BITS & BOBS

I’m writing while sitting in a Starbucks on my way to a wine tasting in Bellingham. I had to catch an early boat off the island due to an alternate schedule put into effect for two weeks for boat repairs. Bad timing for sure, but at least I can get a few things done before the event…Like this article. Living on an island definitely has its challenges and every time I sit in my vehicle in the ferry line waiting for a boat, I wonder why I live here. The first answer to that question is my job. I work for a fantastic company with an owner that is a good friend. He takes good care of me and my wife and allows me to expand my horizons as a wine guy, giving me a lot of freedom to grow. He has two daughters that are beginning to take a larger roll in the company. I have known both of them since they were babies and they have turned out to be awesome adults. The company is in good hands. Being a wine specialist isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but having good folks to work with makes a huge difference.

Speaking of wine tastings, we had a Spanish wine tasting on the island just a couple of weeks ago that was fun and educational. Marshall Jorgensen from Classical Wines (they import mostly Spanish wines), addressed my wine group and did an outstanding job educating them on the amazing world of Spanish wines. I love putting the events on, because it is a chance for folks to learn about different parts of the wine world and expand their palate horizons. Many in my wine club have attended nearly all the events I have orchestrated. They have met wine makers, along with experts on French, Italian and Spanish wines. Over the years, they have tasted through hundreds of wines and many of them are drinking wines they may never have tried if it wasn’t for these events. That makes me very happy! At the aforementioned event, they tasted Godello, Albarino, Hondarrabi Zuri, Temparanillo, Garnacha and Monastrell. Nice palate exposure for one night!

I am back in full swing on You Tube. Now that the wedding is over and we have settled in, I am now able to focus on this venture I started a few years ago. I am hoping to build my audience to educate and entertain. Recent episodes include Syrah from different parts of the world, and an episode on vintage featuring inexpensive Bordeaux. Click on the links and check them out. The hardest part about doing You Tube episodes is cleaning up the leftovers. 🙂

Personally, I have never put much into wine and Halloween. From my experience, Fire Ball and beer seem to be the beverages of choice for those who choose to imbibe during this celebration. Trust me when I tell you that I have tried to promote different wines for this day, only to fail miserably. I suppose I could dress up and shoot a You Tube episode of some sort. I just might do that. What do you suggest I dress up as? Let me know as Halloween is just around the corner. Of course, I will focus my attention on wines for Thanksgiving as this is a holiday that is big on wine. I have some different insights that I will share with you over the next month. There are wines that I have promoted in the past that I have given up on. I will explain in the future. Stay tuned. I will devote several You Tube episodes to the subject of Thanksgiving and wine and why some work and some don’t. I hope you check them out, and if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to my blog and my You Tube channel. I would be deeply grateful.

Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man