Domaine Vincent Girardin Grand Cru Wine Tasting

Thanks to wines provided by Wimberly Miree (12 bottles), Ron Wallace (9 bottles), Howard Goldberg (8 bottles), and Ed Allen (1 botlle), the Birmingham Branch enjoyed a fantastic tasting of older bottlings of 9 different Domaine Vincent Girardin Grand Cru Red Burgundies from the 1999, 2000, and 2002 vintages, plus a  2005 Girardin Meusault "Les Charmes-Dessus" Premier Cru for a "palate conditioning" wine. This was a limited attendance educational event to show the advantages of exercising patience in allowing great wines to age until they reach their plateau of maturity. All the wines showed remarkably well, exhibiting wonderfully balanced, aged and complex aromas and fruit flavors, and a long finish. In a sign-up frenzy unlike any our branch has ever experienced in our 25 year history, the event sold out within 30 minutes of the email announcement, with 37 attendees. The tasting was conducted by long time member Eileen Hallmark, who is Senior V.P. of Vineyard Brands, the U.S. importer of Girardin wines. The concept of educational tastings of aged wines, generously provided at their cost from our members' cellars, was so successful, we plan to conduct a couple of these type tastings per year going forward.

Meal: Appetizers: A broad selection of fine artisan cheeses and crackers, selected by member Howard Goldberg.

Wine: Aperitif Wine: 2005 Domaine Vincent Girardin Meursault "Les Charmes-Dessus" Premier Cru.   Domaine Vincent Girardin Grand Cru Red Burgundies:  1999 Vintage: Chapelle-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Corton Renardes, Clos de Vougeot.    2000 Vintage: Clos Saint-Denis.    2002 Vintage: Echezeaux V.V., Corton Bressandes, Bonnes-Mares.