CWG: I don't know how much of your own stash you can take into 219W. Hopefully Txtaster can help us out on that one. Since the 4th doesn't seem very good for wino, we could do the tasting at 219W then move down to Castle hill for dinner...thoughts?

RRV: the 10th and the 17th will be more tastings @ 219W, I am free on the 11th, 16th, 18th

Txtaster: Would we be able to bring in to 219 and do dinner after the tasting?

Wino: Where do you stand in all of this?

Hi CWG, in Texas anyone with a distributor's license can bring wine into full liquor license places, and since I'm working with a distributor during the Wednesday wine tastings, I'm sure we can work something out

Oops, I posted a reply before reading Bdubs' question. You can go to dinner afterwords, or make a meal of the appetizers at 219. While 219 isn't a full restaurant, they have a pretty broad menu with better food than a lot of restaurants in Austin. The chef should be there on Wednesday, too, rather than the line cook.

For those of you coming from out of town, they allow smoking at 219, including cigars for any of you who like to indulge (or as warning in case you can't stand it).

And, in case any of you are wondering what my connection to 219 is, the GM is my husband and I helped put together their wine program.

You might consider Chez Nous also - very casual French Cafe atmosphere with minimal corkage - I have had an offline there which was very pleasant.

All Austin Vinolovers:

Please email me at:

redredvine@hotmail.com

So that I can give you my contact info while in Austin.

Thanks!

I look forward to meeting you and drinking with you!

RRV

p.s. I will be bringing back one of my fav beers that I cannot find here from Austin -- Shiner Bock!

So, brocolli, Mother says you're very good for me. Well, I'm afraid I'm no good for you!

I'll trade you some Shiner for some Black Butte Porter

TX:

You got yo'self a deal!

How much do you want?

RRV

So, brocolli, Mother says you're very good for me. Well, I'm afraid I'm no good for you!

Thanks RRV -- since beer's kind of a pain to travel with, just a few to remind me of how good Oregon beer is would be great. You'll want to make sure you drink plenty of draught Shiner while you're here because I think it's better than bottled Shiner, but that's probably true of most beers.

I guess we'll see you next week!

I like the plan of 219W on Wednesday (around 6?)for the tasting and maybe "sneaking" in a few bottles to crack open afterwards.

I also like the plan of dining on the appetizers - me and bdub did that last time and were very content. I forget the times they are 1/2 price but that was a steal last time.

I am pretty much out for Castle Hill Thursday
a) it is to close to my race and,
b) my family is going to Mirabelle this weekend and I consider them way too similar to dine a few days apart.

That being said, should we do Wink on Tuesday the 9th or the 16th?

txtaster:
what wines will accompany the brunello? perhaps I should bring a zin?
and what is the skinny on the 1/2 price apps?
should we get a head count and set us up a table?

I'm guessing
txtaster +1
W4E + 1
bdub +1
RRV
CWG +2
equals
10

See you guys there!

funny wine quip goes here.

I agree, dinner based on appetizers at 219W will please just about everyone, and is a killer deal.

The 9th (for Wink) does not work for me. I can do the 16th but will have to be on the late side(7:30ish).

Txtaster: would you like to make some recommendations as to what would go nicely with your tasting?

219's menu is on their website, www.219west.com. 1/2 price apps runs from 5-9pm.

Wednesday's tasting will be wines all from Frescobaldi, so the big dog will be the Brunello. My notes are at the bar, but I'm pretty sure the others are the Nippozano and a riserva Chianti, and I think a rosso and Bianco. Unfortunately, the cellar at the bar doesn't have a lot of depth in Frescobaldi wines, nor do I, so there's nothing 'vintage' to offer. I'll probably dig out something Italian from home to add, since I have a few 97 Brunellos, thanks to WS's huge endorsement of the vintage which coincided with my desire to get out of Calif. wines

How does everyone feel about trying to stay with Tuscan wines? Tho of course you can bring whatever floats your boat.

txtaster -

I think I have 1 bottle of Italian wine in my entire cellar....but I'll bring that and something fun from California.

Alrighty then.

I have no "Eye-talyan" (texas-speak) neither save a few low-level primitivo's.

But I DO have some cali-takes on an "Eye-talyan" varietal that I will bring if I don't pick something else up. You will likey-likey.

I am looking forward to this.

funny wine quip goes here.

No Italians? Hopefully that's not due to a dislike of Italian wine.

Do we want to start at 6:00? That would be ideal for me so I can have some time to sit with you before other people start coming in for the tasting. I will set up a table for us, so when you come in look for the reserved table. Also, please carry any wine you bring in a bag of some sort. This should be fun and might just get some of you more into Italian wine!

There at 6:00.

funny wine quip goes here.

We'll be there around 6. Picked up a 98 Brunello to add to the mix

You suck-up.

Don't be tryin' to put no pressure on me.

My '99 will kick your '98 in the head.

funny wine quip goes here.

6:00 it is. I've got an additional 3 that will probably show up later. I found 2 Italians in my cellar. 1) 1988 Brunello Di Montalcino Sassetti Livio and 2) 1995 Luce.

I'll bring them both. I hear that the 88 should be really good, if not too affected by traveling in my checked baggage....

Anything on for Thursday?

I would be up for something semi mellow on thursday..depends on how wednesday goes..we can discuss it at 219W


wino:bring it on

txtaster,

Who do I ask for at 291 West tomorrow? I just arrived in Austin, nice weather.

I've got 3 + me confirmed for tomorrow night.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chicago Wine Geek:
txtaster,

Who do I ask for at 291 West tomorrow?

---

You bring good wine...we will find you.

Hehe.

I may be a few minutes late, I gotta pick up bdub and L- on the way.

ps. i got my neal zins and chards in yesterday.

funny wine quip goes here.

I'll look for you then!

You can ask for Marty or Jennifer.

If it's nice enough, I might set us up on the covered patio. I'm looking foward to sharing some really nice wines. Thanks everyone!

Does anyone need directions? The Warehouse District is well known. 219 is at the corner of 4th and Lavaca. Parking can be difficult, but there's parking across the street in the Hobby Lobby building for $5, or sometimes it's free if the attendant isn't there yet. There's also valet in front of 219, but they don't show up until about 7. If you're parked out there, they will come in and ask for keys.

Thanks again to Marty and Jennifer for having us hooligans around. We littered your place with dirty glasses and dead soldiers. We need to arrange something else where you guys don't have to work so much.

Good to meet RedRedVine also.

CWG: Once again thanks for turning us on to some stellar wines, and my WOTN, the '97 Quilceda Creek. And don't forget you promised me some '02 G&L.

Other great wines (at least ones I remember ) were the '98 Banfi Brunello from bdub and the '01 Shafer Merlot from RRV, and a nice sangiovese that I think came from txtaster. The cheapie cab CWG whipped out in the end (started with "M") went down great also.

The Brunello in the tasting menu was pretty damn good as well along with the Montesido (?) chianti ruffino. Also the "eye-talyan" chard was a great contrast to the cali style I'm used to.

I'm gonna start to draw the curtains on this thread and get somehting else brewin'.

peace/owt.

funny wine quip goes here.

I am sooo glad I drank a lot of water last night. I believe my last count of empty bottles was 22. For 9 people plus Jennifer and Marty. I'll post under Tasting Notes what I remember we had and everyone can chime in with their own TNs.