Get on my level: Vino and Violins

You know what I do? I drink wine on islands in big classy white event tents with chandeliers while people play music and feed me various cheeses that I’ve never even heard of.

That’s right. Your boy is comin’ up in the world. I spent Saturday at the Bainbridge “Uncorked” event, rubbing elbows with only the highest-class debutant type…um…well okay as far as I can tell, mostly just a bunch of normal people who like wine and food. It was like finding out that the girl in high school who was too cool for you actually plays Madden and hates the Oklahoma City Thunder as much as you do. It was awesome.

I was expecting to have a lot of very serious wine buffs and get thoroughly bored and a little intimidated by guys in tweed jackets and ascots, but I didn’t. There were more t-shirts and flip flops than I expected, and hey, that’s just how the islanders do it I guess. I’m going to have to buy a place out there…wait, I’m going to have to make more money, THEN I’ll buy a place out there. That’s going to be awesome. Stay tuned for that…

Note to Self: Don’t say “Awesome” so much.

The turnout was huge, packing about 200 people in a tent roughly equipped for 75, but after talking to the staff, they just didn’t expect that many people to show up. Luckily, the sun was out and patrons were able to spill out onto the marina walkway, sippin’ their vino with sailboats in the background. It was a pretty great setting. I felt like I was at the Catalina Wine Mixer.

Contest: Become a fan on facebook and post the movie that features the Catalina Wine Mixer on our wall. First person to get it right wins an appetizer with their next purchase.

The benefit of such a large crowd is that no one had time to ask me what I thought of the pinot or what woodland flower’s aroma I could pick out of the merlot.

It meant I got to relax and actually enjoy the wine.

My favorite? The Valvano blend from Fletcher Bay Winery. This wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet grapes. Mostly I liked it because the woman who was pouring for Fletcher Bay introduced it to me by saying “You’re gonna like this, but not as much as you would if you had some spicy Italian sausage with it.”

Which is true…that’s always true. I’m sold. Once I’d tried it, instead of asking “what notes of spring fruit did you notice?” she said “yeah…it’s good huh?”

Fletcher Bay also has a really cool-looking guest house and bed and breakfast. I’d recommend going tasting there on pure impression. They were a lot of fun and made me feel right at home. I’m sure she could whip you up some Italian sausage to go with your bottle of Valvano.

My other favorite would have to be Eleven Winery. Eleven Winery is named for a bicycling term. Eleventh gear is what you set when you’re trying to go “all out”…Their wine goes all out. I had the Malbec, and if it’s any indicator, the rest is really good too. Eleven can be found anytime at DeVine Wines. One of the coolest things is that even though they were swamped, the owner took the time to explain to me what the toasting process in an oak barrel can for some wines. He answered quickly, and after noticing my blank stare, held my hand and walked me through it like a small child.

There were six other Bainbridge wineries there, and I’m not going to list them…Mostly because I’m lazy. They were all great though so head back to their big weekend-long festival in the fall to try them all yourself! (okay fine, you can email me if you have any questions too Kevin@de-vinewines.com).

At the shop, I’m told the tasting went great. Hope you were able to make it down. If not; don’t fret. It happens again this week (noticing a trend?). I’ll see you there! Tomorrow night is game night. Come down and have a few glasses, embarrass yourself in Pictionary, and kiss my ring when I reign supreme champion.

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Tags: Bainbridge Uncorked, De-Vine, De-Vine Wines, Everett, happy hour, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, tastings, wine, wine bar, wine shop