Community Stuff 10/12/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

2013 CAYB Tryouts

Hi Joey,
I wanted to let you know of a project that is happening in Manchester.  Thom Smoker has been my son’s voice teacher and he has also done work with area schools.  They are trying to raise $10,000 to get their business off the ground at Manchester Athletic Club.  I have attached their fundraising website for you to view and to possibly put on your blog.  Thank you.  I always enjoy reading Good Morning Gloucester and find so many interesting events and information.
Patti Gillis
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/soulcovecfa/jumpstart-soulcove-center-for-the-arts

Ken Chen & Janaka Stucky

Gloucester Writers Center Poetry Salon

On October 25, 2013 at 7:30 pm the GWC will present poets Ken Chen and Janaka Stucky reading from their work at 126 East Main Street, Gloucester.

Ken Chen‘s debut poetry collection, Juvenilia, won the 2009 Yale Series of Younger Poets Award. His work has been published or recognized in Best American Essays 2006, Best American Essays 2007, and the Boston Review of Books. He is the executive director of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop and lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Janaka Stucky is the Publisher of Black Ocean, as well as the annual poetry journal, Handsome. He is also the author of The World Will Deny It For You and Your Name Is The Only Freedom. His poems have appeared in such journals as Denver Quarterly, Fence and North American Review, and his articles have appeared online at The Huffington Post and The Poetry Foundation. He lives in Boston.

Our quarterly Poetry Salon is hosted by poet Kate Colby, and brings a diverse selection of practicing poets from Boston, New York and beyond to local writers and listeners.

Foosball Tourney Sunday October 20th!

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Hi Joey,

In addition to being a stop on the Cape Ann Artisans Tour this weekend, The Sarah Elizabeth Shop is having a 30% off T shirts sale. All of our T shirts are 100% cotton American Apparel brand and printed with historic block prints from the shop and made in the U.S.A. The one that Katharine is wearing is “Motif #1” from 1974, by Sarah Elizabeth Holloran, a former Folly Cove Designer. They are normally $24 and  are now $16.50. Get them while they last! Once they are gone, I won’t be carrying them anymore and where else are you going to find such authentic designs on T shirts made locally that celebrate what’s excellent about Cape Ann? The places are getting fewer and further between.

Thanks very much!

Julia Garrison owner and operator -The Sarah Elizabeth Shop

5 Whistle Stop Mall Rockport, MA (978)546-1037

July T Shirt sale

RESTAURANT MANAGERS/CATERS   –   YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS THIS!!!!

SMOKIN’ JIM’S BAR-B-Q  IS HOLDING A 3-DAY TENT SALE OF RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT!!!

5 Cunningham Rd., Gloucester (2nd left off Washington  St. towards Addison Gilbert Hospital

      SATURDAY   SUNDAY     MONDAY       Oct. 12, 13, 14               9:am to 4:pm

Double Well Soup Warmer,    Heavy Stainless Hotel Pans – all sizes, depths w/lids    Bain Marie    Stock Pots

Sautee Pans    BBQ Utensils    Kitchen Utensils/Cutlery, Ladles,  etc.    Chafers with lids and inserts,   

Polyethelene Food Storage Containers with Lids              French Fry Cutter                 Paper Goods 

Packaging,  3-oz. to 32-oz Portion containers,            Gorgeous, Workable antique slicer!!

                                                                        ALSO

                                     CUSTOM-BUILT ORIGINAL SMOKIN’ JIM’S GRILLS  

Large and Small Coolers    Five 6-ft. Folding Banquet Tables    8-ft. Solid Table    Wall Shelving,     Café Tables

Counter Tops                6-ft. and 4-ft.  Heavy Stainless Work Tables               Storage Shelves , AND MORE

                                                                       PLUS

1-door ‘TRUE’ Sandwich/Salad Prep Refrigerator – 8 pans

HENNY-PENNY Heated Holding Cabinet (used 3-months)

MUST SEE THIS STUFF!  COME AND ENJOY JIM’S BBQ AND BARGAINS!  RAIN OR SHINE!

                   ALSO :    Household items, Antiques and Collectibles, Lawn Equipment, Tools

About the BOUNTY sinking – the illusion of experience

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Al Bezanson submits-

This is a long piece but a thoughtful reflection for mariners and anyone else

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http://threesheetsnw.com/lateentry/2013/10/07/mario-vittone-on-the-illusion-of-experience/

Al Bezanson

What was on Your Playlist this Summer?

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

What was on your top ten playlist this past summer?

