WTN: Red Wings and... Loires?

With apologies to Geo T. I watched the Flyers play the Red Wings last night and while I love Rhones, especially the syrah based ones, this is what we drank during the game. It didn't look good for the Flyers, who are having their worst season ever, with the Red Wings surging towards first place.

2005 Francois Chidaine Montlois-sur-Loire Clos du Breuil

With some cheeses and white bean hummus and chips. This sec level Chenin blanc is pale yellow, much lighter in color than the demi secs I have tried recently. Open and shows nice aromas of lemon drop candy. There is some sweeter quince aromas coaxed out with swirling, but this is mostly showing citrusy lemon right now. Very nervy and energetic in the mouth, and full of rocks, powder and chalk minerals. Long finish, but not as lengthy as the demisecs. This is pretty wound up right now and will be better with a little time. Overall very good sec style Montlouis. I'm finding out my passion lies with Chidaine's demisec this vintage. $22.


2005 Filliatreau Saumur Champigny La Grande Vignolle

With grilled lamb seasoned with garlic, rosemary and Dijon mustard, oven roasted Yukon Golds and onions we drank this. My second bottle and this was maybe better than the first. It shows the warmer vintage aromas of 2005, some milk chocolate and pretty cherry and dark raspberry fruit. In the mouth this leans towards acidic side, but is balanced and has ripe tannins. Some Cab Franc spicy tobacco towards the finish. Great with the food. $15.

The game started out very even 1-1 through the first two periods. The Flyers were doing a lot of hitting and trying their best to intimidate the speedier and more talented Wings. Peter Forsberg broke the tie in the third period with a power play goal, and the Flyers scored the next 4 goals to win in a route, 6-1. I guess even perennial all stars like Nick Lidstrom can have off nights. Anyway, the Wings are headed to the playoffs, and the Flyers will be golfing earlier than usual this year, but a great night for Flyers fans.

Best,
Marc

Great TNs Marc...haven't tasted too many Loires myself, but hope to soon.

So how did someone from MA become a Flyers fan? I am a big Rangers fan...(an a big NON-Wings fan...LOL). Thanks for the little re-cap of the Flyers/Wings game.

So how did someone from MA become a Flyers fan? I am a big Rangers fan...(an a big NON-Wings fan...LOL). Thanks for the little re-cap of the Flyers/Wings game.

I grew up outside of Philly, and played a lot of street hockey as a kid. When the Flyers won back to back Stanley Cups in 73/74 and 74/75 I was 12 at the time. We skipped school and joined the big parade and celebration on South Broad street. Those guys were my heroes at that time, even if they were The Broad St Bullies. I have been a fan ever since, although lately the Flyers have been pretty disappointing.

We moved to Washington 4 years ago, to be closer to my wife's family.

I am not sure what you like in wine, but to me the Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc and Muscadet from the Loire are my favorite white wines in the world, and still not too expensive. I wouldn't argue with those that put Mosel Riesling on the top of the white wine heap, as lately Rieslings from Austria and Germany have been equalling my Loire purchases. The Loire reds are very good too, but are usually higher acid, lighter bodied wines compared to the bigger, riper reds from warmer areas. This is a gross generaliztion of course, as the warmer vintages of 2003 and to some extent 2005 produced some higher alcohol, bigger reds from Chinon and Bourgueil.

If you want to try exploring the Loire, call David Lillie at Chambers St wines and let him help you pick out a few. They have a great selection and are experts in this area.

Oh, as a Flyer fan I must say that I love to hate those NY Rangers.

Best,
Marc

I grew up outside of Philly, and played a lot of street hockey as a kid. When the Flyers won back to back Stanley Cups in 73/74 and 74/75 I was 12 at the time. We skipped school and joined the big parade and celebration on South Broad street. Those guys were my heroes at that time, even if they were The Broad St Bullies. I have been a fan ever since, although lately the Flyers have been pretty disappointing.

I was 17 at the time (grew up in South Jersey). I didn't go to the parade, but the night they won (I think this was the second Cup in '75), my friends and I went over to Bernie Parent's house in Cherry Hill -- don't know how we knew it was his house, at least I hope it was his house -- and set off firecrackers on his front lawn. The cops didn't come and no one chased us away.

Anyway, if Geo T can claim that Rhones go with Red Wings, you are more than entitled to claim that Loires go with the Flyers (though their playing style in their 70's heyday might have been more in sync with a brawny Zin or Amarone). But I prefer the Flyers to the Red Wings and I prefer Loires to Rhones, so it works for me. And Moose Dupont is still my hero.

A great night for Flyers fans indeed; your guys deserved the win, they played much better than my guys. Maybe my guys needed more mojo, as all I was drinking was a Sparkling Raspberry Izze!

Thanks for a nice variation on a theme.

I am a big Rangers fan...(an a big NON-Wings fan...LOL).

Even moreso after the spanking the Wings gave the Rangers last week, I'll bet. I take some smug satisfaction in the fact that Shanahan will be seeing no post-season action for the first time in many years...

all I was drinking was a Sparkling Raspberry Izze!

No wonder you guys got your a$$es kicked. Serves you right. If you want another Stanley Cup, you're going to have to start sacrificing all those CdPs and Cote Roties you've got stashed in your cellar.

Fireworks at Bernie Parent's house, that's pretty cool, Bruce.

all I was drinking was a Sparkling Raspberry Izze

Is that a Turley zin that refermented in the bottle?

Fireworks at Bernie Parent's house

Actually, just firecrackers, while we stood around, cheered and drank beer. But we did have a blast, so to speak. And given the dearth of winning teams from Philly in the '70s, the Flyers were more than worthy of a rambunctious celebration.

all I was drinking was a Sparkling Raspberry Izze!

No wonder you guys got your a$$es kicked. Serves you right. If you want another Stanley Cup, you're going to have to start sacrificing all those CdPs and Cote Roties you've got stashed in your cellar.

Hey, I was taking medication, and the big guns are reserved for the playoffs.