AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


APRIL MEETING:  Malbecs of the World Unite, presented by Mary Anne & Mike Wassenberg

Malbec is a French grape that serves as background noise in many Bordeaux wines, but in Argentina, where most Malbec is grown today, it serves as a stand-alone varietal in its very own bottle. It’s a big, full-bodied red wine that you drink in much the same way that you would a Cabernet Sauvignon –  out of a paper cup. I'm kidding, kidding!  Both go great with red meats – not unlike what we’ll be cooking a lot of on the grills in the coming months. Musicwise, Mr. Dierker tells us Malbec goes best with sturdy Teutonic composers like Brahms. Your mileage may vary.

On this April evening, Mary Anne and Mike trotted out 10 Malbecs to compare: one from Virginia, one from Napa Valley, two from France, and all the others from – you guessed it, Argentina. According to my notes, the top scorer for the evening was a $30 bottle of Les Laquets Cahors, from France. But, only one point behind it was the Alamos from Argentina at $10. The dance card read as shown in the table below. Persons wishing to re-enact the evening should contact Tim Stevens, who obtained many of the wines through his sources.

Producer
 Region
 Cost
Norton Virginia $8
Trapiche Argentina $9
Trumpeter Argentina $9
Finca Flichman Argentina $10
Alamos Argentina $10
Clos Roche Blanche France $14
Llaver Argentina $19
Edgewood Napa Valley $15
Catena Argentina $23
Les Laquets Cahors France $30
 

MAY JUNE MEETING:  Plonks of the Pampas, presented by George Wilson & Friends

Ever wonder what the gay caballeros of Argentina drink when they’re through ropin’ dogies with their bolas on the pampas? Me neither, but come Sunday we’re going to find out, by golly. George Wilson is going to take us south of all borders to see what they’re crying for in Argentina. In case you hadn’t noticed, South America is one of the up-and-coming wine regions of the world these days, along with Eastern Europe and South Africa. And, the excitement is no longer about good table wines for $6 a bottle; it's about excellent wines that win gold and silver in international competitions for only a few bucks more than table wines.  

Argentina is the 5th largest wine-producing country in the world today, yet we hardly know them in the U.S.A. Good values in previous years, these wines have become even more affordable since the devaluation of the Argentine peso last year. So forget Two-buck Chuck. Come out Sunday and let George show you what ten bucks will getcha from the goucho. Sipping starts at the church at seven; séas pronto, amigo.


COMING EVENTS: Festival, Grand Opening, Polo & Picnics

Vintage Virginia Wine Festival, Great Meadows, The Plains, June 7th and 8th.

Yes, even tho' it still feels like winter out there, it’s time again to celebrate vinifera in Virginia. Last year, there were about 40 wineries pouring their hearts out. This year, it’ll be closer to 60. And as their numbers have increased, so has the quality of their offerings. This event is a definite do, even if it rains, even if the humidity wilts you, even if the dust and crowds oppress you. Just do it and be glad.


Pearmund Cellars, 6190 Georgetown Road, Broad Run, Virginia, 540-347-3475, Grand Opening, July 4th thru 6th.

The Grand Opening is a three-day event, but you don’t want to miss a Chris Pearmund 4th of July. There will be live bands, foods galore, and wine. of course. Hayrides will take revelers out through the vineyards, where they will become targets for the potato cannon. By evening, the huge oak tree will be adorned with glow sticks and revelry will be in full swing, but don't expect a mighty fireworks display over the vineyard (like last year). Even so, it’s a spectacle, I tellya. Pearmund Cellars has been a long time coming so come out and wish Chris well.


Twilight Polo, Great Meadows, The Plains, every Friday evening thru September.

Oasis Vineyards is one of the sponsors of this horsey event. Other than that, Friday nite polo has nothing to do with wine except as an occasion to enjoy it. Set up table and chairs on the lawn, stage a picnic with candelabra and music, and schmooze the Middleburg folk –  while the guys on horses hammer a ball around an arena for points. THAT’s what polo is all about. And more. You’re gonna love it, trust me.


And speaking of picnics…

Veramar Vineyard, 905 Quarry Road, Berryville, Virginia, 540-955-5510, lunches with views, any day.

Some wineries have terrific views, such that you must pack a picnic, drive out into the country, tramp around among the vines a bit, then spread out, dine and behold. Linden Vineyards is one. White Hall in Charlottesville is another. Now, there’s a new one that is right up there with the best. Veramar Vineyards is past Middleburg, getting toward Winchester, but it’s a lot closer than Charlottesville, and the grounds and the views of the mountains are glorious. Veramar’s owner is my old boss, Jim Bogaty –  but never mind that. I’d say this about the place anyway. Pack a picnic. Buy some wine when you get there. Chris Pearmund is Jim’s winemaker, and the wines are excellent. Enjoy the best Virginia has to offer!
 

Enough palaver. Winter is allllllllllll-most through with us. Summer is juuuuuuuuust around that bend. Let's get together Sunday, celebrate the grape, and share some glad tidings. Paper cups will be provided.
 

Hasta luego,

~ Bruce ~