First "To Wine, Not To Whine" Party

First "To Wine, Not To Whine" Party

I wanted to start by thanking all those that assisted to the wine party and made it a success. The wine selection was great and the food really complemented the ocassion.

The Party-food Spread

A good wine tasting party needs a good food spread, and this one was not the exception thanks to the guests bringing some exotic items. The table spread consisted of vegetables, berries, grapes, feta stuffed olives, blue cheese stuffed olives, olives, bread, crackers, cabernet olive oil dip, gouda cheese, brie cheese, cream cheese topped with chipotle raspberry jam, chipotle cinamon dark chocolate and a few other items.

Sara Jane and Oscar Contreras

Sara and Oscar hosted the wine party with the help of Debbie. For the wine tasting Sara and Oscar contributed a bottle of Californina Cabernet Sauvignon and a bottle of Californian Zinfandel.

Jamie and Steve Radack

Jamie is one of my dearest friends from high school. Jamie and Steve contributed with a bottle of Californian Zinfandel.

Debbie Bullard

Debbie is one of Sara's best friends from THE SOUTH. She was visiting from Southern California, and she was a lot of help putting this party together. She contributed with a bottle of Italian Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jenny Hughes and Tammy Dyson

Jenny has been a friend of Sara since elementary school while Tammy has been Sara's friend since her days at San Francisco State. For tasting, they brought a bottle of California Red Table Wine.

Karen and Matt Hoskins

Sara met Karen in hell, better known in the Silicon Valley as Creative Labs. Working in such horrible conditions, force them to create a bond that has evolved into a very good friendship. Karen and Matt contribute with a bottle of French Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cynthia and Mark Pichel

I met Cynthia and Mark during my years at Fiesta Del Mar Restaurant. After watching them, every other day, down two pitchers of margaritas at the restaurtant, I felt obligated to help them expand their alcoholic horizons. Cynthia and Mark contributed with a bottle of African red table wine and a bottle of Californinian Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jamie and Steve Radack

Since I like Jamie and Steve a lot, I decided that I should add a second picture of them. Jamie and Steve also contributed with a bottle of Madeira that I hid from the rest of the guests since Madeira is my favorite dessert wine. The bottle was 10 years old, and I can assure you that it was great

First Guests to Arrive

Cynthia and Mark were the first guests to arrive, so they inagurated the first of our sacrificial bottles. I am trying very hard to identify the different flavors hidden in this bottle of Rosemount Diamond 2003 Shiraz.

The Party Is On

While Tammy smiles to the camera, it is clear that Karen was not enjoying her food.

Cynthia is enjoying wine in its freshest form while Jamie and Steve seem to be upset due to the fact that their wine glasses are empty.

Jenny was the greatest guest. When she worked at Pete's Coffee she learned about coffee tasting, so she was kind enough to share some tips on how to awaken our taste buds.

There is nothing more interesting than hearing about the new wine making techniques (I just made that up; I have no idea what they were talking about).

Jenny, our wine tasting guide, had the most sophisticated palate.

Steve feels very strongly about this particular wine........

Where is the Pinot Noir?

At this point, I was a little drunk. You can tell by looking closely, and you will see two Oscars.

While I am busy serving wine and taking pictures, Mark enjoys hanging out with two beautiful women.

Since I was slow serving some of the wine, Steve decided to switch to water tasting.

Unfortunately, Karen decided that natural water was the next step even thou there was still wine to drink.

Alcohol is magical; it brings happinnes to people.

Everything that starts has an end. I really enjoyed hosting the party, so I will not be surprise if I host another one in a few months.

My beautifyl wife and Debbie seem very tired after a long day.

It is great to party as an adult since the cleaning up was less labour intensive than my high school parties.

Wine Tasting Results

1st place

Points: 48.25
Name: Snowden, Lost Vineyard
Origen: Napa Valley, CA
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2001
Cost: $22.99 @ Costco
Submitted: Cynthia and Mark

2nd place (tie)

Points: 37.5
Name: Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Origen: Gironde-France, Pays D'Oc
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2003
Cost: $13.79
Submitted: Karen and Matt

2nd place (tie)

Points: 37.5
Name: Folie a Deuxe, Manage a Trois
Origen: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Type: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes
Year: 2003
Cost: $12.00 @ website
Submitted: Jenny and Tammy

4th place

Points: 34.0
Name: Bonny Doon Cardinal Zin
Origen: Santa Cruz, California
Type: Zinfandel
Year: 2003
Cost: $19.95 @ website
Submitted: Jamie and Steve

5th place

Points: 32.5
Name: Goats-do-Roam, Goat-Roti
Origen: Western Cape, South Africa
Type: Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan and Viognier grapes
Year: 2003
Cost: $13.79 @ Costco
Submitted: Cynthia and Mark

6th place

Points: 32
Name: Clos La Chance
Region: El Dorado County, CA
Type: Zinfandel
Year: 2001
Cost: $18.00
Submitted: Sara and Oscar

7th place

Points: 31.0
Name: V. Sattui, Felicita
Region: Monastery di Coriano, Tuscany, Italy
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 1998
Cost: $29.00
Submitted: Debbie

8th place

Points: 30.75
Name: somersville Cellards
Region: Monterey, CA
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 1998
Cost: $18.00
Submitted: Sara and Oscar

Non-Rated Bottle

Name: Rosemount Diamond Label
Origen: McLaren Vale, Australia
Type: Shiraz
Year: 2003
Cost: $6.49 @ Costco
Provided: Sara and Oscar

Dessert Wine

Name: V. Sattui Winery
Region: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Type: Madeira
Year: n/a
Cost: $37.00
Provided: Jamie and Steve

Individual Scores

• Lost Vineyard: Debbie 5, Mark 4.5, Cynthia 5, Jamie 4.5, Steve 3, Matt 3.5, Karen 5, Tammy 4, Jenny 5, SJ 4, Oz 4.75
• Baron Philippe: Debbie 3, Mark 3, Cynthia 4, Jamie 4, Steve 2, Matt 3.5, Karen 4, Tammy 3, Jenny 3, SJ 4.25, Oz 3.75
• Menage a Trois: Debbie 4, Mark 2, Cynthia 2, Jamie 3, Steve 3.5, Matt 4, Karen 3, Tammy 4, Jenny 5, SJ 3, Oz 4
• Cardinal Zin: Debbie 2, Mark 3, Cynthia 2, Jamie 4, Steve 4, Matt 3, Karen 5, Tammy 3, Jenny 2, SJ 3.5, Oz 3.5
• Goat-Roti: Debbie 3, Mark 3, Cynthia 2, Jamie 3, Steve 3, Matt 3, Karen 3, Tammy 3, Jenny 3, SJ 3.5, Oz 3
• Clos la Chance: Debbie 3, Mark 1, Cynthia 3, Jamie 2, Steve 3.5, Matt 3.5, Karen 3, Tammy 5, Jenny 3, SJ 2.5, Oz 2.5
• Felicita: Debbie 2, Mark 2, Cynthia 2, Jamie 4, Steve 2, Matt 3, Karen 4, Tammy 3, Jenny 2, SJ 3.5, Oz 3.5
• Sommersville: Debbie 3, Mark 2, Cyntia 2, Jamie 3, Steve 4, Matt 3.5, Karen 4, Tammy 3, Jenny 4.5, SJ 3.75, Oz 2