Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Wine of the Wild West!



What comes to mind when you think of the American West? Old movie images of cowboys? Wide deserts? Tumble weeds? Sprawling cities with friendly, laid back populations? People that talk “funny”? Whatever you think of, you're probably right: the American West is diverse.

For the purposes of wine, the American West region consists of New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada and California. That means the region encompasses a lot of variety. You can find bamboo forest and rocky cliffs in the same national park in Texas, so just imagine what kinds of wine you'll find in these large Western states

The culture of the West is as varied as its geography. Along the Rio Grande, you'll find pueblos, missions and Spanish language speakers. New Mexico is still officially bilingual. Elsewhere, you'll see ranches, cowboys, and oil wells, the iconic images of Texas. Austin has a thriving, bohemian music scene, and the arts flourish in Taos and Silver City, New Mexico. Other areas are corporate and conservative.  Sedona is Reiki world!  And, of course, "Vegas, Baby!"

What can unite such diverse groups? Well, the love of wine is a good start.

Break out your best cowboy duds and Boot Scoot to the Evergreen Ranch on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 for a sampling of the Wines of the Wild West.  Buffalo John Eld will be presenting and discussing a variety of wines from this up and coming region.  (Cowboy attire is optional but clothing is required.)

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.

The cost for members is $25 and the cost for guests is $30.

Please reply before May 4, 2016 to:


Or you may reply to 412-657-0777.

Mail your check, payable to AWS to:

Dr. Dennis Trumble
1302 Arch St
Pittsburgh PA  15212

Don’t forget to visit the website for directions, useful tips, and recipes.



Monday, April 25, 2016

In Preparation for the Next Tasting



How to Speak Texan - Part Two

N

Nairn:  Not any.  “Ah’d offer you a cigarette, but Ah don’t have nairn.”

Nawlins:  The largest city in Loosyana.

O

Orta: Should have.  “You orta seen her in that bikini!”

Ovair:  In that direction.  “Where’s yo daddy, son?”  “He’s ovair, Suh.”

Own:  The opposite of off.  “Cut own the radio and let’s listen to some music.”

P

Papuh:  What you write on, also the colloquial term for newspaper.  “Which papuh do you take?”

Phrasin:  Very cold.  “Shut the door, it’s phrasin in here.”

Pitcher:  An image of something.  “That’s a good pitcher of Brenda Sue, ain’t it?”

Plum:  Completely.  “Ah’m plum wore out.”

Prolly:  Likely to.  “Ah’ll prolly get down to Nawlins sometime soon.”

Q

Quietus:  Put an abrupt end to.  “He was runnin’ around with that blonde till his wife found out about it and put the quietus on it.”

R

Ratcheer:  On this spot.  “Jes put the groceries down ratcheer.”

Rench:  To wash off soapy water.  “Ah’ll wash the dishes if you’ll rench ‘em.”

S

Saar:  The opposite of sweet.  “Them pickles is too saar.”

Scupter:  One who makes statues.  “That Michelangelo was a good scupter.”

Sebmup:  The soft drink similar to ginger ale.  “You want Co-cola or Sebmup?”

Show:  Certainly.  “It show is hot today.”

Spect:  To imagine or suppose.  “Ah spect a gull as pretty as she is could have jes about any man she wants.”

Stow:  The place where things are sold.  “Gwan down to the stow and git me some bakin’ powder.”

T

Tar:  Round inflatable object that sometimes goes flat.  “You shoudn’t drive around without a spare tar.”

Tarred:  Fatigued.  “Ah’m too tarred to go bowlin’ tonight.”

Thow:  To hurl.  “Quick, thow me the ball!”

Tote:  To carry.  “Kin you tote that big sack of corn meal?



U

Uhmurkin:  Someone who lives in the United States.  “That Thomas Jefferson was a great Uhmurkin.”

V

Vampar:  A fearsome creature from Transylvania.  “Dracula was a vampar.”

W

War:  Metal strands attached to a post, generally used to enclose domestic animals.  “Watch you don’t git stuck on that bob war.”

Warshrag:  A cloth used for cleaning.  “Hang up that warshrag when you’re done with it.”

Wuk:  Employment.  “Does he still wuk in Dallas?”

