Clos Pegase Presents Bacchanalian History of Wine; Europa West to Cater Entertaining Art Program

By Kathy Ward

When and where was the grape born? Who was the woman believed to have discovered wine? Who was Bacchus before he was promoted to god of wine? What aromatic compound in wine stimulates the libido?

Learn the answers to these fascinating enology questions in a multimedia program entitled "A Bacchanalian History of Wine Seen Through 4,000 Years of Art" presented by Clos Pegase of Napa Valley. In wine-related images from artists such as Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Dali, Picasso and Chagall, the story begins with ancient sources of the grape, meanders through the worlds of health, mythology, religion, history and love, and finishes with a contemporary tribute to wine.

Guest speaker will be Clos Pegase founder and proprietor Jan Shrem, who has made a decade-long mission of demonstrating that wine in moderation is conducive to a healthy and more graceful life. The November program is your opportunity to catch his educational and entertaining presentation shown more than 300 times across the nation at universities, museums, art foundations and wine and food societies.

Billed as "a vibrant, humorous as well as erotic presentation, as any Bacchanalian history should be," the wine/art history show has been repeated four times at the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco. The Culinary Institute of America uses the program as a teaching tool, and it's been hailed by School of Medicine academic notables at Stanford and Boston universities.

Jan Shrem makes no claim to art scholarship. "I am a vintner who believes that wine is an integral part of our artistic and cultural heritage," he explains. To share this passion, he and his wife, Mitsuko, opened Clos Pegase winery in 1987 as a "temple to wine and art." It's named in honor of Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology that, according to legend, is credited with the birth of both wine and art when his hooves unleashed the sacred Spring of the Muses, flowing water that irrigated the vines and inspired the gift of poetry in those who drank of the ensuing wine.

The Clos Pegase label features an image of Pegasus from a painting by the French artist Redon, circa 1890. The original is part of the Shrems' extensive art collection, many pieces of which grace their winery grounds.

Format of this uniquely educational Enological Society tasting program will begin with two wines and the first food course by Europa West. Full attention will then be placed on the 45-minute slide presentation, followed by tastings of the remaining wines and foods. Latecomers will be seated upon completion of the show.

We will be savoring vintages of Steven Rogstad, a gentleman schooled in literature as well as the science of winemaking. The '96 Hommage is a barrel selection of the finest red wine lots from his first harvest with Clos Pegase.

Take In Europe Style

Europa West Market, Bistro and Catering, open since July in the Kirkland Waterfront Market, is a pair to the Bainbridge Island Europa West retail store and restaurant. They produce an eclectic menu of Northwest, Asia and Mediterranean flavors in salads, appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, cheeses, pastries, desserts and wines delivered to your table or grocery basket, in gourmet take-out, or at your door in their extraordinary catering program.

Buyers travel throughout Europe to stock Europa West shelves with not only imported foods and wines, but also magnificent ceramics and glassware to enhance the dining experience. Adding artistry to the table is an outside display of Kahlia's Garden plants and cut blooms for sale.

Joshua Henderson, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, is Europa West Director of Food, Beverage and Service. Ted Mathesius, formerly with the Hunt Club at the Sorrento Hotel and later Sazerac Restaurant at the Hotel Monaco, is Executive Pastry Chef. Together they will design and develop quintessential cuisine to pair with the Clos Pegase wine selections.

The Clos Pegase and Europa West program will be at the St. Demetrios Cultural Center in Seattle on Wednesday, November 10. The cost is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the program begins promptly at 7:30. Reservations are not necessary. Don't be late for this one as it may be standing room only during the slide presentation.

Plastic cups are provided for wine tasting. If you prefer, bring your own glass - better yet, two for comparative tasting. Enological Society logo glasses can be purchased at the meeting. Visit our program people at www.clospegase.com and at www.europawest.com.