Neonjade

Dave and I found two new wines to add to our “mutual like list” this past Wednesday at The Wine Cellar wine tasting. We arrived shortly after the 5pm start time, paid our $10 per person entry fee at the register, received our wine glasses and headed back to the wine bar that had been set up in the opposing room. Bridget Shrader of MBC-United Wholesale was telling the story of how the Freemark Abbey vineyard got its name.

There were only a few tasters present when we arrived, but the small group was actively participating, asking questions and commenting on what they were tasting. Within just a couple more minutes, Bridget had poured our first selection for us and we were tasting and talking, too. There was no ceremony about any of it. Bridget answered everyone’s questions in plain terms and entertaining stories, once explaining how the aerator that she had on display worked, complete with hand animations and “wooshing” noises to simulate operation.

While we didn’t know them before arriving, we happily monopolized the time of those first arrivals, who turned out to be regulars. We discussed Huntsville arts and theater, social media and business, a bit about our respective professions and, as we each moved on to our next samples, the wine.

By the time we had finished our second sample, the crowd had grown to about ten people. By about 6pm, there were probably about twenty tasters standing around sipping wine while either talking to Bridget, gathered in small groups like us, or browsing through the various wine rooms. Our new acquaintances let us know that Wednesday is the slower of the two wine tasting days at The Wine Cellar. They said that the Friday crowd gets shoulder to shoulder at times, but it never gets so loud that you can’t enjoy the mix and mingle conversation.

Our wine tasting comprised six wines: Livio Felluga Esperto Pinot Grigio, Terrazas Malbec, Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel, Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Merlot, Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon, and Domaine Chandon Riche. The Zinfandel and Merlot were the ones that made it to our “mutual like list” and the discoveries were well worth the entry price. I love finding new wines to enjoy but I can’t count the number of full bottles that I’ve bought and then tossed because we didn’t like the wine once we tasted it. Factor in the welcoming atmosphere and socially interactive environment, and the event surpassed expectations.

There are at least a few wine retailers in the Huntsville – Madison area that host wine tastings. The Wine Cellar was our first, but such an enjoyable experience certainly won’t be our last. We’re looking forward to visiting The Stem & Stein in Madison for their Thursday wine tasting with appetizers event, and we were told Vintage Wine & Cigar at Bridge Street Town Center also hosts one. I’ll make sure to drop a blog once we have the chance to experience them.