March 2011 Contra Costa Wine Group Newsletter

          Our last meeting was held at the lovely home of Cindy and Barry Tedmus in Pleasant Hill.  The hors d’oeuvres table boasted a wonderful spread for those attending.  Our thanks go out to the Tedmus family for hosting this event.  Lee Wines and I estimated that there were right around 50 people in attendance for the pouring of the White and Dessert Category winners and the distribution of the other White and Dessert award ribbons.  The Judge’s notes were available for everyone that entered their wine in January.  I’d like to especially thank Cindy and Barry’s sons for directing traffic and getting everyone parked before and after the meeting.  Well done.

     I received a telephone call from a gentleman who’s in the process of getting a divorce.  Seems as if he and his soon-to-be ex have a single bottle of wine that they’d very much like to sell so that the proceeds can be split between them.  They have a 750 mL bottle of 1982 1er Grand Cru Classe Chateau Cheval Blanc, Bordeaux/St. Emilion.  The bottle has been stored in their 54 degree wine cooler since it was acquired.  This wine received 100 Points from Robert Parker, 96 Points from the Wine Spectator, and 5 Stars from both Decanter Magazine and Michael Broadbent.  My brief Internet search showed that the wine has sold recently for as low as $600 in an Auction and up to $1,500 retail elsewhere.  Paul Morrison is asking $750 for this bottle, OBO.  If you’re interested, you may call him on his Cell at (415) 754-3354 or submit a bid to him via Email at cobaltqube@gmail.com .  He is a motivated seller.

     Our next meeting is another big night for the Contra Costa Wine Group.  We have one White Wine Category winner (John Kirtley’s Viognier) and twelve Red Wine Category winners to pour their wine and let us all know how they prepared it.  All of the Red Wine Awards and Wine Judge’s notes for all wines entered will also be available at this meeting.

     The meeting will on Friday night, March 25, 2011, starting at about 7:30 p.m. at the home of Rupert and Eran Perera in Martinez.

DIRECTIONS:  From Highway 680 merge onto CA-4 WEST toward Martinez/Hercules.  Drive approximately 3.7 miles.  Take the Alhambra Ave. exit toward Martinez.  Turn left onto Alhambra Ave.  Drive approximately 0.8 miles and turn right onto Travers Dr.  Immediately turn left onto Oakview Lane.  The Perera’s address is: 19 Oakview Lane.  Their telephone number is (925) 957-1918 should you get lost.  Let’s try and save the parking spots near their home for those members who are a little less mobile please.

     Please bring a wine glass, a folding chair and a bottle of your finest for the hors d’oeuvres table.  If you haven’t made any wine yet, please bring a bottle that you think the membership would enjoy.

    It was a pretty quiet month.  See you at the meeting.