Back from the American Wine Society Conference!

We are back from the conference that took place in Sandestin, FL.  Those who left immediately after the conference on Sunday morning got out before concerns about Hurricane Ida, later tropical storm Ida, came into play.  We, on the other hand, had made plans to stay till the following Wednesday.  As it turned out, while the weather was not nice, that area of Florida was not hit nearly as badly as Georgia and North Carolina.  It was misty rain and high winds the whole time but that was it.  When we got home, there was almost 5 inches of rain in our rain gauge here in NC.

The sessions at the conference were quite good.  We attended both Lodi sessions, one being all zinfandels (at 9:00 a.m. in the morning...nothing like a little breakfast wine!).  The other was a session on Lodi white wines.  It was spectacular and I plan to post the information here soon.  They are making some great wines from some of the more uncommon grape varieties.  More on sessions coming up.

 To those of you long time friends who could not make it this year, you were missed.  For those who have never attended, you are missing something very special.  There is something very unique about this group of wine lovers....they not only share the love of wine, but also love life and meeting new friends.  Consider coming next year to join us.  The location has not been set yet but it is rumored that it will be in the Northeast.  I guarantee that, while you may come as a newbie, you will leave with a host of new friends that will last a lifetime.  The educational opportunities alone are worth your attending, but the pure enjoyment is like no other.  In addition, it is an opportunity to meet some very special and well known people in the wine industry that you would never have an opportunity to see face to face anywhere else.

As soon as I find out the location and dates, I will post them so you will have plenty of time to make your plans for Novmber, 2010.