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The Wine Century Club Turns 5!
Friday, April 16th, 2010

We’re now 721 members strong and growing! Included in this number are 24 Doppel Members and one Treble Member.

This year, we’re again going to celebrate online (and in local groups in) recognition of the international nature of the club. With a little diligence, focus and graptitute we should be able to make short work of last year’s formidable number of 159 grape varieties collectively consumed.

Wherever you may be, please raise a glass of something interesting and delicious on May 8th in honor of the club and the glory that is you. And if at all possible please post a short note about the wine you had in the notes below or on Twitter using hashtag #wine100. The note can be as simple as the name of the wine and its grape variety(ies).

There are also several meet-ups organized or being organized that you may want to join:

New York City:
Snooth.com Headquarters
a BYOB party from 4:30-7 pm May 8th (note new time)
Snooth, Inc.
162 Madison Ave, Floor 4
New York, NY 10016
rsvp: Constance Chamberlain constance_chamberlain @ comcast.net

Kansas City, Missouri
Wines by Jennifer Wine Garden
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM May 8th
405 Main Street
Parkville, Missouri 64152
RSVP: Don and Jennifer Stanton 816.505.WINE

Washington, DC
Washington Wine Academy
Tasting of 25 Uncommon Varietals
May 8th 7-9PM
$36.50
1201 South Eads, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22202
contact: Alex @ WashingtonWineAcademy.org

Redwood City, CA (SF Bay Area)
Savvy Cellar
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM May 8th
2048 Broadway Street
Redwood City, CA
RSVP: Marni Rubin marnirubinwines @ ymail.com

Hendersonville, NC
Blue Water Seafood and Wine Cellar
532 Kanuga Road,
Hendersonville, NC
May 8th
BYOB w/ $15.00 cover.
RSVP: 828.697.0503 Keith Dalbec kpdalbec @ morrisbb.net

Milton, DE
Oak Creek Wine and Spirits
28266 Lewes Georgetown Highway
Milton, DE
May 8th 4 to 7 p.m
Wine Tasting and Membership Drive! Our goal is to sign up 50 new future members!
RSVP: 302-684-2929 Bernie Knowllinger

San Antonio, TX
Wine 101
14743 Old Bandera Road
Helotes, TX 78023, United States
(210) 372-9002
May 8th 7 p.m
$10 plus the cost of the wine you drink
RSVP: 302-684-2929 fahnert @ aol.com

Columbus, OH
Tutto Vino
Wine Cellar & Bistro
7178 Muirfield Drive
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Saturday, May 8
5:00 pm to 8 pm
$30 per person plus the cost of the wine you drink
RSVP: 614/799.9222 molly @ tutto-vino.com

Hong Kong
Tastings Wine Bar
May 8th 18h00
RSVP JC Viens jcviens @ grandepassione.com

London
The Ultimate Wine Company Tasting
contact: paula @ ultimatewines.co.uk

This page will be continuously updated with the latest event information – if you have updated info, please contact Steve De Long steve@winecentury.com


Posted in Events, Meet up
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Great Wine Dinners in New York City
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Members Michael Gitter and Ben Schmerler have helped organize three amazing dinners at three of the world’s greatest restaurants for California Wine Month.  These are not Wine Century Club events but if you’re in New York City Sept. 15th, they’re definitely worth attending.

 

California Wine Dinners at Union Square Hospitality Group Restaurants in NYC

Join representatives from eight different California wine regions on the evening of Tuesday, September 15th in New York City for one of these exciting wine dinners, all held at highly-regarded Danny Meyer restaurants. Learn about regions you know and love—as well as winegrowing areas that may be new to you. Enjoy great California wines paired with phenomenal food and hear from the vintners themselves. Reserve now, as these intimate dinners will sell out fast.

The Modern
Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 PM
The wines of Napa Valley, Mendocino, Amador County, and Lodi
Four courses (including a California cheese course)
Nine wines
$150 per person (not including tax and tip)
Address: The Museum of Modern Art, 9 West 53rd Street (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.) NYC
Reservations: Call 212-408-6645
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MENU AND WINES

Eleven Madison Park
Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 PM
The wines of Sonoma County and Santa Barbara
Three courses (including a California cheese course)
Eight wines
$130 per person (not including tax and tip)
Address: 11 Madison Ave. (at 24th St.) NYC
Reservations: Call 646-747-2583
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MENU AND WINES

Tabla
Tuesday, September 15, 7:30 PM
The wines of Paso Robles and Monterey
Three courses (including a California cheese course)
Eight wines
$110 per person (not including tax and tip)
Address: 11 Madison Ave. (at 25th St.) NYC
Reservations: Call 212-889-0667
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MENU AND WINES


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The Official WCC Motto T Shirt
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

First it was a way of life, then a motto and now. . . .
a T SHIRT.

