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Hey Everybody!

We have a couple of tastings scheduled for mid-October. Anthony is doing our first, and the theme gives us an opportunity to learn about some (possibly many) lesser-known wines. Anthony has a venue rule, so please keep in in mind when deciding upon whether or not to attend: no smoking on premises, indoors or out.

I'll send out Anthony's address to Yes-es on the Thursday before the event, and to Maybes the Friday of the event. He provides information below on the area town where he lives.

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Shun the most popular (top five in sales) red varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Syrah/Shiraz and introduce us to a new grape.

Please bring a wine of a single varietal that is not one of the top five and an accompanying hors d'oeuvre. Although many European wines are usually named after the appellation where the grapes were grown, please find the name of the grape varietal (for example, Gamay is used in Beaujolais, Sangiovese in Chianti) and be prepared to provide the proper pronunciation (http://www.wineloverspage.com/lexicon/index.shtml).
A few examples of big, full bodied reds, in order from dry to sweet:
Alicante Bouchet, Baga, Bobal, Mourverde, Negro Amaro, Nero d'Avola, Tannat, Touriga Nacional
Reds with slightly less body, in order from dry to sweet:
Aglianico, Kadarka, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinotage, Ruby Cabernet, Uva di Troia
Lighter, but still acceptable for the event (in dry to sweet order):
Barbera, Carignan, Cinsaut, Lladoner Pelut, Nerello Mascalese, Norton, Touriga Franca
If you do not already have a favorite from the above list, and want some idea of the varietal taste prior to purchase, click on the varietal at the Jelly Belly bar (http://www.jellybeanwinebar.com/rwines.htm), which also warns you to avoid poorly-made Carmenere (http://www.jellybeanwinebar.com/carmen.htm). Episode 14 of the Wine for Newbies podcast (http://winefornewbies.net/audio-lessons/) also provides some suggestions.

The event will be hosted by Anthony Edw. J Campbell at his home in West Lake 78746 a few blocks west of Rollingwood. You can also enjoy works of local artists Megan Van Groll (www.meganvangroll.com), Phillip Wade (www.phillipwade.net), and Shannon Hamann (www.ShannonHamannStudioArt.com) on display in his home gallery, as well as works by Sasso (www.arttogo.com) and Tim Raines (www.TimothyRaines.com) in his permanent collection. The property is smoke-free: no smoking on premises, indoors or outside. Address and directions will be sent via private e-mail prior to the event.
As always, please give Jen $1 at the event to defray the cost of hosting this MeetUp group.
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See you the 16th!

~Jen

Hey all,

Catherine and Dan have decided to host a tasting next Saturday, August 15. The theme is All about Pinots. Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio/Gris are the most well-known of these wines. For those more adventurous, there are many varieties of Pinots. I have been to a tasting of Pinots Noir and Grigio/Gris before, and they play well with each other. This tasting presents a great opportunity to compare Pinots from all over the world.

There's a bit of information on Pinots on the following two pages:

http://www.americanwinery.com/academy/encyclopedia/browse/p?page=9
http://www.americanwinery.com/academy/encyclopedia/browse/p?page=10

As usual, please bring a bottle of Pinot wine to share, an appetizer that complements the wine, and $1.

For those who need some idea of where in town the tasting will be, Dan and Catherine live near the Mueller development. I'll send out the address/directions Friday afternoon or evening to those who have RSVPed Yes, and on Saturday to Maybes, and to wait-list-ees.

See you Saturday!

~Jen

Let's get together at my house and taste some wines! It has been a hot Spring, so on the eve of the Summer Solstice, let's pull out our favorite summer wines.

Do you have a cool and refreshing favorite wine (or wines) that you fall back on through the summer? Bring a bottle, and share it with us! If you need ideas, let me know.

I'll have places to separate the wines into groups of white, red, and rose, so don't feel limited. However, do keep in mind the idea of refreshment. :) Let me know if you need any recommendations. My favorites are NZ Sauvignons Blanc, but I didn't want to limit the tasting that much, and I think it's always good to learn more about wines outside of one's normal favorites.

If you would like to attend, bring a bottle of your favorite summer wine, and also try to bring a small appetizer that will go well with these wines. I'll provide a couple of my favorites (probably a dry rose and a NZ or SA Sauvignon Blanc), and some cheese and crackers. Please also bring $1 to cover the costs of keeping the group going on meetup.com.

I live downtown. People who respond yes or maybe will be provided directions to my place a day or two before the event. There's a lot of free parking near where I live. (I'm also within easy walking distance of West 6th St., for those of you who want to go out for meals afterwards.)

See you on the 20th!

Because it's a such a comfortable and nice place, with an extensive wine menu (and tasty food), I thought we could have our first new meet-up at Uncorked. Their menu includes many three-wine flights. They also have a nice lounge area, and a great patio where we can gather to chat about wine, and the future of the group.

Uncorked is *just* east of I-35 on the north side of 6th Street. They have some parking, but if our numbers are large, you may need to look for street parking on San Marcos St (one street east of Uncorked), or in the gravel lot downhill to the left of their parking lot.

I'll send out more information--like how to identify me--when the date approaches. Please RSVP, so I can give Uncorked some idea of how many of us will be inundating the place.

Please bring a dollar to cover the cost of keeping the group online (currently $19/month). I won't strictly enforce this, but instead will rely on the goodness of our members. :)

I hope to see you there!

Six Bubbly wines will be featured, with specially paired appetizers from Chef Charles Bloemsma.

6:30pm Complimentary wine / hors d?oeuvres reception

7:09pm Seating for wine tasting

Price is $25 plus tax & gratuity. For reservations, go to www.winebat.com or call 512-961-6151 or toll free at 877-WINE709.