"Q"uite a good night for wine!

The Invitation(s):

We may have a Quandary but let’s not all Quaver, we will Quantify whether we can pick up Quality Q wines for this Thursday.  The Mealeys will attempt to Quench your thirst so don’t Quake.  Please plan to Query our selection and rank your Quality without a Quibble.  I am sure Quomodo, Karen, will give us a Quirky Quote of the night.

It looks like I was too Quick on my Q night announcement.  Karen has a business dinner on Thursday night so we need to cancel this week and reschedule for next Thursday.  Does that work for everyone? Bob

Let me announce this Quote “Q night is finally on at the Mealey’s this Thursday following Choir”.  I had to Query many Quality establishments to find my wine Quantity so don’t miss the Quest to rank our favorites.  We should have a Quorum. Any Questions? 

The Response(s):

Quite.  And your invitation was very high Quality, especially the Quota of Qs!  Andy

Bob, Quite a quip!  Your quote captures with quality the quintessence of our quotidian query about the quiddity of wine night. Andy (response to invitation #2)

Quite a Quandary for us Quinquagenarians attempting to Quench our thirst. Mike

One of us just barely Qualifies as a Quinquagenarian. Regards, Bob

Wine #1: Earthquake Petite Sirah @29.99

Tasting comments:

Karen “Smells really good”

Elizabeth “Has a rich aroma”

Andy “Can you quantify it?”

Sean “Tastes spicy”

Mike “It does have a little bite”

Bob “I’m having quite a different reaction. It’s good. I like it.”

Becky “I can tell from the first taste that I will need more”

Jessica “The spice sits in the back of your throat”

WINE #1 SCORING:

Bob 8, Karen 8, Mike 8, Becky 8, Andy 8, Elizabeth 8, Jessica 8, Sean 7

Wine #2:  QZV (Really OZV, but the O looked like a Q) Lodi Zin $16.99

Tasting comments:

Karen “Another dark one”

Becky “It looks lighter to me”

Jessica “That’s because we’re sitting under the lights”

Andy “It doesn’t smell as good as the last one”

Elizabeth “Not as bold smelling, but nice”

Bob “Has a full flavor. I’m pleasantly surprised”

Sean “I like it. It would taste even better if I could smell it.”

Becky “It has a clean smell”

WINE #2 SCORING

Bob 7.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 7.5, Andy 8, Elizabeth 8, Jessica 7.5, Sean 7.5

Wine #3:  Quieto 2007 Mendoza, Argentina $17.99

Tasting comments:

Becky “The Q’s are a Quantum leap above the P’s”

Sean “It’s quaint”

Karen “Has more of an alcohol taste”

Elizabeth “It’s harser”

Andy “The first one had more flavors”Jessica “It’s dry”

Bob “I’m missing something…wine in my glass!”

Elizabeth “It’s not the quintessential wine”

Bob “Kuala bear does not qualify”

Jessica “Why not? I have all of the Qualifications!”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 7, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7, Andy 7, Elizabeth 7, Jessica 7, Sean 6.5

Italian Night! Blind tasting of 3 Italy favorites

The Invitation:

Ciao amici,

Welcome home McDonalds to warm and sunny Connecticut!!!!   Friday is a special Wine Night with a walk through the vineyards of Italy.  The Mealeys, Pelletiers and Vortherms are each  donating 2 bottles of their favorite wine from their stash of Italian Wines.  We will blind taste them and rank our favorites.  (I will have extra in case Mike gets thirsty)   The Mealeys will have one of Karen's favorite pasta dishes and garlic bread and the Pelletiers volunteered for a dessert.  Please let us know how many will be attending and if you want to bring an appetizer or salad to share.  I have not heard back from our new choir member Charlie Dew but I think he and his wife Dee Dee will be attending also.

La vostra gestione familiare Mood,

Bob

Wine #1: Orazio di Cesare 2003 Chianti Classico

Tasting comments:

Elizabeth “Smells rich”

Karen “Yum”

Elizabeth “I could smell it all day. It has a wonderful rich smell.”

