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Spring Equinox
Beautiful Barbera
2008-03-21

* Call to Order The assembly was called to order a half hour late. Thankfully, Slowfood Dario provided a lovely bottle of the Barbera relative, Ruche, to slake the thirst of early arrivals. Subsequently, the arrival of Spring was hailed. The Satyrical One connected the dots of Persian New Year, the Jewish Purim holiday, and the pagan Olympic notions of fertility and rebirth. The unifying force of Dionysian traditions were writ large and all recognized that these troubled times call for that brand of primal postivism and pastiche of animistic pantheism that informs Dionysians sensibilities. Huzzah. Sense and sensibility and good wine and a toast. * Approval of Minutes Lord Chestnut called for approval of last meetings minutes. One amendment was put forth, namely "Let the record show that His Cheekiness, Mr Basil, be recognized for bringing a case of Red Bullto our recent vodka tasting event.". The assembled, without written copy or a vague idea of what was transpiring, uniformly moved to approve. * Old Business A. NOTES ON MEMBERSHIP All who attend our events are implicitly associates. True membership, however, requires a commitment to Dionysian principles, taking of the oath, and a naming of your individual cheese. Arcane and byzantine rituals ensue. Those who ascend in our order are pillars of the community, champions of justice, drinkers of wine, lovers of life. You will be contacted. B. SPECIAL MEMBERS Let it be known that following have chosen their cheese, adopted their animal spirits and have been named as Special Members, bearing the awesome responsibility that these monikers require: - JT was named "Sir Tenderloin de Boeuf" (cheese: Gabbieto, animal spirit: The Monkey). - SC was named "El Chupacabre" (cheese: Cheddar, animal spirit: The Otter) - JM was named "Cruiser" (cheese: Brie, animal spirit: The Lone Wolf) Other initiates have laid claims to Morbiere, Manchego and other fine cheeses. What is your favorite, pray tell? * New Business A. INTRODUCTION TO BARBERA As they say in Piemonte, the Barbera is "what you drink while waiting for the Barolo." In contrast to the Barolo, with its late ripening, heavy tannins, often cooler fermentation, and need for long ageing, the Barbera is an early ripening grape, full of fruit, low in tannins, high in acid and drinkable early. As with many italian wines, the relatively strong acid component in Barbera makes for a good food wine, as was emphasized in our proceedings. Barbera based beverages are versatile and tasty refreshments, indeed. B. DRINK & EAT A lamb ragout, lovingly prepared by Miss Mona from 15 lamb shanks, allowed us to truly savor the marrow from the bone of Life. (Alas, the bones were dispensed 'ere this wholesome stew arrived.) Charcuterie and cheese from Genova along with bread from Feel Good lined the gullets of our wayward revelers. Spirits were further lifted with the following flight: Old World - Casa Brina 2004 (Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato) - Rocche dei Manzoni 2005 (Barbera d'Alba) - Costa di Bussia 2005 (Barbera d'Alba) New World - Runquist Barbera 2004 (Shenendoah Valley/Amador) - Naked Vines Barbera 2003 (Shenendoah Valley/Amador) - Naked Vines Barbera 2006 (Shenendoah Valley/Amador) 10% Zinfandel (Lodi) 5% Petite Sirah (Lodi) - Naked Vines Barbera 2006 (Planchon Vineyard/Contra Costa) 10% Zinfandel (Lodi) C. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks to our most gracious host, Ed. If anyone needs a mortgage, check with Old Castle. Thanks to everyone that came out and pitched, including a couple of non-wine drinkers. Imagine that! Special thanks to the Johns for their assistance with wine selections. Loved seeing all the new faces (and the old ones;-) Thanks also to Mike & Denise for helping clean up and close the place down with a bottle of Nebbiolo from Dry Creek. Much appreciated. * Adjourn Our writtend agenda closed with an invocation to "Go forth and sow your seeds". Unfortunately, the flower seeds were not obtained in time (and I shudder to think that this invocation might have been misinterpreted). Fret not, brothers and sisters, for more seeds will be forthcoming... and I anticipate a mighty flowering. Sow as you will in the meantime. We always have May to look forward to... Next Up: Spanish Flight @ The Hobnob Monday, May 5th Be there. Aloha.

Wine, Fertility, Creative Ecstasy

The Dionysian Club
Home \| About \| Events \| Inspiration \| People \| Got Wine?

