Rose wine tasting day at Maison Vauron

I have always liked free stuff. I remember a time long, long ago when Jeanne and I made the fullest use possible of a mall full of freebies...

(Warning: You are about to enter a segment of reminiscing. Some readers may find the following boring. Not objectionable, just boring. Read at your own risk.) 

Jeanne was completing her last semester of classes at N.M.U. and I was working. We were living in an 'efficiency apartment,' otherwise known as 'a large closet with a stove, refrigerator, and bed crammed into it.'  We had no real financial worries at the time because we had so little of anything that there wasn't much to worry about. Still, when we could save a few bucks on the grocery bill, we jumped at the chance.   

One weekend, we discovered that the Marquette Mall was having a food fair. We went out there about noon on Saturday and discovered that it was a dandy.  This was in 1974. If a seller of hot dogs back then wanted you to taste his product, he didn't cut them up into teeny-wienies stuck with toothpicks, he put a whole one in a bun, cut it in half and gave you a proper taste. (Condiments on the side.)  

The mall was full of such opportunities. To make a long story short, Jeanne and I roamed the mall that day, making several revolutions of the place at least, and enjoyed our lunch and dinner there.  Oh, we did some shopping in between courses and hauled things to the car, but always felt compelled to return and try just one more flavor of frozen yogurt in those tiny little cones...

Well, it's forty-some years later and despite the fact that we are retired and comfortable, the promise of free stuff still stirs my soul. Especially when it's free rose wine, bread, cheese, sausage, olives and crackers.  

From 11 to 3 last Saturday, I roamed Maison Vauron and enjoyed myself. Jeanne's knee was just not up to the walk from the train station, down the long hill to the restaurant and wine cellar and back again, so I didn't have my mall-roaming sweetie with me this time. (I brought her some goodies though)

Today's look into New Zealand is at a rose wine tasting event. Come along. 

 I am approaching. They started without me? 

 Crepes are already flying off the griddle.

 Music sets the mood as I enter...

...and am greeted at the first tasting site. I take a wine glass and choose a wine. These are the least expensive wines, around $14.00.  

(divide by 1.48 to get our U.S. dollar approximation) 

With my first taste in hand, I move over to sample some cheeses. The guy circulating the event with a basket of bread chunks just went by. I approve of this place already.   

 Okay, the pieces are rather on the small size it's true, but, I'll be back. 

 Some crackers to go with the cheese?  Yes, please. Thank you. 

More expensive wine here, mid-twenties, but he offers olives and sausage as well. 

 This is the high-end table. The wines here cost from $38 to $44 a bottle.  To tell you the truth, I didn't think the pricey one tasted twice as good as one of the mid-range choices.  I'm sure that's my lack of experience talking though.  

 I did not sample all of the 15 wines being tasted, although I tried one wine twice. And brought home two bottles of it.  

 Walking the rows of racks here and sipping, I thought back to a tasting I enjoyed with friends Kathleen and Lee at a cellar back on Ludington Street in Escanaba. And how I enjoyed the wines they had made at home in the Copper Country. I thought their rhubarb and a mead were especially fine...

 Notice the silver bucket on the table. Tasters were encouraged to pour unwanted wine from their glasses into the bucket, rather than drinking it if it was not to their taste. I saw many people also spitting tasted wine into it.  That's how it's done if you want to keep a completely clear head. 

 It's time for me to start putting together a treat for Jeanne and Allie.

First, a couple of loaves of bread. 

 Then I stopped at the counter where you see the couple now standing. I bought two kinds of cheese and some chicken/duck liver mousse. 

 Finally, back upstairs where I bought two bottles of the wine that I had decided on earlier. 

Here is my bag all loaded up with my treasures. 

 Back downstairs I go...

...and out of the restaurant. Business at the sidewalk tables is brisk. 

I'm tempted to return for just one more taste, it's free after all....but no, I've had enough. I have my goodies in hand. I head for the train and home.  

This is the wine I chose.     -djf