German Wines to be featured at April 6th Meeting

Thomas Haehn, from the Von Schleinitz Estate winery in the Northern Mosel Valley of Germany, will be in Jackson and has graciously agreed to be the guest speaker at the April meeting of the Wine Group at Lake Caroline on April 6th.

The Von Schleinitz Estate was founded in 1892 and is considered one of the top wineries in its region and in Germany. Haehn is a great source of knowledge about the world of fine German wines and is a recognized speaker and teacher on the topic.

April Meeting set

Meeting will be Wed., April 6th at 6:30 pm at Martinique. Just got word that we will have a special guest speaker. Details to come.

Italy & Italian Wine Anyone? Group tour available

Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy 12 Days ● 17 Meals The romance of Italy come to life. Highlights…Italian Lake Region ● Italian Riviera ● Locarno ● Switzerland●Portofino ● Cinque Terre ● Lucca ● Tuscany ● Florence ● Siena ● San Gimignano ● Wine Tasting ● Italian Cooking Class ● Bologna ● Venice from $2999

March 24th Meeting ~ Spanish Wines

Hope you're planning to attend our March 24th meeting at the Martinique Clubhouse starting at 6:30 pm.

It's shaping up to be educational and tasty!

Featured wines: Spanish (will be provided)
Food: Typical Spanish appetizers (will be provided)
Cost per person: to be announced
Reservation deadline: March 22nd
Host: Jose' Silvestrini
Attendance open to members and their invited friends/guests.

RSVP to walton.cheryl@gmail.com or on our Facebook group "Wine Group at Lake Caroline"

February 2011 Meeting

Meeting was held Thursday, Feb. 3^rd, 2011 at 6:30 pm at the Martinique Clubhouse.

Despite the icy weather, a nice size crowd of 22 turned out for the first wine group meeting. Thanks to those who brought wine and snacks to share. The feedback from the group has been wonderful and everyone seems excited to get this group underway!

Various topics were discussed resulting in basic guidelines to help govern the group and its activities (please see below).

1. Membership in the group will be available to anyone who resides in or owns property in Lake Caroline. Group members may invite friends/guests to group events, unless the event is designated “member only” event.

2. It was decided that the group will hold themed monthly meetings, with different group members acting as host/coordinator. The monthly meetings will be held at the Martinque Clubhouse, unless otherwise stated. Members agreed to supply the food for each event, keeping it simple with “heavy hors d’ouerves” and coordinating with each month’s host.

3. Any activities hosted in private homes can limit attendance to “members only” and limit the number of attendees as the host(s) sees fit.

4. The first dinner date was pushed back a week to Feb. 22^nd so it will not be so close to Valentine’s Day. This dinner will be held at The Mermaid Café.

5. Group activities and announcements will continue to be posted on Facebook as well as emailed.

6. The March meeting host will be Jose Silvestrini and the theme is Spanish and Portugese wines. Jose will be coordinating with Vintage Wine Shop to provide assorted wines. Details of the cost per person will be posted as soon as they become available.

7. Chris with Vintage Wine Market suggested that he could schedule a wine maker to speak at our April meeting. The group really liked this idea. Details will be posted as they become available.

8. Dar & Brian Capistrant volunteered to host the May meeting and selected Zins for the theme. Details will be posted as we get closer to this meeting.

Sparkling Wine Dinner - Feb. 22nd, 6:30 pm - The Mermaid Cafe

Sparkling Wine Dinner
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, 6:30 pm
The Mermaid Cafe

Seems appropriate that our Wine Group at Lake Caroline kickoff dinner feature festive sparkling wines. Join us in exploring a diverse selection with a savory menu specially designed for this group dinner.

Get acquainted while enjoying a glass of fragrant, refreshing LaMarca Prosecco, just as diners do in many parts of Italy. Start dinner off with a Cono Sur Sparkling Brut and Cristalino’s crisp, bright Cava Brut while enjoying The Mermaid’s special Catfish Taco.

Next a couple of highly rated sparklers - Bouvet Brut, Loire, France NV (Chenin Blanc) and Roederer Estate Brut (California) - have been selected to accompany the two-part main course of Pan Seared Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Blackened Shrimp & Grits.

For a sweet finish, Bricco Riella Moscato d’Asti will be served with a graham cracker crusted Banana Pudding Cheesecake.

Reservations and payment due by 7 pm Friday, Feb. 18th. $62 per person / no refunds after Feb. 18th.