Curt: Still some open spots if you can make it up from Carolina this coming weekend. Otherwise, hope to raise a glass with you sometime in the future.

Baird: Bummer, man. Sorry you and the lovely missus can't make it down. We really enjoyed our dinner in Toronto with you guys last December. Hope to see you again soon.

Cheers,

Otis

I’m sorry that I did not write sooner but I just found out this past weekend that the 3 vs. 3 soccer team that I play on, because we played well yesterday, will be advancing to another tournament next Sunday. I was looking forward to meeting some of you but I regretfully must cancel. Have a great time, everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by Altaholic:
I’m sorry that I did not write sooner but I just found out this past weekend that the 3 vs. 3 soccer team that I play on, because we played well yesterday, will be advancing to another tournament next Sunday. I was looking forward to meeting some of you but I regretfully must cancel. Have a great time, everyone.

Bummer dude, looking forward to meeting you. At least you've got a chance to grab a soccer title, good luck next weekend!

Cheers,

-B

Sorry you can't make it, Altaholic. But good luck in your futbol tourney!

Cheers,

Otis

The weather is supposed to be 90 degrees and sunny on Saturday. Perfect diminishing weather.

Whites while the Sun is out and reds after the Sun goes down and it cools off.

VM

It is with deep regret that yet another of the Canuck contingency must forego this fantastic opportunity to enjoy good wine and good cheer with fellow forumites.
Alas, I am unable to make the trek to the Windy City, but I'm confident that this will be another memorable event.
All the best, and I hope to read about the aftermath.

quote:

Originally posted by otisabdul:
Sorry you can't make it, Altaholic. But good luck in your futbol tourney!

Thanks. My team will need it as every team we play from here on out is pretty tough and at times the games seem more like rugby than soccer. Hopefully I'll make it up in the future for some other wine event or another CDP - it's only about a 4 hour drive for me.

Otis: It is with deep regret that my wife and I will not be able to attend the CDP as planned. I had been looking forward to this since first reading about the last one two summers ago, but this can't be helped. My sincerest apologies, and thanks for hosting what I'm sure is a spectacular event. I can only hope your cellar needs "diminishing" again next year.

quote:

It is with deep regret that yet another of the Canuck contingency must forego this fantastic opportunity to enjoy good wine and good cheer with fellow forumites.

Looks like the Canadian contingent is pretty meagre this year. Not counting expats, of course.

On the bright side, I may not have to hip-check so many away from the top bottles this time...

DoktaP/newsguy: Sorry you guys can't make it. But I'm sure there will be other opportunities down the road.

bman: careful who you hipcheck. If you lay the body on one our Canadian expat hockey players named Stu, he will definitely take your legs out when you're not looking!

Cheers,

Otis

What is everyone planning on bringing to eat? As my pastry skills completely top my savory I am hoping to do something tonight. I'm hoping there will be some people there who will welcome sweets. If not, I'll have to find a Whole Foods on the way and pick up a bag of cheese or something.

I am bringing an app. Grilled zuchini rolled with goat cheese/baby spinich/basil.

I think bringing a sweet is fine idea

quote:

bman: careful who you hipcheck. If you lay the body on one our Canadian expat hockey players named Stu, he will definitely take your legs out when you're not looking!

I abhor violence, especially now that I'm over 50 and not the healthiest guy on earth! In my youth, though, I was a pretty solid road hockey player, along the lines of Phil Esposito.

Just a heads-up that mrs. bman and b-daughter are labouring away even as I type on a classic Canadian dessert for the CDP, to go along with any dessert wines that may present themselves....

quote:

What is everyone planning on bringing to eat?

LOL. Just come hungry.

quote:

Originally posted by otisabdul:
Curt: Still some open spots if you can make it up from Carolina this coming weekend. Otherwise, hope to raise a glass with you sometime in the future.

Alas, I can not make it. I appreciate the thought though. Perhaps the next time. I would really enjoy meeting all of you. Have quite a few friends in the Chicago area I've been meaning to visit anyway.

By the way, if you ever pass through NC or SC let me know. I'd love to set up a dinner or something. Of course that goes for all of you. Too bad there really isn't a whole lot in NC to bring people in.

Tonights the night, I hope you all have a smashingly good time. I'll be thinking about you all and look forward to the notes.

Any live updates?

??

Had an incredible time!!! <wait, why am I awake? zzzzzzzz>

Thank you Otis and Mrs. Otis for the wonderful time. There was a beyond generous spread of lovely wine, all amazingly organized.

It was great to meet so many people, albeit in such a rapid-fire fashion. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon and to getting to sit down for a proper talk.

Hoorah for Mr and Mrs Otis! Thanks so much for your continued generousity. Terrific party.

A special thanks to VM and Mrs VM for the White Castles. This year I found them perfectly timed, hitting the spot so well. I haven't even suffered any consequences yet!

Thanks for hosting another outstanding event O and Ms. O! Patrice pointed out that she really liked the Burgundy...oh, oh. Could be trouble.

Everything was terrific. We were fighting the sitter clock so I wish we could of stayed longer! Well done!

Cheers,
John and Patrice

Mr & Mrs Otis, you are the host and hostess with the most and mostest!

A big thanks, and sincere gratitude.

Another great CDP. Wonderful turnout and weather. I think the wine opened this year was the best collection of any of the CDP's. I enjoyed reconnecting with long time board members and meeting some board members I had not met before form Connecticut, Indiana, Canada and Michigan. Even ran into to some local board members for the first time.

Some highlights from memory:

~Favorite Red of the night- 1991 Kathryn Kennedy Cab
~Favorite White of the night- 2004 Muller Catoir Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Riesling Kabinett
~No broken bottles this year- good
~No injuries this year- very good
~No sofa in the cellar- sad end of a tradition but we did manage to get a leather office chair in
~Purple teeth award to Allred
~There were quite a few guesses on the "mystery wine" contest but none of them were correct. The mystery bottle was the 2004 Tatiarra Shiraz Pressings Caravan of Dreams which got a score of 98+ points from the WA and has scores ranging from 93-97 on Cellartracker. That wine was hidden in a bottle of 2001 Ridge Lytton Springs.
~Excellent spread of food this year. Thank you to all who cooked.
~No hockey fights which was a little disappointing.

Lastly a huge thank you to our hosts Otis and his wife who have a loooooong day of cleaning up the mess we left behind. Not to mention taking down the tents and putting away all the furniture outside in the 90 degree heat today with hangovers most likely.

VM

What happened this weekend was very special.

I am really glad I took the time to do this.

The Friday dinner was a very good experience.

Otis, you and your wife really outdid yourself. I am proud to say that I was part of
it.

THANK YOU