play-ing with kate

You may remember Kate from such posts as American Girls Drink Wine and When A House Is A Home. Kate likes wine, knows good wine, and is one of those friends with whom I can always depend to throw a few back. Well, we met last night at Play (Kate works at Play) and did indeed throw a few back, but not before we interloped on a wine tasting that was happening when I arrived, and I have to share with you: Cave Spring 2007 Pinot Noir.

It was delicious in all its ripe fruit, and silky mouthfeel glory. In the $37 range, it's a little expensive, but worth treating yourself if the occasion calls for it. The Merlot/Cab blend was nice too.

Warmed and ready to get to some serious drinking we plopped ourselves at the bar next to the kitchen and Grayson, the Wine Director, poured us a few glasses of red wine (after a refreshing Cava which I neglected to photograph or note).

We drank these two side by side in order to compare. They were both subtle, smooth and layered with flavour. I was particularly surprised by the Spanish wine, sometimes they can be a little rough. I had to come home and look up Mencia; it's a red grape that grows in the northwest of Spain. The relative softness of the wines worked across the variety of nibbles that we ate, which were good, good, good. If you get to Play in the near future all I can say is PUMPKIN GNOCCHI. We really pigged-out on the Grenache though (I'm not going to tell you how much of it we drank).

I'm convinced now (I wasn't before) that Play is a great place to meet up, snack on food and imbibe a little, or a lot.

It's nice to have girlfriends who like, really like to drink wine.