For a mini film project about Gloucester in which I am working (almost finished!) I have been immersed in summertime music. Here are a few of my favorites from this summer, in no particular order ~

Two from Daft Punk and they are”Get Lucky,”and “Lose Yourself to Dance” both featuring Niles Rodgers and Pharrell Williams. I love Pharrell Williams singing on both–he’s also featured on another favorite, “Blurred Lines.” After the controversy over the similarity between Robin Thicke’s summer hit and ” Your Precious Love,” and to honor Marvin Gaye, “Got To Give It Up,” along with “Your Precious Love,” were played often.  Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “Same Love” is gorgeous and “Can’t Hold Us” is perfect for Greasy Pole footage . “Vacation” by the Go-Go’s and “Dreaming” by Blondie always make it onto my summertime playlists, as does IZ’s “Over the Rainbow.” I think “Stay” by Rihanna, featuring Mikky Ekko, is beautiful and so is “#Beautiful,” sung by Mariah Carey and Miguel. Two that make me cry but which also makes them especially perfect for the end of summer are “Summertime Sadness” and “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey.

I love this sweet song, “Daydreaming,” from the band Groenland, out of Montreal. Their first album was released in April of this year. About the title of their album, The Chase, the band writes, “The Chase is the pursuit of an ideal, the desire to be in constant evolution, our tendency to put ourselves in danger to understand what we’re made of. It’s also about taking risks, for our own self, alone, or with someone.”

I would be very interested to know what GMG readers are listening to. What were some of your favorite songs from the summer of 2013?

Last Batch of Pet Selfies

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A few more pet selfies from our GMG readers. Thanks to everyone for sharing your Adorable Pet Selfies!!!

Alsnon Monell's A Boy and His Chicken
A Boy and His Chicken
Alison Monell's Hogan and Josie
Alison Monell’s Hogan and Josie
Judith Rinehardt's Django
Judith Rinehardt’s Django

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Donna Ardizonni's Rosie at Riley's Bday Party
Donna Ardizonni’s Rosie at Riley’s Bday Party
Hannah Willey's Pet's Selfies
Hannah Willey’s Pet’s Selfies
Hannah Willey's Pet's Selfies
Hannah Willey’s Pet’s Selfies
Hannah Willey's Pet's Selfies
Hannah Willey’s Pet’s Selfies

See More GMG Pet Selfie Posts ~

Send Us Your Pet’s Selfie!

Pet Selfies from Pepper, Kali, and The Boss

More Pet Selfies (Sort of!)

Thank You GMG Readers for Sharing Your Pet’s Selfies!

Blue Lobster Landed At Captain Joe and Sons

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Dave Jewell aboard The Lady J landed this blue lobster today!

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Maddie Jewell displays the lobster her daddy caught.

Fish on Fridays

Posted on by Marty Luster

The Fish on Fridays series is a collaboration between Gloucester photographers Kathy Chapman and Marty Luster. Look for various aspects of Gloucester’s centuries-old fishing industry highlighted here on Fridays.

Peter Parisi replaces rotten boards on his recent acquisition of the 42 foot stern trawler Francesca & Carlo at the Gloucester Marine Railways. He plans on launching her next week in search of whiting and herring.

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Photos © Kathy Chapman 2013
http://www.kathychapman.com

I think Al Bezanson is onto Something

Posted on by God's Morning

GMG cormorant sticker copy

Although I dearly love seagulls, I agree with Al that the cormorant could be a better mascot for GMG.  What do people think?

and P.S. Don’t forget – Grand Finale Last Hurrah Mug Up this Sunday 9:30.

E.J. Lefavour

Manchester Cardboard Boat Regatta This Sunday 10/13/2013 1:00 PM to 4:00

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

Do not miss this event! Come down and cheer these “sailors” on! See who floats and who …well… doesn’t!! Event details at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CardboardBoat?ref=br_tf and blogged at http://mbtshauntedregatta.blogspot.com

20 boats already entered and apparently there’s room for more!

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Hornets down Pioneers in Thursday Field Hockey Action

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

The Manchester Essex Hornets varsity field hockey team defeated the Lynnfield Pioneers 5-3 at Coach Field In Manchester. Manchester Essex dominated play for most of the game though after cruising to a 3-1 first half lead Lynnfield was able to strike back within 1 goal to close the first half. The second half saw Manchester Essex again dominate the ball pushing the score up to 5-2 before Lynnfield could find the back of the net once more for the final score. Manchester Essex’s record is now 10-0-1 CAL while Lynnfield falls to 7-4-2

Local rising star, Michael Thomas Doyle opens for The Slide Brothers Nov 2 in Beverly

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Local singer/songwriter Michael Thomas Doyle will open for legendary pedal steel masters, The Slide Brothers on Saturday, November 2 at Beverly’s fully restored, historic Larcom Theatre.