Spring Equinox Beautiful Barbera 2008-03-21
		* Call to Order The assembly was called to order a half hour late. Thankfully, Slowfood Dario provided a lovely bottle of the Barbera relative, Ruche, to slake the thirst of early arrivals. Subsequently, the arrival of Spring was hailed. The Satyrical One connected the dots of Persian New Year, the Jewish Purim holiday, and the pagan Olympic notions of fertility and rebirth. The unifying force of Dionysian traditions were writ large and all recognized that these troubled times call for that brand of primal postivism and pastiche of animistic pantheism that informs Dionysians sensibilities. Huzzah. Sense and sensibility and good wine and a toast. * Approval of Minutes Lord Chestnut called for approval of last meetings minutes. One amendment was put forth, namely "Let the record show that His Cheekiness, Mr Basil, be recognized for bringing a case of Red Bullto our recent vodka tasting event.". The assembled, without written copy or a vague idea of what was transpiring, uniformly moved to approve. * Old Business A. NOTES ON MEMBERSHIP All who attend our events are implicitly associates. True membership, however, requires a commitment to Dionysian principles, taking of the oath, and a naming of your individual cheese. Arcane and byzantine rituals ensue. Those who ascend in our order are pillars of the community, champions of justice, drinkers of wine, lovers of life. You will be contacted. B. SPECIAL MEMBERS Let it be known that following have chosen their cheese, adopted their animal spirits and have been named as Special Members, bearing the awesome responsibility that these monikers require: - JT was named "Sir Tenderloin de Boeuf" (cheese: Gabbieto, animal spirit: The Monkey). - SC was named "El Chupacabre" (cheese: Cheddar, animal spirit: The Otter) - JM was named "Cruiser" (cheese: Brie, animal spirit: The Lone Wolf) Other initiates have laid claims to Morbiere, Manchego and other fine cheeses. What is your favorite, pray tell? * New Business A. INTRODUCTION TO BARBERA As they say in Piemonte, the Barbera is "what you drink while waiting for the Barolo." In contrast to the Barolo, with its late ripening, heavy tannins, often cooler fermentation, and need for long ageing, the Barbera is an early ripening grape, full of fruit, low in tannins, high in acid and drinkable early. As with many italian wines, the relatively strong acid component in Barbera makes for a good food wine, as was emphasized in our proceedings. Barbera based beverages are versatile and tasty refreshments, indeed. B. DRINK & EAT A lamb ragout, lovingly prepared by Miss Mona from 15 lamb shanks, allowed us to truly savor the marrow from the bone of Life. (Alas, the bones were dispensed 'ere this wholesome stew arrived.) Charcuterie and cheese from Genova along with bread from Feel Good lined the gullets of our wayward revelers. Spirits were further lifted with the following flight: Old World - Casa Brina 2004 (Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato) - Rocche dei Manzoni 2005 (Barbera d'Alba) - Costa di Bussia 2005 (Barbera d'Alba) New World - Runquist Barbera 2004 (Shenendoah Valley/Amador) - Naked Vines Barbera 2003 (Shenendoah Valley/Amador) - Naked Vines Barbera 2006 (Shenendoah Valley/Amador) 10% Zinfandel (Lodi) 5% Petite Sirah (Lodi) - Naked Vines Barbera 2006 (Planchon Vineyard/Contra Costa) 10% Zinfandel (Lodi) C. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks to our most gracious host, Ed. If anyone needs a mortgage, check with Old Castle. Thanks to everyone that came out and pitched, including a couple of non-wine drinkers. Imagine that! Special thanks to the Johns for their assistance with wine selections. Loved seeing all the new faces (and the old ones;-) Thanks also to Mike & Denise for helping clean up and close the place down with a bottle of Nebbiolo from Dry Creek. Much appreciated. * Adjourn Our writtend agenda closed with an invocation to "Go forth and sow your seeds". Unfortunately, the flower seeds were not obtained in time (and I shudder to think that this invocation might have been misinterpreted). Fret not, brothers and sisters, for more seeds will be forthcoming... and I anticipate a mighty flowering. Sow as you will in the meantime. We always have May to look forward to... Next Up: Spanish Flight @ The Hobnob Monday, May 5th Be there. Aloha.
Wine, Fertility, Creative Ecstasy