March 2008
News
March Membership Meeting
The March 2008 membership meeting of the
Wisconsin Vintners Association will begin at 7:30 PM on Wednesday March 12th at
Clifford’s
Restaurant, 10418 Forest Home Ave.
The program will be a "critical" wine
tasting, evaluation and judging of a flight of four similar homemade wines. This
will be done in small groups, informally, with a table captain leading the
tasting. No prior judging experience is required. The purpose is not just to
"judge" these wines but to provide members with the insight into the evaluation
process, which will assist members in evaluating and improving their own wines.
This will give us some practice judging wines to help prepare us for the club
wine contest on March 15th and the Wisconsin State Fair judging in May. Please
bring one or two bottles of your own wines for evaluation. You will also need to
bring one or two glasses.
Every month we award a bottle of wine to
one of our members who has dinner at
Clifford’s
prior to our meeting. The award wine this month is a Bouchon, California
Superior Reserve, 2002 Merlot. Their winemaker “selects grapes from the finest
growing regions in California and personally supervises the vinification
and careful aging of the wine until it is perfected and bottled. This wine has
classic black cherry aromas and is full-flavored, soft and lasting on the
palate”. This wine works well with lamb or beef dishes.
Notes from the President
The February 2nd Dinner Dance
was a big success thanks to all of you who attended and helped in so many ways.
Thanks to Jim Remus and his committee and many helpers for the
organization, to the many people who donated time and items, and to Howard
Hasselkus who single-handedly procured nearly 90% of the auction items. We
also had significant contributions from loyal members who couldn't attend but
wanted to help in our fund raising efforts and we thank them for their support
of our club.
It was with great sadness that
many of us attended the funeral on February 15th of Irene Wittbecker, wife of
life member Helmut Wittbecker. She was a dear, gentle woman who will be missed
by all who knew her.
At the March membership meeting
we will be voting on the proposed changes to the bylaws and constitution so be
sure to read them before the meeting.
As we go to press there are 31
people signed up for the beginning winemaking class on March 1st. Thanks to
Tom Courtney for organizing it and all the volunteer instructors who are
sharing their expertise and wisdom.
March 15th is our club judging
and this is a good chance to have your wines evaluated prior to the state fair
competition. We also need stewards and other helpers. Thanks to Don Betlej
and Howard Hasselkus for coordinating this event. As always, check out
the web site for information and updates.
Joanne
Welcome to New Members
Please welcome new members: Jeff & Mary Aderman
of Pewaukee, WI, Sarah & Jeff Douglass of Franklin, Steven & Sheryl
Mamerow of Brookfield, Rev. Mark Payne of Milwaukee, Tim & Janele
Overocker of Trevor and Jim & Karin Grant of Menomonee Falls.
Club Judging on Saturday, March 15
Saturday, March 15 is the date of the 2008 annual
club judging. Note that this will be held on a Saturday rather than on Sunday
which was customary for club judgings in past years. This event provides an
opportunity for you to obtain the WVA judges’ opinion on the quality of your
wine and hopefully their comments will be useful in improving next year’s wine.
Please also make plans to help out at this event. As usual we could use judges,
wine stewards, glass washers etc. A light lunch will be provided. The
deadline for submission of your entry form is Saturday, March 8th.
2008
Rules & Regulations (PDF)
Entry Form
(PDF)
The ribbons awarded to the winners are
created by the club and there is a traveling wall plaque for the Best of Show
winner, currently in Don Betlej’s possession.
2008 WI State Fair Amateur Winemakers Competition
The 2008 Amateur Winemakers Competition rules and
forms are available for downloading on the State Fair website,
www.wistatefair.com. Copies will
also be posted on our club website soon. Note that the deadline for
receipt of your entry form is May 1. Do not procrastinate as the entry fee this
year for a late entry will be $20.00 per bottle instead of the pre-deadline
$5.00.
Proposed Constitution and By-laws Changes
It is the responsibility of the WVA board of
directors to evaluate our club and allow it to grow and change with the times,
while still maintaining operation and procedural standards that were established
when the club was first formed. The WVA Constitution and By-Laws document these
standards and are available to read by on the
Club Info page.
Recently Dave Brandt, a WVA Life Member and former President, spent much
time and
effort in reviewing the current Constitution and By-Laws. Dave proposed
changes, which were approved by the board for submission to the general
membership, to review and then followed by a vote whether to ratify the proposed
changes.
Please click on the following PDF files which show the proposed changes (in
bold) and come prepared to our March meeting to discuss and vote:
Constitution Changes (PDF)
By-Laws Changes (PDF)
If you can’t make the meeting but have some comments
and suggestions to be considered, please contact any of the board members. A
list of current board members with their contact information can also be found
on the Club Info
page.
WVA Club Logo Apparel for Sales Soon
It has been a few years since we last offered
clothing with the WVA logo. Our clothing committee is in the process of
identifying the items that will be offered and creating the ordering forms. The
forms and a few actual items will be available to view at the next membership
meeting.
Wine and Food Pairing Classes
The Caledonia, WI Park & Recreation Department is
sponsoring two wine and food pairing classes featuring recipes by Staci Joers
from "Cooking with Class" and wine selections by Sherry Etes from "Uncorkt".
The dates are March 3rd featuring an Easter dinner menu and June 25th featuring
grilling classics. Classes are $35 each and if interested call
262-752-1682 for more info and to register.
Juicers For Sale
Club Member Mike Potratz is selling
two juciers, one big and one small, which are like new.
Photo
He is asking
$100 00. If interested,
please contact Mike directly at 920-262-0796 or at corkpuller@sbcglobal.net.
Calendar of Events
March 5, 2008 - Wednesday, WVA
Board Meeting, Don Betlej's home, 7:00 PM.
March 12, 2008
- Wednesday, WVA Membership Meeting at
Clifford’s,
7:30 PM, Critical Wine Tasting of members' wines
March 15, 2008
- Saturday, WVA Club Judging at
Clifford’s,
9:00 AM.
April 2nd 2008 - Wednesday, WVA Board
Meeting at the home of Rick & Jo Markham, 7:00 PM.
April 9th 2008 - Wednesday, WVA Membership Meeting at Clifford’s,
Mason Creek
Winery owner Kyle Goman will present, 7:30 PM.
Special Thanks To Clifford's
For The Use Of Their Hall!
10418 W. FOREST
HOME AVE
HALES CORNERS, WI
(414) 425-6226
www.cliffordsfinefood.com
Map
Please Support Our
Sponsor!
|