Wayne “A delicate bouquet infused with black fruit”

Linda “Not a strong smell”

Bob “It tastes just like one we had in Italy”

Wayne “I’m going out on a limb and saying it’s not the dirt wine – not acidic. But I could be wrong.”**

Karen “Not super dry”

Dee “Semi dry”

Elizabeth I like it not too dry”

Jessica “I like it –it’s dry”

Karen “It’s your velve, Becky”

Keith “It’s pretty good”

Karen “Awesome legs”

** It WAS the dirt wine!

WINE #1 SCORING:

Bob 9.5, Karen 9, Mike 8.5, Becky 8.5, Andy 8.5, Elizabeth 9, Wayne 9, Linda 9, Charlie 6, Dee Dee 8, Jessica 8, Sean 9, Robert 7.5, Meghan 7, Keith 91.75

Wine #2:  Redi Briareo Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Riserva 2006

Tasting comments:

Becky “A darker color”

Andy “Rich”

Elizabeth “Smells stronger”

Bob “Much drier”

Robert “I like this one more”

Karen “Who likes it more?”

Becky “Robert”

Wayne “And Wayne”

Elizabeth “I’m glad I had the last one first because it had a more delicate taste”

Becky “This one has a tobacco smell”

Wayne “Tobacco and leather”

Bob “Richer. Fuller. Can’t say better.”

Becky “Much drier”

Elizabeth “I like the initial flavor of this one more”

Karen “Oh man is that good. Oh crap. Oh, it’s really good. More aroma. Drier. Fuller. It’s good with the food, but I love it alone.”

WINE #2 SCORING

Bob 9, Karen 9.5, Mike 9, Becky 9, Andy 9, Elizabeth 8.5, Wayne 9.5, Linda 9, Charlie 8, Dee Dee 9, Jessica 9, Sean 8, Robert 8, Meghan 8, Keith 92.875

 Wine #3:  Caparzo Riserva 2004 Brunello Di Montalcino

Tasting comments:

Bob “Slightly peppery”

Becky “Strongest smell of all of them”

Karen “I’m going to have to change my last score. Boy does that smell good!”

Elizabeth “I’m surprised you like this one more – it’s not as dry”

Wayne “Weathered tobacco with a hint of spice”

Karen “This one is drier than the 2^nd one”

Elizabeth “Really?”

Robert “Yes”

Elizabeth “A smoother dry”

Karen “More earthy”

Picture this: Karen hoards bottle #3. Karen’s hoarded bottle mysteriously disappears. She yells “Micheal, No!!”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 8.5, Karen 10, Mike 9.5, Becky 9.5, Andy 8, Elizabeth 9.5, Wayne 10, Linda 9.5, Charlie 7, Dee Dee 9.5, Jessica 9, Sean 9, Robert 8.5, Meghan 8.5, Keith 91.875

Pale Purple Palette Pleasing Pulp otherwise known as "P" wine night

The Invitation:

P Party Postponement and Pronouncement

People Put forth that Perhaps I Procrastinated Putting forth this Pronouncement.  I Profess that I Purposely delayed to Ponder whether the Prognosticators would Properly Predict the impact of the Poor weather.  With angst it appears the Prognosticators’ Predictions were spot on.  So with Profound sorrow, we will Postpone P night until tomorrow.

But it is with great Pleasure that I invite you to Participate in P’s Friday night at Sophia’s Palace.  Profuse, Pleasing Palette Participation will Proceed  Promptly at 7:30 Pm.  Though any Premeditated arrival would be Profusely embraced. 

We will Partake of a Pre-eminent (which could be Presumptuous) Pairing of Purple hued Potions.  Whose Pungent Perfume may cause Pronouncements of Plum or Pear.  It has been said that we never become Pachyglossal as we Partake the Purple Potion.  We will sing a Paean to the Purveyors of Purple Pleasure.

Pantologists are invited.  Even those Papillose exceeding two.

The Response(s):

The Mealey Plans have been Permanently adjusted to Partake in the Pleasant Pale Purple Palette Pleasing Pulp!!!!   

