North America Dispatch #38: Wine Geek Boat Trip

New London, New Hampshire

After a day of swirling, spitting, and grasping for just the right flavor adjectives, today Jack and Thelma announced we’d be doing champagne brunch on a boat.

Deb and Jim, all bright-eyed and bloaty.

I catch Andy sneaking a soda.

Sixteen hung-over titans of industry in a small boat on a stormy lake might be a recipe for trouble …

But no problem, ‘cuz here comes Thelma:

(“Thelma,” obviously, spells fun.)

Champagne certainly helps!

Jack and Thelma.

Jack and Thelma get down to my funky solo trombone recital:

After the boat ride, we tore into a bunch of Burgundy. This is slightly shocking, as Jack and Thelma are staunch Bordeaux partisans. Their friends have long been trying to spark their Burgundy interest, and this year they’ve finally capitulated, arranging an informal Burgundy tasting at lunch.

It was a good chance to record some discussion of the two wine regions. You needn’t be a wine geek to enjoy the following discussions:

Podcast 1—MP3: Thelma contrasts Bordeaux with Burgundy.

Podcast 2—MP3: Thelma explains why Burgundies are more suited to big tastings (plus: the proper way to drink Bordeaux at a big tasting).

Podcast 3—MP3: Bob Feinn, owner of Mt. Carmel Wine and Spirits, is one of the most knowledgable experts in the country, and he (like a number of American wine lovers) has grown infatuated with Burgundy. Thelma and I lightheartedly argue with him as he tries to account for his preference.

Podcast 4—MP3: Debate resumed (with wine in hand), we get to the gist: It all boils down to diet.

Podcast 5—MP3: Thelma and I catch Jack waxing rhapsodic over a Burgundy, and I fear for their marriage (needlessly, it turns out).

« Previous Post: Bordeaux Out to Here«
»Next Post: Day After Wine Tasting: Movin' Slow »