By Susan Shinn Salisbury Post It's Tuesday night and at The Blue Vine, that means it's time for the weekly wine tasting. On this evening, Kjeff Hansen from Tryon Distributing in Charlotte is offering six French wines, one white and five reds. The tastings generally start around 7:30. The regulars start showing up before that, and a few straggle in after the tasting begins. Rose Meeks Jones, The Blue Vine's owner, has set out her usual selection of heavy hors d'oeuvres. Tonight, the menu includes chicken salad (a customer favorite), a cheese tray, a veggie platter, a fruit tray, cookies and chocolate squares. Kjeff (the K is silent) begins with a Kuentz Bas Alsace Blanc 2004, the evening's white wine choice. Immediately, folks begin sniffing and swirling the wine in their glasses as Kjeff pours. "Doesn't this have a beautiful nose?" Rose asks from behind the bar. The Alsace region of France, Kjeff says, is known for its white wines. "Stop and smell the wines," Kjeff says to the customers. "Smell the wines before you taste them. It's all about the bouquet." Sisters Cam Hall and Sally Smith sit with Cam's husband Bill. At another table are Joan Palmer and Beth Tuneabe. Yvonne and Terry Ethridge have come from Woodleaf. In all, more than a dozen people attend tonight's event. Like most wine sellers, Rose offers a 10 percent discount for wines purchased by the case (mix and match) with an additional 2 percent off for cash purchases. She also offers gift certificates and gift certificates for wine tastings as well. "You're giving the gift of good taste," she says with a chuckle. The red wines on the list tonight include Ponelle Pinot Noir 2004, Sauvestre Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2004, Chartron & amp; Trebuchet Bourgogne Rouge 2002, Chateau de Trignon Cote du Rhone (CDR) Rouge 2004 and Chateau Ducla Bordeaux 2002. Rose pronounces the Cote Du Rhone "yummy." She's said before there's no pretentiousness about wines at her wine shop. "I say wines are either yummy, delish or mmm, mmm, mmm!" Rose says. The wines on Kjeff's list are priced from $13 to $22.75. nnn Wine tastings take place each Tuesday night at The Blue Vine beginning at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 704-797-0093 or visit www.thebluevine.com. nnn Contact Susan Shinn at 704-797-4289 or sshinn@salisburypost.com.
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