A practically perfect pronouncement!  All we are saying is give P’s a chance (John Lennon).

Wine #1: Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve France $10.19

Tasting comments:

Bob “Smells great”

Elizabeth “I’m pondering it”

Jessica “This wine has potential”

Karen “It does smell good”

Linda “It tastes good too”

Sean “I like it. It has the Sean seal of approval on it.”

Andy “I like it too”

Elizabeth “This is good wine. I’m positive this is good wine.”

Jessica “I like this one”

Mike “I thought it was very good”

Wayne “Strong tobacco taste”

WINE #1 SCORING:

Bob 9, Karen 8, Mike 8, Becky 7.5, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 8, Wayne 8, Linda 8, Jessica 8, Sean 9

Wine #2:  Michael Pozzan 2010 Napa Valley Merlot $15.29

Tasting comments:

Wayne “This is a deep purple”

Bob “It does have a smell but not as clear as the last one”

Mike “Tart. Sour.”

Bob “I heard an Ewwww…Elizabeth?”

Becky “Was that a good Ewww?”

Elizabeth “A sour Ewww”

Linda “Smells earthy”

Wayne “Is that a cloves smell?
Bob “What kind of clothes? Gym clothes?”

Becky “It does have a tartness to it. It has a little tobacco taste, too.”

Andy “This wine is growing on me”

Bob “Where at?”

Elizabeth “It is better after the pepperoni”

Andy “A real contrast to the other one. But good once it stands on its own.”

Becky “More complex”

Wayne “Finish is cloves, mace and all spice”

Jessica “I like this one”

WINE #2 SCORING

Bob 7, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth68, Wayne 7, Linda 7.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 6

Wine #3:  Predator 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi Appellation $14.44

Tasting comments:

Bob “It’s not bad. Chocolatey. Plum. A Perfect Plum”

Wayne “Licorice. The smell turns me off a little. Moldy.”

Karen “Yeasty”

Elizabeth “It has a tinge of chocolate”

Bob “That’s what I said”

Sean “It’s not my favorite”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 7, Karen 6.5, Mike 7, Becky 7, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 7, Wayne 7, Linda 7, Jessica 7, Sean 6

"O" what a great wine night!

The Invitation:

Oh Dear Friends, 

We Observe that it is Our turn to host wine night. The Occurrence will happen this Friday February 7, at 7:30 O'clock. We look forward to the Opportunity to present Wines with the letter O. We Opine that it will be an Occasion of Obvious fun filled with wonderful food, including Olives, and wines with Only appealing Odors. We are aware that the Onus is On us to present Optimum wines, and hopefully no Outrageous Ones. It is an Outstanding Occasion for Oenophiles. Only One person per household needs to reply with the number of people coming.

 Obsequiously yours, Andy and Elizabeth

The Response(s):

Overjoyed, is the Obvious expression of Our feelings for the Opportunity to Overtly quaff the Opulent Offerings you have Ordered for Our upcoming Outing this Friday.  Both Linda and I Obdurately hold that all Occasions involving vino and Othoniel stimulation are Open for Objective Observations by all.  Our Opus, no, Operatic  renditions of Oldies abound with Ostentatious Oxonian Ovations.  Overall, it should be fun, Our Order shall be for two. Wayne and Linda

We would like to take this Opportunity to attend this Occurrence of Wine Night.  The Mealey's will be Obligated to have three in Observance at this Occasion at the McDonald house that is like a ship in the Offing.  Optimistically Yours, Bob and Karen

Okay…it appears that the Only Outstanding reply is Ours. After Outlining the plan to the Objects of my affection, I Obtained the final count of SIX, One of which has Often been found Obtaining Objects from a couch.  Over and Out…the Vortherms/McBee clan

Wine #1: Old Vine Red Lot Number 59 California Red  $15.99

Tasting comments:

Andy “I want to be the first to say Outstanding”

Sean “The smell is not overpowering. Sharp taste. Catches you right at the beginning.”

