John Marshall Newsletter

AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter

"Wine makes a man more pleased with himself. I do not say it makes him more pleasing to others."

-- Samuel Johnson

Yes, there are the renowned wine regions of Bordeaux, its’ neighbor Burgundy, and; Loire, Tuscany, Rioja, Balaton, Marlborough, Mendoza, Sonoma, etc. All of which produce stunning varietal and blends that showcase the potential that grape juice offers discerning sipper, at a dear price. One of my personal interests in wine is to search for those ’undiscovered’ wine regions whos’ wines are a mere pittance the cost for distinctly individualistic wines. And besides, why merely follow the Parkers, I mean the Joneses.

There are many ‘undiscovered’ wine regions with handicapping data. The easiest for me is to read the list of medal winners in International, National, and local wine competitions to find anomolies. For those of us in Virginia it’s easy to buy International and National medal winners. No more calls, Folks, we have several high profile WINNERS !!! Virginia Wines are truly world renowned, at long last. Our wine history goes back to the colonial days and today, in the 21^st century, Virginia is being recognized for it’s wines through awards, eventhough the international wine press hasn’t quite proselytized that fact, yet.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please charge your glasses, I am about to propose a toast. (Bruce, wait for the rest of us and please don’t throw that Reidel into the fireplace) . . . . . . . Ladies and Gentlemen, I toast the Virginia Wine Indusrty and two wineries in particular; Piedmont and Valhalla. Piedmont was recently notified that their ’98 Natural Yeast Chardonnay received a Silver Medal in the 2000 International Wine Challenge and their ’98 Special Reserve Chardonnay received a Bronze Medal. Valhalla received a double gold at a California Wine Competiontion for one of their wines and their ’98 Syrah won the Virginia Governors Cup.

The 2000 International Wine Challenge had 9,300 wines entered. In ’99 Piedmont won a gold for their ’97 Special Reserve Chardonnay with 1130 Chardonnays entered and 27 gold medals awarded ! Of chapter interest, the Piedmont Special Reserve Chardonnays are a Meriwether Vineyard single vineyard wine.

Lastly for handicapping data, there are some unsubstantiated rumors floating around that one or two Viginia Wineries have been approached by California wine concerns interested in purchasing them.

"Here’s to Virginia wines ! !

NEXT MEETING

Chateau Pearmund, Meriwether Vineyards, is once again graciously hosting our July Meeting, and including 200 to 300 of Chris’s other close friends. The meeting will be on July 4, 2000, or 4 July, 2000. Yes we are celebrating the Fourth on Tuesday the Fourth, not on Saturday the first nor on Sunday the second. Yes, our Fourth of July Celebration will be on Tuesday, July 4^th. (I repeated that because I’ve been told that Walts’ going to include that question on his next quiz).

For directions see Chris’s invite below.

SUMMARY OF THE JUNE MEETING

Tim Stevens enlightened us on New Zealands wine industry and some examples of their endeavurs with some nice tasties on a pleasant Sunday evening.

As of yet, Tim attests to the rumor that there are plenty of ‘undiscovered’ wines on the islands. He recently returned from a wine trip to the islands down under. Thanks to his lifelong association with the Kiwi islands he went straight to the heart of the matter and poured some phenominal representative wines from established regions and some from newly denominated regions, to every Pinot Noir lovers delight. Tim is contemplating bringing in some of those beauties on a commercial basis. After sipping his choices I, for one, am praying to Bacchus he does it. Do it, Tim !! Thanks for a delightful evening with some world class wines:

"99 Lofthouse, Marlborough – Sauvignon Blanc (social)
"99 Giesen Wine Estate, Marlborough - Sauvignon Blanc
’98 Isabel Estate Vineyard, Marlborough – Sauvignon Blanc
’99 Allan Scott Wines and Estates, Marlborough – Chardonnay
’98 Solstone Estate, Wairarapa Valley, Pinot Noir
’96 Goldwater, Waiheke Island, Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Kweens of Kwizeen went all out. Bruce is still recovering from his raptorous gastronomic efforts and is unable to comment at this time. Thanks, Bruce and Guy.

FUTURE MEETINGS

No August meeting.

September meeting is the SECOND Sunday, September 10^th (I think)

October is still shaping-up for a grand spectacular on October 1.

Cya on the 4^th !!

Smile

Fletcher

DIRECTIONS TO MERIWEATHER VINEYARD

6190 Georgetown Road

Broad Run, Virginia

540.347.3475

chris@pearmund.com

From US Interstate 66

Take Gainesville Exit Number 43 South (Route 29 towards Warrenton)
Travel approximately 7 miles South to New Baltimore
Pass through traffic light at Route 600, and take the next right, Route 764
Travel 1/4 mile and bear right at the fork in the road
Travel I mile and turn left at the gravel drive marked "Meriwether Vineyard"
Travel 200 yards down the drive and turn right into the vineyard and on to the house.

From Warrenton

Travel on Route 29 North approximately 4 miles from Warrenton
Take the first left after the flashing yellow light (an approaching signal warning) at
Route 674 Travel 1/4 mile and bear right at the fork in the road.
Travel I mile and turn left at the gravel drive marked "Meriwether Vineyard"
Travel 200 yards down the drive and turn right into the vineyard and on to the house.