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Call for New Member Ambassadors
Imagine walking into a room of over 100 people and not knowing a single person. It sounds a little daunting! That is currently what happens when a new member attends his or her first Wine Society event. What if that new member knew at least one or two other people in the room? Does that…
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A Vintner’s Irreverent Musings
Differences between Commercial and Homemade Wine I am an artist and a lover of wine. A known contrarian. And after years of creating scores of wines of different varietals, an award-winning home winemaker. Let us get the foundation of my experience straight, right off the bat. Establish my perspective so to speak. I’ve been asked…
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President’s Message
Fred Heinecke This is the season for the OC Fair Wine competitions. The Commercial Competition took place May 30 and 31 at the Costa Mesa Hilton. The 50th annual was the big event and a big success. The Commercial Wine Competition Committee always strives for, and each year seems to raise, the bar for the…
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Mini-Tasting Results
The Results Are In Last month, we hosted an engaging Mini Tasting focused on the diverse terroir of Paso Robles, specifically comparing wines from the West and East sides of the Salinas River. The event showcased a range of varietals, from crisp Sauvignon Blancs and buttery Chardonnays, to robust Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignons. Attendees explored how…
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CHEF OF THE EVENING
CHICKEN PARMESAN SERVED AT MINI-TASTING – Shelley Cohen Ingredients 2 Packages of chicken thighs (can use breasts but not as moist) All purpose flour 3 large eggs – sometimes more Italian seasoned bread crumbs Parmesan cheese 3 TBL chopped fresh parsley 1 ½ tsp salt (divided) ¾ tsp black pepper (divided) Olive…
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Home Wine Competition Volunteers Needed
It’s almost time for the 50th annual OC Fair Home Wine Competition. It is organized and sponsored by the OCWS Winemakers Group. We need your help to make it a success. The competition is on Saturday, June 6 at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. It’s a one-day event and runs from…
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Wine Wisdom
50 Years and Counting A lot happened 50 years ago. Fifty years ago, we celebrated America’s bicentennial. Fifty years ago, Apple Computer and Microsoft were incorporated. Fifty years ago, the first Rocky movie was released and Nadia Comaneci scored the first ever perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastics’ competition. And fifty years ago, Orange County…
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Photo of the Month Winner
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCETami Stancil shot this photo of a wine press from 1767 at Marksburg Castle in Braubach, Germany. Photo Contest & Event Photos June is here, summer is settling in, and wine season is in full swing! Long evenings, backyard gatherings, beach sunsets, concerts, cookouts, and vineyard adventures—there are so many perfect moments to raise…
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Behind the Scenes of the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition
By Fran Gitsham, Commercial Wine Competition Chair Who could have imagined 50 years ago that, for the love of wine, the world’s largest California-only wine competition was being born? The OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition is now celebrating its golden anniversary. From the outside, the competition seems to run flawlessly, however, it is the workings…
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