The Second Glass

Another Second Glass Wine Club was a huge success. As per usual, a number of us got together and all brought a bottle of wine that fit the theme of Australia and New Zealand. Bottles must cost less than $20 and the idea is to bring something you like or that seems curious. About 30 people showed up so we had 30 bottles of wine. Mostly screw caps, as that is the new standard for Down Under wines, with lots of Shiraz, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc.

This time, we took a little vote. Three cups were set up with “Love It, ” “Ehh,” and “Kinda Sucks.” All bottles were given a number and people were free to write the number on a scrap of paper and vote how much they liked each wine. After all was said and done, we tallied the votes in a complicated algorithm we developed in Excel (read: it took about 3 minutes to create a makeshift sorting system while hungover on Saturday). As to be expected, some wines were more popular than others, but we did find some interesting votes. In the “Kinda Sucks” glass someone wrote “Genocide in Darfur.” Yes, Shayna, that DOES suck. We also found in the “Love It!” cup a slip that read, “Ty’s Ass.” Very creative and I’m sure he’s flattered.

The Big Winners!

These wines all came very close in overall votes so I’m listing them together.

#1 - The Guilty, 2005 Shiraz Shinas Estates, South Eastern Australia

#2 - Ring Bolt, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia

#3 - The Watcher, 2004 Shiraz, Fetish, Barossa Valley, Australia

The Runners Up

Although these didn’t get a TON of votes they are still worth mentining as the group totally dug them. Maybe it was the still, cool weather, but people mostly brought reds. Luckily the few whites, were consumed quite quickly and became very popular.

#4 - Boots, 2005 Shiraz, Trevor Jones, Barossa Valley, Australia

#5 - Whitehaven, 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Best Over-All Vineyard

Finally, the best overall vineyard of the evening came in with d’Arenberg. Maybe because it was the only vineyard with multiple wines, or maybe because the wines rock. Either way, we totally dug these guys:

McLaren Vale d’Arry’s Original, 2004 Shiraz Grenache, d’Arenberg, Australia

McLaren Vale The Hermit Crab, 2006 Viognier Marsanne, d’Arenberg, Australia

The Stump Jump, 2006 Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre, d’Arenberg, Australia

Thanks to everyone who came. Future wine events are mentioned on our Facebook Page so check it out. Also, if you have any ideas for themes we are open to suggestions. We’re thinking Sauvignon Blanc and possibly Rose for the next few, but it’s all up in the air.