IW&FS

IWFS INTERNATIONAL NEWS JULY 2016

DANUBE CRUISE (EUROPE) In June 120 members from 30 branches cruised along the Danube on board the luxurious Uniworld River Beatrice. Members explored the historic city of Budapest, cruised up river to Bratislava and then on to Vienna. We journeyed through the stunningly beautiful Wachau Valley, visited the Nikolaihof wine estate and Melk Abbey and also Linz and Salzburg. Our journey ended at the medieval city of Passau.

Each evening, five course dinners were served with fine regional wines, selected by an invited member of the Society’s wines committee. Dry white wines made from furmint grapes grown in Hungary’s Takaj-Hegyalja region were a revelation, but the real stars

NEW BRANCHES

OUR FESTIVALS

HONG KONG PEARL, HKUnder the leadership of Founding President Karen Leung, our second branch in Hong Kong, ‘Hong Kong Pearl’, was launched on June 10 2016. A fabulous dinner was held at the contemporary fine dining Chinese restaurant, Mott 32 in Central. It was a sensational evening with 45 founding members, mostly young professionals, and several guests, including the President of our Hong

Kong Island branch Bill Ahern. The founding members did a fabulous job of choosing the wines, dishes and decorating the tables – draped with pearls to symbolise their chosen name.

Well done to the founding committee for all of their work and a huge welcome to the IWFS family.

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWANNow our fourth branch in Taiwan, the Kaohsiung branch, located in the south of this bustling but beautiful island country, was founded on 12 June 2016.

With 34 founding members, and led by Founding President Charles Lin, the opening dinner was held at the gorgeous ‘Celebrity Cuisine’ restaurant at the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel. Celebrity Cuisine is also in Hong Kong - a two Michelin Star restaurant.One has to think that the future for this branch is very bright. In a city which excels in providing the highest quality seafood, and with a wine besotted group who aim very high, the quality of events seems likely to be extraordinary.

Congratulations to all involved, and a special thanks to Eddie Hu from Taipei for his help in launching this branch.

were the dessert wines, in particular Betsek 2008 and Mezes Maly 2009, two first growths made by the Royal Tokaji Wine Company. Now the great debate ensues – should the next river cruise be in Bordeaux or the Douro Valley?

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Some of you were able to relive highlights of the recent Danube Cruise on page one of this issue of The Grapevine. I was there. And I loved it. We’d never river-cruised before, but we’ll definitely do it again - preferably on a Society-sponsored boat.

IWFS Council of ManagementEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN:Dave Felton (Pasadena, USA)

TREASURER:Dwight Catherwood (Los Angeles, USA)

COUNCIL MEMBER & GLOBALBRANCH AMBASSADOR:Yvonne Wallis (Victoria, Australia)

COUNCIL MEMBER:Andrew Jones(Cayman Islands & New York)

COUNCIL MEMBER:John Nicholas(Zurich, Switzerland)

HONORARY PRESIDENT:Sid Cross(Vancouver, Canada)

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT:Andrea Warren(London, UK)

IWFS INTERNATIONAL NEWS JULY 2016

ANDRÉ SIMON BOOKS ENTER THE DIGITAL AGE

COUNCIL MEMBER:Ian Nicol(Blackpool & Fylde Coast, UK)

OUR AWARDS ANDRÉ SIMON SILVER MEDALMichael Messent, of England’s Wessex branch, was awarded the AS Silver medal at the recent meeting of the Society’s ICM in Regensburg, Germany. Michael, a London Guildsman and former solicitor, was acknowledged for his distinguished service as Vice Chairman of the Society’s Europe Africa

Two of André Simon’s books are now available as ebooks:

By Request: An Autobiography (1957)

In The Twilight: A Memoir (1969)

These titles are witty and entertaining stories. They also offer charming reminiscences and social histories and a glimpse into his life. Click here to go to the IWFS website (remember to be signed in) where you can access the direct links to Amazon Kindle and Apple iBooks (Botrytis Books, 2016) to make a purchase.

Our Regensburg Council meeting on Monday, 13 June, was straightforward. And so very special was the touring Fritz conducted and the dinner he arranged on the Sunday of our arrival. But the topper was his Monday evening event. Fritz had us stay at the Hotel Bischofshof (“home of the bishop” and adjacent

region, former service on the Council and his esteemed advice and counsel as the ICM’s current Legal Advisor. An honor most highly deserved.

I have another story. Fritz Seitz is a member of my Pasadena branch in Southern California. But he was born in Regensburg, Germany during the war years. Coincidentally, our Society Danube Cruise finished in Passau, Germany, only about an hour from Fritz’s hometown. So I asked Fritz if he would serve as host of one of our three annual Council meetings in his hometown. Like so many of us, Fritz is proud of his membership in the IWFS and he agreed straight away. (Only then did he ask what he had to do!)

to the medieval Regensburg Cathedral).

