Spent the Thanksgiving week in Tucson, AZ. In photo below are the following superstar line up: Leslie Tal, Jerry Deutscher, JerriAnne Rees, Bruce Deutscher, Georgi Otis and Nancy Mellan.
The winner: Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc 2002
The results of the champagne tastings were #1 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc 2002 $135; #2 Pol Gardere Brut $32 and #3 Delamotte Blanc De Blanc 2002 $95.
#4 Ruinart Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc 2002 (France) $135 This is the top line from Ruinart, a long time Champagne maker. This is a chardonnay only Champagne. This was probably my all time favorite and we have been doing the blind tastings for ten years now. Obviously the price tag makes this a special occasion champagne. Wine Spectator had rated it '96'.The less expensive Ruinart Brut Blanc de Blanc $65 may be as good - we shall see.
#8 Pol Gardere Brut (France) $32. This was a last minute addition. Mel and I were champagne tasting at "Bubbles" in Morgan Hill and we tried this little gem. One magazine placed Pol Gardere as one of the top 10 bargain sparkling wines. This was one of the favorites of the group. My own personal notes was it was semi-smooth with a nice taste that would be workable if the price was right - which it is.
#1 Delamotte Blanc de Blanc (France) $95 - this is a chardonnay only champagne, it is the second labeling of the winery, the first one is Salon, only produced on exceptional years and usually runs $300;
For those of you who are interested in the order of the tasting, here goes:
#1 Delamotte Blanc de Blanc (France) $95
#2 Cordoniu Napa Grand Reserve Brut (USA) $42
#3 Ferghettina Franciacorte Milledi (Italy) 2009 $60
#5 Ayala Champagne Majeur Brut (France) $50.
#6 J.M. Seleque Brut (France) $35
#7 G.M Mumm Cuvee R. Lalou 1999 (France) $349
#8 Pol Gardere Brut (France) $32
#9 Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Brut Blue Top (France) $35.
#10 Pol Roger Brut Reserve Reserve (White Top) (France) $60
So that was the rundown.
Yesterday I went to Beverly's for the Christmas Open House. Lots of sales for anything you need to do the craft of your choice. I spent the last of my gift card that was given to me by my wonderful husband. He gives me one every year and I spend it very carefully so it will last all year. Thank goodness it's Nov and hopefully he will give me another one for christmas this year.
Had a great time last night at the Ackerman “Suck it up Holiday Party.” The theme this year was “Wear Your Favorite Holiday” costume. It was a lot of fun and people were very creative. Had a blast tasting 10 different Champaign’s and rating them. It was interesting to note the $320 bottle of Champaign wasn’t very popular.
Had lunch at Buck’s of Woodside restaurant. For the past two decades the restaurant Buck’s of Woodside has been an anchor of Silicon Valley. While known for it’s wacky decor, it’s also known as a breeding ground for tech companies such as monumental moments in the history such as the first demos of PayPal to the incorporation of Hotmail. Buck’s is one of the only restaurants that’s near the venture capital world. So, if you’re raising money on Sand Hill road, it’s not too far of a drive. The second you walk in the door you are accosted by the chotchkies in the restaurant on the wall, hanging from the ceiling, the floor, everywhere imaginable and then some.
Had lunch at Buck’s of Woodside restaurant. For the past two decades the restaurant Buck’s of Woodside has been an anchor of Silicon Valley. While known for it’s wacky decor, it’s also known as a breeding ground for tech companies such as monumental moments in the history such as the first demos of PayPal to the incorporation of Hotmail. Buck’s is one of the only restaurants that’s near the venture capital world. So, if you’re raising money on Sand Hill road, it’s not too far of a drive. The second you walk in the door you are accosted by the chotchkies in the restaurant on the wall, hanging from the ceiling, the floor, everywhere imaginable and then some.
I had lunch at Buck’s of Woodside restaurant. For the past two decades the restaurant Buck’s of Woodside has been an anchor of Silicon Valley. While known for it’s wacky decor, it’s also known as a breeding ground for tech companies such as monumental moments in the history such as the first demos of PayPal to the incorporation of Hotmail. Buck’s is one of the only restaurants that’s near the venture capital world. So, if you’re raising money on Sand Hill road, it’s not too far of a drive. The second you walk in the door you are accosted by the chotchkies in the restaurant on the wall, hanging from the celing, the floor, everywhere imaginable and then some.