As part of the wine trade in the New York area, I was given the privilege of an Invitation to taste wine at ten at night to one in the morning. The event was hosted by Lauber Imports, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits and coincided with the basketball tournament named March Madness.
The tasting, titled, MIDNIGHT MADNESS, took place at the prestigious LANDMARC restaurant, located on the third floor of the Time Warner building, which faces Central Park.
There was much excitement for this event, as tastings for the trade normally take place from noon to five in the afternoon. This late night start and the following day ending added importance to this event. What would the turn out be at this hour of the day? That was the question of the few, including myself, who arrived a few minutes early.
The doors opened and within fifteen minutes the room was over flowing with guests.
These guests were not your usual day time trade tasters, but, a different night breed, many dressed to the nines.
Lauber Imports were on to something. A different wine tasting approach for the trade and a bigger result. Of course, their sales from the event will tell the true tale.
Lauber, known for their Portfolio Tasting, with well over 800 wines showcased only fifteen wines this evening. Focus on the few was the lesson. and that is what we did.
There were several wonderful wines out of the lot, but, those that stood out were:
2005 Alder Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon: 2005 Roy Estate Red and the 2004 Hidden Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon.
If other Importers and Distributors follow Lauber's late night antics, the wine world for the Trade would move up a notch. Unlike many cities in America, New York is a true 24 hour a day city.
Let's take advantage of that fact and follow Lauber's lead.
Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com