Veni Vino Vici T Shirt

Veni Vino Vici T Shirt


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Wine Century Club in the Wine Country Minute
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

We’re honored to be the 100th article for the Wine Country Minute.

The Wine Country Minute is published 3 times a week and only takes a minute to read! Check it out!


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Another Reason to Wear Your Official Tastevin
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Fellow Centurian Hardy Wallace wore his OFFICIAL WINE CENTURY CLUB TASTEVIN in an video interview for a cushy marketing position at Murphy Goode Winery.  He got the job over 1,700 other applicants!  CONGRATULATIONS, HARDY!

He’s obviously a talented and funny guy, but we like to think that the talismanic properties of the tastevin propelled him to victory!

Remember, it can work the other way:  member Randy Boyles lost his OFFICIAL TASTEVIN last May.  Ten minutes later, he caught gingivitis from a chewable toothbrush purchased from a vending machine at Detroit Metro Airport.1 Don’t let this happen to you.
1This is a dramatization based on a true story. The names and facts have been changed to protect the innocent.


Posted in Press, Uncategorized
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159 Varieties in a Night
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

The final count is in:  worldwide we tried 159 different grape varieties last Thursday.  Thank you to everyone who participated in our 4th Birthday International Tasting Extravaganza – it was a big success and could potentially be much bigger next year.

wcc4thlondon

London, England
Paula Sindberg hosted an incredible tasting of 12 obscure Swiss varieties: Gwass, Resi, Himbertscha, Humagne Blanche, Amigne de Vetroz, Lafnetscha, Petite Arvine, Heida, Eyholzer Roter, Humagne Rouge, Gamaret and Cornalin! Ted Lekas was able to grace us with his presence all the way from Greece.

wcc4thohio

Miami, Ohio, USA
Charter Member John Keegan hosted a big party that netted 10% of the grapes on the list.

kent-max

Minneapolis
Kent Benson drinking with Max Riedel. No unusual varieties tasted but Kent convinced the Riedel company to make a dedicated glass for Susumaniello. (word just in: the Susumaniello part is a complete fabrication.)

Thanks again to everyone who participated. If you have a photo from that night that you would like to share, please send it to me at steve@winecentury.com.


Posted in Events, Rare Grape Spotting
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4th Birthday International Tasting Extravaganza
Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Running Grape Variety Count (tasted today by members worldwide):

159!

Varieties tasted so far (in order of appearance):

