Does the idea of tasting a lot of great wine in a superb setting appeal to you?
Then here's an event you should mark on your calendar for next year.
Every August, the Napa Valley Wine Library holds a big wine tasting event on the golf course of the Silverado Resort in Napa, CA. This year's edition was held on Sunday, August 16.
The tasting covers the range of wine varietals in a 3-year cycle:
- Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals
- Other reds
- Whites
This year, the theme was Other Reds. Some 65 wineries were pouring the usual suspects — Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel — as well as less common varietals like Sangiovese, Tempranillo and such. There were even a number of Napa Valley Pinot Noirs!
Next year will feature Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. Given that this is Napa Valley, just about everyone produces a Cabernet. And wineries line up to pour at this event. The last time this was held, 114 wineries poured; I would expect more next year. We're hoping Charnu Winery will be one of the ones pouring.
This tasting is a "member-only" event, but don't let that make you think it's not for you. Membership in the Napa Valley Wine Library is only $60 per year and is open to everyone. This gets you 2 tickets to the tasting and other benefits of Wine Library membership. The Napa Wine Library website has more details.
So if you're going to be in the area next August, be sure to check this out. Highly recommended.
Sidenote: If you're really a wine geek (or geek-in-training), there's an accompanying varietal seminar and luncheon the Saturday before the tasting. This year, the seminar was held at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in St. Helena. There was an expert to lead a tasting of other red varietals paired with small plates from the French Laundry restaurant! Then a lunch prepared by the CIA.
Disclaimer: I recently joined the Napa Wine Library Board of Directors, so I'm biased. But I've been going to the event for years. It's definitely worthwhile.
Photo by Carolyn Martini