Quintessa: Reasons to celebrate

Setting aside expensive bottles of wine for special occasions is something we all can relate to. And serving a top quality wine, or fine Champagne, will always remain recognizable symbols for celebrations.

We do this for a variety of reasons, but in a practical sense, it’s really too expensive to bring out $100 bottles of wine every week.  However, there’s always a celebration right around the corner and this time we’re looking at anniversaries.

Traditionally, red wines are “biggies” for celebrating.  Among the best is Quintessa’s Bordeaux-style red blend.  The name, the label, and the people who produce it, are all about special times.

There’s just something about the life story of Quintessa’s owners, Agustin & Valeria Huneeus, that makes one ask why a couple would pick such a tough business to dedicate their lives to.  They just love it.  And the TLC displayed at every harvest shows through in their wines.

They also love their customers.  When someone complained about a bottle being “corked” a few years ago, they started checking every cork to make sure that this never happens again.  They are still checking every cork.  There are few wineries that would even consider such steps to guarantee the quality of their wine.  That’s a lotta’ sniffing.

One interesting way to celebrate is to take some Quintessa on a cruise (note that many cruise policies limit the number of bottles per person when entering ships).  There may also be corkage fees (Princess charges $15).  But top shelf brands are worth it, especially Cabernet blends with 92 point ratings.  Needless to say, these wines are perfect for long evenings on board with no drive home to worry about!

It is a real treat to be able to enjoy a carefully “stashed and packed” wine far out to sea at an upscale on-board restaurant.  With large fancy wine glasses to complement Quintessa’s complex bouquet full of goodies like dark cherries, vanilla, eastern spice, and mocha, you can’t go wrong.  Accompanied with juicy steaks and a mid-palate balanced between dark cherries and plum, it makes for a pair to savor, romantic.

Even if you choose to celebrate on shore, red wines are always popular for anniversaries, especially top shelf classics that will age easily for the next 20 years.  Any heartfelt celebration is always a little better when there is a prissy bottle of wine on the table.  Beats flowers anytime, and lasts a lot longer.

Even though Quintessa is a little hard to get because so many restaurants order it up, they do offer a good online sales program that often requires the purchase of several bottles.  But for special occasions, it’s a good plan.  Drink one for this year’s anniversary, another in 5 years, and another in 10.  Here’s to celebrating love and life.

Serve at near room temperature with a slight chill, 65 degrees.