October marks the beginning of “party season” in Panama, which starts in mid-October and lasts through the end of February with Carnaval. One of my favorite wine tastings is hosted by Panama’s biggest wine seller, Felipe Motta.
There are typically 50-100 wine vendors, each one with three to seven wines to try. Do the math, and it still ends up a bit crazy. I like to go when the doors open at 4 p.m. and get my serious tasting in before the party starts. Once the after-work crowd comes, conversation is optional only with a bullhorn.
When I go to “to the trade” wine events, people swirl, sip… and then spit. But at the Felipe Motta wine tasting there is no spitting. Only copious amounts of gulping–ah, I mean sipping. It is always fun to read my notes the next day when I do-as-the-locals-do… and don’t spit.
Wine 1: This wine was obviously aged in French oak barrels with a very long finish. Love the aromas of cassis and vanilla. Hint of charred caramel. 8/10. Must buy.
Wine 12: Good wine. I liked it. Gotta get some.
Wine 27: Sloppy Happy face and a big splotch of spilled wine.
Yes, even wine professionals can overindulge from time to time. Thank God for Uber!
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