Mike Doyle has been compared to John Mayer, with the Noise Magazine proclaiming his “talent by the boatload,” and likening his live guitar skills to those of Keith Richards.  Mike is one of those young musicians you want to watch over the next few years.  See a short bio of Michael Thomas Doyle here and  get tickets here.  It won’t be long before you’ll have to pay over a hundred bucks for a crappy seat in a huge venue far away with expensive parking if you want to see him.  Check out the video to see what we mean:

Robert Randolph Presents … The Slide Brothers — ONLY New England Appearance on November 2nd at Larcom Theatre.
“The Slide Brothers … tackle rock, funk and blues with a ferocity that will startle fans of Duane Allman, Derek Trucks and Muddy Waters.” —Guitar World

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This will be an experience you won’t have a chance to repeat for a very long time!  The best seats are going fast, so GET TICKETS NOW.  Check out this video of The Slide Brothers covering the Allman Brothers’ hit “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin'”

Big live music weekend coming up ~ so much to do ~ how do you choose?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Well, it’s not easy.  But we’re here to help.  Start with the complete live music lineup here (updated as we learn of new shows and schedule changes).  Below are some highlights:

TONIGHT (Friday)

Remember Joan Osborne?  “What if God were one of us?”  Seems appropriate since Peter Higgs won the Nobel Prize in physics this week for predicting the God Particle that was discovered at CERN earlier this year.  As of this post there are a few seats left — but not many, so if you want to go, CLICK HERE and get your seats now.

TOMORROW (Saturday)

James Keelaghan

Depending on the weather, this might be your last chance to catch a music sail on the Thomas E. Lannon this year.  Michael O’Leary performs with his band.

We would be remiss if we didn’t remind you that the man who holds the well-deserved title of Canada’s finest singer-songwriter, James Keelaghan is at Old Sloop with Tom Smith opening.

Once again, we recommend that you CLICK HERE to get your tickets today if you want to be assured of a seat.

SUNDAY

Marina Evans UNBOUND CD Release concert at Cape Ann Community Cinema looks like it will be an excellent evening.

There are over 20 live shows this weekend, so plenty to choose from if none of these strike your fancy.  See the full lineup here.

Scout sez: come make hats!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey!
How the holy heck are you? Still with the killing pace at the dock?
Say, I just posted on my FB page that I’m (finally) teaching hat-making classes at the shop. Yes, at the shop. Cozy, eh?
How do you feel about a GMG boost? Next 2-day workshop is Oct 19 & 20.
Do you wanna come learn how to make hats, btw? Always room for curious minds.
Hope you’re well, and that you had a fantastic summer – cuz it is gone, baby, gone. *sigh*
Best to you,
Scouter-Outer

Check out Karen’s Scout Vintage Finds on Facebook here- Scout Vintage Finds Facebook Page

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here’s an interview with scout from a couple years ago-

A Hero Shot, in More Ways Than One

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
As I was walking to work today, this guy stepped aside for me to pass. As I walked by him, I mentioned how much I liked his cane, not realizing what it symbolized. I saw him and his wife later sitting on the bench in front of Palazolas. So you all know me... This is Duane Bellish and his loving wife of 54 years, Sandy. They live in Grayling, northern Michigan. They love Glosta', having never even been here before. "All the people we've met have been fun, interesting, and most helpful. Fred, you alone have made our weekend." We spent maybe an hour together talking. They are devout Christians, and blessed me half a dozen times. Me, I bless them only once, but to the power of 20. God Bless Duane and Sandy x 20!
As I was walking to work today, this guy stepped aside for me to pass. As I walked by him, I mentioned how much I liked his cane, not realizing what it symbolized. I saw him and his wife later sitting on the bench in front of Palazolas. So you all know me… This is Duane Bellish and his loving wife of 54 years, Sandy. They live in Grayling, northern Michigan. They love Glosta’, having never even been here before. “All the people we’ve met have been fun, interesting, and most helpful. Fred, you alone have made our weekend.” We spent maybe an hour together talking. They are devout Christians, and blessed me half a dozen times. Me, I bless them only once, but to the power of 20. God Bless Duane and Sandy x 20!
Duane served in the US Army in '69 and '70. He was a Tank Commander in the 25th Infantry, Driving 112APC tanks on the Cambodian Border (Base Camp Cuchi). Two Purple Hearts and still carrying shrapnel. Today, Duane needs his cane, and with Sandy sells home grown plants, cut flowers, at the Detroit Eastern Market, which is 150+ years old. They agree that Detroit is not doing well. I gave them a GMG sticka', but was too intrigued with them to include it in the photo. My grandpa Yewell also got two purple hearts in the trenches of France in WWI.
Duane served in the US Army in ’69 and ’70. He was a Tank Commander in the 25th Infantry, Driving 112APC tanks on the Cambodian Border (Base Camp Cuchi). Two Purple Hearts and still carrying shrapnel. Today, Duane needs his cane, and with Sandy sells home grown plants, cut flowers, at the Detroit Eastern Market, which is 150+ years old. They agree that Detroit is not doing well. I gave them a GMG sticka’, but was too intrigued with them to include it in the photo. My grandpa Yewell also got two purple hearts in the trenches of France in WWI.

