Event Report: 4th Annual March Madness Stag.
Upcoming Events
What’s New
Right when March Madness basketball is getting started, we have had, for 4 year now, our own IWFS March Madness way to appreciate the culmination of the college basketball season. Warren Buffet is offering a million dollar reward (if you work for Berkshire Hathaway) for anyone who could correctly predict the outcome of the sweet 16, but he knows that the odds are long for putting his prize money in peril. Especially this year, when the top seeds are getting knocked off by Cinderellas. You could be a home eating pizza and drinking beer, but we were at a higher level with this event. Even if you pulled out nice wines from your own cellar, the food is not likely to be as good. Check the story out.
A reminder. Be kind, a mark of a gentleman. Reply to event invites by using the online system to accept or decline an invite. This helps the event producer immensely. Also, respond to the survey afterwards, even if you didn’t attend the event. It helps the producers and the Board hone in on what you want and enjoyed.
Cheers!
Tom Murnan.
Church bulletin blooper. “Thursday at 5:00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers will please meet the minister in his study.”
Best of the Cockle Bur compiled & edited by Harry B. Otis, 3rd President 1973-1974
The Omaha MAY 2023
Event Report: 4th Annual March Madness Stag
Written by Tom Murnan, Photos by Tom Murnan
Unlike last year, where it was so nice members sat outside smoking cigars, it was pretty darned cold this year. But other than that, everything went pretty smoothly. We had 28 members and 10 guests enjoy producer Joe Goldstein’s favorite food, Tailgate Cuisine, with high end wines, all in a relaxed atmosphere. It is one of my favorite events as well.
Being the 4th year, it seemed like there was a diminished number of people wearing their college team apparel this time. Quaffing wines consisted of a Colene Clemens Chardonnay 2016, that host Joe brought, and two Branch reds: Daou Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 & Château Faugères, a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. I think this Grand Cru designation is deliberate French confusion to make you think you have a First Growth equivalent, when in fact, it just means the winery follows certain winemaking rules. It fakes me out repeatedly, although I’m starting to catch on. The label has to say Grand Cru Classé to be an equivalent of a Left Bank First Growth. There’s only 4 Grand Cru Classés in Saint-Emilion. Misdirection, evidently, is part of the game, both in basketball and French Right Bank wine regulations / sales. The Nathan’s Mini Chili Cheese Dogs were hot and moist, and the Juan’s Shrimp Ceviche Spoons, nicely displayed vertically on a stainless steel holder. These were really nice bite-sized fish mouthfuls.
Next, two offerings were brought out on the same plate, Italian Sausage Slider, with traditional peppers, but covered inside with Provolone, and a Meatball Slider that was approaching the size of my fist. No one was going to go home hungry, I guarantee you! The Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2013 was compared to a Hall Winery Coeur Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. The Brunello was ready to drink, browning, with no harsh edges. The Hall still had a youthful red color with bright and lively Cab flavors.
Next was the iconic Mac ‘n Cheese station, a staple for 4 years. Guests constructed their own bowl of goodness, selecting from lobster bits, blackened chicken peas, bacon, Gouda, tomato, and the like. A white wine was selected, which, considering the white Gouda sauce that surrounded the ingredients, was entirely appropriate. From the Willamette Valley’s Eola-Amity Hills, we drank a Lingua Franca Estate Chardonnay 2019 that paired quite nicely with our bowl of Mac.
The HHC Aged Strip Steak Sandwich was quite tasty, and I enjoyed the Sweet Potato Fries. The Bourbon Maple Aioli was a gastronomic step above the ubiquitous Ranch Dressing usually served. Our two reds were well selected for the beef: Inglenook Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (tannic and still young) and Château Talbot 2009, a 2nd Growth Saint- Julien Bordeaux (elegant and more mature).
We finished nicely with a Croft Vintage Port 2011 and David’s Chocolate Cake à la mode. That cake was a perfect match for the rich, sweet flavors of the Port, which managed to be sweeter than the dessert. Thanks so much for Chef Brenden Brown and his large crew of sous-chefs, servers and bar tenders who made things go smoothly. And thanks to Joe Goldstein who made all the arrangements and conceived of a March Madness theme.
UPCOMING OMAHA BRANCH EVENTS
2023
MAY 18
JUNE 14
SEP 09
DEC TBD
A FOREIGN TASTE
European Tour
Event Producer:Dan Thrasher
AU COURANT
Burgundy vs. Pinot Noir
Joint Couples Event with the Council Bluffs Branch
Event Producer: Tom Murnan
DOCTORS MOORE POOLSIDE
Joint event with the CB Branch
Event Producer: Mike Wilke
JOINT EVENT WITH THE CB BRANCH
TBD
Event Producer: Mike Wilke & Joe Goldstein