What do you do when you are a stranger in a strange land (not that Utah is that strange, mind you) and want to meet people with similar interests? Why, host a wine dinner, of course. On a recent family vacation to Park City, I asked friends of ours who live there to invite a group of their friends over for dinner one night for the purpose of meeting new people — by sharing and drinking wine. In the interest of full disclosure, I made sure that the guests knew that I was a wine columnist who wanted to write an article about the social power of wine.
I suggested a wine theme (Rhone varietals) and set a menu (Cassoulet) for the evening. Each couple was asked to bring a bottle of wine and a dish to share. It amazed that seven complete strangers (to me) jumped at the chance to share an evening over wine.
We started the evening off with a domestic version of a classic white southern Rhone wine. The 2009 Tablas Creek C?tes de Tablas Blanc ($20) may be from the Central Coast of California, but the blend of viognier, grenache blanc, marsanne and roussanne still tastes like its French cousin, with a bouquet of peaches, nectarines and a touch of honeydew.
Viognier is a traditional white Rhone varietal, and in the hands of founder/winemaker Casey McClellan, the 2009 Seven Hills Viognier Talcott Vineyard ($20) from the Columbia Valley of Washington State is delightful. Fragrant scents of orange blossom, bees wax and honey on the nose are captivating. The flavors of orange rind, tropical fruits and creamy peaches are kept in check by the bright acidity.
I feel fortunate that one of the guests brought a 2009 E. Guigal C?tes du Rhone Blanc ($12) white wine from France to compare and contrast against the domestic versions. A blend of viognier, roussanne, marsanne, clairette and bourboulenc produces aromatics of orange rind, roasted nuts and honey. Flavors of almonds, baked apples and tangy minerals join together on an unctuous frame and glide into a rich, long finish.
The 2005 E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape from France ($40) is the red wine version of the abovementioned wine, and has over eight different grapes in the blend, including grenache, syrah and mourv?dre. The wine sports a dark cherry red color and a spicy nose of smoked cedar wood and cigar tobacco. The palate is light-styled but offers complex flavors of black cherry, dark plum and notes of saddle leather. The pretty finish is round, soft and memorable, thanks to the smokey notes at the end.
No Rhone wine tasting would not be complete without an offering from the Northern Rhone valley. The 2005 M. Chapoutier Sizeranne Hermitage ($55) was an excellent ambassador. This syrah-based wine is dense and rich with aromas of black current, black pepper and spice. On the palate, concentrated flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, dried herbs and vanilla dominate all the way through the long, silky-smooth finish.
The evening resulted not only in new friendships, but also served as a testament to the power of wine in bringing people together and developing a bond that will last many years to come.
So, the next time you’re planning on spending some extended time away from home and want to meet new people, consider the social aspect of wine. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced collector, meeting other fellow wine enthusiasts is a wonderful way to meet new people and, at the very least, a great excuse to open up a few bottles of wine.
