Wine Aficionado Shares Tips for a Full-Bodied Experience

Slide over, sweaty mug of brutish beer; wine has stepped up its game!

In the past two decades, zins, cabs and chardonnays have soared in popularity among imbibing Americans. The preference of just one in four in 1992, its now the alcoholic beverage of choice for 35 percent of us, according to a 2013 Gallup poll. At the same time, beer has taken a tumble, from the favorite of nearly half of us to just 36 percent.

"Wine is an adventure in a glass - something other cultures have recognized for centuries," says Howard Kleinfeld, author (as Howard K.) of "Dial M for Merlot," www.DialMforMerlot.com, a fun novel about a lovelorn nerd whose world snaps to life with his first wine tasting.

"For a long time in this country, we viewed wine as an elitist beverage. Just to be eligible to uncork a bottle required a scary level of sophistication. I have great respect for connoisseurs and the sommeliers, but if you've ever attended a wine tasting, you quickly see wine is actually the great equalizer."

For those who've never visited a vineyard or sipped a Gewurztraminer, Kleinfeld offers these tips to free up your palate -- and your psyche -- for a full-bodied experience.

1.  What's the best wine?
You'll find all kinds of lists purporting to distill the top 10 or top 100 best wines of the thousands upon thousands of new releases each year. They are a wonderful resource for information and a great starting point, but there is no substitute for personal exploration.
"The best wine is always whatever's in your glass at the moment," Kleinfeld says, "unless whatever's in your glass makes you grimace, in which case ..."

2.  Don't drink it if it doesn't make you happy.
Life really is too short to not make the most of every moment - and every sensual experience.
"I learned that in 2007 when I was diagnosed with throat cancer at, what I felt was, a very young age," Kleinfeld says. "I got through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation with the love and support of my family and friends, but I lost my sense of taste for a few years."
Cancer-free and with all of his senses intact, Kleinfeld says he has resolved to enjoy every sip of life.
"Don't waste your time on wine you don't enjoy. Save it for cooking," he says. "Drink something that puts a smile on your face. And remember - there are all kinds of smiles."

3.  Go ahead and shell out $50 or $100 on a wine you just have to taste again.
A lot of us think California and Napa Valley when we think domestic wines, and while The Golden State is the No. 1 producer in the country (followed by Washington, Oregon and New York), every state now has wineries. That means that wherever you are, there's a wine tasting room within driving distance.
"If you go to a wine tasting and you sample something you absolutely love, something you know you want to taste again - maybe with a steak, which they don't usually have at wine-tasting rooms, go ahead and buy it," Kleinfeld advises.
"Forget that it costs three or four times what you (might) usually spend for a bottle of wine. Splurge. See tip No. 2."

4.  Forget the red with meat, white with fish and chicken rule - unless it works for you.
The idea of pairing red wines with red meats has to do with the bolder flavor of both. Fish and chicken tend to have milder flavors, as do many white wines.
"But there are so many exceptions to those 'rules' you may as well just toss 'em," Kleinfeld says. "They don't take into account the range of flavors of meat, fish and chicken, especially when you consider all the different ways they can be prepared. And if you're not a fan of Riesling, for instance, you won't like it no matter what you pair it with."
Be an adventurer, he advises. Open a few different varieties of wine when you sit down to eat and explore different pairings.
"The entrees and wines you best enjoy together are the perfect pairings for you."

About Howard Kleinfeld (Howard K)

Howard Kleinfeld is a full-time wine enthusiast, part-time foodie, and first-time author. His new novel, "Dial M for Merlot," www.DialMforMerlot.com, written under the pen name Howard K, follows a 30-year-old math whiz's intoxicating journey of wine discovery. Kleinfeld is a longtime singer-songwriter whose compositions/productions for advertising, TV shows and indie films have earned him Emmy, Telly and Addy, awards.

Four-month program presented by Riverboat Development Authority celebrating the Jewish heritage in popular music

DAVENPORT, IA - The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities (www.jfqc.org) is turning up the volume on "Jews Rock" - a four-month series of activities celebrating popular music's Jewish heritage - presented by Riverboat Development Authority (RDA).

All events will be hosted at River Music Experience (www.rivermusicexperience.org), 129 Main Street, Davenport, IA. In addition to the RDA and the venue (RME), sponsors include Rauch Family Foundation II, Inc., Stanley and Bernice Harris Memorial Endowment Fund, Bernard and Irene Goldstein Memorial Endowment Fund as well as Presenting Media Partner KWQC TV 6 and Event Partners The Sedona Group, The Dispatch-Argus and Quad-City Times.

The cornerstone of "Jews Rock" are photos by Janet Macoska (www.janetmacoska.com). A nationally recognized rock photographer from Cleveland, OH, she curates a series of images featuring Jewish performers from the last 50 years of popular music. The photos will be displayed at RME beginning Wednesday, Sept. 10^th with a free public lecture by Macoska at 7:00 PM, and will remain on site for public viewing through December 10^th, 2014. The photo exhibit is free and open to the public during RME's regular business hours. Details on a silent auction to own one of the limited edition prints will be announced soon. (A full list of Jews Rock activities follows this release.)

