Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1201794
14 | OHCC LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020 | What happens at Wine Tasting Club tastings? The most important part is having volunteers to host the tasting, and volunteers to select a theme and present the wines for that month's theme. Sometimes both roles are filled by the same person(s). The group coordinator (each group has 25 to 35 people) publishes the theme via an email, and asks for people to pay their share via the group envelope at the Clubhouse. The tastings generally run $10 to $15 per person. A deadline is set a few days ahead of the tasting, so that the presenter will know approximately how many are coming and how much wine to purchase. (Inevitably, money comes in after the deadline!) On the evening of the tasting, the host and presenter and group coordinator meet a little ahead of time to make sure everything is in place. Each member is asked to bring an appetizer to share, and their own wine glass. This helps to minimize the workload for the host. Appetizers are widely varied – sometimes we see shrimp cocktail, meatballs, cheese plates, pizza, vegetarian appetizers, salads, etc. No bags of chips, please! Generally, some desserts are provided as well. If a group is really organized, they can make the effort to pair the wine with appropriate food. The theme can be anything. We could feature wines from a given country or region, US state, or just a particular valley. Usually the first pour, or 'welcome wine,' is something bubbly, like a Prosecco, a Champagne, or an American sparkling wine. Then we often serve tastes of one or two white wines, followed by several red wines. The presenter usually will talk about what we're having for a moment, either from experience or from notes obtained at the wine shop or from the web. The pours are usually measured, so that we can enjoy the different aromas and tastes. Later, you're free to have a larger pour of what you might have liked the best. We try to have a vote at each tasting, so the members can report back which wine they like the best. It's always a surprise! De gustibus non est disputandum. (There is no disputing taste.) The best part is the community and friendship we enjoy at each tasting. The OHCC Wine Tasting Club is open to all residents. We have monthly tastings in members' homes. Dues are $12/year. Wine Tasting Club