AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter


SUMMER REHASH:  Wine Fest Heads West

We are told the Great Meadows people were angry at the way their hillsides were torn up by crowds and vehicles last year after heavy rains turned the place into a mosh pit. Whatever the reason, after 22 years at The Plains, Virginia’s premier wine festivals — Vintage Virginia in June, Virginia Wine Festival in August — moved to new digs (literally) this year, with mixed results.  The new location is (or was, no telling how long this arrangement will last) is Long Branch Farm in Millwood, Virginia, about 20 minutes west of the old location. The grounds have rolly hills, lots of trees, more shade for those hot summer days, generally — to this observer’s eye — a more user-friendly setting.

But, some things don’t change. The first day of the first event in June was a washout, heavy rain most of the day. The few people who ventured out to the new location, braving confusing directions and dire weather predictions, were welcomed by — a mosh pit. The Budweiser lady mud wrestlers would have had a ball. Leaving the grounds Saturday, your humble scribe and his consort ran smack into the mud berm from hell and required three all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to push-pull our car out of the muck. Sunday was dry, but the damage was done. The grounds were rutted with mud, big puddles of the stuff in many places. Lots of people walking around with brown butts from slip-sliding and pratfalls. While the rest of the world is in the throes of global warming, Virginia suffers from global drowning.

The August party was only slightly better. Saturday was rainy again but not so heavily, nothing like predicted. By afternoon, the sun came out to reveal a gorgeous day, light crowds and terrific wine tasting conditions. Sunday was happy times all day, though the crowds were lighter than in the past at The Plains — great for the taster, harder on the exhibitor. Some new wineries were in evidence: Keswick and Kluge, the two big estates, were out there, as were Hillsborough and Waterford, both near Leesburg. Also were some new-to-me wineries like Guilford Ridge Vineyards, Spotswood Trail, Boundary Rock Farm, and Chesapeake Wine Company, which turned out to be a new offshoot of old-timer Ingleside Vineyards. The magic of marketing.

All were welcome, tho, all had wonderful wines to offer. One of my own favorite new experiences was a wine made out of jalapeno pepper — feel the burn, baby! I can’t for the life of me remember now whose stroke of genius that was; it must have torched that region of my brain.  However, crowd-watching was as good as ever. Female cigar-smokers almost outnumbered the guys this year. And, it’s certainly been a banner year for tattoo artists. I hope the gals opted for the three-week temporary henna. A few years from now they’re gonna feel so stoopid with this silly coat of arms decorating their midriffs above their butts. The guys deserve what they got. Let ’em suffer.

 

SEPTEMBER MEETING: What Makes Italians See Red?, presented by Chris Braun ~ Grace Cathedral, The Plains, Virginia; Social – 6:30 p.m.; Meeting – 7:00 p.m.  (PLEASE RVSP if you plan to attend!)

Could it be jokes like this?
Q:  Where on earth does time pass the fastest?
A:  In Italy, ‘cause every time you turn around, you see a dago by.
Get it? Sure you do. Chris Braun does better than that, though. She will be showing us the red wines of Italy that get Italians and the rest of us exercised. Barolo, barbaresco, nebbiolo, barbera, dolcetto, did I mention chianti? These are just a few, the most famous of Italy’s red offerings. Italy produces more wine than that French country and they’ve learned a few tricks since Roman times. This evening will leave us, not in laughter, but in tears of joy, at the revelations that await the faithful.  Circle your calendar in red: on Sunday, September 12th, come to church.

RSVP’ing works miracles. Knowing who-all is coming allows Chris to bring a goodly number of wines and Jennifer to plan a memorable menu. Mary Anne has automated the process. Simply click on  http://www.aws-va.org/john-marshall/RSVP.htm, and you are whisked to a special place where all you do is insert your name. Try it out right now, why don’tcha.

Directions:

OCTOBER MEETING:  Portly Pleasures: Are 10 Year Olds Naughty or Nice?, presented by Walt Rachele

It’s hard to think about it just now with temps in the 90s, but winter is coming, folks. If not in October, then November. Or, December. January, for sure. And, by golly, you’re going to want a glass of something different when it happens: Riesling just doesn’t work in January.

That’s what Walt is counting on. He has seen a few seasons, and he knows that blustery weather and fireplaces cry out for port wines. He knows that some ports are heroic, some are heinous. Both cost you the same, moocho, so Walt will be bringing his collection to The Plains to prepare us for the hard times ahead. Action item: While you’ve got that red pen out, put a circle around the second Sunday of October. Note to self: dress warmly.

WINO WISDOM:  End of the World Will Have to Wait for Nuptial Notes

You get a short newsletter this month. Not that there’s nothing to cry about in the world of wine. Your crusading editor is here to tell you that, indeed, things are looking not good. The end of the world will have to wait a month, however, because Renee, his aforementioned consort, and he are off this week to get married in France. We hope you will forgive us this short lapse. Come October, it’s back to the barricades. Vive la resistance!

In the meantime, stay the course. If it is not sealed with a cork, eschew it. If it comes in a carton, it should only be used on cereal.

And, go to church on Sunday, the second Sunday of the month a six-thirty p.m.

Mental Note to Self:  Do your RSVP. Do it now. Click the link.


Your humble scribe,

~ Bruce ~

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