Perfect summer night - three couples - roasted mussels - cherry stone clams - shrimp - bbq lobster - lots of Chardonnay - in various forms -
Started with Ruinart Blancs de Blancs Champagne - NV - its was Ed's birthday - distinctive clear squat bottle - rich amber colored liquid - made from 100% Chardonnay grape - luscious taste - full bodied - loved the sense of sustance with each sip -
Opened Cave De Genouilly - Gourgone Aligote - 2006 - as shellfish apps were pulled from the Weber - more Chadonnay - totally Burgundians rendition - lots of mineral - no rough edges - you'd have to be an Oregonian vineyard owner to not know it was French -
Lobsters split - bbq'd - piled high on the platter - everyone moved to the umbrella'd table -
Pulled the cork on - Miner Family Chardonnay 2005 - WOW - screamed Chardonnay - screamed California - big - some oak but kept in balance by the strong chardonnay grape - smooth without becoming buttery - total opposite of the French completed just moments before - best remark of the evening - I'll never by a Chardonnay under $20 again - thank you Michael -
Miner gone - bulk of the lobster inhaled - everyone moved into the "just one more piece" mode -
Popped - Egly-Ouriet Brut NV Rose Champagne - this is one of our personal favorites - clean - crisp - intense carbonation from natural fermentation - fruit against acid - explosive - just a tint of still Pinot Noir added to create the romance of Rose - 60% Pinot Noir - 40% Chardonnay -
Everyone brought wine of their own choosing - differences between Ruinart and Egly-Ouriet - between Cave De Genouilly and the MIner - could not have been greater - but each was strong in its own individual style - and by some vino-mojo - the serving order against the evenings random offerings - was perfect - what drinking wine is all about - and the food wasn't too bad either -
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