Went to the wine riot festival--and yes it was a riot. I volunteered on opening night and was assigned to the crash course seminars, where I was able to learn about Bordeaux and the famous Japanese sake. My job was pouring wine to each attendee, after the speaker would have explained about the beverage being offered. And there were about 8 different kinds. That volunteer work was my free pass to the event which I graced the next day. I opted to get the afternoon session since I had evening plans.
Having a glimpse of what the event was already like, the first stop of my wine riot experience was to go to the Instagram and Photo booths. After that, it was just sampling wine varieties from different parts of the world. From the 250 wines being advertised in the event, I tasted about 50 of them. Which to my mind I think was the most expensive gargles I have ever had. That was because only the wines I liked I swallowed which when added together would not even constitute half a glass. Every attendee was given a glass where we could request for the wines we wanted to taste. So as not to be overwhelmed with the quantity of varieties, the organizer developed an app for the phones , where the attendee could track the wine tasted and make notes. I thought that was a cool thing using modern technology.
As I made my rounds to the zinfandels, reislings, cabernet sauvignons, chardonnays, merlots and so many more including bubbly champagnes from Italy, France and the U.S., I could not help but be amazed. If there was wine that I wanted to try, I would extend my glass to the exhibitor where he would pour a few drops on my glass. I then swirled my glass to aerate the wine (for smell), checked it’s color before I tasted it. When the wine reached my mouth, I would let it circulate inside for taste sometimes with puckered lips . I would then spit the wine back to my glass, throw its contents to a black receptacle used for its purpose, then rinsing my glass with water from a pitcher found at every exhibitors table. This would then make my glass ready for the next kind of wine.
Two hours in the wine show was enough for me as I headed out to meet hubby. I was light headed (but not the least tipsy after all those wines) that a good breather walk was better for my system. And mind you, I did walk 30 blocks.
Our friends, Rich and Dee Vachal were already in Rockwood Music Hall where their daughter Amy was performing. Dee’s son, Jake and his girllfriend Kristie were there too. We had known that a proposal was going to be made and when the moment came, many were just teary eyed. It was simple, classy and beautiful. Kristie, the bride to be couldn’t contain her emotions while fanning herself with her hand as the debonaire Jake knelt down and popped the question.
The engagement party next door was as equally chic, as it was held at a rooftop showing the skylines of downtown Manhattan. I drank alternates of champagne and a merlot as the open bar did justice to its name. Now this was where I really had a celebration. The food was delicious with a whole array of sushi at the bar and waiters roamed around to serve horsdevoures such as teriyaki meatballs, mini hamburgers, shrimps on skewers and much more. It was a fantastic evening and I'd like to thank the Vachal family for inviting us to this memorable occasion.
And to cap that eventful day, The Glorious Veins, (my favorite band in New York, not just because I’m the mama of the drummer..heheh), played at Pianos.....And people, I did not go to Pianos, Brazil as some thought I did because my timeline said so.....some friends pm’d me that I was such a jetsetter......I wish...
