2007 Helix CSC : 11 Party Ideas to Get Drinking
We at Reininger love a good party, which is why we created the Helix Clonal Selection Collection as basically a way to consume 4 bottles of wine under the guise of “research”. We aren’t the type to judge you for enjoying a little buzz, especially when it comes to enjoying it with family, friends, and food. We have VERY LIMITED amounts of the 2007 Helix CSC left with no plans of making a clonal collection again. If you are excited by these awesome party ideas down below, get to gettin’ and give us a call at 509.522.1994 or an email at brooke@reiningerwinery.com asap! We can probably even get Chuck to sign each bottle before sending it to you in its own wooden box. Perfect gift? Check.
For those who are confused as to what the Clonal Selection is, here’s the scoop:
The Helix Clonal Selection Collection (CSC) is comprised of four unique Syrah wines sourced from the Phinny Hill Vineyards. Three are 100% each from separate Syrah clones and the fourth is an equal blend of the three clones. This presentation affords the knowledge and experience of the parts and the sum of the Helix 2007 Phinny Hill CSC Syrah. This unique syrah offering is a wonderful adventure into the world of wine. Enjoy the experience with friends as you explore and evaluate the clonal traits of these wines and discover their symbiotic relationship in the Helix Phinny Hill Syrah CSC.
What is a Clone?
In viticultural terms, it s a population of vines which are theoretically genetically identical, having been propagated vegetatively (i.e. from cane cuttings, not by seeds) which are descendants of a single mother plant in an effort to isolate a specific trait(s).
Clone 174
Origin: Drome, France. Low cluster weight and lower yield, medium sugar, good balance, cherry fruit flavors, often rated first in Hermitage tastings, overall A rating.
Clone 470
Origin: Tran ET Garonne, France. Lower fertility, low cluster weight with loose architecture (open clusters, which discourages fungal disease), higher sugar, full bodied, higher acidity, can be floral, good color, later ripening, often rated first in Hermitage tastings, overall A rating.
Clone Noir
Origin: France, origins are more ambiguous because several Syrah clones are referred to as Noir but this one is believed to be from Hermitage. Dark color (Black Syrah as the name implies), earthy, rustic, spice, more tannic, higher sugar, concentrated.
The Parties
1. Mystery wine tasting. This is probably the most obvious, but you still have to admit that it’s pretty fun. Throw some paper bags on the wine bottles and number them 1-4. Bring you unsuspecting guests in and have them write their notes as you taste through the lineup. Won’t they be surprised when you tell them about the CSC!
2. Hot Tub Party. Need I say more?
3. Dessert Party. Pick up a selection of tasty tartes, chocolates, caramels, truffles, and cheeses and have a decadent evening with your friends. Syrah loves rich foods!
4. Syrah Pong. This was Kelly’s idea since he loves beer pong so much. I imagine this would get kind of wild, so just make sure you have things covered in plastic tarps and you’re not wearing your favorite all-white outfit.
5. Visit to France. Ok this is pretty obvious, too, but Syrah is classically French and therefore pairs beautifully with heavier French foods. Braised lamb, Tartiflette, Boeuf Bourguignon, and roasted winter root vegetables makes for a wonderful French feast to enjoy your CSC with.
6. Opening Day of Golf! Let the CSC be the prize for the best score or the best whiff, depending on who your friends are.
7. Easter. Dolly the cloned sheep would be so proud to share the holiday table with the Helix Clonal Selection. It tastes really great with lamb, too, so that’s a bonus.
8. Ham and Truffle Party. Why not get back to the French roots and host an everything ham and truffles party? Gettin’ piggy with it.
9. Midnight Tasting. Bring out the sultry side of Syrah with a late-night tasting featuring rich, tasty nibbles in small portions, like mini mac and cheese, tiny lobster rolls, potatoes with creme fraiche and bacon, and gray sea salt dark-chocolate covered caramels.
10. Apres Ski Fondue. I like dipping anything in molten cheese, including sausage, bread, and vegetative matter. A full day of skiing is just about the only way you can justify this, plus (if you ski like me) you’ll probably really need a few drinks after hiking up the mountain in search of perfect, untouched pow pow.
11. Smoking Jacket Party. Channel your inner Hugh Hefner and find a smoking jacket and slippers, a few cigars, and maybe some post-Syrah cognac for the most manly night possible.
Comments
