John Marshall Chapter of the American Wine Society

AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY
A non-profit corporation

John Marshall Chapter

JANUARY MEETING: Over 90 and Under 20 Wines, presented by Chris Braun

Our January presentation at the Winery at La Grange hit the spot for our members' post-holiday needs. Enjoyment of very good wines is important even in recessions so we were lucky to tag along with Chris Braun. We tasted selections from her now annual theme, "Over 90 and Under 20" Wines, which comprised wines that are rated over 90 in trade magazines yet cost under $20. WOW! To learn the "ins and outs" of wine ratings was a special treat for novices, but Chris' presentation and our ensuing group discussions taught everyone something new. Prior to her presentation, Chris offered social wines that were "Over 80, Under 10." These wines were fun to compare with the higher-rated ones, and we found some great bargains there. Chris's whole premise, to find the best for less, provided a great experience. Many of us have already started searching our local wine stores for our favorite wines of the evening. We all agreed that Chris totally knocked it out of the park in January!

Year	Producer	Varietal	Region	Rating	Magazine	Cost	Store
2011	Cousino Macul	Chardonnay	Chile	88	International Wine Cellar	$8.99	Wegmans
2011	Mirassou	Chardonnay	Central Coast, CA, USA	87	Wine Enthusiast	$9.99	Giant
NV	Kitchen Sink White Table Wine	Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurtzraminer	CA, USA	90	Wine Enthusiast	$8.99	Total Wine & More
2010	Alvarez de Toledo	Godello	Bierzo, Spain	90	Wine Advocate	$8.99	Wegmans
2010	Trivento Reserve	Malbec	Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina	88	Wine Spectator	$9.99	Wegmans
2011	Nugan 3rd Generation	Shiraz	Riverina, Australia	89	International Wine Cellar	$8.99	Wegmans
2008	Sabor Real Toro	Tempranillo	Castilla y León, Spain	90	Wine Advocate	$9.99	Wegmans
2009	Marquez de Riscal Proximo	Rioja	Spain	86	Wine Spectator	$9.49	Giant

2010	Jorge Ordonez Bodegas Botani Seco	Moscatel de Alejandria	Malga, Spain	91	Wine Advocate	$12.99	Wegmans
2008	Domaine des Baumard Savennieres	Chenin Blanc	Anjou, Loire, France	92	Wine Advocate	$19.99	Wegmans
2011	Brancott Estate	Sauvignon Blanc	Marlborough, New Zealand	91	Wine and Spirits	$9.49	Wine & Spirits
2011	Dr. Heidemanns - Bergweiler Bernkasteler Kabinett	Riesling	Bernkasteler, Mosel, Germany	92	Wine Spectator	$14.99	Total Wine & More
2010	Macrostie	Chardonnay	Sonoma, CA, USA	91	Wine Enthusiast	$18.99	Wegmans
2011	Bodegas Ateca Fuego Old Vines	Garnacha	Catalyud, Aragon, Spain	92	Wine Advocate	$8.99	Wegmans
2009	Quinta Do Portal Douro Colheita Red	Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca	Douro, Portugal	93	Wine Enthusiast	$14.99	Wegmans
2010	Seghesio Sonoma	Zinfandel	Sonoma, CA, USA	93	Wine Enthusiast	$18.49	BJs
2009	Ruffino Modus Toscana	Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot	Tuscany, Italy	95	James Suckling	$19.99	Wegmans
2010	Chateau Duplessis Moulis	Bordeaux Blend	Moulis-en-Medoc, Bordeaux, France	91	Wine Enthusiast	$19.99	Total Wine & More

FEBRUARY MEETING: White Ports, presented by Walter Rachele (PLEASE RVSP if you plan to attend!)

Our February meeting will be held at our new venue: the Winery at Bull Run. Many of you know that Walt's philosophy is "any port in a storm." In February, he will be teaching us about White Ports. We will learn key facts on these most special wines: what to expect, what to buy, and how to appreciate them. In the past, men would withdraw from dinner to enjoy the explosion of flavor produced by the combination of fine tobacco and great Port. In the drawing room, they would talk about politics and war – topics about which women were too pampered and lady-like to be concerned. Today, women are not so delicate, and they demand equal rights. Since we don't have a drawing room at the winery, we will shoo people out to the patio if they want to talk about war and determine how well fine cigars go with White Ports.

The cost for February's meeting is $15. Social wines will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Bring six glasses for Walt's presentation which begins at 7:00 p.m. Port glasses are preferred, as the smaller bowl enhances the aroma and essence of the wines. If you don't have Proper Port glasses, any similar style glass will work.

Directions:

From D.C., take I-66 west to Route 29 in Centreville.
Just before crossing the Bull Run Creek Bridge, turn right (north) into the winery's driveway.
The marker to enter the National Battlefield is just after the driveway.

From the west, take I-66 east to Route 29 in Gainesville.
Just after crossing the Bull Run Creek Bridge, turn left (north) into the winery's driveway.
The marker to enter the National Battlefield is just before the driveway.

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