Jet City Tuesday

Dictionary.com can be useful. I typed in "alcoholic" to see if I was one, and instead of a definition I got links to help. Perhaps the definition of an alcoholic is one who looks up the word in the dictionary. In any case, I do know that I am addicted to wine to the point that I'll drive 4 and a half hours to buy it.

Yesterday was the last day that I won't be working or going to class until Thanksgiving, so I figured I should make use of it. At about 9:00 I hopped in my car and headed west. The only stop on the way was Sagelands Vineyard, which I get the employee discount at. I didn't buy anything though, my mission wasn't Washington wine, I get plenty of that.

My first purchase was 12 bottles at Esquin in downtown Seattle, within walking distance of the Mariners' and Seahawks' stadiums. Now I do sound like an alcoholic, but all of these were purchased for the tasting group which I am a part of. Among the items were 3 Bordeauxs, a couple Argentinian Malbecs, a Cahors (French Malbec), a French Viognier, Australian Shiraz and Petit Verdot, and some Merlots from Chile. I could have spent 4 weeks there, but I was in an hour parking spot.

Seattle is a dream city. I can't think of a more stunning place, but the catch is it was sunny on this particular day. In fact, to the north it was clear enough that I could easily see the snowy peak of Mount Baker, but at the same time closer and much taller Rainier was nowhere to be found. Despite the reputation of the rainy city (it's been rainy one out of six days I've been there), I might have to live there at some point in my life.

To make a long story short, I also bought a case of wine at Trader Joe's in Issaquah on the way back. This one is purely for my pleasure, and despite it being $92 it will save me the $70 in gas over the next few months. The jewels of my purchases include a Vouvray*, a white Bordeaux*, and a 2001 Brunello di Montalcino*. The latter was $22, which is scary cheap, and I'll be posting a review of that in the next... 2 years.

With this comes a conclusion: although I don't consider myself an alcoholic (perhaps one sign is that I'm drinking a 2004 Canoe Ridge Reserve Merlot as I type), the rest of the world does. So in trying to define an alcoholic I could say it's one who becomes intoxicated at least 4 nights a week (because if I said 3 I'd be doomed); or maybe it's one who relies on alcohol for happiness (but without it I'd be screwed). After much thought I've come up with this:

Alcoholic (al-kuh-hall-ik) noun : 1.One who's life depends on alcoholic beverages, and especially one who blogs about experiences revolving around it.
2. Steven Washuta

Wine nerd notes:

1. Vouvray is from a certain area of the Loire Valley in France, and it's 100% Chenin Blanc.
2. White Bordeaux is always a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and sometimes some Muscadelle.
3. Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy's most famous wines. It's 100% Sangiovese (San-gee-oh-vase-ee) and barrel aged.. for a long time. The one I bought happens to be 4 years (which is 20 in wine-years)