Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Garden Wine Tasting

Today is Tablescape Thursday from Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Always a fun Thursday event to see what everone has come up with for tablescapes this Thursday.

At Linderhof, it was Wednesday evening and my sorority came for a wine tasting and meeting -- in the garden.

Although the garden is still a works in progress (the bricks), we were able (between rain storms) to blow most of the leaves and dirt off and set up tables. Folding chairs (to be brought by another member and not yet arrived) would fill in so that all 23 guests would have a place to sit.

With my regular outside dining tablecloths suplimented by a red French cloth and some fabric from Wal Mart set a festive patio.
We figured if everyone "cosied up" that we could easily set 24 at the four tables.
We were glad that in the 40's that someone decided that half the back garden needed to be paved but it proved to be perfect for three big tables and one smaller one.
The patio bar with tablecloth and a piece of Wal Mart fabric held the wine glasses, a huge wine glass with corks, the wine and the champagne in a Dom Perignon wine chiller. Five white wines were being chilled in our patio wine cooler.
Each table had a garden centerpiece. The two with the yellow Williams Sonoma cloths had topiaries -- one ivy and the other a great climbing plant that a friend had gifted me with.


The square table which pinch hits for another patio table if we need it too, otherwise, it is our "prep" table for grilling, was covered with a French red cloth and centered with my primroses.

The small (breakfast for two table) held the rabbit thyme topiary. It was a small centerpiece for the smallest table.

We had some great appetizers from the three hostesses and with the appetizers we tasted wines selected by husband Jim. With 23 women, who each had different tastes in wine, he chose 9 wines that offered something for everyone.

The wines he chose:

1. FIRST LOVE RED SE Australia Blended Red ‘06


2. COLUMBIA CREST California 2 VINES Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon ‘05


3. FETZER Northern California, Valley Oak Pinot Noir ‘07


4. COVEY RUN Columbia Valley Chardonnay ‘05


5. MONKEY BAY Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ‘07


6. LITTLE BLACK DRESS California Pinot Grigio ‘07


7. COLUMBIA Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer ‘06


8. FOREST GLEN Forest Fire White Merlot ‘07


9. ANDRE Peach champagne/sparkling wines, Non-vintage

There were no table settings per se -- everyone got their glass plate and chose their appetizers and then sat and with real wine glasses (mostly from wine events where we poured) to taste our selection from.

It was a great evening -- as everyone "tottled" off, husband Jim and I sat with another glass of wine as we watched the full moon. We talked about how much fun the wine tasting was and even though we were glad it was over, we would do another in a "minute" if asked!

20 comments:

ellen b. said...

Oh what fun! your garden is such a great setting for an event like this!! Love all the varied tablecloths...

Casabella Cottage said...

I love all the different table cloths. I can just imagine the time it takes to collect those. Perfect!
Liz

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a great spot for a tasting. It looked lovely and the wines are great. I'm sure you had a great time.

KBeau said...

I'm sure a good time was had by all.

Kammy said...

How fun ! I don't know a thing about wines , but it sounds like you do, lol ! Great mix of colors
and a great job at seating so many people !
Hugs `~ Kammy

Chandy said...

How fun! What great looking tables! The colors you chose and the extra touches are lovely. Awesome job!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Looks liek fun..and a great time! Happy Tablescape Thursday ~ Susan

Scribbler said...

You make entertaining look so easy!!

This is very pretty. We have also been inundated with rain. I am eager to get back to our patio project.

Scribbler

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Oh may I love your patio and it's a perfect place to host a party. Your tables were lovely with the different table clothes. What a fun day you had. I really enjoyed your post.
Have a great day,
Elizabeth

Unknown said...

Perfect setting for a wine tasting! What I love best about this story is that you are still in touch with 23 girls from your sorority!!! Great wine list, thanks for sharing!

Southerncook said...

What a great idea, a wine tasting. Your tables looked great and the wine list, WOW. I am quite certain everyone had a wonderful time.

Carolyn

Sit A Spell said...

I love garden parties! I'm sure y'all had a great time.

I didn't know Kansas had Amish? We plan on going to the same B&B tomorrow night.

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

This is my dream event. I would love to host something just like this. Have a great time.

Pondside said...

How lovely to have weather warm enough to host a party in your beautiful garden. The tablecloths are, as others have said, very pretty - the whole scene is, really.
It sounds like a perfect evening.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This looks so wonderful - especially since we've had nothing but rain for the past week - sigh!

Lori E said...

I'm in for the next one. When and where?

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

This just looks so idyllic. I would imagine that your friends had a wonderful time being surrounded with all of that beauty and the lovely wine choices too. laurie

Blondie's Journal said...

Martha,

A wine tasting sounds like so much fun and you had a lot of interesting ones. I prefer chardonnay and Fetzer is one of my favorites.

Your garden is so pretty! It reminds me of something you would see in France or Italy. I love things all natural and overflowing, interesting statues and surprises peeping out!

You had a perfect party place and how nice to end the evening on a peaceful note with your husband!!

xoxo
Jane

Robin said...

What a fun way to spend the evening....good wine and good friends.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Carrie said...

Ohh, what a wonderful garden setting...seeing this inspires me to do more with my own outdoor spaces.