AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


OCTOBER MEETING:  Vee-on-yay, See Voo Play, Mon-sewer, presented by Guy Beakley

Yes, true to his patrician roots, Guy Beakley eschewed the Anglicized (and ever-so-lowbrow) vee-og-neer and correctly pronounced his topic every single time in the time-honored French fashion. Hewing always to the high road, he led us through the nuances of this rediscovered white gem that may yet displace Chardonnay among wine fans of this country. And, he did this fresh off his death-bed: only two weeks before, Guy went under the knife and gave up his appendix. The evening proceeded as follows.

There were two white wines offered as social sippers. Then, the meeting opened with a vertical tasting of three Viogniers from Breaux Vineyards in Leesburg, VA: 1999, 2000 and 2001, priced at $20, $22 and $2, respectively. Differences were marked, from colors through aftertaste. The vote by our panel of experts was overwhelmingly in favor of the 2001 (i.e., 12 out of 14 preferred it), perhaps proving again that age is not a friend of white wine.

Guy then served up two French offerings to contrast with the Leesburg style: a Campuget 2002, priced at $15, and a Georges du Boeuf 2001, priced at $9. Here Guy’s rough edges showed throught: though he pronounced Viognier quite correctly, he referred to this importer as ‘George da boof’.

These wines were followed with side-by-side tastings from two very serious Virginia contenders: a 1999 from Chrysalis Vineyards, priced at $23, and a 2001 from Horton, priced at $20.
The vote on these last 4 wines was more hotly contested, but, since the assembled multitude was consistently at odds with your humble reporter, the results are not available, pending a recount. In the various shows of hands, there was, he reports, dangling chad.

However, the top choice for many people that night, including Guy himself, was not even on the program. It was a bottle of 2001 Viognier, priced at $20, from King Family Vineyards near Charlottesville, Virginia. It had been opened for a wine event at Mount Vernon the Sunday before, recorked and refrigerated before being offered up at the last minute as a social taster for the meeting. Fruitier than the others, it was still flavorful after seven days of neglect, showing no signs of oxidation. The red wines from this auspicious new vintner will be featured in the club tasting next March. Meantime, folks should check them out when driving thru Crozet, Virginia.

As for the appendix, Guy put it under his pillow and the next day, there was a $100 bill. His doctor promptly took it as co-pay. Kids, don’t try this at home.

NOVEMBER MEETING:  Putting the Chump in Champagne, presented by Ted and Catherine Goshorn ~ John Turner House, The Plains, Virginia; Social – 6:30 p.m.; Meeting – 7:00 p.m.

As many of us now know, the worst affront by our friends in France this year was not their passing on our party in Iraq, mais non. Ze beeg slap in ze face, mon amis, zoot alors, is they have recalled the word champagne. That’s right. We are no longer allowed to say the word unless we are addressing — and purchasing, at our own great expense — a bottle of their bubbly. Anything else is cold duck.
But-but-but, you say, the holidays are upon us, how can you have holidays without champ [bleep]? And the answer from Area Code 33 is, “Too bad, stupeed Americains. You make us pay to say Meritage, now we strike you back in ze wallet. Ja, ja, ja!” Unquote, end of message.

So here we are, on the brink of our annual 30-day end-of-year pigout, and we have nothing to say. Enter the Goshorns with an evening of bebubbled white wines not unlike the forbidden French stuff. These will be sparklers from places we know and trust, like Virginia and Ca-lee-for-nee-ah. And maybe a cava from Spain — who knows what those two have up their connubial sleeve. The point is, there is life after the French word, and Ted and Catherine will be here to pronounce it.

Join us this Sunday for a super-festive evening. Directions to the (change of venue) John Turner House are as follows:

HOLIDAY PARTY:  Heroes appear, Holiday season saved!


Like the cavalry arriving in the nickest of time, the Beakleys rode into town and saved the holidays for us all. Jan and Guy have offered up their house for the holiday soiree to be held on Saturday, December 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. Revelers will be asked to bring a covered dish plus $10 to cover the beverages being offered. Jan asks that people coordinate the covered dishes with her so we don’t have 14 servings of Vienna sausage. Call Jan at 540-364-3908 or email her at gbeakley@erols.com. Further details and directions will be divulged this Sunday, another good reason to be there.

As promised here last month, the Beakleys are hereby designated Heroes of the Commonweal. A special coin is being cast with their visage, their likenesses to be imprinted on grocery bags everywhere. And, we members shall fawn all over them in a most obsequious manner for the remainder of the year. Some of us will dress in tuxedo for the occasion. Let it be so. 


COMING EVENTS:  Agenda for New Year

Eleven great new wine adventures coming soon!  If you are interested in hosting a tasting and haven't signed up yet, contact Mike Schlosser at (540) 752-4709 or mwschlosser@yahoo.com. There are a few months still open.


And that’s all the news that’s print to fit. Don’t buy bubbly for Thanksgiving until you’ve seen what Ted and Katherine serve up this Sunday!

~ Bruce ~

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