  1. Viura (synonym: Macabeo)
  2. Malvasia (synonym: Malvasia Fina)
  3. Grenache Blanc
  4. Chambourcin
  5. Tinta Roriz (synonym: Tempranillo)
  6. Touriga Franca
  7. Touriga Nacional
  8. Malvasia Istria
  9. Refosk (synonyms: Terlano, Teran)
  10. Cabernet Sauvignon
  11. Merlot 10:40 AM EST
  12. Coda di Volpe
  13. Regent
  14. Negroamaro
  15. Primitivo (synonym: Zinfandel)
  16. Freisa
  17. Feteasca
  18. Babich
  19. Lasin
  20. Plavina
  21. Codega
  22. Rabigato
  23. Donzelinno
  24. Viosinho
  25. Arinto
  26. Falanghina
  27. Vermentino di Sardegna
  28. Trebbiano
  29. Grechetto
  30. Montepulciano
  31. Cannonau di Sardegna (synonyms: Grenache, Garnacha)
  32. Nero d’Avola
  33. Sagrantino
  34. Incrocio Manzoni
  35. Susumaniello
  36. Riesling
  37. Sauvignon Blanc 2:23 PM EST
  38. Grignolino
  39. Malbec
  40. Norton
  41. Syrah
  42. Verdelho
  43. Chenin Blanc
  44. Tinta Cao
  45. Tinta Amarella
  46. Petit Verdot
  47. Petite Sirah
  48. Gwass
  49. Resi
  50. Himbertscha
  51. Humagne Blanche
  52. Amigne de Vetroz
  53. Lafnetscha
  54. Petite Arvine
  55. Heida
  56. Eyholzer Roter
  57. Humagne Rouge
  58. Gamaret
  59. Cornalin
  60. Koshu
  61. Picpoul (syn: Folle Blanche)
  62. Prosecco
  63. Tocai Friulano
  64. Verdicchia Nera
  65. Moscato
  66. Nebbiolo
  67. Treixadura (syn: Trajadura)
  68. Godello
  69. Loureira (syn: Loureiro)
  70. St. Laurent
  71. Cinsault
  72. Viognier
  73. Negrette
  74. Gruener Veltliner
  75. Vidal Blanc
  76. Assyrtiko
  77. Garganega
  78. Rousanne
  79. Marsanne
  80. Pinotage
  81. Albarino
  82. Pinot Noir 7:56 PM EST
  83. Müller-Thurgau
  84. Feteasca Regala
  85. Dragon Eye (aka Longyan, a native Chinese varietal)
  86. White Feather (aka Baiyu, aka Rkatsiteli)
  87. Vignoles
  88. Muscat Canelli
  89. Chardonnay 9:22 PM EST
  90. Gamay
  91. Mourvedre
  92. Cabernet Franc
  93. Aglianico
  94. Pinot Meunier
  95. Carignane (syn: Carignan)
  96. Prieto Picudo
  97. Vilana
  98. Graciano DING DING DING DING!!!!!! Lori puts us over the top at 10:35 PM EST
  99. Mazuelo
  100. Arinto
  101. Moschofilero
  102. Harslevelu
  103. Kekfrankos (syn: Blaufrankisch)
  104. Corvina
  105. Covinone
  106. Tinta Negra Mole
  107. Bukettraube
  108. Semillon
  109. Muscadelle
  110. Grapello
  111. Marzemino
  112. Barbera
  113. Procanico
  114. Trincadeira
  115. Aragones
  116. Souzo
  117. Alicante Bouschet
  118. Pinot Gris
  119. Airen
  120. Palomino
  121. Pedro Ximenez
  122. Mavrodaphne
  123. Xynomavro,
  124. Agiorgitiko,
  125. Carmenere
  126. Tannat
  127. Pecorino
  128. Rondinella
  129. Molinara
  130. Marselan
  131. Auxerrois (the white one and not a synonym for Malbec)
  132. Gaglioppo
  133. Bosco
  134. Albarola
  135. Parellada
  136. Xarel-lo
  137. Lagrein
  138. Traminette
  139. Edelweiss
  140. Vespolina
  141. Dornfelder
  142. Neuberger
  143. Bastardo
  144. Mencia
  145. Zammarica
  146. Verdello Tinta
  147. Serodio Tinta
  148. Welschriesling
  149. Romorantin
  150. Obaideh
  151. St. Pepin
  152. Insolia
  153. Teroldego
  154. Torrontés
  155. Symphony
  156. Sangiovese
  157. Savagnin
  158. Poulsard
  159. Trousseau

Ygay Gran Reserva Blanco 1998

Deborah and I have kicked off the our 4th Birthday today in London with a 1998 Marques de Murrieta YGAY Rioja Gran Reserva Blanco, a traditionally styled white Rioja. A slightly sherryfied, golden-hued, nutty, complex and delicious wine. It also scored us 3 grape varieties: Viura (synonym: Macabeo) 90%, Malvasia (synonym: Malvasia Fina) 5%, Grenache Blanc 5%.

This evening we’re going to join Paula Sindberg at her giant Swiss wine tasting. We’ll be toasting the anniversary there with Heida (Païen), Cornalin, Resi, Lafnetscha, Gamaret, and Gwäss (obscure Swiss grape varieties!).

Members please mention the wines(s) you’ve tasted today in the comments below. Don’t forget to list the grape varieties in each wine – no matter how small a percentage – so we can update the running total above.


Posted in Events, Press, Rare Grape Spotting, Uncategorized
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The Wine Century Club Turns 4!
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

4th Birthday

We’re now 590 members strong and growing!

This year, instead of our annual shindig in New York City, we’re going to celebrate online in recognition of the international nature of the club (not to mention the massive global financial meltdown).

Wherever you may be, please raise a glass of something interesting and delicious on May 7th in honor of the club and the glory that is you.  Bask in grapeness, recite the sacred oath and if at all possible please post a short note about the wine you had here.  The note can be as simple as the name of the wine and its grape variety(ies).

It would be amazing if we could collectively taste 100 or more different grape varieties that day.  It would be more amazing if we could taste over 200 in honor of the newly minted Doppel Members.

If you happen to be in London, England on May 7th, please join me, Deborah De Long and Paula Sindberg at Paula’s giant Swiss wine tasting. We’ll be toasting the anniversary with Heida (Païen), Cornalin, Resi, Lafnetscha, Gamaret, and Gwäss(yes, these are grape varieties!).  To sign up, please contact Paula.

Swiss Wines – Grape Varieties You’ve NEVER Heard Of
Date – 7 May 2009 (Thursday)
Venue – Bacchus & Comus, 57 Pelham Street (private home), London SW7 2NJ
Time – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Cost – £40/person – sorry but Swiss wines are expensive!

