Weekend Chat: Let’s Talk Vino

Ladies and gentlemen,

This month’s Virtual Hangout is right around the corner and so today, I am largely turning over the Weekend Chat to Garrett, who will be leading the charge on Monday during our wine tasting with Doug Frost and Bryan Maletis. Below, Garrett walks us through the bottles he’ll have in front of him on Monday night and what he’s excited to chat about with Doug and Bryan. At the bottom, you’ll also find a reminder of the details for the hangout. And if you plan to join in, let us know what wine you’ll have in the comment section! Here’s Garrett:

February Club TFE Virtual Hangout

As Will explained last week, next Monday’s Club TFE hangout will involve some wine-tasting across a few well-known golf regions. Here’s the lineup I’ll be digging into.

Champagne: Gimonnet-Oger is an excellent grower champagne provided by hangout guest and Fatcork founder Bryan Maletis. It’s by far the best bottle I’ll be opening on Monday. But there are plenty of more affordable traditional-method sparkling wines from France and the New World that would serve you well in this spot. I’m a particular fan of Argyle Vintage Brut, a fairly accessible sparkler from Oregon.

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand: I picked up this 2024 Greywacke from Costco for about 17 bucks. Sauvignon Blanc isn’t really my thing, but I’ve tried and enjoyed past vintages of Greywacke, Whitehaven, and—at a slightly higher price point—Cloudy Bay.

Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley: Since I live in the Willamette Valley, I have access to a lot of Oregon Pinots that might not have much distribution outside of the state. I’ve heard good things about this Patricia Green Reserve, and I’m looking forward to trying it, but I’m not sure you’ll be able to find it in your local grocery store. Among wide-distribution, relatively affordable Willamette Valley producers, I can recommend Stoller, King’s Estate, and Willamette Valley Vineyards (especially WVV’s Whole Cluster Pinot Noir). I’ve also seen Roserock Pinots in Costco for around $30—a great deal.

Shiraz from Australia: I know next to nothing about Australian wine, so I’m looking forward to learning more on Monday! I grabbed this Paringa Shiraz from my neighborhood yuppie market, and… well, it was cheap. If you can locate some Penfolds Bin 28 or Koonunga Hill, I understand that’s a good way to go.

Club TFE February Virtual Hangout

Date: Monday, February 10, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Link to Join: February Club TFE Virtual Hangout

I think the hangout will be lots of fun to watch even if you’re just drinking water, but if you do plan to partake, let us know which bottle(s) you’re opening! And please send us any questions you’d want to hear discussed on Monday night. – GM