We all were greeted that Monday evening with a traditional OomPah band, who played familiar Bavarian blasmusik and then formally marched us into the hotel’s beautiful Pope’s Dining Room. (Yes, Pope Benedict XVI also was born nearby and regularly stayed at the hotel.) The Bavarian meal, on a beautifully dressed table and accompanied by a zither musician, was simply outstanding.

I thanked Fritz for his extraordinary contribution. Hospitality to the Society is a trademark of our membership. We’re a lucky group...

David R Felton Chairman, IWFS ICM

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IWFS INTERNATIONAL NEWS JULY 2016

D A T E SF O R Y O U R D I A R Y

ZONE NEWS

UPCOMING FESTIVALS

AMERICAS CHAIR: Andrew JonesIn May IWFS Americas held a board meeting in the Cayman Islands. A gala dinner, attended by 40 branch members, at Blue by Eric Ripert featured some classic wines including a Cossart Gordon Malvasia 1916. In June, 80 members from

the Americas had a fantastic time cruising up the Danube on The River Beatrice. But July brought us the sad news that R. Bruce Alderman, a former chairman of the BGA and the International Council, had passed away at his home in Baltimore. He had been a member of the Society for almost 50 years.

ASIA PACIFIC CHAIR: Yvonne WallisLots of news for Asia Pacific! We now have 30 branches with the addition of Hong Kong Pearl and Kaohsiung (Taiwan) in June. Following on, IWFS Colombo (Sri Lanka) is set to open on August 20 and then a second branch in Seoul

(South Korea) later in the year. We also relaunched our Bangkok and Phuket branches in Thailand in May with some stunning dinners – welcome to the new Bangkok President, Medhapan (Opal) Sundaradeja. What a great year 2016 has been. Congratulations also to IWFS Victoria (Australia), the oldest branch in the southern hemisphere (founded 1936), which will celebrate its 80th anniversary next month. And don’t forget the next APZ AGM Weekend in Mumbai February 24-26 2017. It will include some fabulous Post Tours to Delhi and Agra (Taj Mahal). See dates under Dates for Your Diary.

EUROPE AFRICA CHAIR: Ian NicolNow is the time we look to the future, with the Annual Branch Representatives meeting on 14th July, where the branches give us direction for the Society. At the EAZ AGM event in Edinburgh, in September, individual members can

voice their views and elect and welcome new members to our Executive Committee. On the more informal side, the Edinburgh event promises to be a fabulous private look at Holyrood Palace, Royal Yacht Britannia, and to celebrate all things Scottish.

EDINBURGH (SCOTLAND) SEPTEMBER 20-23 2016Now fully booked but members are welcome to wait list. Bookings welcome for the Royal Yacht Britannia Reception and Dinner on 22 September at £275 per head and on 23 September for a wine or whisky tasting at £30 per head and the post-festival lunch at £55 per head. Click here for details. NIAGARA, ONTARIO (CANADA), OCTOBER 13-16 2016Your chance to enjoy some of the best food and wine that Niagara, one of the least known great wine regions of the world, has to offer. This is an Americas Great Weekend and only a few places are remaining. To find out more click here. TOKYO/KYOTO (JAPAN), NOVEMBER 10-18 2016Hosted by Asia Pacific, this will be an exclusive Japanese experience with the primary festival in Tokyo Nov 10-13 and a post-tour to Kyoto Nov 14-17. Click here for reservations. Attendees 100.

MUMBAI (INDIA), FEBRUARY 24-26 2017Hosted by Asia Pacific, this APZ AGM Weekend will open first to APZ members. Limited places may become available to members of other zones. Details as they become available.

DELHI (INDIA), FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 1 2017Open to members worldwide, a fabulous festival in the great city of Delhi, 3 nights. Details as they become available.

AGRA (INDIA), MARCH 2-3 2017Open to members worldwide, 2 nights, the amazing city of Agra, close to the city of Delhi, where we will have a guided tour of one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Details as they become available. SONOMA, CALIFORNIA (USA), MAY 2-6 2017An Americas Regional Festival is in the pipeline in this beautiful wine region, home to many prominent California wine producers. More details to follow very soon. BALTIC CRUISE (EUROPE), JUNE 29 - JULY 7 2017Booking are now being taken for this magical cruise of the Baltic with food and wine experiences in cities such as Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallinn, St Petersburg and ending in Stockholm. Click here to view details or email Stephanie Shepherd. Attendees 40-60. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (USA), OCTOBER 11-14 2017Stay tuned for details of a Great Weekend and AGM, hosted by the Americas in Baltimore. Max 60. LONDON (UK), MAY 28 - JUNE 2 2018Make sure London is your travel destination in 2018. The next tri-annual International Festival, following Melbourne 2015, will be in London. Plans are being made to ensure this is a memorable trip. Put it in the diary now so you don’t miss out. More later.

“A VISIT TO VIRGINIA” IN VIRGINIA WINE COUNTRYThis EAZ visit has been postponed until after the London festival but please do keep it in mind.

