Sunday Afternoon’s Alright For Tasting…

With the temperature in Southern California 80 degrees this weekend, we decided to meet some friends in downtown South Pasadena.  We thought we’d go for a walk, get a little sun, and grab a sandwich at the Munch Company, a little sandwich shop on Mission Street.  When my wife said she wanted to check out the craft store, I innocently replied “OK honey, I’m gonna go show Fernando the wine shop down the street, we’ll only be a second…”

…that was honestly the plan, but  we walked into Mission Wines and wouldn’t you know, there was a Sunday afternoon tasting going on; and two empty stools at the tasting bar.  The owner, Chris Meeske offered them up, and well; we didn’t want to be rude…

Four nice tasters were poured for us…

First up was the 2007 Herve Azo Petit Chablis, a lovey white wine from Burgundy.  It’s a chardonnay, but not heavy on the oak (if at all) like some of the California chardonnays I’ve had.  It had a subtle fruity nose with flavors of lemons and green apple.  Crisp, clean and refreshing (especially in the 80 degree afternoon sun).

Next up,  was another white; this one was an Italian:  the 2007  Terlan Pinot Grigio.  Another refreshing wine, this one was all about melon.  Very nice.

On to…  A french red from the Rhone Valley, the 2007 Domaine Clape Le Vin Des Amis.  This syrah based wine tasted of plums, with pepper sprinkled on top and a mineral undertone.

Last but not least, we made it back home to California’s Santa Ynez Valley for the 2005 Genuine Risk Merlot (here’s a link to Black Sheep Finds, the folks that produce it).  Only 400-something cases made of this one; small production, but big, juicy wine.  Layers of blackberries and plums swirling in my my mouth with  a solid finish; and it was a solid finish for our tasting.

As the last sip went down, I looked up to see our wives waiting somewhat patiently outside.  My friend’s kids were eating ice cream from the local ice cream spot and one of them asked: “…are you going to have some ice cream?”.  But the answer was “no.”

Daddy already had his ice cream in a wine glass.