There are many positives of attending conferences and one of those is meeting new colleagues. This year’s Wine Bloggers Conference in Penticton, British Columbia afforded me the opportunity to enjoy not only delicious and interesting wines but to meet those who are winemakers, distributors, importers, and others who are a huge part of the process of bringing these wines to all of the *wine lovers* around the world.
One new friend I enjoyed was Kristina Manning, Customer Service Manager of the International Wine of the Month Club. She was outgoing, full of laughter, and a true wine aficionado. Our bonding began during a four hour bus ride with no air-conditioning from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport to Washington’s Lake Chelan AVA and kudos to the both of us for maintaining a positive spirit despite the sweltering heat…and yes, wine was served on the bus so perhaps that was part of it!
Not being familiar with the International Wine of the Month Club at the time, Kristina explained that this family owned operation has a two tier tasting panel which selects wines they feel are rare and are considered wonderful values. The team travels to wine regions in order to survey the vineyards, meet the winemakers, and naturally, taste the wines (and, by the way, what a great job to have!)! Each month, fortunate wine club members receive two estate bottled wines of red, white, or one of each, from a different international winery. Detailed “Cellar Notes” included in the shipment offer tasting notes, background information about the winery and those involved, a recipe for pairing, and more. For more information, check out their comprehensive website.
Kristina offered to send to me two bottles of wine from their May 2013 Collector’s Series and I was thrilled to be able to taste these two delicious wine samples, a Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley in California and a Barolo from Italy.
**Au Bon Climat XXX 2010 – What a gift! Au Bon Climat’s XXX Anniversary Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay was rich, creamy, and bold. It paired beautifully with our saucy garlic chicken and roasted vegetables but this would also be perfect with grilled lobster, sushi, or even a duck breast (seriously)! I loved the aromas of apricots and intense flavors of soft butter, vanilla, pears and tropical fruit with high acidity, balance and a spicy finish . This anniversary celebration in a bottle blends Chardonnay from two of their estates: The Nuit-Blanches and Le Bouge and the result is a happy relationship between outgoing and elegance! Vineyards at Au Bon Climat are organically farmed and have been certified organic since 2003. You may want to enjoy the XXX 2010 now (like me!) or cellar the wine for a few more years…if you can! Cost is approximately $40.00.
**Seghesio Barolo 2008 – If you have never tasted a noble Barolo, often referred to the “king of wines and the wine of kings” then you must. After aerating for about forty minutes (don’t forget to do this!), the aromas of cherries, plums, and a touch of earth from those Nebbiolo grapes were intense and burst out of the glass! I loved the tastes of vanilla, more cherries, roses (of all things!) subtle herbs, leather, soft tannins and spice. One word (of many) to describe the Seghesio Barolo is smooth…and the balanced tannins, acidity, alcohol, and fruit led to a wine which was complex and offered a long lasting finish. You may want to pair this with a simple risotto, hard cheeses, marinated steak, or like me, a traditional lasagna…and feel like royalty! Cost is around 40.00.
Socializing with and learning about new friends while enjoying wonderful wines are some of my true passions. And with these two choices from International Wine of the Month Club, you, too, can have your own “grape experience”!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Renee