilantro)
– Pork dumplings
– Various sweet and/or spicy sauces

Main

– Thai coconut soup w/green curry, chicken, and mushrooms
– Singapore Mei fun
– Szechuan Beef
– Dried braised green beans with garlic
– Shrimp, snow peas, water chestnuts & garlic

Dessert

– Fruit with fondue chocolate

DRINK (in order of consumption):

1) 2004 Daydreamer Sauvignon Blanc (Napa)
Grassy nose, honey, green & bitter finish

2) 2006 Amestoi Getarikis Txakolina (Basque)
Fizzy and fresca-like, goes well with fruit, prosecco-esque, tastes a bit like a frozen apple ice cube

3) 2005 Bianchette Genovese, Golfo del Tigullio
Toasty, charcoal, dusty grapeskin

4) 2004 Alsace Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer
Classic, an ‘aromatic white’, Chantilly, peach, allspice

5) 2001 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spatlese
Tropical fruit, grapefruit, apricot, bananas

6) 2005 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River)
Metallic (like sucking on a penny)

7) 2003 Movia Ribolla (from Slovenia)
Baked apple, violet, silky, earthy, pumpkin

8.) 2004 Acacia Chardonnay
Over-oaked, buttery, lychee nut

9) 2004 Aloxe-Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Chandon de Briailles Grand Cru (WINE OF THE NIGHT, FROM ERIC PORRES)
Multi-layer, long finish, flint undertone, spearmint, complex, gorgeous

10) Dessert Wine – 2004 Jackson-Triggs Riseling Teewine, Okanagan Valley
Tasty!

If you read the following today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/dining/11pour.html

you will find that Chambers Street Wines is one of the featured purveyors, and our own Nick Bumstead is a member of their team!

When stomping grapes, do not get too excited by the prospect of winning a silly contest:

Grape Snafu

A meraviglioso evening was had by all when we descended on Paul Debraccio’s pied-a-terre for an evening of Barolo. The rain could not keep away 13 Barolos from the new and the old world to engage and delight in the festivities.

John Piccone brought the winning wine of the evening against some strong competition. And so, the write-up of the wines and collective comments are as follows:

1) Starter Wine – Nicely chilled Prosecco

2) 1969 Barolo Scapra Riserva Speciale (2nd Place for WINE OF THE NIGHT)
Fresh, classic Barolo, hint of manure, power w/out weight

3) 2001 Vursu Vignetto Campe
Wet campfire, peppery, ash

4) 1999 Pira Marenca
Cherry, youthful, tar, raisiny, spice, needs more time

5) 1998 Barolo Brunate
Metallurgic – iron filings, good to age more, classy

6) 2000 Cascina Del Monastero (Bricco Poiund)
Fruity beginning, sexy, oaky, short finish

7) 2001 Damilano Barolo
Leather, pepper, charming, blueberry first taste

8.) 2000 Rocche Dei Manzoni Big d’Big
Vanilla, grapefruit/nectarine smell, dolce du leche, caramel, butterscotch, food friendly

9) 1990 Paolo Scavino Cannubi
Silky, warm fireplace, engaging, a keeper, no edges; an assassin, not a politician

10) 1996 La Rocca e La Pira (Roagna) (3rd Place for Wine of the Night)
Licorice, bittersweet, chocolate, leather, more politician than assassin, like a study, easy to drink and complex; hint of manure at end

11) 2001 Barolo Cerretta (Giovanni Rosso)
Parmesian, exhaust, balsamic vinegar you could drink

12) 2001 Bartolo Mascarello (WINE OF THE NIGHT, FROM JOHN PICCONE)
Worth every penny, meaty, chestnut, salami and smoked meat

13) 1999 Monprivato Mascarello
Pez dispenser

14) 2000 Bussia Poderi Aldo Conterno
Herbacious, pucker up!

15) After Dinner – 2001 White Rock Vineyards, Napa Valley Claret

Good article in WSJ about issues surrounding counterfeit wine sales and the increased scrutiny wine sellers are under to prove authenticity of wine sales. Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed the auction arms of Christie’s in London and Zachy’s in NY. Have these companies engaged in a don’t ask, don’t tell policy of selling knowingly questionable wines? Time will tell…