Lots of wine... no drunkenness

Short post today, as I'm somehow running late this morning.

Yesterday, I went to Southern Wine and Spirits' Import Tasting at the Westin St. Francis.  A lovely event, and one I try to attend every year.  And after attending countless and innumerable wine tastings, I've learned one thing: always spit.

Granted, there were some wines that I actually drank.  The Concha y Toro Almaviva is outstanding and worth every sip.  They were pouring Inniskillin's Oak-aged Vidal and Cab Franc Icewines.  Trimbach's Frederic Emile Riesling is consistently wonderful.  Our friends at Gloria Ferrer / Freixenet were kind enough to pop a bottle of the Chateau-Lascombes (which Robert Parker revised upward from 91 to 95 points) for us.  But that's about all I drank.

Despite the numerous tables overflowing with good, imported juice, I really didn't drink all that much - maybe half to three-quarters of a glass all told.  I did manage to taste, however, lots of nice Burgundies, Bordeaux, Italian wines, Chilean wines, Australian wines, German wines, Spanish wines.  Yum.  Love those tastings.  And Young's Market Company is doing their big tasting next week.      :)

Afterward, my friend Jim (who was in town on business), RWR Jon-O and I met Brandy at Oola for dinner.  Very nice.  Except for Jon, we'd never eaten there, and we were pleasantly surprised.  I had a bacon cheeseburger with avocado, and all you need to know is "truffle cheese."  Mmmmmmmm. 

I'd like to own a truffle farm when I grow up.  Which I guess means I'll have to live in France or Italy.  Maybe I'll devote the rest of my life to growing that quality of truffle in the U.S.  One can dream...

Anyway, I'd highly recommend Oola as a decent date spot (dim lights, hanging fabric, exposed brick, generally cool vibe), but it's even better as a place to take out-of-town visitors.  Nicely San Franciscan without being too self-consciously cool, very good food and a selection of wine and liquor that's broad without being overwhelming.

So I'll leave you with one thought:

Truffles.