AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter

SEPTEMBER MEETING

The September meeting was the annual AWS National Tasting Project. All chapters were given a list of nine wines to choose from. Tasting sheets were collected, and the individual chapter scores were tabulated and submitted to the national offices to see how each wine compared in consistent scoring among all of the chapters. This year's varietal was Pinto Gris. Our coordinator, Mike Schlosser, chose six of the wines for the blind tasting.

To begin the meeting, Mike quizzed us about national office activities of which we were unaware. For example, we learned there is an AWS Chapter manual which Mike will bring to each meeting for those interested in reading up. Next, Walt Rachele gave us information about the AWS Educational Foundation, a sister chapter that is dedicated to granting scholarships and grants to those pursuing careers in wine-related fields. Thanks, Walt, for telling us about the little known activities of the foundation. Did you remember to pass the hat for contributions?

Social wines were provided by Mike Schlosser and Tim Stevens. Mike brought a ’98 Hogue Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington.  Tim contributed a ’99 Grange des Rouquette, southern France near Lirac. The blend was 70% Marsanne and 30% Viognier - retail $9.00.

Wines in the blind tasting were:

Mike reported that none of the wines received exceptional scores across the board. There were some wines that appealed to individuals however, and the premise of enjoying wine is to forget others opinions and drink what you personally enjoy. Mike will give a summary of the tabulated results this Sunday. Thanks, Mike for a well organized tasting and the follow-up with the results to the AWS national offices.
 

OCTOBER MEETING

Since we marked our calendars months ago, anticipating the gold medal winners tasting, I'm sure that we will have a well-attended meeting on Sunday, October 1st. We are meeting in the Parish Hall of Grace Episcopal Church (if the parking lot isn't full of cars with wine related license plates then we're at the Turner House up the street). Meeting starts at 7:00 pm with social commencing at 6:30 pm.

We are fortunate to have such a wine-knowledgeable, active "volunteer" as Tim Stevens to give another presentation. If you've attended any of Tim's presentations, you know the wines will be well chosen. The title is "Merlots From Around the World." These next two meetings are ones I personally recommend not missing.
 

NOVEMBER MEETING

George Wilson is hosting the Virginia Gold Medal winners annual tasting again this year. The coordinating work involved is much more than for a normal meeting. George has moved this exciting tasting to the first Sunday in November. I haven't been able to speak directly with George, but my guess is that in his attempt to assemble some of the wine makers to attend the meeting he had to delay a month because the wine makers are busy harvesting and doing their thing to the new juice. George we are all waiting with "cotton mouthed" anticipation for this one!! Since this is such a popular presentation we request that those of you planning to attend send your $20 tasting fee to our treasurer, Barb Schlosser (address below), to reserve your tasting glasses and seat at the table. Reservations are to insure there will be plenty of wine and munchies for all that want to attend.
 

CHRISTMAS PARTY HOST

As this first year of the millennium comes to a close, our chapter looks toward the coming year. First and foremost, we are looking for a "volunteer" host for the annual Christmas Party. Bob Dierker and Chris Pearmund have hosted several of our parties in the past. If anyone else is feeling magnanimously "festive," please contact Mike Schlosser at (703) 369-6416 to "volunteer."  The John Marshall Christmas party is usually combined with that of the Northern Virginia Chapter and the National Capital Chapter. It is always a fun event where our year-end coffers are emptied to procure good good wines and gourmet eats for our holiday pleasure. Keep in mind that the party is typically early in December.
 

ELECTIONS

The first meeting of every year we elect our leadership. We have been fortunate to have had active participants through the years and are asking the membership to consider ‘volunteering’ for a position. The offices to be occupied are: Keep in mind as you consider, or don't want to consider, "volunteering" that this is a non-profit organization that depends on members. Volunteering to keep the chapter going. Again, we have been fortunate to have had energetic people who have made our meetings informative and fun. A chapter is only as good as its volunteers. Please consider this request and make a contribution with some of your time to perpetuate our chapters successful wine education and friendly camaraderie. Contact Mike Schlosser if you have questions:
Mike & Barb Schlosser
216 Holden Drive
Manassas Park, VA 20111

(703).369.6416


Cya on Sunday ! !

Smile . . .

Fletcher