Tastings Gone Wild

Tastings Gone Wild (Full Version)

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zippz -> Tastings Gone Wild (7/15/2008 7:16:05 PM)
As the saying goes "When in Rome do as the Romans do". Well by today's world yard stick, NYC could pass for a Rome. Being that America is rotting from within and showing all the same signs of an inevitable collapse as a world empire... can you say "Déjà Vu"? But that's a whole other forum board to explore. (a taboo here) Though we can explore the merits of ignoring our nose and palatete and taking an unrestrained unadulterated plunge into the hedonistic joys of embracing a buzz... along with all of it's fringe benefits. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/nyregion/09winery.html?_r=1&ex=1341633600&oref=slogin ...has anyone experienced, witnessed or heard here-say of such events? it just seems too good to be true ... [;)]

RoundersRob -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/15/2008 7:38:25 PM)
No - this seems to good to be true.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080714/od_nm/britain_dc How was I not at this event?

jhannah27 -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/15/2008 8:01:43 PM)
As mentioned in the article, Napa is having these same issues with drunken tourists being dropped off by the bus-loads at all the top wineries. I was up there not too long ago and one of the wineries was telling us that it is now County law that wineries only give tastings by appointment (with some exceptions based on how long the winery has been around). While I hate the long lines that come from the tour buses, I also enjoy the fact that I only live 70 minutes from Napa and can just shoot up there on a whim. I don't want to have to plan ahead and make an appointment. Luckily, depending on how busy they are, not many of the wineries institute the rule too strictly. [:)] But this is yet another reason why Sonoma is much more appealing to me as a region to go taste in. Fewer crowds, fewer/cheaper tasting fees, and top quality producers.

jhannah27 -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/15/2008 8:02:45 PM)
oops..technical difficulties. Sorry for the multiple posts.[:D]

jhannah27 -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/15/2008 8:09:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: RoundersRob No - this seems to good to be true.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080714/od_nm/britain_dc How was I not at this event? This should be a new Olympic event. It was originated in Greece afterall...[;)]

zippz -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/15/2008 8:22:06 PM)
Reflecting on all the posts thus far... I just had a perverted vision of a new business model for wineries... hosting wine tastings and competitions at nudist colonies and towards the end of the event the whole operation busts loose into a free-for-all orgy. lol ... i'll have to sleep on that one... or may be not. [:D]

pbm -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/19/2008 10:44:32 AM)
Based on my recent visit if I had to choose between Napa and Sonoma from a wine tasting experience perspective it's the latter hands down because of the more personal authentic nature of the interactions. (I'm about halfway through my write-up by the way and it's already six pages.)

jhannah27 -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/19/2008 12:16:07 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pbm Based on my recent visit if I had to choose between Napa and Sonoma from a wine tasting experience perspective it's the latter hands down because of the more personal authentic nature of the interactions. (I'm about halfway through my write-up by the way and it's already six pages.) I agree 100%. I have had several unenjoyable experiences in Napa due to crowded tasting rooms and people behind the counter who just don't seem to like they think they are too good to be pouring for you. On the other hand, every time I have been in Sonoma I feel I am greated warmly, there is typically someone who takes the time to talk to you about the wines and their experience with them, and, depending on the time of year you go, there is ample room at the bar to be comfortable. No contest in my book. The one thing Napa has going for it (although this may be part of the reason why they have so many problems with drunks [;)]) is that all the wineries are right next to eachother either on Hwy 29, or on the Silverado Trail. Not that Sonoma is all that spread out, but Napa is just so much more convenient and easy to get around.

zippz -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/20/2008 6:31:11 PM)
They must be giving out whole bottles at tastings in Ohio. [:D] http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/05/29/ddn052908policeblotter.html

vinopkm -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/20/2008 8:50:40 PM)
I have been to Napa and Sonoma twice each- 2 random weekends and 2 years in a row on Memorial Day weekend- I have never had any problems tasting- I think that if you stay away from V. Sattui, ZD, Miner and a couple other mainstream large wineries you will be alright. Pass them up or go later. I think the tasting room people can read you and if you go in thinking you will be treated bad- they will. Every time I go I get to try stuff not on the list or reserve wines when I only paid for the standards. Flora Spring once did a vertical tasting of their Triology wine for free (02, 03 & 04- 04 was unopened and in the back) when my girlfriend jokingly asked. We were tasting their for free with a coupon from our hotel. And this is from a 28 yr male usually wearing shorts and sandals- all the reasons to not treat me well at the tasting rooms. The only place I felt like the winery staff was snobbish was ZD. I guess I'm luck to not have had horror stories happening to me. I think that if you ask for things a lot of times they will do it or if you seem interested in certain wines. Usually I go to different wineries looking to try specific wine and make them aware up front, even if it is not on the list, I'll ask to try it- being polite helps as well.

zippz -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/25/2008 8:42:13 PM)
Wine tasting and slaughtering a wild boar - just another day in NZ Not quite a Tastings Gone Wild, but "wild" as in not your typical urban adventure. A experience more reminiscent of the days of Rome.

smahk -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/26/2008 11:54:38 AM)
Living on Long Island and very close to the North Fork Wineries I have witnessed this first hand. In the past, tastings were complimentary. Now they charge for flights to deter the "simply want to get a free drink and get buzzed" crowd. And the rowdiness and rudeness....... Buses and limos full of folks for bachelor parties, birthday parties, corporate events have ruined the little winery feel. The summer and fall weekends are the worst after 12 PM. However, I do belong to wine clubs at two of my favorite wineries and as soon as I identify myself - I get waited on by one server and always taste the reserve wine or the not yet released wine that is not even on the tasting menu.

pjaines -> RE: Tastings Gone Wild (7/26/2008 1:20:12 PM)
As an opposite to all this excess, try going to Champagne for tasting days. You literally have to kick their front door in just to go and buy the stuff. Even in the small vineyards. "Customers? Why do we want those?" seems to be the modus operandi.

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