AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


Water separates the people of the world; wine unites them.
-- Anonymous Toast


DECEMBER MEETING

Like last year's Christmas party, finding a good wine to suit your palate was  easier than looking for tattoos at a Chili Peppers concert. Recognized labels from around the world beckoned the revelers from Ted & Catherine's wine tables. Amongst the offerings were even some local treats vinted by our resident home winemakers. (Go for it, Mike!)

Obviously there are many Kweens of Kwisine amongst our group. Out hosts, Ted and Catherine, are still grumbling, with a smile, about the scrumptious leftover foods being responsible for them having to purchase new wardrobes.


JANUARY MEETING

Ted and Catherine Goshorn are presenting a seasonally befitting topic, "Champagnes With Flair," on Sunday, January 7th, in the parish hall of Grace Episcopal Church. As always, if the parking lot isn't full of cars with wine related license plates then we're up the street at the Turner House across from the BP station. Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. with socializing commencing at 6:30 p.m..

To begin the New Year, let's impart a toast penned by our illustrious Mr. BS (Bruce Schaefer):
"May your 2001 odyssey be spacey, your chads be dimpled, and all your days filled with irrational exuberance." . . .
Back at ya, Bruce!


FUTURE MEETINGS

Our educational gatherings are traditionally on the first Sunday of the month. Exceptions are cases, such as January, when the first Sunday is a holiday are we are presented with an opportunity to enthusiastically apply the knowledge garnered from our meetings. In cases of the first Sunday being a holiday, we frolic in the chapter's camaraderie on the second Sunday of the month. And, of course, we have been the gracious guests the past few years at Chateau (was that a flying potato?) Pearmund on Independence Day in lieu of July's meeting. For August, in fine European tradition, we vacation.

Mark your calendars:

WINE HISTORY:  THE TASTEVIN

Since this native of Pennsyltuckey learned to appreciate the gastronomic pleasures of complementing wines with food, I occasionally patronize restaurants that offer an extensive selection of wines. I was initially intrigued in those restaurants by the ubiquitous wine waiter struttin' around with a funny vessel danglin' from his/her neck. I have since learned that the strutter is called a "sommelier" and that funny vessel is a "tastevin" or wine taster in English.

The earliest records of the tastevin being used dates to the 14th century. They were used when tasting in cellars or traveling to purchase wines commercially. They were usually made of silver for sturdiness and in those pre-glass days, silvers' light reflective quality aided in ascertaining its contents hue and color. They apparently come in two models with the French version sporting a handle. Today, they are common in Burundian cellars as well as slinkin' around in fancy restaurants.

The Burgundian perpetuation of the tastevin emanates from the fraternity Conferie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. This group flourished and died during the reign of Louis the XIV. Then, following multiple poor harvests in the early 1930s, Camille Rodier and Georges Faiveley revived the ancient brotherhood to prop-up the region's wilted spirits. Today, it boasts thousands of members and holds banquets almost monthly at Chateau du Clos de Vougeot.
 

DUES AND ELECTIONS REMINDER

Remember that our chapter's annual dues of $10 are being accepted at this time. This annual support pays for use of our meeting place and miscellaneous items we all enjoy such as the purple tablecloths. Bring your loot to the next meeting or send it to Barb Schlosser @ 216 Holden Dr. Manassas Park, Va. 20111. 703/369-6416. Don't forget to send your $40 dues to the national headquarters as well.

Chapter elections will be held at the January meeting by a show of hands -- no paper or electronic ballots for this one, folks. There's still time to volunteer !
 

See ya on the 7th !

Smile . . .

Fletcher