What we’re about
We are a Wine and Dine Group! We share some good (sometimes Great!) bottles of wine over food and conversation.
A few times per month, we have small group dinners, either 6, 8 or 10 people at each event. The group organizers will host dinners on both weeknights and weekends. The organizer will supply 4 bottles of wine for 6 person dinners, 5 bottles of wine for 8 person dinners, and 6 bottles of wine for 10 person dinners. Most of the time, the wines will come from the event organizer's personal collection.
The cost of each event will be for an individual's share of the wine and in some cases the wine corkage charge of the restaurant. Dinner is not included and must be paid for at the event.
To attend an event, the wine payment must be made in advance, and reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Once you pay, refunds or credits are only available if you cancel AND your spot gets filled by someone else. All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee from $3 to $5, depending on the cost of the event. There is no refund or credit for no-shows.
No other outside wine will be permitted, unless prior arrangements have been made with the host, but attendees may order wine or spirits from the restaurant, at their own expense. Attendees are expected to order at least an entree and one other item from the menu, either an appetizer, a side dish or a dessert.
Along with the wine charge, everyone will be expected/required to pay for their own meal, along with a 33% charge for tax and tip.
We will be dining at restaurants that we have established relationships with, where we can bring our own wine for us to enjoy. Corkage varies from restaurant to restaurant, from Zero to $25 per bottle.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PROFILE PICTURE WHERE I CAN SEE YOUR FACE, YOU WILL BE REJECTED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THIS GROUP.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Return of Magnum MadnessBobby Van's 230Park, New York, NY$45.00
It's been a while, so brace yourself for the Return Of Magnum Madness! 5 Magnums, for 15 people. We will be dinning at perennial group favorite Bobby Van's on Park. There will be 1 white magnum, followed by 4 red magnums!
Bobby Van's on Park is located on the corner of Park Avenue and 46th Street. The entrance is in the East side walkway that connects 45th and 46th Streets.
Here is a link to their menu...
Bobby Van's on Park MenuJust a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $46 and is for the cost of the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! Meetup+ members are exempt from this charge.
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2022 Tongue Dancer Chardonnay Pratt Vineyard, Irwin Lane ($108) - We have had previous vintages of this wine and loved it! 95 points from the Drunken Cyclist, "Before I get into the wine itself (OK, I can't wait; it's fantastic!), I remain more than a bit confused by the vineyard: are there two wines in the portfolio (Pratt Vineyard and Pratt Vineyard, Irwin Lane)? Or is there just one: Pratt Vineyard? Despite my attempts at clarification, I am just not sure. OK. Whatever. Who cares? This is on the verge of life-changing. Fairly light in color, more of a pale straw than yellow with a rather demure nose of lemon curd and oak. The palate, however, is far from reserved as this is a rich wine with lovely lemon meringue, a lively zinginess, and a finish that most wines can only fancy. I have had a ton of Tongue Dancer wines now, and they continue to impress, particularly the Chardonnays. Whoa."2015 Margaux de Brane ($56) the 2nd (or 3rd?) wine of Brane-Cantenac -CT 89.5, WS 87 points, "Direct, with a cedar and alder frame that holds sway over a modest core of cherry and red currant fruit. Shows flashes of tar and lilac, with the fruit fading a bit on the slightly grainy finish. Drink now through 2026"
2000 Château Branon ($266) - CT 91.8, WA 97 points from June 2010, "Everyone at the tasting where this wine was presented was rocked (or should I say shocked) by the greatness of this wine. It needs no defense. I rated it 96 seven years ago, and it comes from a beautiful vineyard in Pessac-Leognan near Haut-Bergey. Made by Helene Garcin and her winemaking team at the time, Michel Rolland and Jean-Luc Thunevin (now replaced by Dr. Alain Raynaud), 650 cases of this wine were produced. It has a deep, opaque bluish/purple color and a gorgeously sweet nose of incense, asphalt, blueberry liqueur, coffee, bacon fat, and a hint of meat juices. Full-bodied and dense, with silky tannins but enormous richness, length, and texture, this is a stunner to drink now or to age for another two decades."
