Wine After Work

When we bought our house last summer, we had no idea it came with a group of social neighbors who gather nearly every Friday for Wine After Work. We all belong to a private listserv that keeps us connected and announces who is hosting during any given week. (We also pose all sorts of questions to the listserv, looking for plumbers, babysitters, flooring companies, etc.) About fourteen families are regulars; hosting duties rotate among members. We have already been warned that when we do host, everyone will come (we are a very curious bunch, eager to see the inside of one another's houses!).

WAW is a godsend at the end of a long, often hectic week. The hosting family puts out a spread of appetizers, all those attending bring a bottle or a six pack of something, and the kids disappear into the playroom and/or family room. The adults get to drink, eat, socialize, laugh, and have a great time. Some of us (ahem) drink more than others. Some of us don't drink at all (especially the ones who are pregnant). But we all look forward to spending time with such a nice, friendly group of people.

One of our WAW families just (as of yesterday) packed up and moved back to London after five years here. I saw the big container, loaded with their belongings, get driven away on a flat bed truck yesterday evening and was struck with a wave of sadness. They were the kind of people you just wanted to spend time with. Funny, warm, super social and friendly, thoroughly entertaining; we will miss the Pringles terribly. One of our other WAW families (this one from Germany--yes we are quite multi-cultural here!) bought the Pringles' house and are moving in tomorrow. At least their move will be fairly easy; they live in a rental house just up the street.

One of the really fun parts of WAW, of course, is trying different wines. I have yet to see a duplicate bottle, and most of what I have tried has been great. Only a couple of times have I had a wine that wasn't drinkable. Both times they were reds that were too astringent, too young, too tannic-y. Last week I was drinking a really lovely Australian shiraz that was utterly charming. Smooth, nice depth, balanced fruit; a happy wine. When I moved onto a different shiraz after that bottle had been kicked (no, I didn't drink the whole thing myself!), my mouth almost puckered up. It was awful. It was also in a big bottle with a kangaroo on the label. I dumped it.

There's no WAW tonight, probably because it's the start of spring break--or, more probably, because no one signed up. But I will start making note of my favorite wine of the evening and report back to you on it. I already know what I'll be drinking tonight: a nice, dry, fruity French rose that my husband opened last night (and that I am now noticing he didn't pump with the Vacu-Vin). It's a 2007 La Ferme Julien from Rhone Valley Vineyards in the Cote du Ventoux, which contains a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah.

Cheers!