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Why Not a Wednesday Night?
Wednesdays aren’t just for midweek routines — they’re for wine, friends, and great stories. I’m retired (and most of our friends are, too). Only Katy still has to ahem “pound out a living” on Thursday mornings. So, really, why not Wednesday?
The evening plan seemed perfect: grilled salmon on the patio, a couple of great bottles, and lively chats about next year’s Scotland trip. But Mother Nature had her own ideas. A soft, steady rain rolled in — far from ruining the mood, it made everything more intimate. A perfect night to slow down, pour a glass, and dream up future adventures.
A Trip Down Gewürztraminer Lane
When I host, I like my wine choices to tell a story. Our friends had lived in Switzerland and shared fond memories of visits to German wineries, so I wanted something that matched that spirit. My collection may run a few hundred bottles deep, but I don’t keep nearly enough whites. That meant one thing — a visit to Tasteful Times for a well-chilled Gewürztraminer.
This wine is forever wrapped up in nostalgia for me. On our honeymoon over 30 years ago, during a dinner in Bath, UK, I ordered my first bottle of wine. A naive, beer-drinking Hoosier in love — and that bottle was a Gewürztraminer. The 2016 Schieferkopf Gewürztraminer I opened that night carried that same energy. Floral, aromatic, and a little romantic — just the spark to start a great evening.
The Perfect Red for Salmon
When it comes to pairing, I stand by my favorite rule: “You like what you like, and everyone is right.”
For our salmon, I wanted something smooth and unpretentious, something that didn’t overpower. I chose a 2014 Centennial Zinfandel from ZangeTwins in Lodi, California — a region too often overshadowed by Napa or Sonoma. With over 100,000 acres of vineyards, Lodi’s old vines and soulful Zin offer a real sense of place. This bottle had a soft nose, gentle tannins, and just the right touch of spice. The salmon didn’t stand a chance — it was an effortless pairing.
A Change in Plans
Originally, the evening was set to end with dessert and a pour of Cedar Creek’s ‘Harvest Moon’ port. But conversations — like weather — have a way of shifting course.
Soon, we found ourselves talking about Steve Spurrier, the man behind the legendary Judgment of Paris. So, I swapped the port for a bottle of 2020 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, a nod to Spurrier’s daring and to the California Chardonnay that put American wine on the map in 1976.
If you haven’t seen Bottle Shock, add it to your watchlist this weekend.
From Napa to Dorset — and Beyond
Katy and I were fortunate to visit Bride Valley Vineyard in the fall of 2021 — Spurrier’s estate on England’s Jurassic Coast. Picture rolling hills, crisp coastal air, and glasses clinking in honor of a man who changed wine history. For a deeper dive into his influence, check out SOMM III. It beautifully captures the spirit of discovery that keeps wine lovers exploring.
Ever since that visit, Chateau Montelena has earned a permanent home in my cellar, each bottle uncorking a little memory of Dorset and of Spurrier’s generosity.
When Conversation Turns to Scotland
As the night deepened, the talk turned — as it always seems to — to travel. France led to California, California to England, and England to Scotland. Before long, I was reaching for some of my favorite Scotches and Irish whiskeys, the sound of rain harmonizing with laughter and glencairn glasses.
We settled on a time frame for our Scotland trip: late April to early May. Islay is calling, and it’s only a matter of time before we answer.
Final Pour
What started as a rainy Wednesday turned into a night to remember — Gewürztraminer memories, smooth Zinfandel, golden Chardonnay, and a wee dram of Scotch to close things out.
Sometimes, you don’t need perfect weather or a special reason. Just good friends, open glasses, and the simple joy of letting one evening pour into the next adventure.
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