45 Years Ago In The Yarmoth County (Nova Scotia) Vanguard…

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Linn Parisi Submits-

Hi Joey,

I thought GMG readers would appreciate this blast from the past seen today in The Yarmouth County (Nova Scotia) Vanguard newspaper. 45 years later: We’re still waiting. Think it will ever happen?!

Linn

45 YEARS AGO

The latest on a proposed second ferry service between Nova Scotia and New England was that Gloucester, Massachusetts, still might be the American destination for the new ferry, although Portsmouth, New Hampshire, seemed a likelier candidate, the Vanguard reported in its Oct. 9, 1968 edition. The Nova Scotia port for the service had yet to be announced officially, the paper said, but it looked like Yarmouth would get it, given the terminal facilities already in place here and the town’s location vis-à-vis the highways to the valley and south shore. The new ship was being built in Sweden.

Community Stuff 10/11/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Phil Scannell is looking for some info-

Last week we took a boat ride up the Annisquam and after passing Rust Island we spoke of and Island on our left as we header to Ipswich Bay with lots of small cottages and did not see anyone, one of our passengers said that there were no utility’s on that Island and you can only get there by boat – Is this Island called Pierce Island ? and what is the story and or history of it Thanks hope all is well .

Best Phil

and follow up-

I did find this a bit interesting on Pearce -Merchant-Durneys Island I spoke to Gene at Dory shop he told me originally he heard it was once owned by one Family and the Island was given to Pearce after the civil war by President Lincoln for something he had done. that’s as far as I have gone so far. Best

Sheila Hurst has some nice things to say-

Good Morning Joey:  Thank you for every day making my day with Good Morning Gloucester.

P.S.  I’m one of those dreaded “summer” people and miss Gloucester terribly when our family isn’t there.

THE CAPE ANN YMCA CELEBRATES NATIONAL

“LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL” WITH A FLASH MOB

The 14th Annual National Rally for Afterschool Programs

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Children, parents and community members will join together at a “Lights On Afterschool” flash mob event at the Cape Ann YMCA on October 17 at 4:15 to celebrate the achievements of afterschool students and draw attention to the need for more quality afterschool programs to serve the millions of children nationwide who are unsupervised and at risk each weekday afternoon. 

To further spotlight the “Lights On Afterschool” initiative, kids and staff at Cape Ann YMCA afterschool programs at each Gloucester and Rockport elementary school will also show off their flash mob skills with dance moves to today’s hottest songs.

Cape Ann Executive Director Tim Flaherty said, “Lights On Afterschool celebrates the remarkable work being done by students who attend our afterschool programs and is a powerful reminder that afterschool programs keep children safe, inspire them to learn and relieve working parents of worries about how their children spend their afternoons.”  

In every Gloucester and Rockport elementary school, the Cape Ann Y offers quality, affordable licensed care where kids learn values and skills taught by caring adults. There are also a variety of clubs that appeal to every kid’s interest: Block Buster Lego, drama, clay animation, No Cook Cooking, Fit Club, swimming, sports, reading club and many more. The programs run from the closing school bell until 6:00pm Monday through Friday and are open on holidays, school vacations and half days. The Y is the trusted choice for hundreds of Cape Ann families. Financial aid is available for those families in need. For more program information, contact Brian Flynn at flynnb@northshoreymca.org.

