Hennepin Lake Charity Wine Tasting this Wednesday

*Hennepin Lake Community Wine Tasting
Wednesday, October 20
6 to 9 p.m.
$25 in advance or $30 at the door
www.calhounsquare.com/index.php
For tickets call Monica Smith at East Calhoun Community Organization at 612-821-0131

Calhoun Square in Uptown
3001 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403

This is the best charity wine tasting in the Twin Cities for the money and features over 400 wines. Phil Colich at Hennepin Lake has been behind this event for almost 30 years and it benefits local charities around Uptown. Last year they raised over $290,000. The funds raised help build relationships among neighbors, offer community events throughout the year, crime prevention and improving the quality of the neighborhood businesses and homes.

Il Gatto will be providing light appetizers but I always encourage people to eat prior to the start of an event such as this. Some of the highlights from last years tasting were the extensive $50 plus Napa Valley wines, red and white Burgundies, Oregon and California Pinots and quality everyday producers.

Due to the large amount of wines I always start with the top producers first and move to the lesser expensive wines before palate fatigue sets in. Also, I would bring a your own stemware as last year the wines were served in plastic cups, and no, you will not be a wine snob but a wine geek if you do. See you there.

Spasso Wine Dinner featuring Domaine Serene

A very nice wine dinner event that Spasso put on featuring the wines of Domaine Serene. Each wine was paired with a course.

1st Course
Butter poached lobster with Leeks and beet essence sauce
2007 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Dijon Clones Etoile

2nd Course
Foie Gras Au Torchon
with poached pear and arugula mint salad
2006 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir

3rd Course
Pan Seared Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Hen of the Woods
2006 Domaine Serene Mark Bradford Pinot Noir

Humboldt Fog Aged Goat Cheese, Pecorino Re Niro and Beemster Aged Gouda
2006 Domaine Serene Rockblock Syrah

The Tasting Notes

2007 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Dijon Clones Etoile - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
A really nice effort. A rich wine with apple, pear, oak, spice and lemon. The wine is balanced and shows good acidity. This is one of the best Oregon Chardonnay's I have sampled. (92 pts.)

2006 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Another good showing for this wine. On the nose forest floor, spices, strawberry and cherry. No heat on this wine and really balanced. Medium finish and drinking well right now. (92 pts.)

2006 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Mark Bradford - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Really wonderful and sample next to the Evenstad Reserve. Medium purple and features blueberries, white pepper, raspberries and subtle oak. This is a very elegant 2006 and the acidity is perfect and went well with grilled salmon. Medium finish and soft tannins. Well done! (94 pts.)

2006 Domaine Serene Rockblock Reserve Syrah - USA, Oregon, Walla Walla Valley
Dark purple. Nose of black pepper, blackberries, minerals and earth. Good concentration and no heat. Well balanced and long finish. A nice expansion for Domaine Serene into Washington. 93+ (93 pts.)


All the wines were 92 plus and showed really well. I was not familar with their Walla Walla Syrah project and that should evolve into a nice addition over the years. Very good wines and they showed really well tonight.

Best Wine Bar in the Twin Cities

I just completed the best wine bar assignment and we have a winner. Go to the link to find out the top five wine bars: http://www.wineglas.com/Bestwinebarsinthetwincities.html

Enjoy,

John Glas

Wineglas