AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


 
"To really get the most out of a glass of wine,
you need to think it as well as drink it."
 
-- Grape Reads, by Michael Franz

 
 

An article in the New York Times, reprinted from Science magazine, caught my attention a few months ago. It is titled, "Study: From humble lines came noble grapes." The gist of the article talks about the application of DNA tests on grapes to better determine their origins. The headliner for the article was the discovery that the Chardonnay grape is a cross between the noble pinot and Gouais Blanc, a grape so course that it hasn't been grown in France since the middle ages, though still grown on a limited basis in Switzerland.

The previous assumption had been that it took two good quality parents to produce a good quality progeny. This indisputable discovery has shattered the traditional thinking such as the French A.O.C. which legally forbids cross bred varietals to be grown in France. This Gouais Blanc is now credited as a parent of sixteen varietals. Incidentally, DNA tests have identified Cabernet Sauvignons' parents as Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.
 

NEXT MEETING

Our next meeting is on Sunday, February 6th in the Parish Hall of Grace Episcopal Church. Meeting starts at 7:30 PM with social at 7:00. We are
going to the Iberian Peninsula with none other than Walt Rachele. Walt is presenting for our pleasure, "An Advanced Course on Ports". For those of you who enjoy ports this tasting will be a treat if the rumors I've heard floating around the metro area are only half-way true and those of you with a cursory interest in ports and don't know Walt, I admonish you to attend. The meeting dues for this tasting will be slightly higher than usual.
 

SUMMARY OF THE JANUARY 2000 MEETING

Mike Schlosser started our AWS year out with a blind tasting of ninety plus point wines as judged by the Wine Spectator. Mike challenged the attendees to give a thumbs up or down to The Spectators 90+ ratings for: The majority preferred the cabernet sauvignon, coincidentally the most expensive, over the other wines which were all good in their own rights.
Yet, the consensus was that all of the wines are over-priced. As Mike presented each wine he read the "Tasting Notes" as printed in The Spectator and STRICTLY IN REGARDS to our comparisons to the Spectators' ratings . . . the thumbs went down. Thanks, Mike, for a taste of some nice wines, an opportunity to compare our palates to The Spectators', and good wine conversation!
 

ELECTION RESULTS

As you all know there was a long grueling campaign for the election of this years chapter officers. All of the votes were gathered and tabulated by Hal (No, Dave, this is still the 20th century, it's not 2001 yet). No more calls, folks we have our election winners.

Our Chapter Chairman for the first year of this millennium is: (drum roll please) Ted and Catherine Goshorn; who will serve as Co-Chairman. Or would that be "Co-Chairpeople"? Past Chairman, Mike Wassenberg will act as this years Executive Adviser.

Our Program Coordinator, Mike Schlosser was re-elected along with his better half, Barb who will continue as Chief Financial Officer. Kearney
Shaw won a close race for the coveted Membership position to keep our rolls cookin' this year (membership that is). And continuing as a kween of quizine is Jan Beakley who will share the "slaving away in the kitchen" duties with the king of quizine Bruce "Does Dominos deliver in the Plains"
Shaefer.

Our heartfelt Thanks to those who volunteered last year to assume the mantles of responsibilities in running the chapter: George Wilson as
immediate past chairman, Mike Wassenberg as chairman, Mike Schlosser as program coordinator, Barb Schlosser as treasurer, Mary Anne Wassenberg as membership, and Jan Beakley and Karla Eisen for preparing the tasty nibbles(assisted by Mary Anne Wassenberg, Joyce Craig, and others). And last but not least thanks to Bruce Shaefer for the entertaining monthly newsletters sprinkled with his unique brand of humor.

And our appreciation to Bob and Gloria Dierker for graciously hosting the combined chapters (John Marshall & Northern Virginia) Christmas Party again.

And a clink of our raised glasses goes out to all of those members who volunteered their time through the past year for such things as presenting
a tasting, setting-up the tables and chairs, taking out the trash, taking the chapters glasses home to make them sparkle for the next meeting; all of
those simple, oft overlooked tasks that contribute to our chapters success month after month. Thanks !
 

For those seeking office in next years election your endorsed petitions must be submitted no later than Fevember 46th.
 

See ya on the 6th !

Smile,

Fletcher
 

QUESTIONNAIRE

At what hour would you, a member of the John Marshall Chapter of the American Wine Society, prefer that our monthly meetings commence? Keep in mind that the social half hour precedes the formal meeting. 
4 PM    5 PM    6 PM    7 PM    8 PM
Circle ONE choice and bring it to the next meeting, email ascorp@erols.com , or mail your expression of democracy in action to:
 
Barb Schlosser
216 Holden Dr.
Manassas Park, Va. 20111
703.369.6416