In Massachusetts, according to America After 3PM data released by the Afterschool Alliance in 2009, 18% of school-age children are in afterschool programs, while 26% are unsupervised in the afternoons and another 13% are in the care of brothers and sisters.  According to the survey, the parents of 36% of children in the state who are not already in an afterschool program would enroll their children in one, if a program were available to them—an indication of the considerable unmet demand for afterschool programs in the state. For more survey results, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM.cfm.

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Your $20 Donation to support the Meetinghouse

Green Iniatives is Appreciated, but not Required

Info @ http://www.GloucesterUU.org

Advance Ticket Registration: http://www.MaritimeGloucester.org

Please Join us for a Reception to follow in the Meetinghouse Vestry

downstairs, with Exhibits & Green Refreshments

Christine Leveilee submits-

Washington, DC trip fundraising Bake Sale
O’Maley 8th grade students held a bake sale at Market Basket in Gloucester on Saturday, October 5th. The community response was tremendous, and the bake sale was a great success. A second bake sale is planned for October 19th at the same location.

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Hi, Joey,

The Gloucester Education Foundation held its annual Celebration last Friday evening, October 5, at the North Shore Arts Association.  We had a great turnout–about 170 friends and supporters showed up to celebrate GEF’s work on behalf of the Gloucester Public School District. 

Since its beginning back in 2005, GEF has generated $2.7 million in support to benefit the District.  On hand to speak to the crowd were GEF President Maggie Rosa; Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent of the Gloucester Public School District; and Courtney Richardson, Director of Education at the Cape Ann Museum, who spoke about a new collaboration between GEF, the Museum and the schools.   

Heidi Dallin was there with her drama students from Gloucester Stage, all of whom generously volunteered their time to help serve the guests.  Two of them, Jordan Westling, who is a student at Gloucester High, and Talia DeWolfe, who is at the O’Maley Innovation Middle School, also took turns at the podium to address the audience about their experiences in GEF-funded programs.

Click pic below for slide show-

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Hi Joey –

The PR for Gloucester team at Warner Communications has introduced a Gloucester business to the 700,000+ monthly readers of Parade.com – Rebecca Wallace and her Main Street business, The Well for Integrative Medicine, are featured in Resuscitate and Repair Your Summer-Parched Skin, Part 1! We’re delighted to see the inclusion of hyperlinks to The Well’s website – and especially the mention of their location in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Best, Ariane Doud

Account Director

Warner Communications

Al Bezanson Asks- Has GMG hitched its wagon to the wrong bird?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Richard J. King is senior lecturer in literature of the sea with the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport.  In 2004 he published an article in the Log of Mystic Seaport (Vol 55), “The Most Valuable Bird in the World.”  (Domestic birds excluded.)  I was quite astounded when I read it at the time, and have just now enjoyed his new book, published by the University of New Hampshire Press, “The Devil’s Cormorant.”

With all due respect to the beautiful GMG icon, one has to admit its eating habits don’t set a great example for a blog that so often features fine food.  But the cormorant ___ ahh ___ only the freshest fish will do.

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Overview from the publisher of The Devil’s Cormorant

Behold the cormorant: silent, still, cruciform, and brooding; flashing, soaring, quick as a snake. Evolution has crafted the only creature on Earth that can migrate the length of a continent, dive and hunt deep underwater, perch comfortably on a branch or a wire, walk on land, climb up cliff faces, feed on thousands of different species, and live beside both fresh and salt water in a vast global range of temperatures and altitudes, often in close proximity to man. Long a symbol of gluttony, greed, bad luck, and evil, the cormorant has led a troubled existence in human history, myth, and literature. The birds have been prized as a source of mineral wealth in Peru, hunted to extinction in the Arctic, trained by the Japanese to catch fish, demonized by Milton in Paradise Lost, and reviled, despised, and exterminated by sport and commercial fishermen from Israel to Indianapolis, Toronto to Tierra del Fuego. In The Devil’s Cormorant, Richard King takes us back in time and around the world to show us the history, nature, ecology, and economy of the world’s most misunderstood waterfowl.

Become a Wine Expert: White Wine

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Savour Wine & Cheese ©Kim Smith 2013See last week’s GMG post for the first installment of “Become a Wine Expert.”

In this week’s “Become a Wine Expert,” Kathleen introduced us to the world of fine white wines. They are her favorites and she believes strongly that white wines will only gain in popularity, for both women and men, as people become increasingly more interested in fresh fish, vegetables, poultry, and pork. She showed us how to taste using the front, mid, and back of the palette, and by trying this technique you really do discover more about the complexities of the wine. It is also fun to do!

