As every 3rd Thursday of each month, Southern Wines & Spirit hosted Grape Nutz, and as expected it was a great success.

Being the first event since Nov. 2007, the attendance reached record levels. Most of the Wines featured were from the Willamette Valley, OR. represented by the following vineyards:  [1] Adelsheim Vineyards (Elizabeth’s Reserve Pinot Noir), [2] Bethel Heights (Casteel Reserve Pinot Noir), [3] Chehalem (Pinot Gris), [4] Cristom (Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir) and [5] Domaine Drouhin (Drouhin Pinot Noir). The wine in the brackets are the ones I preferred of those wineries

Luis de Santos, MS (Asian Portofolio Manager SWS) presented in collaboration with Tsushima Kitahara (The 13th generation of Shichiken’s Sakes founder), Rice Nutz.
~Bigin Bigin~, Junmai Daiginjo (aged 3 years in bottle) caught not only my nose but soothed my palette. With a production of only 1500 bottles a year, do not expect to find it at your local wine store. For more info, please contact [6] info@sakeatpil.com as this sake is not featured on their website.

Spirits of Serendipity presented Slovenia’s “It’s not Champagne, It’s Bubbly.” sparkling wines. With 4 different cuvees, you are sure to find one to fit your personal preference. For more information, please visit: [7] www.enjoyserendipity.com

Finally, Brain Harlan of Loosen Bros. USA presented a delightful selection of Dr. Loosen wines. I don’t know why but I am always caught by surprise at how the wines from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer sometimes manages to maintain such delicate balance. I very much enjoyed Dr. Loosen’s Wehlener Sonneruhr Auslese 2006, the nose is light and simple (due to the low alcohol content) with aromas of white peach and a light touch of lemon (fruit). Refreshing with a very clean finish, too bad it wasn’t 90 degrees on the patio last night.

Should I have forgotten to include anyone, please let me know so that I can update the blog. Until then, Cheers!