AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


Burgundy makes you think of silly things, Bordeaux makes you talk
of them and Champagne makes you do them.

Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savrin
French Food Writer


MARCH MEETING

With his usual fine style, George Wilson showcased Virginia Gold Medal Winning Wines in The John Marsh Mansion at Heritage Hunt. After a stunning array of four whites and four reds, he put the icing on the cake with Rockbridges V'dor, a stickey desert wine. What a gastronomic delight!  Jennifer McCloud attended and spoke about the Chrysalis Viognier and that varietal's success in Virginia. During the tasting, a corked bottle (not Chrysalis) was opened (see March newsletter for info about corked wines). Jenny suggested passing the corked wine to compare it with the non-corked wine. What a great learning experience!

The chapter's thanks go out to Frank Denniston for hosting the Third Annual Gold event. Also, several Heritage Hunt homeowners have been talking about organizing a their own AWS chapter so we may have a new sister chapter very soon. Maybe they’ll host our Christmas party!

Here's a list of the excellent wines we tasted:
 


White Wines
White Hall 1999  Chardonnay Reserve Gold VWH
Jefferson 1999 Estate Reserve Gold VWH & Silver VWGA?
Chrysallis 2000 Viognier BIS VWGA & Bronze VWH
Breaux 2000 Viognier Gold VSF & Bronze VWGA

Red Wines
Afton Mtn 2000 Michael Shaps Merlot  Gold VWH
Rockbridge 1998 Dechiel Merlot Gov's Cup VWH & Gold VWGA
Tarara 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Gold VWH
Villa Appalaccia  1998 Francesco Gold VWH

Desert Wine
Rockbridge 2000 V'dor Gold VWH

 
 

APRIL MEETING

On April 7th, Carl Brandhorst will host Spectacular Maderias. If you want to experience these wines, call Mike and Barb Schlosser at (703) 369-6416. Cost for this unique tasting is a mere $30.
 
 

FUTURE MEETINGS

Date
Host
Theme
May 5 Glenda Leister Cabernet Franc
June 9 Bruce Schaefer Consumer Reports Best Buys 



SPICE OF LIFE

Do Burgundian wines really make you think silly things? Will Bordeaux’s give ya motor mouth? Or, can champagne really make ya act silly? Don’t answer!  Even though wine contains different alcohols, alcohol is alcohol in a generic sense and will effect your system as such. But, there is some truth that wines produce varying physical and psychological effects. Also, the location and people present at a tasting creates an ambiance that influences perception and memories of a wine.

If variety is the spice of life, then wine is the hottest chili in the basket -- with a proported 800,000 different labels on this planet. Is Chardonnay Chardonnay no matter where it is grown or how it is made? No!  Each grape growing area's terroir imparts unique individual flavors and aroma nuances to wine. Also, styles of winemaking create individuality or thumb-prints.

Over the past decade, the expanding U.S. wine market has fueled the development of vineyards and wineries around the world. Previously unknown grapegrowing territories have been producing world-renowned wines. Australia and Chile are prime examples, as is Virginia. As the weather warms, visit Virginia wineries -- some of which craft unique, world-class, gold-medal-winning wines.
 
 

See ya on the 7th!

Smile . . .

Fletcher