Wine Tasting to benefit library

Bonjour, Friends:

The Friends of the Pine River Library Foundation will be having a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Saturday, March 7th at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites south of Jenkins.

Of course this made me curious. I wondered what it takes to become a wine taster. Do you just taste a bunch of wine and voila you are a wine taster? There are many theories on the subject, one of which includes tasting upwards of 500 wines per year and taking copious notes. One has to wonder about those notes after all that wine. What does “copious” mean, anyway, inebriated? From the website yedda.com I stumbled onto this paragraph written by somebody who apparently knows the answer to my searing question:

“I am a taster at several competitions and I also sell wine wholesale. There are only a handful of professional tasters in the world, and most of them make their living by tasting and rating wines and publishing their notes and scores. (James Laube, Robert Parker, Anthony Dias Blue, Michael Broadbent, etc.) Their careers are in the wine PUBLISHING business, so in addition to being extremely knowledgeable about wine also requires the same career track and skills as any professional writer.”

Maybe there is a simpler way. Why don’t you just go to the Wine Tasting and try a few of the wines being offered and see what you like. Did you know, by the way, that there are at least nineteen wineries in Minnesota? Visit this website and find out more: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/minnesotagrown. I was a bit shocked myself. I view Minnesota as more of a beer state. Speaking of which, there will be specialty beers served as well.

Lakes Latte will be making Hors d’oeuvres. I knew it, I knew it. Yes, Browser, there will be food.

Oh, and an auction. I do so love auctions. I have a close friend who sports a bumper sticker to that affect.

Proceeds from this silent auction will go to the Pine River Public Library roof repair fund! I love this fund because it means my ceiling won’t fall in. They are beginning, I am told, this coming summer. It would be best if they finished this coming summer…

Tickets will be available during February at the Pine River Public Library. Call Muriel at the library for more information. The number there is 587-4639. The advance tickets are $15, while tickets at the door will be $17.

Aren’t you tired of staying at home? I know I am. “Cabin fever”! Taste a little wine. You’ll feel ever so much better.

I remain your fun loving friend,

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 26 Feb. 2009