Easter weekend, what are we going to open?

Thinking of the Fairview Viognier from SA, and the `98 Ch Les Moines from Medoc. This warmish weather here is putting me in a good mood!

How about you?

I will probably open a Pinot Noir or red Burgundy to go with ham. Maybe a 1999 Morey-St-Denis "Les Millandes" or a Lange Pinot Noir from Oregon.

I have a '96 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert set up to match with the ham.

Depends on dinner, of course. Ham suggests Burgundy-maybe a Rully white with salad? Or maybe a Gamay?

Most years Betsy plays matinee, but she's off this Easter. So we're going to a big (pesce-vegetarian) open house at her sisters in early afternoon, I'll probably bring something light and food-friendly -Beaujolais or Kabinett Riesling.

But we're not staying long. Couldn't pass up the chance for making Easter dinner. Betsy insists on ham, Easter means lamb to me. We're having both. Our guests are a combination of French and Franco-philes (every Japanese person I know is!), so wines will be mostly French. I'm thinking Tavel for the ham, Bordeaux for the leg of lamb (though I could go Rhone with right seasonings). Although I have a lingering desire to open an older Rioja.

Tavel sounds good too but I don't have any on hand.

[James Roscoe]

Tavel sounds good too but I don't have any on hand.

I was thinking some Sauternes for dessert sounded nice. I can't tell what's in the basement.

Woo, they all sound like good choices to me! Alsace or a nice PN seem to be the partner for ham I guess.

It's a horse show weekend for us so no Easter Dinner. We'll be at the fairgrounds in Tucson all weekend.

I'm taking along a Chateau de Nizas Rose and a Namaste Peace for afternoon sipping or to have in the hotel before going out to dinner. We're even semi-civilized about this - a 4 pack of stemless wine goblets is in the horse show food and sundries tote.

Wine for dinner will be chosen from whatever the restaurant has on the list.

I'm thinking about a Trimbach Gewurztraminer and a 2001 Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin with a ham and potatoes style dinner.

Hi Bob,

I already opened a 2000 Bordeaux to go with the grilled lamb last night, I posted on this wine. Tonight will probably be a 2005 riesling kabinett to go with ham, although I might go with a pinot. Tomorrow we will have lamb stew and I think I may go for another 2000 Bordeaux or perhaps CdP or other southern Rhone wine.

Happy Easter Tom. Looks like you are in the mood!!

This may not sound like ME, but I swear it is!

Mary and I are lingering over sauted swordfish, garlic and lemon and a California Chardonnay and LOVING it ...

Walter Hansel 2005 Cahill Ranch Russian River Vineyard.

I must have more of this!

[Jenise]

Yay, you're loving a California chardonnay! Ready to join the ABC Recovery Club? I'm a founding member.

We're going to start tonight with a Benziger chardonnay then go to something red because it's Day One of my husband's Birth Fortnight. I'm doing veal chops--maybe a Brunello. I've been quietly building up a little collection of these Italian gems (awaiting party invitations where this is the wine of choice) and have yet to open one. Bob's bday would be an excellent excuse. Tomorrow we've been invited to a friend's home where the main course is lamb. I'll probably be towing some Bordeauxs, but I haven't selected which ones yet. This couple loves wine but they drink in the Yellow Tail range, so it won't be First Growths but stuff I can report on in Wine Focus. Maybe a 2000 Cap Faugeres, I think David Bueker said I could drink one now.

I've been quietly building up a little collection of these Italian gems (awaiting party invitations where this is the wine of choice)

Come to Niagara Cool!

[Jenise]

Is this year's theme Italian wine or do you have a sudden jones for brunello?

Yes, it looks like it's shaping up to be Italians.

I am trying to arrange my life to get there, and so is Julia. The three of us would have a BLAST!

[Jenise]

I am trying to arrange my life to get there, and so is Julia. The three of us would have a BLAST!

Wow, wouldn't we. Always at a bad time of year for me, though. I have a party for 50-100 on July 4th and a crab dinner to feed 80 the third week of August. In between there, I have company. Hard to fit in cross-country trips. What's the date again?

[James Roscoe]

Yes, it looks like it's shaping up to be Italians.

I am trying to arrange my life to get there, and so is Julia. The three of us would have a BLAST!

Hold it! Letting Jeannette meet both Julia and Cyn on the same weekend is bad enough, but to throw Jenise in the mix?!?!?!?!? And then Paulo too? That's too many girls in one weekend... she might find out how much fun I have here.

What's the date again?

Weekend of June 21-22.

Already opened a Gosset Brut Excellence (correct but uninspiring) and a '97 Monsanto IGT Nemo (very nice if a bit International) last night at a dinner with friends. Easter dinner will consist of lamb, which inspires us to open very good red wines, but Sunday isn't a big wine consumption day in our household. We'll see which trend prevails.

Mark Lipton

So far this weekend I am drinking a St. Clair Winery (New Mexico) Cab-Zin blend with pizza.

Tomorrow... hmmm. Hard to say. Since I am not really doing a big Easter dinner or anything, I'll probably just stick with some local, reasonable table wine. Maybe a Gruet Brut for chat.

[Robin Garr]

Yay, you're loving a California chardonnay! Ready to join the ABC Recovery Club? I'm a founding member.

Already right there with you! I'm selective, though. I'm not talking Beringer here, but Walter Hanse!

We opened a 1997 Jadot "Clos des Couchereaux" earlier this long weekend. Lovely savoury Pinot Noir in the prime of its life. Tomorrow we say goodbye to the Karl and Elodie Lorenz (going back home to California after an eight month working holiday) and I'm opening a bottle of Krug MV with a special smoked salmon/king prawn combo I rustle up from time to time.