Spend time with people who drink too much

One of the really fun things about wine is enjoying it with other people who share your jones. If that sounds like something you wouldn’t find too awful, consider joining the Enological Society of the Northwest. Despite the silly name (why couldn’t they just call it the Northwest Wine Society?), the club itself has a lot to offer. They feature monthly wine and food tastings, an opportunity to meet real winery folk in the flesh, and a whole lot of guidance and information. Contact them at 425-603-9558 or www.EnoSoc.org. Tell them to change their name.

Seven Hills, no waiting

Back in the days when I had my Internet wine business, I introduced Seven Hills wines to hundreds of people around the country who had previously never heard of them. They must have liked what they tasted, because they kept reordering. The latest offerings are some of the best Seven Hills has produced:

Let’s start with a white wine, the ’99 Seven Hills Riesling ($8). I’m not normally a Riesling fan, since it’s generally a little too simplistic. But this one starts out with seductive peach and cotton candy aromas, then delivers apricot and mineral flavors, with just a touch of acid. It’s slightly sweet, and will work well with spicy Asian foods.

Like previous vintages of this wine, there’s a lot to groove on in the ’97 Seven Hills (Seven Hills Vineyard) Merlot ($25). Jam your nose in the glass and you’ll come up with aromas of menthol, pencil lead, and blueberry. On the tongue, the astute among you will detect eucalyptus, blackberry, and licorice.

For the high rollers in my vast readership, try the ’97 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($32). After you get past the pleasantly minty nose, you’ll find a perfectly balanced wine offering up flavors of chocolate, raspberry, and more mint.


E-mail: wine@seattleweekly.com