Essex County Wine Society

Essex County Wine Society

November 14, 2011

Dear Fellow Wine Society Members and Friends,

We have seldom tasted so many grape types foreign to our palates, nor learned so much information about how and why as we did from the Austrian Red Wine tasting on November 3rd. Henrietta Moore-Roland decided to choose educative examples of the three main Austrian grape varieties, zweigelt, St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch and to add on a couple of cuvees to show how they work together. Luckily, early discussions over in the Austrian red wine country led to a wonderful collaboration with Herr Christian Zechmeister, the Geschӓftsfϋhrer (Director) of Wein Burgenland. This is the organization that oversees the information and promotion of the wines produced in Burgenland. He not only helped choose which wines we could find in the United States but also made the trip to Montclair to help present the wines and teach us about the strong effort that Austrian winemakers are making to produce world class red wines. After the aperitif 2008 Heidi Schrӧck Furmint, a rare grape variety that was crisp and very mineralic we tasted two zweigelts, two St. Laurents, four Blaufränkisch and two cuvees. As might have been predicted the favorite grape variety was blaufränkisch followed by St. Laurent and then zweigelt. However the voting for wine of the night was more telling. The easy choice (and a bit unfair) for wine of the night was the 1999 Prieler Blaufränkisch, Goldberg Vineyard, gifted to us by the Prieler family. As we were taught, the top Blaufränkisch wines containing high tannin levels, need some time to age and the 1999 Prieler was the only one with the required age to really blossom. A  wine with plenty of dark berry fruit, beautiful depth and balance and with many years to go. The second overall choice was the massive and luscious 2006 "Schwarz Rot" zweigelt from Hans Schwarz. The third and fourth choices were the 2007 Blaufränkisch Alte Reben Lutzmannburg and 2006 Juris St Laurent Reserve, respectively. Based on all the nice emails that Henrietta received afterwards it seems that we all had an enjoyable time learning about Austrian reds. And a final reminder from Henrietta and Christian, the 2009 vintage will produce excellent Austrian reds which will soon start appearing in the U.S. market.

Our next tasting on December 1st will focus on the 2008 vintage Oregon pinot noir. All the wine press and most of the growers say this is the vintage they have been waiting for!  The growers say the planets have aligned, the weather couldn't have been better, and the wines are perfect.  Sounds good to me.  Member Larry Kramer went to Oregon to find out and here is what he says

” On Thursday Dec 1 ECWS will take a tasting tour through Oregon's Willamette Valley. We will be tasting 2008 Pinot Noirs from the 5 primary AVAs (Agricultural Vinification Areas).  2008 is an exceptional vintage throughout the Valley. The tasting will be organized as a "driving trip" from the northeast--just beyond the city limits of Portland--due west, then zig zagging south, and then west to east and south again. Sounds complicated, but it's all been organized for you, with ECWS member Larry Kramer navigating the route and no driving required! 

This organization will give us an idea of the different microclimates that exist throughout the region. Our tasting will compare wines made in very small lots to large production wines, and wines that are relatively unknown to wines that have the best reputations in the valley. If you love Burgundy wines, don't miss this tasting! "

Larry has selected 10 wines from 8 different producers. You will have the opportunity to taste wines ranging from Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve (what a value!) and Lemelson Thea's Selection to a Domaine Serene single vineyard and another from  Archery Summit.  These wines are all impressive.

The 2008 Oregon pinot noir wines appear to be an outstanding vintage from top to bottom and well worth cellaring. This tasting will provide a great overview to guide you in choosing wines to add to your own collection. Please be sure to join us.

The cost for the tasting will be $62 for members and $74 for guests. Please send your reservation form with payment to our Treasurer, Peter Ballance by Friday, November 25, 2011.

December 1, 2011

Place: Montclair Women's Club, 82 Union St., Montclair, NJ 07042

Time: 7:30pm Aperitif,  8:00pm tasting

Hope to see you all there!

Dennis Roland            

**Henrietta and I wish you all a Happy and Bountiful Thanksgiving** 

                                                ESSEX COUNTY WINE SOCIETY

2008 Oregon Pinot Noir

Montclair Women’s Club

82 Union Street

Montclair, New Jersey 07042

Thursday, December 1, 2011

7:30 p.m. aperitif

8:00 p.m. tasting

Cost:   $  62.00 members      

           $  74.00 guests

Please reply no later than Friday, November 25, 2011 to:

Mr. Peter Ballance

Essex County Wine Society                     

92 Edgemont Road

Montclair, NJ 07043-1306

tel: 973-746-6741

e-mail: pballance@maximgrp.com

Please find enclosed $______for members and $______for guests

Members                                                    Guests

___________                                              ____________

___________                                              ____________

Please note that there will be no refunds for cancellations within 24 hours of the event.    

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