Bob “I like this one”

Becky “Should I be more optimistic than that?”

Robert “In the spirit of ‘O’, I want to say Okay, but it’s better than that”

Karen “Sweet”

Becky “This has a nice taste.”

Jessica “Starts out a little sweet, then mellows out”

Wayne “It’s a pleasant wine”

Elizabeth “The taste is optimal. Fragrant odor.”

Linda “Smooth in general”

Karen “A wine you can drink a lot”

Mike “Would be good with a meal”

WINE #1 SCORING:

Bob 7.5, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth 7.5, Wayne 7.5, Linda 7.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 5, Robert 8

Wine #2:  Oberon Merlot Napa Valley 2011 Michael Mondavi Family $21.00

Tasting comments:

Elizabeth “An odor of black currant”

Bob “Not much smell, but a huge taste”

Wayne “Nice tannins”

Sean “Smoky”

Wayne “If it’s tobacco’y it must be a Cab Franc”

Karen “I really like it”

Jessica “Because it’s really dry” (Karen nodded)

Becky “A very light but good odor. You need to stick your nose down into the glass to smell it.”

Wayne “A full mouth of wine”

Bob “It calms down a lot with the bleu cheese”

Bob “Sean, this is a real wine. You’re becoming a big boy.”

WINE #2 SCORING

Bob 7, Karen 7.5, Mike 6.5, Becky 7.5, Andy 8, Elizabeth 7.5, Wayne 8.5, Linda 7.5, Jessica 8, Sean 7, Robert 7.5

Wine #3:  Ondarre 2006 Reserva Rioja Spain $17.99

Tasting comments:

Karen “A lot more aroma”

Linda “Nice smell. Has more tannins than the last one”

Sean “It’s okay”Jessica “My favorite smell of the night”

Karen “A little tart”

Mike “Andy likes little tarts. We’ve heard that before”

Andy “Has more character than the last one. Has more Oomph.”

Becky “It does have a little tartness to it”

Elizabeth “But I like it”

Becky “It’s growing on me”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 7.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 6, Becky 7.5, Andy 8, Elizabeth 8.5, Wayne 8, Linda 7.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 7.5, Robert 8 

Some Nice or Naughty 'N' Wines - You decide!

The Invitation:

Nothing Needed. Notification Noted. Bob

The Response:

Naturally. Elizabeth 

Wine #1: Novelty Hill 2009 Royal Slope Red Columbia Valley $21.99

Tasting comments:

Bob “It has a little Nip to it”

Andy “A pop. Get’s you.”

Mike “A nice smell”

Bob “Spicy”

Andy “Good after bleu cheese”

Elizabeth “Has a nice finish to it”

Karen “I like it. Good start, middle and finish. No nonsense.”

Elizabeth “Noble”

Andy “kNowledgeable” (note the “n”)

Jessica “The blue cheese mellows out the wine”

Andy “Nice or Naughty?”

Elizabeth “Nice”

Bob “I like Naughty”Becky “A little spicy”

Kara “I was going to say mellow but I think it’s the amount I’ve been eating”

Becky “A little harsh”

WINE #1 SCORING:

Bob 7, Karen 7.5, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth 8, Jessica 7.5, Kara 6.5

Wine #2:  Block Nine – Caiden’s Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012  $13.99

Tasting comments:

Bob “Ewww”

Mike “The smell is definitely different”

Karen “Tastes like a red chardonnay”

Bob “This wine sucks”

Elizabeth “An acid-y smell”

Andy “Smells bad”

Mike “Tastes worse than the Happy Hour wine at the hotel”

Kara “Musty”

Elizabeth poured hers into Bob’s glass

Kara “Has Lauren’s ‘feet’ smell”

Becky “It’s not as bad as it smells”

Karen “I had it with these crackers and it wasn’t bad” (Bob’s gluten free crackers - Elizabeth can’t eat those crackers)

WINE #2 SCORING

Bob 4, Karen 4, Mike 4, Becky 5.5, Andy 5, Elizabeth 4, Jessica 5, Kara 4

Wine #3:  Argiano NC Rosso Toscano 2011 Italian Red $22.99

Tasting comments:

Becky “This one looks a lot better – darker”

Andy “This one is Heaven on Earth compared to the last one”

Karen “Nirvana”

Elizabeth “Has a nebulous flavor”

Mike “I’m not getting a taste yet”

Bob “Soak your tongue in it”

Karen “Has a bite in the back at the end”

Bob “It bit me when I was putting the aerator in it”

Elizabeth “Has a sharp finish”

Andy “Makes my ears hurt”

Kara “Is it oak or something?”