Savour Wine and Cheese -2©Kim Smith 2013.

Our first sample of the evening was Rainer Wess Wachauer Grüner Veltliner from Wachau, Austria ($18.99). We looked at the color of the wine by tilting the glass over a piece of white paper. A wine can show a range of hues from clear, sparkling bright white to golden yellow, and also cloudiness if the wine is unfiltered. It is logical that grapes grown in cooler climates are lower in sugar and higher in acidity because the growing season is shorter; the Grüner Veltliner from Wachau is no exception. Its color is clear and bright and Kathleen recommends pairing it with all kinds of veggies, including asparagus, which is not that easy to pair. With its name derived from Veltlin (Valtellina) in northern Italy, the Grüner Veltliner grape is believed to date back to Roman times

Savour Wine and Cheese ©Kim Smith 2013

Savour Wine and Cheese -3 ©Kim Smith 2013I found our next sample, La Monasesca Verdicchio di Matelica from Marches, Italy ($22.99), wonderfully enjoyable. Kathleen paired it with their very tasty Salame Gentile and she recommends it for a wide range of foods including nuts, cheese, antipasto, artichokes, and fish. She feels it is the very best wine to serve with lobster and showed us the beautiful Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva, bottled in a special type of bottle called the Empress. The Verdicchio grape is another ancient variety from Italy and is grown primarily in the Marches region of the central part of the country.

Savour Wine and Cheese -5 ©Kim Smith 2013. jpg

Our third tasting of the evening, Roaring Meg Pinot Gris from Mt. Difficulty Central Otago, New Zealand ($19.99), was also a favorite of the evening. I loved its effervescent, almost sparkling quality, and there is an apt term to describe wines that have this dancing quality; the actual term is “jazzy”! Kathleen cautions against inexpensive wines labeled Pinot Grigio, which are generally Franken one note wines made for the American market. Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are both made from Vitis vinifera; the gray-blue color of the grape lends its name to the grape (gris, meaning gray in French).

Savour Wine and Cheese -4 ©Kim Smith 2013.Judith, Megan, Tracey, and Don

The L’Oliveto Chardonnay from the Russian River, California ($19.99) was interesting and provided Kathleen an opportunity to talk about white Burgundies, which are also made from the Chardonnay grape. The Chardonnay grape is itself very neutral, with the many flavors associated with it derived from such influences as terrior and oak barrels. The Chardonnay grape is vinified in many different styles, from Chablis to Champagne, and is the second most widely planted grape worldwide.

Savour Wine and Cheese -6 ©Kim Smith 2013. jpgKathleen demonstrates the Rabbit, which is a handy gadget if you are having difficulty removing the cork.

The Clos Habert Chenin Blanc from Montlouis-sur-Loire, France ($26.99) was tasted next, and is Kathleen’s unabashed favorite; it is the wine she always keeps on hand. She paired it with Ewephoria smoked sheep’s milk cheese and the combination was fabulous. The Chenin Blanc grape is known for its ability to age well and has been cultivated in France for nearly 1300 years; official French documents mention Chenin Blanc as early as 845. Because they are organic, not filtered, and with no additives, Kathleen is a huge fan of wines from the Loire Valley and believes they are the best and purest in the world. Chenin Blancs are easily paired with a range of entrees including grilled chicken and roast pork.

Our last wine of the evening was Weingut Karl Jostock Piesporter Treppchen Riesling Spatlese from Mosel, Germany, which Kathleen paired with some out of this world bleu cheese, Cambozola Black Label Reserve. The Riesling grape originated in the Rhine region of Germany and it is used to make dry, sweet, and sparkling wines. Rieslings become more complex as they age, often taking on a golden honey color. Tracey, a fellow student, described the Piesporter Treppchen Riesling as having a honeysuckle quality, and I couldn’t have agreed more! There are many levels of sweetness in describing Rieslings; Spatlese is in the mid-range of sweetness, and as the grapes linger longer on the vine, their sweetness increases and becomes more concentrated.

“Become a Wine Expert” Series Taught by Kathleen Morgan

The “Become a Wine Expert” series of classes are held on five consecutive evenings, from 7:00 to 9:00, at Savour Wine and Cheese, located at 76 Prospect Street. Kathleen also  provides each student with a terrific reference notebook full of maps from every wine producing country and region, articles, recommended books and links, descriptions of wine varietals, an interesting wine aroma wheel for describing wines, and much more.