AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


JULY MEETING:  It Was All Greek, presented by Glenda Leister

Closing out the spring 2003 season was Glenda’s presentation of Greek wines.  Your faithful editor was West Coasting at the time, but reliable sources who
were present have supplied the following observations:
 All wines presented came from Arrowines in Falls Church.  Don't forget to ask for the John Marshall AWS discount to get these prices.

Some of the foods presented were hummus, baba ganoush, spinach pies, olives stuffed with almonds, white goat's cheese, black olives, stuffed grape leaves, spicy whipped feta dip, parsley bathed in balsamic vinegar/Greek olive oil, and pita bread. Jan Beakley and Mary Anne Wassenberg were elevated to the Pantheon of Food for this one; all paid heartfelt homage. And laurels also to Glenda Leister for an unusual and very enlightening presentation.

SEPTEMBER MEETING:  California Cabernets, presented by Mike Schlosser ~ Pearmund Cellars, Broad Run, Virginia; 6:30 p.m. – Social; 7:00 p.m. – Meeting

Hello, it’s September, summer’s over, back to school for everyone, including us winesters. And, does your American Winesniffers Society  John Marshall
Chapter have a program for you/us! Right out of the chute, for instance, this very month — in fact, thanks to the distracted ways of your editor, tomorrow-MANYANA!  We have a fabulous program in a brand new venue. Yes, tomorrow Sunday 14th, we will be treated to an insightful examination
of California Cabernet Sauvignons by our own answer to Robert Parker: Mike Schlosser.

And all of this will take place within the vaulted arches of the musty Grand Hall of the mighty yet austere Pearmund Cellars, Chris Pearmund, proprietor, propitiously — perforce, peripatetically — presiding. Cabernet Sauvignon, as some of you may know, is considered the apotheosis of the winemaker’s art. Done well, it is approached in reverence and awe. An appropriate match in music would be Beethoven’s 5th Symphony — dadada DAAAAH…dadada DAAAAH, the first sip coinciding with the first daaaah. Under such circumstances, devotees have been known to swoon and grow faint. Such is the power of this mighty elixir, and what better surroundings than Mr. Pearmund’s cellars to be so moved. Come forth and join us tomorrow eve. A revelation is promised for all.

Directions:

COMING EVENTS:  Live Music and Other Stuff


WINE IN THE NEWS:  Cutting Calories

The following article appeared in the papers a few weeks ago.

BOSTON, Aug. 24 —  Researchers have known for years that cutting calories can prolong life in everything from yeast cells to mammals. But an easier way to live longer may be as simple as turning a corkscrew. Molecules found in red wine, peanuts and other products of the plant world have for the first time been shown to mimic the life-extending effects of calorie restriction, a finding that could help researchers develop drugs that lengthen life and prevent or treat aging-related diseases.  Researchers said Sunday that one of the molecules, a compound known as resveratrol, was shown in a study to extend the life span of yeast cells by up to 80 percent. Resveratrol exists naturally in grapes and red wine. David Sinclair, an assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and co-author of the study, said he and his fellow researchers hope the molecules will prove to prolong life not just in yeast but in multi-cellular organisms like worms, fruit flies and, perhaps, humans. Sinclair, whose study appears in Sunday’s advanced online edition of the journal Nature, said tests on worms and flies were already yielding “encouraging” results….

You see, this is where I have a problem with modern science. The end result of this study will not be a  longer-living winesipper; no, it will be a fly that lives for 50 years. And drinks your red wine. Is this not the Apocalypse now?

And on that sodden thought, I leave you until tomorrow evening when we gather in the cellar and rejuice, er, rejoice.

Hasta Manyana, amigos.
~ Bruce ~

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