JUNE 2022
Event Report: Identifying One Varietal Wines at 801 Chophouse Upcoming Events
What’s New
Our April 3rd event at 801 Chophouse was different in that we got to do a blind tasting of wines that many times are blending wines. Okay, maybe you had 100% Syrah before, but how about 100% Carménère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc? Identification was not as easy as one would think. You had to identify wines that are typically blended with other grapes that have a different flavor profile. But this is why you joined a wine club, right? To go out of your wine comfort zone and try something different. And perhaps learn something in the process. In your email, a PDF will be sent along with the issuu.com link. The advantage of issuu.com is that you can see both right and left pages, like a paper magazine. Our PDF only lets you view one page at a time.
You can also access the Branch Recipe file by clicking: https://issuu.com/omahapublications/docs/iwfs_cb_council_bluffs_recipes.
Lord, give me coffee for the things I can change and Wine to accept the things I can’t.
Identifying One Varietal Wines at 801 Chophouse
Written by Tom Murnan, Photos by Tom Murnan & Wayne Markus
We have had blind tastings during events for a long time, but I have to say I don’t recall trying to identify one grape varietal wines throughout the whole tasting. This was the brainchild of Patti Hipple, who planned our event. Our four varietals were Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Carménère. Except perhaps for Syrah, most of the other three wines are usually blended with other varietals. Even Syrah can have Grenache and or Mouvedre blended into the mix, which is pretty common. Our only assist, besides knowing the 4 varietals, were the winemakers’ notes. A game of last person standing was played after given 20 minutes to discern what you had in your glasses. It proved to be more difficult than first thought. If you got one wrong, that meant you got two wrong. Only Tabitha Thrasher and Ann Sullivan got all 4 correct. Nice job ladies. During COVID, 801 Chophouse used to let us have a Sunday event on the main floor. Evidently business has picked up and were squeezed into their wine/party room. At 36 attendees we were pretty packed together. A Charcuterie board with three kinds of cheeses, nuts, cured meats and baguette toast was served during quaffing. Baked Escargot covered with Havarti cheese was our first course, Tagliatelle Pasta with Manchego Cheese Sauce came next, and for the Third Course you had a choice of Prime Filet Mignon or Prime New York Strip, both with Cognac Butter as the sauce. All the wines matched well. Thanks to Patti Hipple who executed a great wine theme, and Steve Hipple who helped pour the blind tasting and moved all the bottles from the cellar.
2022
UPCOMING COUNCIL BLUFFS BRANCH EVENTS
JUNE
AU COURANT REGIONAL KITCHEN
JULY
PITCH DUNDEE
12 10 21 11 AUG
SEP
Joint Event with the Omaha Branch Burgundy vs. Pinot Noir Event Producer: Tom Murnan
Rosé All Day theme Sit Down Rosé tasting Event Producers A. Harrington and J. Matthews
402 EAT + DRINK
Theme TBD Event Producers: Dave & Tabitha Thrasher
OAK HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
Dry Aged vs. Non-Dry Aged Ribeye Event Producers Brent Rasmussen & Susan Rauth and Amanda Harrington & John Matthews
HOSTING AN EVENT?
Let us know when, where and a little bit about what’s going on! We would love to include YOUR event on the calendar! Email details to: iwfs.councilbluffs@yahoo.com