Month July 2014

What I’m Drinking 1686 B.C.

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Photo Courtesy: E. H. Cline G.W.U.

Photo Courtesy: E. H. Cline G.W.U.

I have often asked my friends if they thought the quality of wines produced now have improved with the advent of modern technology or if the wines of centuries ago made by monks and kings were superior.  Since the ancient wines have disappeared long ago we can only speculate on their taste profiles.  With the discovery of a Canaanite palace in Israel we now have a glimpse into the chemical composition of ceremonial wines reserved for the select few within the palace walls.  The findings of a team from George Washington University suggests through careful lab analysis that a sophisticated process was used in the production of the wine that once filled the 40 thirteen gallon ceramic jars found.  Signs of a wine that was blended with honey, mint, cedar, tree resin and cinnamon bark were found in the jars although no liquid remained.  A program of quality control must have been followed because the results remained consistent for all 40 vessels tested.  This discovery sheds new light on the development of winemaking in Canaan, which then spread to Egypt and across the Mediterranean.  This finding also vindicates my opinion that wine should be enjoyed now and not be saved for some special occasion because look at what happened in Canaan.  What a waste of good wine!

Beausoleil at SummerSounds

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Beausoleil on stage at SummerSounds in Greensburg, Pa

Beausoleil on stage at SummerSounds in Greensburg, Pa

     The legendary band Beausoleil came to Greensburg, Pennsylvania Friday night bringing with them the true spirit and sound of the Louisiana low country.  Their SummerSounds performance on the Robertshaw Amphitheater in St.Clair Park conjured up the feeling of being out in the parish at a Creole festival somewhere way back in the bayou.  As the band played selections that ranged from Cajun, zydeco, jazz, bluegrass and swamp pop you could almost smell the shrimp and crawdads boiling!  Being north of the Mason-Dixon Line clearly confused fiddler/vocalist Michael Doucet when he said he was glad to be in Ohio, much to the amusement of the crowd.  He also seemed fascinated by the small “graveyard’ as he called it that is located in the park.  Beausoleil delivered a high energy show with their trademark friendly down home style that sent the crowd home with smiles on their faces and a toe tapping spring in their step.  Laizzez le bon temps rouler!!!

Lavender Festival at C.W.Klay Winery

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Sharon Klay's "Gator" sits outside the tasting room

Sharon Klay’s “Gator” sits outside the tasting room

     The 3rd Annual Lavender Festival at the C.W.Klay Winery in Farmington, Pa was held on one of the most beautiful days of the year.  Blue skies and warm breezes greeted guests as they arrived to stunning views of the winery and the surrounding Laurel Highlands.  C.W.Klay owner and winemaker Sharon Klay was on hand, as well as her friendly and knowledgable staff, to welcome visitors to the tasting room where they were served plentiful and free samples of the C.W.Klay wines that were available for purchase. The tasting room also has a collection of wine themed merchandise so you can find the perfect gift for the wine lover on your list.  The cool jazz sounds of Harold Betters filled the air on the lawn along with the scent of lavender coming from the vendor tents.  Most of the offerings included lavender in them and ranged from hair care produces, soaps, chocolate, lavender plants and of course C.W.Klay’s very own speciality lavender wine.  The Klay Winery has a list of events that varies from their weekly “Pavilion Music Series” to a Lobster Clambake and Murder Mystery Dinner Theaters that can be found on their website http://www. cwklaywinery.com.  C.W.Klay wines will be at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival in Twin Lakes Park  Greensburg, Pa from Thursday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 6th, 2014.