AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?

– Cardinal Richelieu


NOVEMBER MEETING

Rick Stafford fittingly presented dessert wines after dinner on Sunday, November 11th. Of course, the wines were all from South Africa, and, unfortunately, I couldn't partake of the richness.  The reports made me feel even worse for having missed a great opportunity to taste stickies. As most of you know, Rick is an importer specializing in wines from South Africa so these were purportedly exceptional examples of South Africa's after-dinner fare. None of these tasties are presently available in Virginia wine shops, but I understand that Rick is trying to rectify that sticky situation. Thanks, Rick!
 
Year
Producer
Varietal
1999
 Paul Cluver Estate Special Late Harvest Wesser Riesling 
1999
 Nuy Wine Cellars  White Muskadel 
1999
 Nuy Wine Cellars  Red Muskadel
1996
 Rooiberg Winery  Red Jerepigo (100% Pinotage)
1997
 Bergsig Estate  LBV Port (100% Tinta Barocca) 
1989
 Overgaauw Estate  Vintage Port (Souzao, Touriga, Tinta Barocca, 
Tinta Francesca, Tinta Roriz, and Coruifesto) 


DECEMBER MEETING

Our next gathering will be our holiday party with the AWS Northern Virginia Chapter. As you know, Ted and Catherine Goshorn graciously offered to host us again. However, Catherine's father passed away so we decided to change the party's date and location. Our condolences go out to Catherine and Ted, along with our hopes that, amidst their loss, they will find some joy in this holiday season.

Hearing this news, Christina and Bill Bowen said they would be pleased to host our party on DECEMBER 15TH,  the third Saturday of December, starting about 7:30 p.m. They will provide seating, disposable  tableware, soft drinks, and probably make a small bowl of eggnog. For our tasting pleasure, Tim Stevens has selected an impressive list of "Wines from Every Port" (calm down, Walt). Tim is bringing wines from France, Australia, South Africa, etc.  His selection includes Gewürztraminers, sparklers, and ports (now you can get excited, Walt). As for food,  our traditional  approach is for people to bring their ever-popular "covered dish." Please coordinate with Christina via 540-364-4883 or cbowen222@aol.com to make sure we don't all bring potato chips!

Driving instructions are as follows:

  1. Take I-66 to exit #28.
  2. Drive about 1 mile north into Marshall.
  3. Proceed across State Route 55 where the road  becomes Route 710 (Rectortown Road).
  4. Follow Route 710  for 1½ miles.
  5. Turn right on to route 717 (Old Rectortown  Road).
  6. Follow to the end (3/8 miles).
  7. Turn right on  route 622 (Whiting Road).
  8. Follow for about ½ mile.
  9. Turn  right on Old Salem Lane
  10. Drive ¾ mi. to the green  house on the right:  #3673.
  11. Found on ADC's Fauquier County Map #14, section D-1 (on older editions it is listed as "Cholmondeley Lane").


FUTURE MEETINGS

On January 6th, Carl Brandhorst will be hosting a Madeira tasting. RSVPs are necessary for this tasting. The cost is $30 and limited to the first 20 thirsty members. Contact Mike or Barb Schlosser at (703) 369-6416 for reservations, see voo play!

Our almost-complete 2002 calendar is 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 5 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 TBD 
December Open  



CENTRAL EUROPE MEETS WESTERN CONSUMERS

I was sippin’ a Spanish Rioja the other night and relished the characteristics from its fine oak aging. I noted that the wine was held in both American and French oak even though the majority of Spanish reds are aged in only American oak. The latter imparts more obvious flavors and more aggressive tannins than the subtler French oaks do, but the use of American oak by wineries worldwide is often driven by cost. Generally, a Bordeaux style 225 liter (59 gallons) barrel made from French oak costs approximately $600 while an American barrel costs about half that figure.

Those of us who enjoy a fine oak component in our elixirs should be glad to hear that Central European, predominantly Hungarian, producers are providing increasing amounts of oak barrels at about two-thirds the cost of their French counterparts. Wines aged in these oaks are spicier than French oak and less aggressive than American oak. However, the tastes imparted do not spring just from the wood's place of origin. They are also the result of new wood seasoning (drying) and the barrel cooperage (construction) techniques. Look for more Central European innovations as exports in the next few years!
 

See ya on the 15th!

Smile . . .

Fletcher