This is another one of those posts I didn’t necessarily plan or time to coincide with National Drink Wine Day, that occurred on February 18th, here in the states, because to me and many of us, that’s a daily ritual.

But nevertheless, this is the kind of wine that would only feel write to discuss.  It’s one that has thrown in sentimentality to me the past few years, for a multitude of reasons.

I’ll first say that the Famille Perrin Reserve Côtes du Rhône Rouge from Château de Beaucastel Winery in the southern part of the Rhone Valley of France.  (Like I know where that is.)

is likely the first Red Blend or Rhone from France that I ever had the opportunity of trying.  I say this with the understanding and possibility that I’ve had others before, but I was oblivious to the region, to the type of grapes, and to the significance of how wine is created.  So I would like to say this was my first and I truly hope it is.

It’s also the first that really made me appreciate why I love wine, and why I love sharing my wine with others.  And that feeling is reciprocal.  This was also a bottle that dear friends, and I may even consider them family, introduced to me.

The location does not matter.  It’s that old cliche of not where you are but who you’re with that truly matters.  In this instance that is exactly right.

I was introduced to this by a couple of close friends that have ties to the region, whether it’s their native land and can speak the language, have a sentiment for the wine itself, or something bigger than any of that.  There’s always layers to this thing which you may not see on the surface.

Speaking of layers, this is a wine when I first tried was a breath of fresh air.  It was just different than I was accustomed too.  It seemed ripe full of tannins, loaded with strawberries and other fine fruits, and had a rouge (as the name suggests) color that did have a different tint than what I’m accustomed too.  Now this might all be more than I’m making it out to be.  But there was just something about it.

And the place where I first shared it at was ironic.  It was more of a pub atmosphere than a wine bar.  I’ll tell you at the time and looking back on it, this couldn’t be more perfect.  In a sea of cold beer and mixed drinks, this was the savior to all that.  None of that was the intent.  But for me this has significant value I will always look back on fondly.

Yes the people I shared this bottle with also made this experience all the more grande.  Not just anyone would be a part of this.  So there were those few folks who shared the same affinity and joy for this wine, like I did, and likely much more.

What’s important to know is I still keep in touch with these pals.  Sometimes I still get to see them.  That makes this part of my past even more meaningful.  It’s more than just bar friends, these are dear friends, and you might even call them family.  If I had lost touch or think I’d never see them again, than I would still feel some sense of nostalgia, but it would be different.  Make sense?

The fun part of all this is we didn’t just share a glass. We usually got a bottle or two.  And I would say the vintages ran from 2009-2011.  Yes we did this for a while and on numerous occasions, for a stretch run of at least a year, maybe two, and maybe more?   There’s joy in that.  It wasn’t a one and done.  Nurtured and growing bonds come from this.  It could be wine, or it could be anything that does the trick.   But wine can really form deep and spiritual connections if you scratch the surface, even just a little.   Or for some it’s just give me a class and let’s move on.  I would prefer the former. 🙂

People move on, they get busy, some get busier, and some just grow a part.  Even though I had mentioned I still consider these people great friends, I don’t see them as much.  I don’t see them enough.  And whenever I come across a Perrin Wine, I still get a bit emotional and look back on this time fondly.   It was nothing out of the ordinary.  It was just good friends drinking good wine.

There’s old memories and then there’s new memories.  Not all memories are  created equal but relatively they can all be awesome.

I was at a local wine shoppe recently, on my way to a fun event that a dear friend told me about.   And for me, bringing a bottle is just a part of this thing.  It’s me on auto-pilot and knowing to never come empty-handed to an event.  Little did I know the significance of this one.

I purchased the 2014 version, simply because I saw it was one of the more affordable options on the shelf.  And when I mean affordable, I mean under $10.  And I’ve seen it was low as $7, and not just on sale days.   I didn’t realize what I had bought until I showed up at what I hope becomes a new tradition, Club 603.

If it wasn’t for someone who I now consider family, I would have likely never been here. Maybe the universe would lead me here in a different direction.  But I don’t think so.

This event represents what it’s like to be around good people, good friends, and what feels like a family atmosphere.

It’s a monthly (or sometimes more or less) concert event held in someone’s living room, in a gorgeous house, in a gorgeous part of Baltimore.   And what’s all the more gorgeous is everyone is bringing something to the party.

As you can see there’s nothing but food, food, and more food.

There will be no pictures of music or musicians.  That’s up to your imagination, or if you’re in the area, a reason for you to visit.

Oh there’s plenty of alcohol too.  I brought my wine and only got to have a glass.  That’s the sign that what I brought to the table was liked by one person.  Even though I didn’t ake the wine, it still feels good.  The same thing happened the month prior.  I literally had half a glass. That makes me feel good.  It’s the little things that are the big things.

And I say month prior because I’m so fortunate to have been at a few of these events, and feel all the more welcome each time.   And now new memories are being created, and yes that good old Perrin is now attached to a new experience.

If there’s one negative, it’s either the vintage has changed, my palate has changed, or it’s just my tastes have evolved.  I would say it’s possibly all and much more than that.   The wine till had that Red Blend (Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah) I’ve come to love, but the sweetness was not there like before. It could be a number of reasons, time and place, temperature, the vintage has evolved, or maybe I’ve evolved.

I’ve had many blend since that have wowed and me disappointed me.  This is one that will have a historic and profound significance to me for a long to come.

If you go to your local wine shoppe there’s a chance that you will find this bottle.  It’s one of the most standard and massed produced wine you’re going to find.  And that’s meant as a positive. It’s accessible, affordable, drinkable, and an everyday wine for every occasion.

The whole point of the wine experience, is to learn something about wine, but most importantly learn more about yourself, and to feel good.  There’s a lot of generalities but the intent is positive.  Wine has created some amazing memories.  Life is about creating good memories to look back on when times are great, or sometimes not-so-stellar.

For my one previous post on the the Famille Perrin Wines, go here.

For more on Club 603, click here.

I don’t know the next time I’ll be at this said event.  But when I do I will bring another bottle (or two), and maybe do another post to pay tribute to the wines I love and more importantly, the great people I’ll share it with.

Thankful and grateful,

Ideen