There is a very good chance I will be attending the Vinexpo Americas event in Chicago on June 20-22. Is anyone else planning on attending? This looks like a truly amazing trade show, and I am thoroughly looking forward to it.

IW

Life without wine?...... Yeah Right.<br /><br />I believe we have 2 lives; the life we learn with and the life we live with after that.

IW,

The Chicago members are frantically working on getting invitations to this event. It is trade only.

VM

There's an offline brewing after Vinexpo on Sunday June 20th, on the erobertparker site.

Here's a link:

VinExpo Chicago Shoot-Out offline?

Nancy

Definitely going to VinExpo with my lovely wife-

Hope to meet the entire Mafia either on Sunday or Monday for an off-line.

I have secured my pass, I will be there Sunday. An offline would be great Claricaun, we'll figure something out.

********
Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

My badge is in the mail, I'll be there at least Sunday. Going to the offline Sunday night brewing up on the WA forum too.

Nancy

Hi All--

I'm setting up an offline for Sunday June 20th at Scoozi after VinExpo.

If you had fun last time, you'll have fun this time as well! =)

Shoot me an e-mail if anyone is interested in attending...

joseph.wu@finchcms.edu

Joe
Grape Lakes Wine Appreciation Guild
www.grapelakes.com

Joe,

The last one was great! Defenitely count Jackie and myself in for this one, and thanks again for doing all the work!

Any theme in mind?

I just got this email from Sam's, is this going to change the June, 20 offline date?

Save The Date! Huge 2001 Bordeaux Tasting!


We are excited to announce the largest tasting of Bordeaux the Midwest has ever seen!

Sunday June 20th 6:30PM - 9PM at Sam's Chicago

Over 30 Chateaux owners and representatives will be at Sam's on this evening to pour their superb 2001 wines. This is an incredible opportunity to taste a wide range of wines from this great, but overlooked (and thus, underpriced) vintage.

Additionally, we will have representatives from Champagne Drappier, Champagne Brice, Les Caves de la Colombe and Cognac Lheraud on hand to pour their wines and spirits.

An extensive dinner buffet of American Barbecue specialties catered by Allen's New American Café will also be served this evening.

The cost for the evening is $75 per person for this incredible selection of wines and foods. Make your reservations as soon as possible, this one of a kind event will sell out quickly.

Email crystalsanderson@samswine.com or call 312-664-4394 item #10022165

Here are the producers from Bordeaux who have committed to attend (in alphabetical order):

Angelus, Bastor Lamontagne, Beauregard, Branaire Ducru, Cantenac Brown, Charmes de Broustet, Chasse Spleen, Clarke, Commanderie de Mazeyers, Corbin, Cos d'Estournel, D'Issan, Du Tertre, Ferriere, Giscours, Haut Bages Liberal, Haut Bailly, Haut Maillet, La Cabanne, La Dominique, La Gurgue, La Papeterie, Lagrange, Leoville Barton, Malartic Lagraviere, Montlisse, Paveil de Luze, Petit Villages, Phelan Segur, Pichon Baron, Pichon LaLande, Pontac Lynch, Sansonnet, Smith Haut Lafitte, Suduiraut, Valrose

This is a great opportunity to meet some of the people who make Bordeaux the great wine region it is! We look forward to seeing you there.

Best regards,

Todd Hess

Wine Director

Joe,

I'm up for a 6/20 off-line.

The Mafia has been discussing an off-line on that night, especially since we'll have out-of-town visitors in for the trade show (like cluricaunwines and italian wino).

Put me down for one, and please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Cheers,

Otis

It sounds terrific-
Sign up Mr. and Mrs. Cluricaun.

If we can be of assistance please let us know-

Anwar,

If you are going to Vinexpo, all of those Bordeauxs will be poured on 6/21 at the Union des Grands Cru tasting.

Cheers,

Otis

Wasn't the discussion about a Saturday night offline? Is that the 19th or 20th? I could be in for either, but I will be sloshed by the time the evening rolls around on Sunday.

********
Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Otis,

Thank you for the information. I was originally not planning on attending Vinexpo, but it looks like I do have a way in. My first choice would have been the offline, but it now looks like both may be possible. Thanks again.

grossie: I think the idea of a Saturday 6/19 off-line faded to black with the plethora of drinking ahead of us for the next two days. Plus, cluricaunwines is not coming in until Sunday morning, so we wanted to wait for him. I agree that it will take some deft pacing to show up at the off-line with an intact palate, but I'm sure we'll give it the old college try.

Anwar: Great! I look forward to meeting you at both events.

Cheers,

Otis

Hello All--

Thanks for the interest, but unfortunately, we are full.

Hope to see everyone at VinExpo!

Joe
Grape Lakes Wine Appreciation Guild
www.grapelakes.com

Mafia-

It looks as if we better start planning our own off-line.

Joe- What do you mean by your last comment? Please clarify.

Clar- Don't worry, we'll make an offer he can't refuse.

********
Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

grossie: I think we were too late on the draw. Joe had to close out the guest list at 16. See the off-line planner forum on the Squires board.

Don't worry cluricaun, we'll figure something out for 6/20! A dinner at Bin 36 might be a good option. Corkage is $10 or $15 a bottle.

Cheers,

Otis

Otis-

I have total faith in the Mafia.

How about Bistrot Margot (in old town)? Known corkage of $10, good food, fun place. If we can get a body count I can see about reserving.

********
Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Great call, grossie! Put me down for one person.

Are they open on Sundays?

Cheers,

Otis

Grossie-

Count the Cluricauns in for 2 if this develops.

I'll start a new thread for this. Joe Wu is not invited.

********
Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Hi Guys--

I would like to publicly apologize about the off-line mess. It was not my idea to limit the number to 16, and when I got such a big response, I suggested we lift the limit, but was subsequently shot down. I tried e-mailing everyone back trying to let them know, but I was on vacation this past week, just to return yesterday night, and I noticed that some of the e-mails I sent out via Outlook did not get sent and were sitting in my "outbox" when I came home. I am assuming it has to deal with the hotel's wireless connection and outlook or whatever. Again, I do apologize for any confusion and for how this turned out. Believe me, this is the last time I'll organize an event for a wine group if I don't get full control over the night.

Hope you guys have a great night, and Otis and Cluricaunwines, I apologize again you did not get your e-mails and had to find out this way.

Joe
Grape Lakes Wine Appreciation Guild
www.grapelakes.com