Dale and I went to our first event that was put on by my University of Minnesota Alumni Association, (UMAA) greater Los Angeles Chapter. I have wanted to go to some of their events before, but they usually are happy hours at a bar(s) in Santa Monica, and it is not very conducive to getting home in any timely manner, etc. on a workday. Not to mention that I usually don't drive to work but take the train. If anyone knows Los Angeles, there are no trains that go anywhere, even close to Santa Monica.
Any rate, I absolutely had to go to this event, as it was only a block from our house in Long Beach at the Wine Crush. http://www.thewinecrush.com/ It was a wine tasting event of 7 different Rhone wines. (French regional) There are 22 grape varietals allowed in the Rhone region of France, about half of them red. The primary red varietals of Rhone blends are Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. The primary white varietals are Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. We sampled a selection of Rhone blends from both California, Australia, and France. Rhone blends are some of the most complex yet subtle wines out there. We had about 3 California, 1 Australian, and the rest were all authentic French Rhone wines. 2 were white, and 5 were Red. It was a very interesting mix of all of them, however only a few were my favorite, including the Australian. ( I have an affinity for Australian and New Zealand Wines)
One of the best parts of the event was all the U of M Alumni. We were warmly greeted as soon as we arrived, we all had name tags and the lively conversations began. Somehow, and in someway, all the Minnesotans and friends of Minnesotans, seemed to have the best time together out of any group I have been to in So. Cal. We exchanged several e-mails, and names and phone numbers and we will be in touch and attend other future Alumni Association events for sure. I was amazed! In realizing what a small world it is I met one young lady who graduated from Frazee, MN high school who knew my family name and a number of relatives that have graduated from Frazee, HS with her. How cool is that, and certainly makes it seem like a small, world, when you can run into someone in So. Cal all the way from the small towns of Northern Minnesota!