Ba l t i c Cru i s e29 JUNE – 7 JULY 2017There is still availability on this EAZ festival cruise based on the Silversea Silver Whisper, a small luxury cruise ship carrying fewer than 400 guests. On 29 June, a day before embarkation, you will join with the Malmo branch for an exceptional Swedish evening of dining. On the ship, IWFS members will take part in exclusive champagne receptions and special dinners. Other noteworthy IWFS events are also planned with the Helsinki, Tallinn and Moscow (a visit to St Petersburg) branches. Click here to find out more.

S t o c k h o l m W e e k e n dFollowing on from the Baltic cruise there will be a weekend event to explore the sights, history and eating delights of this city - the Venice of the North. Those booked on the cruise will have first opportunity to book. Details will be finalised in the next few weeks.

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OUR IWFS BRANCHES

AMERICAS (78)CANADAALBERTA - EDMONTONBRITISH COLUMBIA VANCOUVER VICTORIA (BC)ONTARIO KITCHENER-WATERLOO NIAGARA OAKVILLE TORONTOQUEBEC - MONTREALCAYMAN ISLANDS - CAYMAN ISLANDSDOMINICAN REPUBLIC - DOMINICAN REPUBLICMEXICO TECATE TIJUANAPUERTO RICO - PUERTO RICOUNITED STATES OF AMERICAALABAMA - BIRMINGHAMALASKA - ANCHORAGEARIZONA PARADISE VALLEY PHOENIX TUCSONCALIFORNIA CHULA VISTA COACHELLA VALLEY EAST BAY HOLLYWOOD LA JOLLA LAGUNA BEACH LOS ANGELES MARIN COUNTY MONTEREY PENINSULA NAPA VALLEY ORANGE COUNTY PASADENA PHYSICIANS OF LOS ANGELES RANCHO SANTA FE RIVERSIDE SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SANTA BARBARA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE MIAMI NAPLES ORLANDO PALM BEACHGEORGIA - ATLANTAHAWAII - HONOLULUILLINOIS - CHICAGOINDIANA - INDIANAPOLISIOWA - COUNCIL BLUFFSLOUISIANA - NEW ORLEANSMARYLAND - BALTIMOREMASSACHUSETTS BOSTON CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTSMINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL ROCHESTERMISSOURI - KANSAS CITYMONTANA - BOZEMANNEBRASKA GREATER OMAHA NORFOLK OMAHANEVADA LAKE TAHOE RENONEW MEXICO - SANTA FENEW YORK BUFFALO LONG ISLAND NEW YORKOHIO - CLEVELANDOKLAHOMA - OKLAHOMA CENTRALPENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA YORKSOUTH CAROLINA - AIKENTENNESSEE - MEMPHISTEXAS AUSTIN DALLAS FORT WORTH HOUSTON NORTHEAST TEXAS

UTAH - SALT LAKE CITYWASHINGTON - SPOKANEWASHINGTON DC - WASHINGTON DC ASIA PACIFIC (30) AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES VICTORIA WESTERN AUSTRALIACHINA BEIJING CITY CHAOYANG DISTRICT (BEIJING) SHANGHAIHONG KONG HONG KONG ISLAND HONG KONG PEARLINDIA BOMBAY DELHIINDONESIA - JAKARTAJAPAN ROPPONGI TOKYO TOKYO BAYMALAYSIA IPOH KUALA LUMPUR PENANGNEW ZEALAND - AUCKLANDPHILIPPINES CEBU MANILA LADIES PHILIPPINESSINGAPORE - TANGLINSOUTH KOREA - SEOULTAIWAN R.O.C. KAOHSIUNG TAICHUNG TAIPEI TAIWAN BELLETHAILAND PHUKET BANGKOK

VIETNAM - SAIGON

EUROPE / AFRICA (31)ESTONIA - TALLINNFINLAND - HELSINKIFRANCE - CHAMPAGNEHUNGARY - BUDAPESTIRELAND LEINSTER MUNSTERNORWAY - OSLORUSSIA - MOSCOWSOUTH AFRICA - CAPE TOWN SWEDEN - MALMÖSWITZERLAND - ZURICHUNITED KINGDOM BATH & BRISTOL BERKSHIRE BLACKPOOL & FYLDE COAST CAPITAL DEVONSHIRE HEREFORDSHIRE & MONMOUTHSHIRE LEICESTER LIVERPOOL LONDON ST JAMES’S (LONDON) MANCHESTER MERSEYSIDE & MID-CHESHIRE NORTHAMPTON SURREY HILLS SUSSEX THAMESIDE (LONDON) WESSEX WEST YORKSHIREZAMBIA - LUSAKAZIMBABWE - HARARE

GO TO WWW.IWFS.ORGFOR MORE INFORMATIONOR TO CONTACT A BRANCH

139 BRANCHES WORLDWIDE

International Secretariat Andrea Warren sec@iwfs.org

AmericasChristy Marshpegleg47@aol.com

Asia PacificAmber Dowlingapz@iwfs.org

Europe AfricaMargaret Chippendale eazmembership@outlook.com

INTERNATIONAL WINE & FOOD SOCIETY