TN: Corked wines at the CIA

I'm going back about 30 years, but my wife Eileen and I went to a weekend dinner/wine tasting at the Culinary Institute of American, run by Les Amis du Vin. It began on Saturday afternoon with appetizers and wines in the courtyard, then went in to dinner in the large dining room (ballroom?). We then went to a nearby motel, and returned the next day for desserts.

It was too long ago to remember any of the details of what we ate or drank, but I remember liking it very much. There were well over 50 different wines, and much too much to eat

DaleW wrote on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:32:58 -0800 (PST):

I wish you wouldn't abbreviate the Culinary Institute of America as the CIA. Corked wines might be useful to the real CIA. My nephew passed out after drinking some wine (provided by his mother) that was only slightly corked.

Define "some" :-)

Mike wrote on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:16:07 +0100:

About 2 floz I would say :-)

It depends upon your viewpoint of which is the "real" CIA. Is it the one that does covert operations in other countries, carries out assassinations, promotes wars and insurrections, or is it the one that attempts to educate the culinary professionals of the future?

I would prefer to think of the later choice as being "real."

Godzilla

There is also the Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori.

Godzilla wrote on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:03:27 +0000:

In the population as a whole, I suspect 99% have never heard of the Culinary Institute of America but know the CIA is the spy agency. That's real enough even if the Culinary Institute does more real good :-)

DaleW wrote on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:54:03 -0800 (PST):

That's what the evidence seems to suggest! His mother and I drank a glass or two with dinner. Needless to say, he didn't.

Who's he?

Mike wrote on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:21:54 +0100:

In context and with quotes, my nephew obviously. He's an adult not a rugrat :-)

DaleW wrote on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:54:03 -0800 (PST):

I suspect you are optimistic about knowledge outside California about the Culinary Institute. I get out to Napa once in while and I have heard of it and seen the buildings from the road. Isn't it in the old Christian Brothers winery? (Did they have to sell the place because of incompetence or was it for money to pay abuse suits?)

Ed wrote on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:36:39 -0600:

I'm a non-practicing Catholic myself but abuse by clerical personnel is no cheap shot and cannot be denied; witness the recent report from Ireland. If you want to get some horror stories, try a Google search on Christian Brothers abuse.

Quite true. However are the readership of alt.food.wine representative of the "population as a whole" or are they a more sophisticated and knowledgeable subset because of their interest in wine and associated food? ;-)

Godzilla

"Godzilla Lizard" wrote........

Perhaps the American readership may associate the acronym so - however, I would suggest that most 99.99% of "foreigners" (even the most ardent of wine & foodies) would automatically think that Dale was supping with spies!!!

I know, from the subject line, that was my initial impression.

Of course, Canadians may think DaleW was dining at the Calgary International Airport, while followers of Dr. Who would be justified in thinking that he was being hosted by the Celestial Intervention Agency.