The “After Tasting Tasting.” What it is? It is an opportunity that comes around once a year to those in the wine trade on the Central Coast. It is an opportunity to taste, discuss and explore Rhône wines from all wine producing regions in California. The “After Tasting Tasting” is a result of Robert Parker, Jr.’s annual California Rhône Wine Review.

Last week we had the pleasure to once again host Robert Parker, Jr. for his annual California Rhône Wine Review. This was the eighth year he has called upon Hospice du Rhône to coordinate this annual tasting. A tasting that stretches over three days and encompasses over 400 California Rhône wines. At his request, the focus at this year’s tasting was on California Rhône wines from the 2008 vintage with late releases from the 2007 vintage.

Each day, Mr. Parker tastes through an average of 140 wines. Our role is to arrive early, to the tasting venue, set-up the tasting and then leave the room so he can do what he does best. After hours have passed he emerges from the tasting and we head in to pack-up. In the end, we are left with nearly full bottles of Rhône wines.

Alas, the “After Tasting Tasting” was born. For the past eight years, we have worked with local Central Coast wineries to hold the three-day “After Tasting Tasting.” So, on the day Parker tastes wines A-H so does the wine trade; just in a different location and with industry peers. Open to all wine trade in the region or wine trade who happen to be passing through this is a three-day opportunity to taste a versatile group of Rhône wines with a specific vintage focus from throughout California. These tastings allow those in attendance to expand or even begin their quest of exploring the world of Rhône.

We hope those in attendance enjoyed the three “After Tasting Tastings” as much as we did. So, until the next “After Tasting Tasting,” cheers!

*The Robert Parker, Jr. California Rhône Wine Review comes open every spring. Hospice du Rhône does its best to collect emails for all California Rhône producers but with so many new producers coming on board we know we don’t have them all. To add your email to this notification list please email hdrinfo@hospicedurhone.org.

Tags: central coast, hospice du rhone, rhone wine