March 2017 Contra Costa Wine Group Newsletter

 

     Our last meeting was held on Friday, February 17^th at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall.  It was the meeting for the White and Dessert Wine winners to tell us a little more about how they made their winning wines.  There were six First Place wines tasted and all of the winners were well prepared with their handouts explaining their “trade secrets” on how they made their wines. 

     There were 41 people in attendance at this meeting.  As there was no “Host Family” for the meeting, everyone had been asked to bring along a plate of Appetizers with them.  We had a great spread!  The cleanup at the end of the day went “swimmingly!”  All of the empty and partial bottles of wine were taken out, the chairs collected, the tables wiped down and we left the place spotless.  Thanks to all who lent a hand.  It saved the CCWG $125.00 in cleanup fees that the church typically charges.  They trust us! 

     The wine judge’s notes for those that didn’t pick them up on February 17^th will again be available at the next meeting.  Please plan on coming to the meeting and thus save the CCWG the substantial mailing costs for the notes and ribbons that don’t get picked up.

     At our next meeting, all of the First Place Red wines will be tasted and the winning winemakers will make a short presentation on how they made their wines.  They’ll each have between 25 and 30 one page handouts for those in attendance.  Here is the order of the tasting for the evening:

1)      Bob Joakimson             Mourvedre                          Dry Creek Valley

2)      Dan Boykin                    Cabernet Franc                  Northern Sonoma Co.

3)      Russ Kaufman              Merlot                                 Dry Creek Valley

4)      Geoff Linder                  Zinfandel/Primitivo           CoCoCo

5)      Al Turner                        Petite Sirah                        El Dorado County

6)      Bonneau Dickson         Cabernet Sauvignon          Sonoma County

7)      Steve Abbanat               Syrah                                 CoCoCo

8)      David Hicks                    Super Tuscan                    Red Hills AVA

9)      Tom Warriner                 Meritage                           California (Best of Show-Red)

     I trust that each of the winners above will bring two bottles of their wine along with a one page handout on how they made the winning wine.  If any of you cannot make this meeting, you need to get two bottles of your winning wine and your one page handout to another CCWG member that will be attending this meeting.  You may call me for assistance in this matter.  I consider this to be a “Big Deal!”

     All of the Second, Third and Honorable Mention ribbons will also be handed out at this meeting.  It’s always a great time and the big winners will really be showing their “stuff.”

     The meeting will be held at the home of Michelle Beason, in Walnut Creek.  The meeting will start with hors d’oeuvres at around 7:00 p.m. on Friday night, March 31, 2017.  We’ll start the “Winner’s Tasting” right around 7:30 p.m.

DIRECTIONS:  From the North: On Highway 680 in Walnut Creek going South, take the North Main St. exit (Exit #47).  Keep left to take the San Luis Rd. ramp toward North Main St. northbound.  Turn left onto San Luis Rd.  After about ½ of a mile, turn left on Sky Rd.  Michelle’s home will be on your right at 2459 Sky Rd., Walnut Creek.  Should you get lost, her telephone is (925) 262-4739.

From the South:  On Highway 680 in Walnut Creek going North, take Exit 47 toward North Main St.  Merge onto Penniman Way (automatic?) and then take the first right onto North Main St.  Take the first left onto San Luis Rd.  After about ½ of a mile, turn left onto Sky Rd.   Michelle’s home will be on your right at 2459 Sky Rd., Walnut Creek.  Should you get lost, her telephone again is (925) 262-4739.

Things to bring:  1) A folding chair and 2) a wine glass.  You need not bring any wine to this meeting.  Our beloved Wine Czar will be bringing three cases of wine that remained after the Potluck Dinner on January 21^st.

     I hope to see lots of you there.  Purple tongues at the end of the evening are GUARANTEED!  Again, the next meeting will be held on Friday night, March 31, 2017 starting at around 7:00 p.m. at the home of Michelle Beason in Walnut Creek.

Respectfully submitted,

Al Turner, Secretary, Contra Costa Wine Group

WineMaker Magazine’s 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016 International Club of the Year. 

p.s. Mike Orton of the Valley Vintner shipped 69 of our entries to this year’s WineMaker Magazine International Amateur Wine Judging.  They have arrived in good shape in Manchester Center, Vermont.  There may have been other CCWG wines sent in also so it would seem like we have a decent shot at “Three-Peating” for this title.  al t.