2013 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve ($110) - CT 92.2, from Napa Valley. Not rated by WS or WA. It was a very good year in Napa. Usually this cuvee scores around 88 to 90 points in years that it is reviewed.
2013 Roberts + Rogers Cabernet Sauvignon Louer Family St. Helena ($110) - CT 91.3, WA 93 points, "Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Louer Family rolls out of the glass with seductive notions of baked plums, warm cassis and blueberry compote with touches of chocolate mint, unsmoked cigars, new leather, sandalwood and truffles. Full-bodied and boldly fruited in the mouth, the generous fruit has a plush texture and just enough freshness to support, finishing long and fragrant. (drink 2019-2032)"
- Mid-Week Pizza and PastaDonna Margherita, New York, NY$47.00
Join me for this Wednesday night dinner at Donna Margherita. We have been there a few times recently and have always enjoyed it. We will have 1 white CA blend of Italian varietals, and 2 Sangiovese and Sangiovese blend wines from Italy, a Barolo from Italy, and a WA state Carménère at this 8 person event,
Donna Margherita, has great personal sized pizzas and a nice variety of Pastas. They do charge a corkage fee, which is included in the event cost. Check out their menu here:
https://www.donnamargheritany.com
Just a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $47 and is for the cost of the wines, plus corkage only.NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $3 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! Meetup+ members are exempt from this charge.
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $5 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2023 Ridge White Alder Springs Vineyard ($39)- A 82% Falanghina, 18% Vermentino blend that we have had before. A great opening white for an Italian restaurant. 13% Alcohol. Aged entirely in stainless steel.2015 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro ($45) - CT 91.8, While I don't see WA's 97 point review, I do like this wine, "The 2015 Fontalloro is a landmark achievement. The bouquet strikes out with immediate complexity. It dangles aromas of black cherry, spice, tar, forest floor, wild rose and campfire ash in front of your nose with seductive allure. The unified presentation and delivery of all those aromas is profound and impressive. This edition of Fontalloro is exceptionally smooth and silky in texture and this is surely linked to the ripe, soft and finely textured fruit produced in this vintage. This is a pure expression of Sangiovese that is aged in barrique for up to 22 months. (drink 2020-2040)"
2021 Montepeloso Eneo Toscana IGT ($40) - I don't know why, but the WA skipped the 2021 vintage for this wine. They usually rate it 91 points and higher. Here is the 2022 review, for 92 points, "A blend of 65% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malvasia Nera, the Montepeloso 2022 Eneo shows a lovely combination of forest berry, sweet earth and crushed flowers. The wine does a great job of drawing upon the high tones delivered by each one of the three grapes in the blend. It flows over the palate with lean consistency, good freshness and an accessible style."
2008 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin ($60) - My final bottle of this vintage. WA says the drinking window ends in 2022, but I had a bottle last year and loved it. Here is the WA 92 point review, "The 2008 Barolo Ciabot Mentin is a little more interesting than the Pajana, but not much. It shows good energy and length, but never seems to truly blossom in the way the best vintages typically do. Flowers, mint, licorice and red berries are woven into the long, saline finish. Today the Ciabot Mentin comes across as compact, austere and lacking fruit. It shows good up-front energy, but then tails off abruptly on the mid-palate. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022."
2022 JM Cellars Carménère Bramble Bump Carmenere Margaret's Vineyard & Seven Hills Vineyard ($40) - From WA state. 14.5% Alcohol. From the winemaker, "Carménère is a unique grape, originating in Bordeaux, but found mostly in Chile these days - this variety is one of John’s favorites to discuss! We planted our Carménère in Margaret’s Vineyard in 2007. The 2022 vintage of this wine has the rich dark pepper character unique to the Carménère grape with notes of fresh, ripe red raspberries and a refreshing acidity. Aged for eighteen months in 60% new French oak, this wine drinks beautifully now but should age well for 10+ years. Enjoy!"
