David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
 | | 11/02/2006 3:42 AM |
| My whole world is nutso busy. I'd better pass.
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1085
| | 11/02/2006 5:14 AM |
| Quote:
This may sound silly, but I'm assuming that we don't need to bring stemware? Hopefully the restaurant will be able to supply at least a couple each.
(I've already got a ton of luggage to tote around, so I'm trying to cut down on the extra).
Wente's has nice stemware. I'll talk with them about getting extra's for everybody....shouldn't be an issue. They are usually very accommodating.
David.....is it something about Livermore that's keeping you away?? I know our wines suck and all....but hell....can't get you out here if I paid you!
Chris | | | |
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futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts:3214
| | 11/02/2006 1:51 PM |
| C'mon David! You know you want to go to the offline.
Thanks for the heads up Chris. Looking forward to it.
At this point, I'm likely going to bring a 1997 Andrea Oberto Barolo Rocche. | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/02/2006 4:43 PM |
| Bummer David! It's the Italian theme that is keeping you away, come on, admit it! Seriously, if you change your mind please let us know - there is still room available!
Current update:
Date & Time:
Wednesday, Nov. 8th, 7:00 PM
Location:
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
Phone 925.456.2400
Loose theme: (no need to be terrible strict about it, after all):
Wines of Piemonte, Italy!
Guest list:
1. Futronic
2.3. Eric & Teri
4. Tomg
5.6. R8der & Mrs. R8der
7. Al Osterheld
8.8. GATC & Arleen
9. Damon
10. Slaton
Tentive:
Dave & Alice (please respond and let me know!)
Dave Tong? (please respond and let me know!)
David Sankeran | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 11/02/2006 5:33 PM |
| It's nice to be wanted 
Nothing is keeping me away except that I have not been getting much sleep recently. I was away in Santa Rosa this past Thursday through Sunday and got way behind at work. I'm still not caught up and I have to leave again tomorrow morning for Orange County for a wedding. I won't be back at work until Tuesday when I will be further behind.
I expect that I will be having to work half days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before I'm caught up. You of course know what a half day is: half of 24 hours .
That said...
Wente is a nice place. I've been there a couple of times. You'll love it.
Livermore is Livermore. Wente is just over the hill from Lawrence Livermore. Let's hope the bombs don't explode and watch out for stray death rays.
Italian wine; there are other wines I don't like more... Like Lebanesse  .
Hey, if I get done at the store I'll show up unanounced but odds of that happening are slim and none . | | | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1085
| | 11/03/2006 11:06 PM |
| Eric,
Ed Kurtzman and his girlfriend Michelle may be coming. He was scheduled to come to my house for dinner next Friday, but when he heard about the wines you were bringing he mentioned that 64 is his birth year.....he may shift his plans. I'll let you know over the weekend.
Would you possibly be able to pick him up at BART on your way over??
Chris | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/04/2006 12:11 AM |
| | I'd be happy to pick Ed up at BART Chris, just let me know. It would be great if they can join us! Heck, I might even swap the 58 Marchisi with a 64 Borgogno in his honor! | | | |
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JS Lipscomb
Grape Picker
Posts:6
| | 11/04/2006 12:15 AM |
| Having recognized futronic's name from many tasting notes on CellarTracker....i'm in! Stoked about the Piemonte theme. My cellar is on the young side, but here are some wines i have & was thinking about...
2004 Ferrando Erbaluce di Caluso - a white recently recommended to me
2004 B. Giacosa Roero Arneis - loved the '05, haven't tried this vintage
1996 Poderi Colla Bricco del Drago - possibly OTH, but should be interesting
1998 G. Mascarelli Barolo Monprivato - drinking well according to some italophiles on the Squires board
2001 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra "Casa Mate" - just got 93pts AG
2001 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini "Chinera" - just got 91pts AG
2004 La Spinetta Barbera d'Alba Gallina - don't have it but it's available locally
Any thoughts/prefs? | | | |
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futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts:3214
| | 11/04/2006 12:39 AM |
| Wow, I'm flattered, slaton!
I'm sure any of those wines would be tasty - but I must say, I'm definitely partial to Nebbiolo. Mascarello's wines are very good as are Elio Grasso's. Gotta love that Casa Mate as well. The 1999 was stellar, but oh-so-young.
BTW, is there any interest is tasting a little sparkling wine from Piemonte? It's no Krug or Salon, but Fontanafredda makes a very pleasant Blanc de Blancs. If not, we could always go with Champagne.  (Just trying to stay on theme here ...) | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/06/2006 3:42 PM |
| Current update with a couple new additions :
Date & Time:
Wednesday, Nov. 8th, 7:00 PM
Location:
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
Phone 925.456.2400
Loose theme: (no need to be terrible strict about it, after all):
Wines of Piemonte, Italy!