Y


Ya’ll:  The second person pronoun, a contraction of ya and all.  “’At truck belong ta ya’ll?”

Yo:  The possessive of you.  “What’s yo name, honey?”

Yonduh:  In a particular direction.  “That’s a pretty gull over yonduh, idinit?”

Z


Zackly:  Precisely.  “Ah don’t zackly know where he is.”

Friday, April 22, 2016

In preparation for the next tasting




Our next tasting, “Wines of the Wild West” with Buffalo John Eld may contain language unfamiliar to our general membership.  Since Duolingo and Rosetta Stone have not yet provided us with a language course in Texan, we would like to present this brief guide.  Although the text is in Texan, you will be understood in most of the American Southwest with these handy phrases.  Ya’ll practice now, heah?

How To Speak Texan - Part One

A

Ah:    The thing that you see with, or the personal pronoun.  “Ah think Ahv’e got somthin’ in my ah.

Ahmoan:  An expression of intent.  “Ahmoan have a little drank o’ wine.”

Aint:  The sister of your Mother or Father.  “Go over there an’ give your Aint a big hug.”

All Ya’ll: Plural form of the plural second person pronoun “ya’ll”.  “Are all ya’ll goin’ with momenem?”

Arn:  An electrical instrument used to remove wrinkles from clothing.  “Ahm not gonna arn today.  It’s too hot.”

Attair:  A contraction used to indicate a specific item.  “Pass me attair gravy, please.”

Awl:  Fluid used to lubricate engines.  “Ah lak that car, but it sure does use a lotta awl.”


B


Bard:  To obtain the temporary use of.  “He bard mah shovel, and never did bring it back.”

Bawl:  What water does at 212 degrees.  “That gal cain’t even bawl water without burnin’ it.”

Bobbuh:  A person who cuts hair.  “Ah think Ah’m gonna go to a different bobbuh.”

Bub:  A fragile glass object used for illumination.  “Ah think that bub’s burnt out.”


C


Carry:  To convey from one place to another.  “Can you carry me down to the store in your car?”

Cheer:  A piece of furniture used for settin’.  “Pull up a cheer and set a spell.”

Crine:  Weeping.  “What’s that girl crine about?”

Cyst:  To render aid.  “May Ah cyst you with those packages, ma’am?”

D


Dawfins:  The professional football team in Miami.  “You think them Dawfins ever gone win the Super Bowl?”

Doc:  The condition of the absence of light.  “It’s mighty doc in here.”

E

Et up with:  Excessively afflicted by.  “That woman’s jes et up with the jealousy.”

Etlanna:  The capitol city of Jawja.  “Etlanna is kinda lak New York only with peachtrees.”

Eyetalyun:  A native of Italy or a person of Italian heritage.  “You don’t have to be Eyetalyun to lak spaghetti.”


F

Far:  The product of combustion.  “Ah reckon it’s about time to put out the far.”

Fem:  The essential ingredient in the creation of photographs.  “You sure you got fem in that camera?”

Fixin’: The act of preparation.  “I’m fixin’ ta get ready.”

Flares:  The colorful part of a plant.  “If yo wife’s mad at you, you better take her some flares.”

Fur piece:  A considerable distance.  “It’s a fur piece from Dallas to Houston.”

G

Give up to be:  Generally conceded.  “She’s give up to be the best lookin’ woman in the whole town.”

Goobers:  Peanuts.  “It’s fun to put goobers in a Co-cola an’ watch it foam up.”

Good ole boy:  Any Texan male between the ages of 16 and 60 who has an amiable disposition.  “Ole Hank’s a good ole boy.”

Gull:  A female.  “She’s jes about the prettiest gal ah ever laid ahs on.”

H

Hale:  The netherworld.  “War is hale.”

Hard:  To secure employment.  “Ah didn’t git that job.  They hard somebody else.”

Heepa:  A great deal of.  “You in a heepa trouble, boy.”


I

Idy:  Idea.  “Have you got any idy how many tricks that dawg kin do?”

J

Jevver:  Did you ever.  “Jevver hear anything so dumb in your whole laf?”


K

Keer:  To be concerned.  “That gal don’t keer nuthin’ bout him.”

Kumpny:  Guests.  “Be home on time.  We’re havin’ kumpny for supper.”