- Star Wars Day!Tuscany Steakhouse, Manhattan, NY$81.00
In what has become an annual tradition, I'll be hosting a Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You, get it?) As usual, all the wines will be from one of my favorite WA State wineries, Force Majeure. We will have 1 white and 4 red wines at this 8 person dinner. Join me for a Sunday night dinner at Tuscany Steakhouse. Located at 117 W. 58th Street, between 6th and 7th Aves. BTW, I recently found my tasting sheet from the 2016 Star Wars dinner!
Here is a link to their menu...
Tuscany Steakhouse MenuJust a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $81 and is for the cost of the wines
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
With some help from Hank, I've split the wines into 2 groups, the Jedi side and the Dark Side....
The Jedi Side First...
2021 Force Majeure Viognier Force Majeure Vineyard ($70) – CT 91. JD 92 points, "Scheduled to be bottled in July and brought up in a mix of stainless steel and used barrels, the 2021 Viognier Estate is brilliant stuff offering pure, classy Viognier notes of white peach, toasted almonds, brioche, and smoky, salty minerals in a full-bodied, rich, textured style. I love its texture, it's balanced, and is clearly an outstanding Viognier in the making."2017 Force Majeure Mourvèdre Les Volés ($85) - CT 93.6, JD 97 (he claims to have tasted chocolate notes) and WA 91 points. I'll give the lower rated WA notes here and may print both for the dinner, "The 2017 Mourvèdre is instantly a hit with its structured, red-fruited core and red spice that waft out of the glass with wild, dusty cherry, sweet tobacco and smoke. It's medium-bodied and rich on the palate, with subtle red spice and mineral tension that demonstrate balance, precision and complexity across the mid-palate. The wine ends with supple tannins and a lingering silky texture on the softly tart finish. Only 100 cases were made. This wine delivers great pleasure to the drinker—for those Grenache lovers out there who want to try something a little different, yet still familiar, give this wine a try! (drink 2019-2034)"
2021 Force Majeure Grenache Force Majeure Vineyard ($90) - CT 94.5, JD 94 points, "From vines planted in 2015 and 100% Grenache, the 2021 Grenache Red Mountain Estate reveals a medium ruby hue as well as a great, classic nose of kirsch, wild strawberries, wildflowers, and spice. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, round, and voluptuous, it's a gorgeous Grenache that will evolve for 10-15 years."
THE DARK SIDE
2018 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon ($125) - CT 94.6! JD 97+, Owen Bargreen 99, WA 93 points, "Take one sniff of the 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and you know it’s Red Mountain—the wine opens with a particular dustiness commonly associated with Red Mountain terroir. Aromas of dusty plum, black cherry skin, currant and cassis are lifted by dusty purple flower and elegant oak spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Full-bodied, the wine is generous on the palate with ripe yet slightly rustic tones of dust-covered berries and a beautifully framed structure with succulent tannins. The wine ends with a long, gripping finish and is food-friendly now but will do well with two to three more years of cellar aging. The wine fermented with native yeast and saw 80% new French oak. It’s a beauty. 500 cases produced." NOTE: FWIW:WA's review is the OLDEST of the three.
2017 Force Majeure Tempranillo Force Majeure Vineyard ($90) - CT 92, JD 97 points, "The 2017 Tempranillo is stunning stuff and comes all from the estate on Red Mountain. A brilliant nose of red currants, vanilla spice, dried flowers, lavender, and smoked meats gives way to a full-bodied red that has building yet silky tannins, flawless balance, no hard edges, and a fabulous, weightless, elegant texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. This is one of those wine that brings serious intensity and richness yet still just glides across the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It’s approachable today yet will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and drink fabulously well for 15+ years. (Drink between 2023-2040)"
