Wine Century Club, express
I’ve blogged before about the Wine Century Club, the club that challenges you to drink off the beaten path. Try wines from 100 different grape varieties (blends included) and you’re in! You even get a handsome certificate to commemorate your wanderlust.
Well, yesterday I found the express route to membership. Consider it a mileage run, one of those trips that road warriors sometimes fly just to get the miles for elite status on airlines. In a word: Portugal.
Portugal, like Greece and Italy, is a treasure trove for people stuck at 75 on the way to the Century. Turn to these lands of plentiful indigenous grape varieties and your membership becomes a cakewalk.
Yesterday I tried the Quinta do Vale Dona Maria 2004, a “field blend” of 41 grape varieties (find this wine). Almost half the way there in one glass! While the wine did have some of the charming, rustic qualities that I like in the best wines from the Duoro (more to come on that next week), this one had a little too much oak for my taste. But, hey, if it takes you almost half-way to learning the secret handshake of the Wine Century Club, put it on your list!
tags: wine | wine century club | grape varieties
On October 20th, 2006 at 9:41 pm ,Jack wrote:
I think a wine has to have a significant amount of the varietal for you to be able to count it as one for membership in the Century Club.
On October 20th, 2006 at 10:30 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Hi Jack,
Thanks for stopping by.
The application states: “Grape varieties that you’ve tried only in blends with other grape varieities are permitted.”
It’s all for fun and on the honor system. As the De Longs say, “should you lie, may the wrath of Bacchus curse your palate.”
The real challenge in this case would be finding out all those 41 grape varieties anyway…
Cheers,