This tasting will feature 12 (!!) unique grape varieties that you’ve probably have never heard of so it’s a real opportunity to add to your grape variety “life list”.
All these wines are rare and seldom made anywhere, even in Switzerland. Most are from the Valais, that beautiful valley along which the Rhône River flows on the way from to Zermatt. The tiny producers here make some outstanding wines. The wines aren’t cheap but, then, what is in Switzerland. So to experience the pleasures of Heida (Païen), Cornalin, Resi, Lafnetscha, Gamaret, and Gwäss, among others, join us on 7 May. Book & pay in advance to secure your place.


Posted in Meet up, Rare Grape Spotting, Uncategorized
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Wine Century Club’s Williamsburg Chapter-“Wine Cellar 100” enjoys first wine tasting dinner
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

wine-cellar-100-members-dinner-3909

Three years ago, 3 Williamsburg area wine enthusiasts decided to organize the Williamsburg area chapter –Wine Cellar 100 of the Wine Century Club (W.C.C.) This Club’s mission is to encourage members to go well beyond the popular grape varietals such as Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, etc to Catarratto, Malvasia, Cseizegi Fuszeres, Rodinella and beyond. In fact Italy, which boasts  3000 years of winemaking and some 2000 grape varieties, provides a fertile country to expand one wine varietals “count”.

The Wine Century Club was founded in New York City by Steve De Long  in early 2005 to encourage all wine drinkers to expand their wine drinking horizon by seeking out unusual grape varieties—“ The W.C.C. is for all adventurous wine lovers. If you have tasted at least 100 grape varieties, you are qualified to become a member by completing a checklist available at www.winecentury.com

In early 2006, the 3 Williamsburg area wine enthusiasts – Heather Dunn, Bill Bean and Paul Luchsinger formed the Wine Cellar 100 chapter at the WINE SELLER in Monticello Marketplace with each new member completing the W.C.C. checklist with 100 or more grape varieties. Since that beginning, the local chapter has gained more than 20 members in the Historic Triangle area while worldwide the W.C.C. has grown to over 500 members. The state of Virginia has 45 members and leads the U.S. in membership by state (yes—even more members than New York or California!). It should be noted that only 3% all applicants who seek an application form submit a completed form with a minimum of 100 grape varieties.

Hence, it was only natural that the Wine Cellar 100 club should choose an Italian restaurant in Williamsburg that could supply a special requested list of wines for the wine tasting dinner. The scene was the new Italian restaurant “Francesco’s” on Richmond Road where 18 members and spouses gathered to taste 9 different wines representing unusual grape varieties from 6 Italian wine regions. Wine Century Club member Dusty Kennedy of Williamsburg discussed the special white wine features of  Vernaccia from Tuscany, a blend of Ansonia/ catarratto from Sicily, and Fiano from Sicily. Among the red wine grapes were Aglianico from Campania, Dolcetto from Piedmont, Nero d’Avola from Sicily, Primitivo from Puglia and finally a special blend of Cannonau and Cabernet Sauvignon from Sardinia. It was a great evening of “wine touring “ and most members added 2-3 new grape varieties to their list.

andy-engel-with-doppel-award

After the special tiramisu dessert was served by Chef Francesco, it was time for a group photo and a special presentation for wine tasting accomplishment. W.C.C. member Andy Engel of Grafton, Va. was presented with the “DOPPEL MEMBER” recognition for reaching the level of 200 grape varieties tasted (Doppel meaning double in German or 2 times the minimum requirement for becoming a member of the Wine Century Club)


Posted in Events, Local Chapters
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Enter the Doppel Members
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

doppel-seal

Ooooo, seeing double double, double vision
Ooooo, oh my double vision
Ooooo, double vision
Yeah-ah, I get double vision, ooooo . . .

-Foreigner1

In some members’ quest for grapeness, 100 varieties is just not enough.  There is  now a new level of recognition: Doppel Members.  For the non-Teutonic, doppel is German for double, so these members have tried at least 200 different grape varieties.  I hope this doesn’t discourage aspiring members on their quest for 100 but the wine geek species must evolve! Or at least mutate!

nickhendrixdocument

The idea to introduce this new level of membership was presented to me last year by member Nick Hendrix.  He sent  in the most extensively documented application in the history of The Wine Century Club.  He can rest assured that Bacchus will not curse his palate!  All hail Nick, the first officially recognized Doppel Member!

doppelmember1

If you’ve tasted 200 grape varieties and would also like to be recognized as a Doppel Member, please send your updated list to steve@winecentury.com. An armed courier will be dispatched with your Doppel Certificate ASAP.

1Late 70′s power-ballad hair band


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