Wednesday night metal show, Thursday afternoon wine tasting.
Oh yes, I am a sexy double agent.
Swedish power metal band Sabaton was playing at a lousy Granville St. venue, ironically named The Venue.
I mostly went to see Unleash the Archers which is an awesome local band whom I had the honor of working on a music video for.
When they're on stage I generally mosh and scream myself into into an achy mess that can take a week or more to recover from. Particularly when I'm as out of shape as I am.
The following afternoon I primped myself up to go to a fancy yet casual French wine tasting put on by Trialto wines in celebration of their new partner, Maison Nicolas Perrin.
It was hosted by Jules Bistro, which certainly seemed like a fine establishment in a nice old building with wonderful atmosphere, but I would likely never go there of my own accord as they are a part of the gentrification of the DTES. It takes more than attracting outside money and inflated property values to fix the problems that plague that neighbourhood.
Unfortunately I wasn't in top form and so, didn't do as much in the way of networking or really analyzing the wines as I should have. I'll list them all, but only a few really stood out to me.
Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2011
I didn't find it particularly memorable, overall light drinking, intense mineral flavour. At $36, not something I'd pursue. It's just not to my tastes.
Hermitage Blanc 2010
I generally like fruity, high-acid white wines. But I also like the opposite, smooth, warm, toasty flavours brought on by oak and lees. This wine had that. Also by the description they're giving, I would say it's undergone MLF which is all very technical. MLF adds that buttery flavour sometimes associated with Chardonnay but otherwise seldom seen in whites.
I was told that this a very rare wine. No price listed, it's only available for special order.
If I found it for under $40 I'd probably buy it, but It is likely more than that.
Syrah-Viognier, Vin de France 2011
I recall liking it, but I'd need to give it another more thorough tasting. At $20 I'd be glad to do so.
Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2010
I don't have much to say about it, again, I wasn't really able to analyze it in an impartial manner. It just didn't stand out to me. But that's my experience with most French wines I've had. At $36 I won't likely explore it again.
Saint-Joseph 2010
I am noticing a pattern. I don't like the average French wine but I do have a taste for the rare and expensive. This one I quite liked.
This is a date wine for when you're wining and dining a wine-drinker, but also fruity and youthful enough that just about anyone who likes red wine will be able to appreciate it.
It's not offensive in any way, there's no acquired tastes needed to enjoy it. It is a good red wine.
At $40 are there wines I enjoy more for less money? Yes, many. But few have this level of complexity.
Please, do look up some better reviews for all of these. I'll try to keep my metal shows and wine tastings a few days apart from now on.