L

Lahf:  The opposite of death.  “Nobody ever said lahf would be easy.”

Laht:  The opposite of dark.  “We need mo’ laht in here.”

Like to:  Almost.  “When Ginny saw that she had the same dress on, she like to died.”

M

Madge:  The state of wedlock.  “Seems like lots of madges end in divorce nowadays.”

Mast:  A facial disguise.  “What kinda mast you gonna wear on Halloween?”

Mere:  Reflective glass.  “Mere, mere on the wall, who’s the fairest of ‘em all?”

Moanin’:  The time between daybreak and noon.  “Good moanin’, Ma’am.”

Muchablige:  Thank you.  “Muchablige for the ride, Suh.”




Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Listen up, Pilgrim!



Details are a-comin' so hold yer horses!

Monday, April 18, 2016

Tasting chatter

DESCRIPTORS

I’m sure you’ve come across one of those web pages called Glossaries of Wine Terms. Go ahead, Google it. I got 10,500,000 results! It’s a handy list of stereotypical terms to use while tasting wine. They're very useful if you can remember them, but we all describe things differently. We tend to describe an experience, complex senses, and feelings that are unique to each of us, unless we’re talking about a glass of wine.

People have their own way of doing the “wine talk” Some are very systematic and pragmatic while others like to be more poetic. In Europe, rather comparing the taste to a specific fruit, a tree, or a bean, some people will tend to describe how they feel. They will use analogies like: “Ce vin a un parfum de printemps très distingué” – (This wine has a very distinct fragrance of spring) or in Italian, “Ha il sapore di sottobosco.” – (It has the taste of forest undergrowth).


Get rid of those preconceived notions and let your taste buds do the talking.


TOASTING

During the middle ages, toasting was an act of trust. Poisoning was a frequent practice back then. The act of toasting consisted of trading beverages within each other. It also used to be a two-step process: one of the drinkers would clink his glass with another to express friendly feelings, after which the second drinker would proceed to do the same. This process would spill the beverage into the other glass, therefor reinforcing the trust nature of this old tradition. Unlike glasses, cups and goblets (aka chalices) were much sturdier back then, as they were made of wood, metal or even clay.

Different countries say different things. We say “cheers!” in English. The Chinese expression “qing qing” (or tchin tchin) means “please please” and is used to invite people to come enjoy a drink together. In Italy, “cin cin” (pronounced “cheen cheen”) represents the sound of the glasses ringing together.  By the by, “Chin Chin” has quite a different meaning in Japan. It means “penis”. Can you imagine raising your glass and shouting“Penis!” in front of a crowd? As funny as this may seem, “Kampaï”, meaning “a toast to our health”, is a much safer Japanese cheer!


Don't forget to check the blog for interesting tips and news of upcoming tastings!



Thursday, April 14, 2016



Kosher wines have improved so much over the years and so many are available nowadays that the issue of whether they are kosher is relevant only to observant Jews. Last evening, Kym Antonelli demonstrated to us that the majority of kosher wines are good enough to appeal to anybody, regardless of rabbinical blessings, provided they are to your taste (and that you don’t worship pagan gods).

Kym explained that kosher wines are produced everywhere, and some of the most intriguing ones, for historical and cultural reasons, come from Israel. Just as Israel was reborn centuries after it disappeared, so too has the Israeli wine industry flourished after hundreds of years in disarray.

Just as kosher wine has improved, we were also treated to some traditional, yet improved, food. Barbara Johns, and her sous chef Jeff, provided authentic treats to enhance the wines, and broaden our cultural exposure. Gefilte fish – who knew? 

We offer our thanks to everyone who helped to make this tasting a success, and to all that enjoyed the evening.  We can't do this without you!

