Savor Dallas 2008: Arts District Wine Stroll

DC, says:

Dallas taxis suck. Really. I mean here we are planning on going to a wine drinking event - DRINKING. I mean, sure, even just by osmosis we could get drunk even if we were to use the spitoons, but half of the point of wine is taste and the other half buzz. (Like you'd say otherwise...) However, of course, we get the 10-15 minutes line which turns in to 30-40. It's $5.50 before we're off the block. Stupid, lame rip-off.

Anyway, we start out at the Meyerson. It's the same set up as last year, but with a notable wine exception. The foyer of the Meyerson is again sectioned in half, with a semi circle of wine tables on the perimeter. In the middle, there are two tables of cheese and fruits.

Overall, the wines are acceptable. Personal favorites on this trip: 2006 Grant Burge Chardonnay: for some reason, this really spoke to me in that it was more of a punchy fruit rather than a buttery toast note. A real departure from most of the Chardonnay laying around the house right now, but it's no Flowers.

Second choice, Tapena Garnacha. If you've been around in the last six months and not had a bottle of Los Rochas Garnacha, you've been the exception. Every wine place in Dallas has been shoveling this out as the budget 90+ wine of choice. However, this Tapena does just fine without quite as much spice as the Los Rochas.

Alternatively, perhaps the 3oz blocks of cheese from the middle of the room are skewering my palate.

One notable exception from last year: no Sassicaia. This is rather disappointing.

However, to offset this, we have the happy occasion to cross paths with a local Dallas food celebrity and her entourage of photographers. We exchange pleasantries, make plans (call me, smile!) and move on.

So, after circulating the room, time for the Nasher!

Tactical error.

It's about 6:15 and supposedly this event runs until 7, but from the looks of it the place looks like Target at 5 to close. There's nary a drink to be found. As a result, we split up. Earlier, we had heard from our Dallas food professional about a Tattinger tasting table, which sounded somewhat interesting, so she goes to find it and I seek out the food.

Once again, I'll say if you're ever at the airport in Denver and eat at Wolfgang Puck's you've pretty much seen it all. There are some horribly overpackaged salads inside. Outside there is a line of about 20 people waiting for some chunks of meat from one of two George Foreman grills. It's acceptable considering how damn hungry I am.

She comes back with a no-name Reisling. It's a fine accompaniment to the meat shooters we're having, but overall there's basically jack all to try at this place.

So, since it's almost time to move on, we figure that just like last year, we'll jump on the shuttle between the Arts District and Victory, except there is no shuttle. Great omission, people. Great. Now what?

What are my reviews of part one? Well, overall, the wines were ok, but going to the Meyerson first was a major mistake, Nasher should have been locale one.

Secondly, why 5? I mean seriously, even starting at 6 would have made this much more accessible to people who actually, I don't know, work.

It made more sense to do half at one location and half at another, but it also meant more people crammed into the spaces. Indifferent on this one.

No transportation? Pretty weak.

That being said, I did have fun, mostly thanks to the interesting crowd we ran across.

Part two to come.

Of course, it is pretty damn cold for Dallas, hence posting instead of spinning. Time for that tomorrow.