Megan Henderson is one of my dear friends and she has been a huge part of my wine journey. She actually poured my first taste of Etude Heirloom Pinot Noir, the wine that sparked my passion. Below is her amazing perfect case project feature. Enjoy!
"I guess why I am "WineTastic" would be the desire that I have to share my passion and interest for wine with others. I have had a great many wonderful wine experiences through work, schooling and on my own, and I want the opportunity to share it. Wine, the industry and the culture that surrounds it is such an awesome thing that shouldn't intimidate people but allow people to explore and, in so doing, make people more aware of their community and a more conscientious consumer.
My company, Everyday Sommelier, tries to do just that! I host private, educational tastings, small events and wine consultations for groups interested in learning more about wine. People shouldn't be limited to a certain price point, expectation or level of understanding to order a glass of wine at a restaurant. The ultimate point of it all is to be enjoyed and have fun and whatever that means to you is great! This would also describe how I enjoy wine. There is no such thing as bad wine as long as someone makes a connection with it. I have a vast many friends with many different preferences and they are all right and good. That is the fun of wine and to me, the point!
The first bottle that made be fall in love with wine was a Salamandre Menage a Trois. It is a small producer from the Santa Cruz Mountains, my home town, and I tried it while in culinary school. It was so well balanced, smooth and elegant that I was immediately hooked! It definitely opened me up to a whole different world that I didn't ever think about until then. Still love it to this day!
Although there are many wine moments shared with friends or otherwise, I would say the most memorable wine moment was while working for Treasury Wine Estates. In their portfolio, they carry the Penfolds line from Australia. We would host different events for their luxury wines during times of releases. About five years ago, we were hosting a trade tasting called "The Rewards of Patience". There were about 12 wines being tasted from their world renowned Grange to a one time release of their Bin 60A from 1962! Once the tasting began, our manager noticed an entire table of guests didn't not arrive, and immediately sat all of his employees to participate! They had to have been some of the most dynamic and interesting wines I have been able to taste to date, and many things I will never taste again! It was a great opportunity that I will never forget.
My perfect case:
Penfolds Bin 707, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003
Equinox Blanc de Blanc, Vintage Champagne, 1997
Santa Cruz Mountain Winery Durif, 2007
Etude Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
Penfolds Great Grandfather Tawny Port, NV
Stags' Leap Ne Cede Malis, Petite Sirah, 1999
Beringer Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001
Pelican Ranch Babcock Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2007
Veuve Cliquot Le Grande Dame Champagne Vintage, 2004
Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos, Garnacha, 2009
St. Clement Oroppas, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003
Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc, Rhone Style White Wine, 2007
I would love to have the opportunity to share all these wines! I think though, the one I would share the most would be the Etude Cabernet. I believe it can make a wine lover out of anyone and definitely has the power to make people want to explore wine more. I think the wine I would save for my last would be a toss up between the Penfolds Bin 707 and the Equinox Champagne. I have had many wonderful dinners surrounding the 707 and hope to have my next bottle the same way! At the same time, I am a sucker for Champagne, and LOVE this Champagne made in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It has a special place in my heart and I would probably hold on to those bottles for a long time.
Overall, I chose these wines because they all have a certain sentimental quality attached to them. Whether it be the Pelican Ranch Pinot, my first job in the wine industry, the St. Clement Oroppas, which I had one of my favorite meals with one my of best friends, or the Penfolds Great Grandfather, something I will never have again, unless I get to Australia! Putting these wines together have made me take a step back and not only think about how much wine is apart of my life, but also how fortunate I am to have had these experiences and how lucky I am to have shared them with some amazing people."
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