The Wines

Terra Di Seta Mashi Toscana Rose
TS13E           $14.99

Galil Mountain Viognier  2014
GM25W         $14.99

Carmel Kayoumi White Riesling  2012
CM23W         $24.99


Dalton Canaan Red  2014
DL13R           $14.99

Gamla Merlot  2012
GL13R           $18.99

Recanati Cabernet Sauvignon  2014
RE15R          $14.99


Wines available from www.kosherwine.com  



The Menu

Israeli Tabouli

Hummus

Gefilte Fish

Olive Tapenade

Matzo and Pita

Beef Brisket

Kugel


Check our Recipe tab for the above recipes.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Do It the Right Way

Attending a Wine Tasting


Finding out about wine is finding out about the Universe. Once you get going, there's no end in sight. Fortunately, for those who choose to be educated wine drinkers, learning about wine is a lot easier, and doesn’t require a space suit.
Wine tastings come in all shapes and sizes
Wine tastings are designed to give people the opportunity to sample a range of wines. The events can be classes (seated, seminar style events), or they can be more like parties (tasters moving around informally). As opposed to a wine class, the participants at a wine tasting are more likely to have various levels of knowledge. Tastings don't come in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. One size fits all.
Wine tastings are popular because they overcome the problems of sampling wine alone at home. How many wines can you taste on your own (unless you don't mind throwing away most of every bottle)? How many wines are you willing to buy on your own? And how much can you learn by tasting wine in isolation, or with a friend whose experience is no more than yours?
At wine tastings, you can learn from your fellow tasters, as well as make new friends who share your interest. More importantly, you can taste wine in the company of some folk who are more experienced than you are, which is great for training your palate.
To attend a wine tasting in your area, contact your Wine and Spirits Shop. Your local shop might sponsor wine tasting events occasionally (apart from the informal sampling opportunities in the store itself) and should also be aware of wine organizations that conduct wine tastings in your area, like the American Wine Society
When in Rome . . .
If you've never been to a wine tasting, be aware that a few matters of etiquette apply at most tastings. Familiarizing yourself with these will help you feel more comfortable. Otherwise, you're likely to be surprised by what you see or hear. Why are those people behaving like that?
To spit or not to spit?
Professional wine tasters discovered that if they swallow every wine they taste, they're far less thoughtful tasters by the time they reach wine nine or ten. So spitting became acceptable. In wineries, professional tasters sometimes spit right onto the gravel floor or into the drains. In more elegant surroundings, they spit into a spittoon, usually a simple container like a large plastic cup (one per taster) or an ice bucket that two or three tasters share.
At first, naturally, some tasters are uncomfortable spitting out wine. Not only have they been brought up to believe that spitting is uncouth, but they've also paid good money for the opportunity to taste the wines. Why waste them? Well, you can drink all of your wine at a wine tasting, if you wish, and some people do. But we don't advise that you do, for the following reasons:
·         Evaluating the later wines will be difficult if you swallow the earlier ones. The alcohol will cloud your judgment.
·         Swallowing isn't really necessary in order to taste the wine fully. If you leave the wine in your mouth for eight to ten seconds, you'll be able to taste it thoroughly without having to worry about the effects of the alcohol.
·         If you're driving to the tasting, you're taking a risk driving home afterwards if you drink instead of spit. The stakes are high. Why gamble?
The simple solution: Spit out the wine. Just about all experienced wine tasters do. Believe it or not, spitting will seem to be a very normal thing to do at wine tastings after a while. (And, in the meantime, it's one sure way to appear more experienced than you are!)
If you know that you can't bring yourself to spit, be sure to have something substantial to eat before going to a wine tasting. You absorb alcohol more slowly on a full stomach and the simple crackers and bread at most wine tastings are not sufficient to do the trick.
What's with the sound effects?
Do you have to make that loud slurping or gurgling noise that you hear "serious" wine tasters make at tastings? Of course you don't. But drawing air into your mouth does enhance your ability to taste the wine. With a little practice, you can gurgle without making loud noises.
More fine points of wine etiquette
Because smell is such an important aspect of wine tasting, try not to interfere with other tasters' ability to smell. This means
·         Smoking (anything) is unacceptable.
·         Using any scent (perfume, aftershave lotion, scented hair spray, etc.) is bad. These odors can interfere with your fellow tasters' ability to detect the wine's aroma.
Courteous wine tasters also don’t volunteer their opinions about a wine until other tasters have had a chance to taste the wine. Serious tasters like to form their opinions independently and are sure to throw dirty looks at anyone who interrupts their concentration. If you actually think you got some minerality in your Riesling, say so, but wait until everyone has had a chance to try the wine.  After all, the only reason you are at a wine tasting is because you want to go to a wine tasting, so you probably like wine. Or you’re broke and need a drink. Either way, even the most beginner attempts at describing wine (a friend once said “it tastes like wine”) will open it like a verbal decanter.
So if find yourself uncomfortable with having something to say about what’s in the glass, say it. Chances are, as with many things in life, most people are too concerned about sounding experienced to notice.