Bob “You are sitting next to the Weeping Pussy Willow”

Kara “It’s dry but it doesn’t have much flavor”

Jessica “Has a bitter taste at the end”

Bob “Better au naturale”

Elizabeth “Better with the bleu cheese”

Bob “I like it with the Gouda cheese”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 6, Karen 5.5, Mike 5, Becky 6, Andy 6, Elizabeth 6, Jessica 5.5, Kara 5.5

It's "M" for Marvelous wines

The Invitation:

Methinks I am tardy in Mailing.  Please join us for a Magnificant Magical evening of Mood Management. Methinks it will be Metempirical.  And the wine will not be Maderization. 

The Response(s):

The Mealeys will Meet the Medley of Members at Mike's and Miss Becky's Mansion.  Karen's Mother, Mr. Don, and My Miss Kara will Magically appear with Me.  

Memorably yours, Mr. Mealey

The McDonalds will Mosey over to the Vortherms Maison to enjoy More Merriment on a Memorable night.

The McBees will Most Majestically Meet you at the Mansion entrance (Most likely My Mini Me). 

Wine #1: Murphy-Goode 2010 Liar’s Dice Zinfandel Sonoma $19.99

Tasting comments:

Bob “Smells like dirt”

Jessica “It does have an earthy smell”

Bob “Rich and full. Marvelous.”

Sean “Tastes good after the spicy cheese”

Don “Leaves a nice taste in the back of your throat”

Elizabeth “A rich, earthy taste”

Becky “It has a dry finish”

Caroline “Not as well as some”

Mike “I like the smell and taste”

Elizabeth “I like the spiciness”

Don “Has a little pepper in it”

WINE #1 SCORING:

Bob 8, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 8, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 7.5, Jessica 8, Sean 8, Kara 8, Don 8.5, Caroline 4

Wine #2:  Michael Pozzan 2010 Napa Valley Merlot $17.99

Tasting comments:

Elizabeth “I really like this one”

Caroline “Much better than the first one. Smooth. Goes all together.”

Karen “Dry”

Elizabeth “I’m coming over to the dry side”

Becky “The taste isn’t quite as full as the first wine”

Kara “Weaker. But good.”

Don “Doesn’t have the bite like the first one. A little flat.”

Jess “Dryer than the first one”

WINE #2 SCORING

Bob 7, Karen 8, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth 8.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 8, Kara 7.5, Don 6.5, Caroline 8

Wine #3:  Max Family Cuvee Napa Valley Red 2011 Private Reserve $27.99

Tasting comments:

Karen “Light color”

Bob “Rubyish red. Not a Pinot. A Rojo.”

Becky “Has a nice spice to it”

Elizabeth “I like it, but I liked the second one better”

Sean “A must have”

Andy “Medium good”

Elizabeth “Great merit”

Don “A good before dinner wine”

Elizabeth “Mellow”

Kara “I agree with that”

Bob “Majestic”

Mike “Mouthful”

Sean “I’m going to bring a dictionary next time”

Sean “It’s good”

Elizabeth “Not quite as magical as the first one”

Bob “Myth”

Andy “You’re mistaken”

Becky “Now I can put the rankings in”

Bob “Sure you don’t want more?”

Becky “Has spice to it. A thin finish.”

Becky “The first one had my vanilla. That’s why it was my favorite.”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 7, Karen 7.5, Mike 7, Becky 7, Andy 7, Elizabeth 7.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 8, Kara 7, Don 7, Caroline 7.5