By The Glass
LYLE FUJIOKA
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
Many of the world's exceptional wines are beyond the reach of local wine drinkers, even those for whom money is no object. Price isn’t all that keeps
great wines out of reachWines from highly rated small wineries, sometimes known as boutique wineries, are limited in production and may total less than a hundred cases.
This results in a supply/demand imbalance and necessitates strict allocation and adherence to the 80/20 rule. This means that if 10 cases come to Hawaii, eight go to restaurants and two go to retail stores.
In any case (no pun intended) these wines end up on restaurant wine lists with triple-digit prices. Few cases, if any, reach retail stores.
People read about these high-profile wines and wonder why they are so sought after; but few get to taste them because of prohibitive cost or limited availability.
This is what makes Vintners in Paradise 2001 so special. The wine-tasting event, a benefit for the Hawaii Theatre Center, takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Halekulani Hotel courtyard.
It will provide the opportunity to taste many allocated, esteemed wines such as these from California: the respected Far Niente and Grgich Hills, the elegant Jordan wines, the historic Stags Leap Wine Cellars, the rising-star Testarossa and the celebrated Turley winery. Vintners will also showcase imported wines such as Corton Charlemagne from Maison Louis Latour and porto from Grahams and Quinto de Vesuvio.
Winery owners, winemakers and winery representatives will present most of the wines. If you've ever had questions about their great wines, why they are so expensive, specific winemaking techniques, past or future vintages, or almost anything, you can ask them directly.
Tickets are $65 and include cuisine by the Halekulani Hotel, featuring roast suckling pig, an oyster bar, assorted cheeses, French pastries and much more. Purchase tickets at Fujioka's Wine Merchants (739-9463) or Hawaii Theatre Center (791-1302).
Value on the vine
In contrast to allocated wines, this wine is affordable and tasting better than it ever has before. Mother nature was very kind in 2000 to Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2000 ($7.95). Merlot lovers may abandon their wine after tasting this.Sangiovese is the primary grape of Chianti and this one is nothing less than awesome! The forward cherry-type fruit is paired perfectly with the Italian earth and the balance is nothing less than superb. This wine pairs so well with food it's show-stopping.
Lyle Fujioka owns Fujioka's Wine Merchants,
which along with Chambers and Chambers Wine
Merchants is sponsoring the benefit event,
Vintners in Paradise.
This column is a weekly lesson in wine
pairing written by a rotating panel of wine professionals.
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