Here is a tip for all you tasters. 

When you go tasting, do you rinse your glasses between tastes?  

Please don't rinse. The average taste is around an ounce, not much liquid at all.  

When you rinse, water is left in the glass due to the adhesive nature of water.  Enough is left to dilute your next sample of wine.

 

Most wineries pour from lightest to heaviest wines, so you should not have to rinse between tastes. If the wines leave some stuff (we call this MOG- matter other than grapes) in the glass, you should either rinse it with the next wine or ask for a new glass.  Same thing if you happen to go backwards from a heavier to lighter wine, say from a cab to a Pinot noir. 

If you've had a dessert wine, get a new glass before venturing on.

Another factor to consider is the chlorine in water, it can affect the taste of your wine.  Generally you don't have to worry about this when glasses are washed, they are normally left to air dry and the chlorine blows off quickly.

Well, until next time...

Try something new this week.

CHEERS!

The Egyptians were the first to make glass containers around 1500 B.C.E.

PACIFIC WINE CLUB

We went a bit off the beaten track and didn't even leave Medford. We found ourselves at the Pacific Wine Club (PWC) last Saturday. Although it was initially a bit tough to find, it certainly was worth the effort.

I got a kick out of our server, Jim. He was a regular customer when I worked at RoxyAnn and it was fun to be on the other side of the bar. Jim regaled us with stories of his time in Italy in the 70's as he did a masterful pouring.

The PWC certainly is generous with it pours. Whereas most tasting rooms seem to pour ¾ to 1 oz., they are closer to an 1 1/2oz to two oz. This is so you get a better mouthfeel and a good sampling of the wine.

The PWC is unique because they are a full tasting room, a retail shop, internet ordering and a warehouse. They have some wonderful wines from around the Northwest, as well as wines from around the world, all at competitive prices. I found a Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that I fell in love with- smooth, polished and great with food. In the warehouse, they have an amazing selection of grocery store type wines at great prices. I saw an old favorite, Gruet Sparkling Wine, that is on the shopping list.

The store started as an online store and just had a warehouse. But then, owners Victoria and Ken decided to expand and a hit was born. The tasting room features full tasting flights, themed tastings and specials, great wine club options, music, wine by the glass or the bottle (provided you purchase it there) and even beer.

The atmosphere is cozy and has big over stuffed chairs to relax in. The warehouse is fun to peruse for great deals. There are also a number of wine clubs offered, sure to fit anyone's tastes. (pun intended)

The PWC is off Biddle across form the airport behind the hotel. Although we (almost) got lost, it was a discovery happily made.

Music on Friday, hmm...!

PWC Website

PWC Facebook

Давайте выпьем за то, чтобы мы испытали столько горя, сколько капель вина останется в наших бокалах!

(May we suffer as much sorrow as drops of wine we are about to leave in our glasses!)

PASSING OF AN ERA...

Lorn at work

Well, it is a sad day indeed. Lorn Razzano is selling Ashland's Wine Cellar.  It has always been nice to go downstairs and see Lorn holding court in his chair by the register.  

He always shared great tales, advice and samples. Lorn has been an institution in Ashland since the '80s, with his shop, his column in the Daily Tidings and his wine appreciation class at SOU.

I don't what is in store for my old friend, but I wish him well where ever life's path takes him next. I say thank you, Grazie, for imparting your love and knowledge of wine with me and generations of students and customers.

Cheers and ciao, Paisano!

I wish good tidings (pun intended) to the new owners.

To read the Ashland Daily Tiding's article, by Sam Wheeler, click HERE