To match the hot summer weather in Lodi, our Chapter commenced the second half of the year with a scorching hot KOV Wine Club event at Heaven’s Gate Vineyard. Owner, Knight, and Master Administrative Officer Mike Johnston led a thirsty crowd through a spirited tasting, including a trek to the wine barrel room where the barrels are serenaded by the soothing tones of Gregorian Chants. After that, and many tastes of Mike’s fantastic wines, the crowd was indeed laid back and chilling!
In August we gathered poolside at Master Commander MacKay’s house for a “Grill and Swill Wine Social”. This summer event has become something of a tradition, with attendees bringing a side dish and wine to share, and the Chapter providing the famous California specialty – grilled tri-tip. The buffet table was stuffed to the max, and there was a constant buzz around the wine bar. Suffice it to say that nobody left hungry or thirsty.
September saw the Chapter returning to Lodi Crush for a tasting of Jennery Family Wines. Knight Jeff Jenner led us through a vertical tasting of zinfandels, from 2013 to 2020. It was fascinating and educational to see the differences in the wines, partly due to the conditions of the vintage and partly due to their varied ages. The attending Knights brought wonderful appetizers, and unlike our first visit to Lodi Crush in March, the weather was perfect.
October was a laid back event at the Commander’s house for an outdoor screening of “Bottle Shock”, the Hollywood version of the events leading up to the Judgement in Paris in 1976. The movie of course has all kinds of great wine references and scenes from Napa Valley, but it is Alan Rickman’s performance as Steven Spurrier that truly makes it worth watching. A group of diehard wine movie buffs (believe it or not, in October it gets a bit chilly after dark in Lodi) gathered on the pool deck and enjoyed the movie on the big(gish) screen while drinking some appropriate wines. Sadly there was no 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay!
Our November event was an “introduction to wine sensory evaluation” followed by a BYOW social event. Commander MacKay led the group through the basics of evaluating appearance, aroma and palate characteristics utilizing a standardized process. Particularly educational was an evaluation of 3 samples of the same Chardonnay with adjusted acidity levels, and 3 samples of the same Cabernet Sauvignon with adjusted tannin levels. The purpose of this exercise was to practice evaluating the acidity and tannin levels (sourness and astringency) of a wine’s palate, but of great interest was the impact of the acidity and tannin changes on the flavor profile. It was not readily apparent to the group that the samples were from the same base wine – in fact, most thought they were completely different wines. A very interesting and eye opening experience. And of course, after the introduction everyone had an opportunity to practice their new skills at the wine bar! December is the holiday season, and as in previous years Commander MacKay continued the tradition established by Master Commander Emeritus Ken Levy of hosting the Commander’s Holiday Party. Gordon and Annette welcomed approximately 50 Knights and guests that were all full of holiday spirit. The weather was beautiful, unlike the severe storm of the previous year, and the group.