"Our goal at the Jewish Federation is to connect people of all religions and ethnic backgrounds with the incredible variety of Jewish culture and to develop partnerships with other community resources like River Music Experience," said Allan G. Ross, Executive Director. "Thanks to the RDA and our other sponsors, the 'Jews Rock' program will be a great way to visually, and of course musically, tell the story of the significant Jewish contributions to popular music in our country. Having the RME host it is a perfect fit."

"The RME is excited to partner with the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities in this great program," said Deb Sandry-Powers, CEO of River Music Experience. "We are fortunate that two non-profit entities can collaborate to share space and resources to highlight another Quad City cultural program featuring the music and art of our heritage."

The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cites (www.jfqc.org) is a non-profit, 501 c (3) Illinois corporation founded in 1980. With other local organizations, JFQC addresses a broad range of needs to include cultural, religious, educational, family welfare, care of the elderly and interfaith relations. The Federation combats hate and anti-Semitism by supporting religious liberty and civil rights for everyone.

The core mission of JFQC is to preserve, protect, enrich and enhance Jewish communal life and the well-being of Jews locally, in Israel and throughout the world. It is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America (www.jewishfederations.org). The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jewishfedqc.

Summary of Events For "Jews Rock" (September-December, 2014)

The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities and River Music Experience are combining to stage "Jews Rock" in the Fall of 2014 presented by the Riverboat Development Authority. Events planned include a photography exhibition, educational presentations and performances that highlight the role of Jews in popular music.

Wed., Sept. 10 - Kickoff with photographer Janet Macoska - 7 PM Lecture - River Music Experience (129 Main St., Davenport, IA) - Free and open to the public. Nationally recognized rock photographer from Cleveland, OH, Macoska's images of Jewish rock musicians will be the cornerstone of the exhibition. Her photos will be on display in the River Music Experience Sept. 10^th-Dec. 10^th, 2014. www.janetmacoska.com

Sun., Oct. 26 - AKA Doc Pomus movie - 4 PM - Redstone Room at River Music Experience (129 Main St., Davenport, IA) - Adults $7; Seniors (60+) and Military $6; Students Free - One man connects Elvis, Ray Charles, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and Dion...his name is Doc Pomus. Filmmaker Will Hechter documents the extraordinary life of one of the most prolific songwriters in modern music. This documentary was premiered at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January, 2014 and will have its Iowa premiere at Jews Rock. www.akadocpomus.com

Wed., Nov. 19 - Lucky Break - Doors 7 PM/Show 7:30 PM - Redstone Room at River Music Experience (129 Main St., Davenport, IA) - Adults $10 in advance; $12 at the door; Students with ID - $5 - Tickets available through www.rivermusicexperience.org - This Midwestern band takes you through an evening of Bluegrass standards as well as a treatment of Jewish music with a twang. www.luckybreak.us

Tue., Dec. 9 - "There Was A Fire: The History of Jews in Modern Music" - Words and Music From Ben Sidran - 7 PM Doors/7:30 PM Show - Redstone Room at River Music Experience (129 Main St., Davenport, IA) - Adults $10; Seniors (60+) and Military $8; Students Free (Tickets available at the door) - Songwriter, historian and musician Ben Sidran hosts a one-man performance and lecture based on his recent book. www.bensidran.com

 

Wed. Dec. 10 - An Evening With The Ben Sidran Quartet - 7 PM Doors/7:30 PM Show - Redstone Room at River Music Experience (129 Main St., Davenport, IA) - Adults $20 in advance; $25 at the door; Students $5 with ID - Tickets available through www.rivermusicexperience.org - One of the preeminent voices in smooth jazz, this songwriter, musician and historian will join us to perform with his band in an evening of Jazz leading into the holidays. Sidran performs all over the world and has collaborated with many of the greats in music. www.bensidran.com

Events presented by Riverboat Development Authority; Presenting Media Partner: KWQC TV-6; Event Partners: The Sedona Group, Rauch Family Foundation II, Inc., Bernard & Irene Goldstein Memorial Endowment Fund, Stanley & Bernice Harris Memorial Endowment Fund; Media Sponsors: Quad-City Times, The Dispatch-Argus

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Rock Island, IL, August 11, 2014: Pastor Joseph D. Williamson III and the members of Second Baptist Church, 919 6th Avenue, Rock Island invite our family, friends, and the community to join us in celebrating its 141st Church Anniversary! This is a major milestone in the life of Second Baptist Church! The theme is "A Time of Celebration" taken from Luke 16:22-24.

The 141st Anniversary Celebration begins at the 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. worship services with our special guest Rev. Joseph Tracy of Straightway Baptist Church, East St. Louis, Illinois. The Rev. Lawrence D. Anderson and congregation of Second Baptist Church, Kewanee, Illinois will be the special guests at the 3:00 p.m. services.

Join us in celebrating the Second Baptist Church 141st Anniversary on Sunday, August 24th at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Every Praise is to our God for keeping us daily and sustaining our church family for 141 years!

For more information, contact the church at (309) 788-0677. Rev. Joseph D. Williamson III, Pastor