At the October 15, 2009 wine class, we returned to some basic concepts — oakiness and tannin. For oakiness we crossed continents to compare a white French burgundy, a 2008 Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay (13% alcohol), which should have little oak flavor, with a new style California chardonnay, 2006 Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay (14.1% alcohol), that should be bursting with oak. Here’s how we fared.
We found that the two whites looked very much alike, although we thought the second one was a bit golder in color. When we got to the smell though, the second had more notes of wood and wet wool. It seemed a bit grassy, while the first one smelled fruitier. When we got to the taste, we had a harder time distinguishing. The first wine tasted drier and lighter to some although others thought it grabbed the tongue more and had a stronger flavor. Some thought the second wine was an oak monster with a more insolent taste (a la teenager), even though it had a clean finish. Others thought it had a more pleasurable mouth feel. Well despite the descriptions people came up with, more members of the class chose the first wine as the oaky one, but they were wrong. It was the Laforet. The second wine was the Beringer. Thankfully, one of our member would happily drink either at a cocktail party. (more…)
Think we can turn an old Victorian Mansion into …. a Haunted Mansion? You bet we can! Adorn yourself in your Macabre finest and join us at the clubhouse where its rumored that our long ago deceased members will also be converging for a reunion of the spirits.
The date of the next book club meeting has been changed from Friday October 16 to October 23rd. The book remains Foolscap by Michael Malone.
About the book:
Embarrassed by his past, Theo Ryan, professor of Renaissance drama, tries to hide the fact that he is the child of “show-biz”‘ parents. He literally and figuratively pursues his own play, Foolscap , when the only copy of his script is stolen by Ford Rexford, American playwright and international scoundrel. As Theo tries to retrieve his masterpiece, he travels to England where he meets the famous and eccentric scholar, Dame Winifred Throckmorton, as well as the equally bizarre Jones Marsh. The novel satirizes the worlds of academe, the theater, and the English privileged class. It is an inviting blend of character study, intrigue, and theater lore. It’s a book for those interested in writing, theater, or having a good laugh.. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
For the first time in years, the Club is opening its doors for Thanksgiving. Join fellow members of the Montauk Club on Thursday, November 26, 2009 for a full Thanksgiving meal. Whether you’re arriving alone or with friends, you will find the dining hall filled with friendly faces all sitting down together at the same time for the feast. The Board Room has already been booked and filled, but the main dining room is still accepting reservations. Don’t delay, make your plans with the club and RSVP ASAP!
$35.00 per person
Includes appetizers and dinner with all of your traditional holiday fixings. Passed hors d’oeuvres 3PM; Seating at 4PM.
Reservations must be made before Sunday, November 15
Cancellations post November 20 are non-refundable
Menu:
Passed hors d’oeuvres:
House made ricotta bruschetta, hazelnuts &honey
Smoked Trout fritters and horseradish aioli
Pigs in a blanket
Dinner:
Options for starters: Soup or Salad; with raisin/cranberry bread
Options for main course: Turkey or Honey Glazed Ham or Striped Bass
On the third Thursday of each month join the communal table of fellow wine enthusiasts as they make their way through the wine world using “Great Wine Made Simple” by Andrea Immer Robinson as their guide.
First published in 2000, Great Wine Made Simple established Andrea Immer Robinson as America’s favorite wine writer. Avoiding the traditional and confusingly vague wine language of “bouquet” and “nose,” and instead discussing wine in commonsense terms, the book launched Andrea’s career as a wine authority without pretense. One of only fourteen women in the world to qualify as a Master Sommelier,she is the Dean of Wine Studies at the French Culinary Institute in New York City, and was named James Beard Foundation Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year in 2002.
Continue the tradition that Bavarian King, Max Joseph began in 1810 with the celebration of great beer and great food. Wear your favorite hat, clink giant beer steins and listen to the sounds of Bavarian music permeating our grand dining room while you munch on warm pretzels and mustard. Did we mention the beer? …we’ll have plenty on hand for even the greatest chuggers among us!
The evening of Edgar Allan Poe with readings from Poe: 19 New Tales Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, was a success by every account. The reading took place at 8 PM, September 25, 2009 and was attended by MC members and invited guests from the literary community. You can read blog accounts by Nick Kaufman and Hellnotes.com and view the sideshow below. [note: if you missed this fantastic event keep an eye out on our events page for future readings ]
The club will screen the award winning documentary “Harvard Beats Yale 29-29″ (2008) in the Board Room. It is the story about a game the likes of which were never seen before and will probably never be seen again – the 1968 game between Harvard and Yale that Harvard won by a score of 29 to 29. It is absolutely hilarious and suspenseful and features among others (interviewed in the present day) Tommy Lee Jones, who played for Harvard. As an added bonus join several of our Club members who were actually there in person to witness this amazing sports event at the screening.
