Good afternoon my fellow wine lovers.

Well, we couldn’t come up with a home to host our July offline so how about we just throw something together at a restaurant? Sounds like a great idea to me! Here’s what I’d like to shoot for:

• Date: Thursday, July 14th, Time TBD, approx. 6:30PM-7PM start time
  
• Venue: Probably Caravelle in Richardson subject to final confirmation with the restaurant.
  
• Wine Theme: The Serfdom of Whites – Less than Noble Varietals
  

There has been much debate over the years as to what truly constitutes a “noble” white varietal but there are at least three undisputed noble whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. So this month we will explore all of the other white varietals that are not so noble. In the past many of these other whites have been used as blending agents with the occasional single varietal bottling but over the years it seems than many wine makers have stepped up to the plate with single varietal bottlings and improving quality therein. So take your pick of a cornucopia of whites and let’s explore these other varietals! The only two ground rules are not to bring one of the three nobles listed above and the varietal you do choose must contain a minimum of 51% of non noble varietals (i.e. an Australian 50% Chardonnay, 50% Semillon blend doesn’t cut it). Looking for some suggestions? How about: Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc. Viognier, Semillon, Muscadet, Chenin Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, French Columbard, Tokay, Muller Thurgau, Niagra, Sylvaner, Schreube, Marsanne, Rousanne and on and on and on!

So, who’s in?

Joe

Ignoble whites! I like it.

That's it! That's the word I was searching.

Quick update...

In
2 - preferred & Mrs. (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE
2 - just a skosh & Mr.
1 - Bella Donna
2 - PlanoWino & Mrs. (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
1 - escape
10 - Total

Maybe
1 - MikeB
1 - kybo

Another update:

In
2 -preferred & Mrs (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE
2 - just a skosh & Mr.
2 - Bella Donna & Kim
2 -PlanoWino & Mrs. (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
1 - escape
11 - Total

Maybe
1 - MikeB
1 - kybo

Yet one more update:

In
2 - preferred + Mrs (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE
2 - just a skosh + Mr.
2 - Bella Donna + Kim (Blend 50% Auxerrois, 35% chardonnay and 15% Pinot Blanc, 2003 Alsace Gewurtztraminer)
2 - PlanoWine + Mrs (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
2 - vintage + 1
1 - escape
1 - kybo
14 - Total

Maybe
1 - MikeB

It's starting to look like we'll have to split into two tables. Just FYI everybody...

EDITED to move kybo to confirmed.
EDITED to add Bella's wines.

Put me down for (1) 50% Auxerrois, 35% chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Blanc and (1) 2003 Alsace Gewurtztraminer (July's TAA wine)

Done

Another update:

In
2 - preferred + Mrs (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE
2 - just a skosh + Mr.
2 - Bella Donna + Kim (Blend 50% Auxerrois, 35% chardonnay and 15% Pinot Blanc, 2003 Alsace Gewurtztraminer)
2 - PlanoWine + Mrs (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
2 - vintage + 1
1 - escape
1 - kybo
1 - wine+art
15 - Total

Maybe
1 - MikeB

Another update. I'll be making the reservations tomorrow sometime. FYI...

In
2 - preferred (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE (1999 Borgo San Daniele Tocai Fruilano Italy,2000 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Alsace Les Princes Abbés)
1 - kybo
2 - just a skosh + Mr.
2 - Bella Donna + Kim (Blend 50% Auxerrois, 35% chardonnay and 15% Pinot Blanc, 2003 Alsace Gewurtztraminer)
2 - PlanoWine + Mrs (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
2 - vintage + 1
1 - bigred_seeker (Scherube)
1 - escape
1 - wine+art
16 - Total

Maybe
1 - MikeB

Good afternoon everybody!

We’re set for our July offline. Here are the details:

• Date & Time: Thursday, July 14th, 7PM
  
• Place: Caravelle Vietnamese & Chinese in Richardson (400 N Greenville Ave Ste 16, Richardson, 75081, Phone: 972-437-6388)
  
• Wine Theme: Ignoble Whites: Less than Noble Varietals
  

Remember, everybody bring one bottle of white wine per person in attendance (i.e. couples bring two bottles total, singles one bottle total, etc…) and they must be a minimum of 51% of a white varietals other than the three noble whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR OWN STEMWARE!!!

We will be split into two tables of eight. That should work really well for pours per bottle and pace for the evening. I’ve ordered one Peking duck per table. The “Nazi” wouldn’t let me order any more than that! LOL! She says they have something new for us to try and we must order it too. Those that have been there will laugh because you know exactly what I’m dealing with here.

Attendees and wines declared so far are listed below. Let me know if there are any changes.

I’ll see everybody Thursday night!

Joe

---------

In
2 - preferred & Mrs (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE (1999 Borgo San Daniele Tocai Fruilano Italy,2000 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Alsace Les Princes Abbés)
1 - kybo
2 - just a skosh + Mr.
2 - Bella Donna + Kim (Blend 50% Auxerrois, 35% chardonnay and 15% Pinot Blanc, 2003 Alsace Gewurtztraminer)
2 - PlanoWino + Mrs (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
2 - vintage + 1
1 - bigred_seeker (Scherube, Falanghina)
1 - escape (something corked)
1 - wine+art (the best wine in the world for Asian food)
16 - Total

Maybe
1 - MikeB

I'll see everybody tonight!

In
2 - preferred & Mrs (Chernoble wine)
2 - WIML & PURPLE (1999 Borgo San Daniele Tocai Fruilano Italy,2000 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Alsace Les Princes Abbés)
1 - kybo
2 - just a skosh + Mr.
2 - Bella Donna + Kim (2001 Zind-Humbrecht White Alsace Wine, 2003 Alsace Gewurtztraminer)
2 - PlanoWino + Mrs (Gewurtztraminer, Rhone Blend (70% Rousanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier))
2 - vintage + 1
1 - bigred_seeker (Scherube, Falanghina)
1 - wine+art (the best wine in the world for Asian food)
1 - MikeB
16 - Total

Maybe
1 - escape (something corked)