If you’re tasting AT a winery
Just a quick tip. . .


Don't forget to visit the blog spot for tips and news!


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Is this what they mean?



RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

KOSHER WINE TASTING  WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2016
EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CENTER

For many American Jews, Manischewitz wine is as much as part of Passover as the four questions and matzoh ball soup. As if making good wine isn’t hard enough under normal circumstances, throw in a ton of religious laws to follow and you may just say “oy vey” and grab a bottle of Manischewitz for your Passover Seder. Fortunately, drinking kosher wines no longer means sweet Concord grape juice.  Today’s kosher wines offer a level of quality and selection that will surprise you and your matzo ball soup.

So where is the incentive to produce better kosher wine? The promise of Israel’s Mediterranean climate recently got notice in the form of 90 + scores from wine goy Robert Parker. Other countries, too, have taken on the challenge of producing (or rather, directing the Jewish winemakers to produce) kosher wine as good as the secular stuff. Now, America, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain all produce very good kosher wines and several Bordeaux chateaux have even added kosher wines to their lineups.
There's no inherent reason why kosher wine has to be lackluster (or Mogen David) since the process for making it is very similar to the standard wine making process. And just as kosher and Israeli food has become far more sophisticated over the last generation, so has the wine industry.
Join us at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Evergreen Community Center for a tasting of six kosher wines.  AWS Certified Wine Judge, Kym Antonelli will be presenting.
But remember, "A Seder without sweet Manischewitz would be like horseradish without tears, like a cantor without a voice, like a shul without a complaint, like a yenta without a big mouth, like Passover without Jews."   -          Comedian Jackie Mason (1936 - )

 L’chaim!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.
We will taste six wines.  

The cost for members is $25 and the cost for guests is $30.

Please reply before April 6, 2016 to:


Or you may reply to 412-657-0777.

Mail your check, payable to AWS to:

Dr. Dennis Trumble
1302 Arch St
Pittsburgh PA  15212

Don’t forget to visit the website for directions, useful tips, and recipes.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Time to PANIC!

KOSHER WINE TASTING  WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2016
EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CENTER

For many American Jews, Manischewitz wine is as much as part of Passover as the four questions and matzoh ball soup. As if making good wine isn’t hard enough under normal circumstances, throw in a ton of religious laws to follow and you may just say “oy vey” and grab a bottle of Manischewitz for your Passover Seder. Fortunately, drinking kosher wines no longer means sweet Concord grape juice.  Today’s kosher wines offer a level of quality and selection that will surprise you and your matzo ball soup.

So where is the incentive to produce better kosher wine? The promise of Israel’s Mediterranean climate recently got notice in the form of 90 + scores from wine goy Robert Parker. Other countries, too, have taken on the challenge of producing (or rather, directing the Jewish winemakers to produce) kosher wine as good as the secular stuff. Now, America, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain all produce very good kosher wines and several Bordeaux chateaux have even added kosher wines to their lineups.
There's no inherent reason why kosher wine has to be lackluster (or Mogen David) since the process for making it is very similar to the standard wine making process. And just as kosher and Israeli food has become far more sophisticated over the last generation, so has the wine industry.
Join us at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Evergreen Community Center for a tasting of six kosher wines.  AWS Certified Wine Judge, Kym Antonelli will be presenting.
But remember, "A Seder without sweet Manischewitz would be like horseradish without tears, like a cantor without a voice, like a shul without a complaint, like a yenta without a big mouth, like Passover without Jews."   -          Comedian Jackie Mason (1936 - )

 L’chaim!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.
We will taste six wines.  

The cost for members is $25 and the cost for guests is $30.

Please reply before April 6, 2016 to:


Or you may reply to 412-657-0777.

Mail your check, payable to AWS to:

Dr. Dennis Trumble
1302 Arch St
Pittsburgh PA  15212

Don’t forget to visit the website for directions, useful tips, and recipes.