Vines That Bind

Recently, my good friend Jenn told me that she and her friend Becca were putting together a monthly wine club (think book club without the homework) for her girlfriends. So of course I told her to count me in!

We had our first meeting yesterday and it was a really great night. The group is called Vines That Bind, and it meets the first Monday of every month. Everyone brings a bottle of wine and something to nibble on that is consistent with that month's theme (he hostess selects the theme). If you are interesting in attending- just let me know. It’s a casual group of girls who want to learn about wine, eat some yummy appetizers and generally have a good time.



First of all, thank you to Jenn and Becca for organizing this group. Our first meeting turned out to be an evening filled with funny stories, a variety of interesting wines and good food.

The theme of the night was “wine that evokes a memory.” This was a great way to get to know the other members of the group and learn a little more about each of them.



I brought a 2008 Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes du Rhône La Dame Rousse (Rhône, France).


I brought this because I began to really enjoy and care about wine during our 2007 trip to France. While I had previously visited vineyards and had a rudimentary knowledge of wine and wine making, it was this trip that really sealed the deal for me. Many people speak about their “ah-ha moment”- a special bottle or place that opened their eyes to appreciating wine, I guess this was mine.



David and I spent two amazing weeks enjoying the Rivera and Rhône. One of the biggest surprises (for me anyway) was rose wine. NOT to be confused with that other pink wine, Rose wines can be versatile, inexpensive and delicious.

In addition to my bottle, I really enjoyed one of the wines brought by another member of the grup, a 2005 ZD Wines Chardonnay (Napa Valley, California).


It was smooth, buttery and floral without too much oak. Totally my style, totally something I will drink again.



Although the theme of the night did not lend itself to comparing the characteristics of the wines, it did serve as a fantastic was to get to know the other girls in the group. As each member told their story about the memory associated with the bottle they brought, I got a chance to learn more about them.

The two hours flew by, and at the end of the evening, Jenn announced that our next gathering will be at her place in Woodley Park. The theme is going to be 'local wines' and I can’t wait!

חג שמח - Chag Sameyach

Happy Passover everyone!



Since the seders were right in the middle of the work week this year, we stayed local for Passover. We went to Fara and Hunter's home for the first night and hosted the second night at our place. David spent several days chopping, slicing, peeling, roasting, braising and sauteing his many sauces, soups and sides. His hard work paid off- everything was delicious (which is good because we will be eating the leftovers for the next several days)!


The chef hard at work.


My contribution to the evening- the Seder plate.

We were joined by my college friends Jenn, Brooke and Brian as well as my colleagues Michelle, Rosemary, Ross and his daughter Layla. While my seders will probably never be as complete or as traditional as the ones I grew up participating in, we did our best to replicate the traditions near and dear to our hearts. We lit candles, said blessings over cups of wine, told the story of the exodus, asked the four questions, discussed the four sons, remembered the plagues, sang Dayenu, Adir Hu and Chad Gadya, opened the door for Elijah and of course, concluded with L'shanah haba'ah b'Yerushalayim! (next year in Jerusalem)


candles



At their setting, everyone got a Haggadah, a plague mask and prop as well as a reminder of what we can (and cannot) eat on this holiday.




Our seder guests.

One thing I must mention about our thoughtful guests is that they brought some fantastic Kosher for Passover wines. Boy has this aspect of the holiday come a long way. Gone are the days of Manischewitz or nada. We didnt get to all of them, but last night we drank....


Noah Tevel Shiraz Cabernet: Grown in the Bet Shemesh Valley in the Judean Hills, this Shiraz-Cabernet is 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

2003 Chateau Jaumard Bordeaux: This is from Salignac, just north of Libourne.

Golan Sion Creek Red '07: Grown in the Galilee, this is the most northern (and generally considered the best)appellation in Israel.


No Jewish holiday is complete without matzoh ball soup. David worked on this for days.

I'd also like to thank Brooke and Ross for bringing delicious desserts. I'm sorry I did not take more pictures of them. I did however, take a lot of pictures on the first night of Seder at the Golds. Here is one of Marin and David. Marin did a fantastic job of asking the four questions and Hunter and Fara made a fantastic meal.