Guest list:
1. Futronic
2.3. Eric & Teri
4. Tomg
5.6. R8der & Mrs. R8der
7. Al Osterheld
8.8. GATC & Arleen
9. Damon
10. Slaton
11.12. NorCalVinoLover & Mrs. NCVL
Tentive:
Ed Kutzman & g/f | | | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1085
| | 11/06/2006 10:10 PM |
| Eric,
Ed Kurtzman is coming! Unfortunately his girlfriend won't be making it. Regardless, he'd really appreciate being picked up/dropped off at BART in Pleasanton. I'm going to PM you his cell phone # so you can call and make individual arrangements with him. Thanks Eric!
Chris | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/06/2006 11:40 PM |
| Excellent R8der! I got your PM, glad Ed will make it, and I'm happy to handle the transportation.
Date & Time:
Wednesday, Nov. 8th, 7:00 PM
Location:
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
Phone 925.456.2400
Loose theme: (no need to be terrible strict about it, after all):
Wines of Piemonte, Italy!
Guest list:
1. Futronic
2.3. Eric & Teri
4. Tomg
5.6. R8der & Mrs. R8der
7. Al Osterheld
8.8. GATC & Arleen
9. Damon
10. Slaton
11.12. NorCalVinoLover & Mrs. NCVL
13. Ed Kurtzman | | | |
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tgenn
Pleasanton, Ca.
Grape Stomper
Posts:176
| | 11/07/2006 4:39 AM |
| Eric:
Could I please add two more? My friends Jay and Dani from San Ramon just got back from Italy, and have some discoveries to share.
Tom | | | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1085
| | 11/07/2006 4:55 AM |
| Cool......looks like we are full up! Looking forward to meeting you and your friends Tom!
Chris | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/07/2006 5:30 AM |
| Excellent! yep, we're at Full capacity! Update below:
Date & Time:
Wednesday, Nov. 8th, 7:00 PM
Location:
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
Phone 925.456.2400
Loose theme: (no need to be terrible strict about it, after all):
Wines of Piemonte, Italy!
Guest list:
1. Futronic
2.3. Eric & Teri
4. Tomg
5.6. R8der & Mrs. R8der
7. Al Osterheld
8.8. GATC & Arleen
9. Damon
10. Slaton
11.12. NorCalVinoLover & Mrs. NCVL
13. Ed Kurtzman
14.15. Jay & Dani | | | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1085
| | 11/07/2006 7:16 PM |
| Eric, change of plans with Ed. His girlfriend, Michele, is now coming, and she will be driving, so no need to pick him up at BART. This brings us to 16. I just confirmed with Wente's so it's not a problem.
I also confirmed the unlimited waived corkage....didn't want any surprises tomorrow night. They will have additional stemware out for us....didn't seem to be an issue with them. Hell, if this works out well we may have to make this a quarterly event!
BTW, I hope this Italian theme is rather loose....I have no Italians so I'll be buying something off the list. I think Ed is bringing a bottle from his Sandler label.
See you all tomorrow!
Chris | | | |
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JS Lipscomb
Grape Picker
Posts:6
| | 11/07/2006 7:25 PM |
| Quote:
I'm definitely partial to Nebbiolo.
Fair enough ... I'll plan to bring the Casa Mate. However if i somehow make it up to RWC tomorrow afternoon i'll bring the '98 Monprivato instead. I'll throw in a Piemonte white as well.
Quote:
BTW, is there any interest is tasting a little sparkling wine from Piemonte? It's no Krug or Salon, but Fontanafredda makes a very pleasant Blanc de Blancs.
You bet! Bring it...  | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/07/2006 8:35 PM |
| Cool, glad Michele can make it! Let me know if anything changes, my cell is 925-872-4227 (feel free to pass that on to Ed also).
Very loose on the Italian theme imo, more of a suggestion . FWIW, I went ahead and put a '64 Borgogno in the bad too - just in case | | | |
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futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts:3214
| | 11/08/2006 2:29 AM |
| Quote:
Quote:
BTW, is there any interest is tasting a little sparkling wine from Piemonte? It's no Krug or Salon, but Fontanafredda makes a very pleasant Blanc de Blancs.
You bet! Bring it...
If you said no, you'd be too late. It was in my luggage when I left Toronto on Saturday.
That reminds me, I should put it in the fridge to chill so I don't forget!
Really looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night! | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9257
| | 11/08/2006 7:55 PM |
| Last minute news!!!! I got a surprise call from Dave Corey this morning, turns out he's doing a quick up-and-back, and happens to be in town tonight! I've checked with Wente, and no problem upping it to 17 people - so game on! Dave will most probably be joining us! (slight chance he will not, depends on his SF appt.).
Date & Time:
Wednesday, Nov. 8th, 7:00 PM
Location:
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
Phone 925.456.2400
Loose theme: (no need to be terrible strict about it, after all):
Wines of Piemonte, Italy!
Guest list:
1. Futronic
2.3. Eric & Teri
4. Tomg
5.6. R8der & Mrs. R8der
7. Al Osterheld
8.9. GATC & Arleen
10. Damon
11. Slaton
12.13. NorCalVinoLover & Mrs. NCVL
14.15. Ed Kurtzman & Michelle
16.17. Jay & Dani
18. Dave Corey | | | |
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