Pitt Area BYOB round 14

I'm in for two. I'm going to bring a 1998 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga. I'm not sure what my other bottle will be yet.

From the returns so far it looks like about a 60/40 ratio, favoring Spain, so not too bad at all. If some undecided find a few Portuguese offerings, all the better for the balance.

And it looks as if this will be quite a turnout – with just about everyone reporting, we're up to 19, 20 if Mark's wife joins. I have a note to my contact at Willow to make sure we can all still squeeze in the Hemlock room as planned, which holds "up to 16". If too tight, perhaps another part of the restaurant.

OK, spoke with the restaurant. We've outgrown the original room (would not be comfortable with as many as we'll have), so we will be in a different part of the restaurant – table that will fit 20, and a side table to hold bottles as needed.

Also, with this larger number attending, we'll have a more limited menu, but with decent variety/selections (Mrs. Bigred helped me make the choices). Otherwise, we are good to go. Will post a few more details as the date approaches.

My wife will be attending as well. Might bring a port for our 2nd bottle.

Wanted to post a couple things before it gets too late in the week as things get crazy.

Blind still OK with everyone? Thinking perhaps we can do 2 waves; Spain then Portugal (concluding with the Port(s)). Suppose we could attempt further categorization of the Spanish offerings by region/designation, although that may detract some from this being blind. Any thoughts? Looks like we have mostly Douro's for Portugal. Perhaps everyone could mark an "S" or "P" on their 'standard-issue' brown bag.

A few other details:
There will be 2 glasses per setting, for comparative tasting. Willow's stemware is of fairly high quality, but as always, welcome to bring your own.

Due to the size attending, this will be a prix fixe meal (house salad, choice of 4 entrées, choice of dessert, coffee/tea). Price range from $36 to $51/person. $5 corkage. Gratuity will be added. Suggest bringing cash as this will likely be one tab.

If we go blind, would someone be willing to bring in enough rating sheets as before? (hint hint J2K or ecola).

Might have missed it in an earlier message, but what is the reservation time?

I'll bring some ratings sheets and pens.

Thanks ecola!
Start time is 7pm Sat

We're down to two. BiLoH cannot make it, so we'll miss out on some vintage port :-(

Bummer Hawk! That's OK, gives us another reason to do it again in the future.

Maybe Mark will score us a Port
Reminder for all to bring your bottle in a standard brown bag, foil removed. See you all soon.

Yes I will have a '94 (since it's blind should I not say?) but it's nothing that could compare to what BiLoH would've brought. He will be missed. Hawk please tell him to get a real job!

A little help here. Were we to declare what we're bringing?

Jlburd, not a problem - it was mostly to see if we were going to get a decent balance of Spain and Portugal. You mentioned bringing a Calatayud

We'll also be bringing an '03 Ribetejano red & Ribetano white in an attempt to have non-Duoro Portugese. Never tasted either so it will be truly experimental

Bigred, can you call Willow and see if they have room on the porch? It's supposed to be a nice night tonight...

My thoughts exactly Mark. Should be a nice evening to sit outside and enjoy the Pittsburgh weather...

I've enjoyed reading about these Pitt Area BYOB get togethers, they sound like a lot of fun. Has anyone tried to organize similar events in the Philly area?

Yes. PAWineTalk has gotten good press in the Pittsburgh area so more people in the area know about it. Philly is a much bigger town but not as many people there know about the site.

http://www.pawinetalk.com/?article=25