No, no it doesn't This week was
pretty incredible in terms of work and how quickly it went by. Our customer service woman has been out the
past couple of weeks for a minor surgery, so Joe and I- both new as of this
summer- were thrown into the world of invoicing, arranging logistics, and
answering emails. We were busy all day
every day, and it was nice to be the point person for so many customers.
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| Can't wait to see Tickles! |
Monday Mandy and I had an event at Lok Man Rare books. LMRB is an awesome little shop filled with,
you guessed it, old and rare books.
There’s a generally coziness, and since we have similar customer bases,
we have begun to partner for events. This
go round was a Champagne tasting for Lok Man customer Gabriela. Gabriela is a high powered IP attorney (the
best in Asia according to some Google research) at Mayer Brown and she invited
along some of her corporate lawyer women friends along. Since the venue is small, Lorence (of Lok
Man) capped the guest list at 7.
This was a room of incredible woman. Super successful, interesting, young women, and
we got paid to chat about some really spectacular wines with them. Tough.
Mandy led the discussion which was interesting for me to watch. She’s so comfortable and thoughtful in what
she says, that it gave me a lot of things to think about for when I lead my own
events.
So what did we have!? We began with Larmandier Bernier 1er
Cru Terre de Vertus non dosage (no sugar added) Blanc de Blancs (100%
Chardonnay) NV. This was the least
expensive of the evening, but was really remarkable for how much personality it
had. Being a grower Champagne, there’s a
little more personality and soul, and you could really taste it. Super deal at $315.
Next up was Marie Courtin Efflorescence 2008. Again, another grower Champagne, this was
very precise and defined. For me it
needed some food as the acidity was searing.
This was followed by Jacques Selosse Substance Grand Cru NV. This, this my friends is what I had been
waiting for. This is the stuff of
legends and certainly not something you get to try every day, and it didn’t
disappoint. This is also a grower
champer, from the guy who is leading a mini revolution in Champagne. Anselme Selosse is a pioneer, and this wine specifically
is a reflection of this as the wine is aged in ex-Burgundy barrels (cool), and
aged through a solera system. This happens
in Sherry, not Champagne. Double
cool. If you can get your hands on a
bottle (I don’t think there’s any in HK- this was our last bottle), take
it.
Then always a crowd favorite, and a first for me, Perrier
Jouet Belle Epoque 2004. Everyone ooh-ed
and awe-ed at the creaminess, but personally, it wasn’t my favorite. With that said, I will never turn down a
glass....and we finished off with the King of Champagnes; Dom Perignon
1988. Golden and delicious. There is no other Champagne like Dom
[disclaimer: I’ve never tried Krug. If
someone would like to enlighten me, I’m free] and this was just the proof in
the pudding. My god. And at $2,700 ($350usd) it’s a deal. Mom-Christmas!
Then I took the PJ home and Paul and I enjoyed the second half before bed.
Tuesday was busy again, and then I left a little early to
hit Applied Wines office warming party.
There were people from across the industry in attendance, and it was
great to catch up with some friends. And
awesome grilled vegetables.
Then off to Hong Kong’s newest (and only) place dedicated entirely to Sherry- Ham & Sherry. H&S is from the same fine folk as 22
Ships, and was opened as a niche place for the queue waiting to get into 22
Ships to grab a drink and nibble before dinner.
The idea is great. Ham and over
50 Sherries, over 50 Sherries!! This is very new and exciting for Hong Kong.
Anyway, Jules, Mike, and briefly Kim (of Applied Wine) and I
ordered a bottle of Manzanilla- light and lovely- and then a round of 22 Ships
Palo Cortado (Gonzalez Byass) which turned Jules and Mike into Sherry
converts. No
breadbasket with the meat plate- and no breadbasket when we asked for one. “We dont’
have a bread basket.” Yeah, you do, we had some bruschetta. I know it's back there!
Then the Manager, Josef, was kind enough to bring us to the
back bar for some fancy cocktails. It’s a kitschy
back bar, with great booze all around you- in fact you feel like you’re in an
industrial refrigerator. We were
talking liquor with the bartender, but when we asked what cocktails we should
go for, he kind of just named them all.
They’re all priced around $100, and when we each got ours, we were totally
saddened at their diminutive stature . Kudos to the presentation of mine, named Camping,
for its marshmallow and plastic canteen style cup, but it totally lack flavor
and more importantly, punch. With that said, I will totally go back for some Sherry. 50+ on the list!
Thuuuuuursday Paul and I went to my friend Cass’s sparkling
party at the Flying Wine Maker. Cass
rented out the top floor, brought buckets of bubbles, and plates of turkey,
ham, brussel sprouts and bacon, glazed carrots, potatoes, and stuffing (isn’t
it the best!?), and invited 20 of us to come along. We had a great time and especially enjoyed
the Dom 2004. Still very young, but
totally delicious. The Turkish and
Sardinian sparkling wines were lovely as well, and all the bubbles were great
with the fat laden (read delicious) food.
Thanks, Cass and merry Christmas!
And now tis Friday. I’ve
had my sushi lunch and am finishing out the final hours of work before I go
home, make some mulled wine with Paul, put on the Grinch, and begin wrapping and
packing the night away!
Only 12 hours until we have to get up, get on that bus, get
onto that plan and head to the U.S.A!!!!!!!!
See you in Pittsburgh!
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