AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


A thought as we approach the festive holiday season:
It is said that Bacchus has drowned more people than Neptune.
Then, on the other hand:
He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.

– Dr. Johnson

OCTOBER MEETING

On October 7th, George dazzled us with his presentation of VintageVirginia Gold Medal Award winning wines, matched by a gold-medal setting: Heritage Hunt's Marsh Mansion. This extravaganza was greatly enhanced by foods that were lovingly prepared by our Kween of Kuizine, Jan Beakley, and her numerous helpers. George assembled, from various sources, the following array of stunning medal-winning Virginia wines:
 
Year
Producer and Varietal
 1997 
 Piedmont Reserve Chardonnay
(grapes from Chris Pearmund's Meriwether Vineyard)
1997 
 Whitehall Reserve Chardonnay 
1998 
 Whitehall Gewürztraminer 
1999 
 Whitehall Reserve Chardonnay 
1999 
 Tarara Pinot Gris 
1998 
 Rockbridge Tuscarora Red 
1998
 Whitehall Merlot 
1998
 Whitehall Cabernet Sauvignon 
1997
 Linden Fiery Run 

Doug Fabbioli graciously attended our meeting to talk about his making of Tarara's ’99 Pinot Gris gold-medal wine. After his informative technical discussion, he elaborated on activities in pursuit of his passion for Bordeaux blends. This past spring, Doug planted several varietals in his new vineyard. He included Petit Verdot to enhance the mid-palate titillation’s of the Bordeaux blends he envisions crafting. Doug has been a welcome addition to Virginia's winemaking community, and the John Marshall Chapter of AWS enthusiastically thanks him for taking the time to attend our meeting, "Tanks, Doug!"

And, of course, we are indebted to George Wilson for bringing to us another presentation of stellar Virginia wines in such fine fashion. "Tanks, George!!"
 

NOVEMBER MEETING

On Sunday, November 11th, Rick Stafford is presenting Sweet Wines from South Africa. Since Rick’s forte is South African wines, bring your handi-wipes ‘cause this is sure to be a stickeeey one.

The parking lot at the Grace Episcopal Church will not be filled with cars displaying wine-related license plates. We are meeting up the street at the Turner House across from the BP station. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. with our social commencing at 6:30 p.m.
 

FUTURE MEETINGS

On December 8th, we'll have Christmas with the Goshorns. Also, mark your 2002 calendars as follows:
 
Date
Host
Topic
January 6 Carl Brandhorst Maderia
February 3 Walt Rachele Ports
March 3 George Wilson 2001 Golds
April 7 Jerry Motter A Secret
May 7 Glenda Leister Cabernet Franc
June 9 Bruce Schaefer Consumer Reports Best Buys
July 7 Open  
August No Meeting  
September 8  Mike Schlosser  AWS National
October 6 Mike and Mary Anne Wassenberg Washington State
November 3 Ted and Catherine Goshorn  
December Open  


VACATION PLANS

As you make vacation plans for the coming year, you may want to consider visiting a much-heralded, new wine education facility -- Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts -- in the town of Napa, California. Opening its doors to the public on November 18, 2001, the center's charter is to educate the public from basics to advanced levels of wine and food appreciation as well as to serve the U.S. wine industry through its various programs.
The project was conceived and spearheaded by Robert Mondavi, with active participation by many, many other individuals and wineries. Copia, by the way, is the Roman goddess of abundance.
 

WINE-MAKING HONORS

Chris Pearmund's 2000 Cab Franc from Rappahannock Cellar's inaugural vintage was awarded a silver medal at the Virginia Wine Honors. Way to go, Chris!
 

See ya on the 11th!

Smile . . .

Fletcher