Paso Robles Grand Tasting

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Left work at 4:00 to head for Newport Beach. Took the coastal route to avoid the freeways and got to Newport about 5:10. Good drive time and I always like to be early in case of problems which today had them. It took me 40 minutes to finally get parked. The parking structure at the venue site was full so they were sending us down the street to a structure who had no authorization to allow us parking. After being given the run around I ended up parking on the street about 4 blocks away. But those who were late arriving managed to get parking in the first structure. Ir seems there was a large wedding on the yacht next to us and they were leaving about 6:00. Very poor planning on the "planners" part. When they held this event at the Marconi Automobile museum a few years ago there was no problem at all. Guess it all depends on the competency of the planner.

This event was held on the yacht "Majestic" which is a 60 foot long three story high vessel.  It is used for private functions and dinner cruises. They were supposed to have the winery reps' on all three decks but since it was cold and the upper deck was exposed they crammed those reps into the second deck. Crowded but fun.

Ran into quite a few people I knew and a few winery owners that I have met before. Tasted some new wineries and some of them were quite good. Had a good time with the wines.

Too bad someone didn't tell the "planners" that at at 6 to 8 o'clock event you do food. Yes they had a cheese platter. Looked like they go their cheese at Trader Joes. The  wedges of cheese were that small. Not set up for 200 people or so. There were some passed "appetizers" but the poor waiter never got more than 10 feet from the door and his tray was empty, They had a nice bruschetta, pieces of beef and lamb on skewers and small pieces of bacon wrapped scallops.What they had was good. Just not enough of it. One of the wine reps told me afterwards that all they got all day was some cheese and bread. The reps did have an hour break between the trade tasting and the general public tasting. They could try to get something to eat from one of the nearby restaurants but they would be dashing around. They still had to reset their stations for the next batch of winos' showing up, like me.

Don't know who did the planning but I could have done a much better job of it. Judging my the looks of the dollies that were registering us in - it was someone of the same - bleached blonde, silcone boobs, botox face and the mandatory short black dress with ridiculously high heels.

I tasted a nice Viognier from Steinbeck (new winery for me) The wine had nice peach & melon flavors which made it a better wine for me. I am not a big white rhone wine fan. Had a good Malbec from Bon Niche - first year bottling. Had the Oyster Ridge from Ancient Peaks. A blend that is always good. Bodegas Paso Robles was there. I hot their tasting room last November. All Spanish varietals.