Fine wines offered at fantasy tasting

From nearly every continent, wines of the merlot, cabernet and chardonnay varieties were offered Friday and Saturday during the Carson City Emblem Club's first-ever Fantasy Wine Tasting event.

About 140 people attended Friday's event, which also included an area with gifts items for purchase.

"Friday was busy," said Carol Park, fifth trustee with the Emblem Club. "People seemed to enjoy the wines."

Park said that during an Emblem Club meeting when the ladies discussed fundraisers, they chose to try wine tasting.

"It's more in keeping with the millennium," Park said. "Kind of the thing to do. We wanted to do something that would appeal to the public, so we did this under the auspices of the Elks Lodge."

Parks said proceeds from the wine tasting would be used for hearing- impaired projects and others, such as Safe Grad Night and literacy programs.

"We've supplied hearing aids for school children, plus equipment for the classrooms," Park added. "And donated to The Hearing Dog program through the SPCA."

Silver Springs resident Beverly Jeican heard about the event from a friend while bowling.

"I like to support fundraisers, and I like wines," Jeican said. "I also attend the summer wine walks. I prefer chardonnays or a merlot."

Jeican tasted a red called Cape Rock Red from Robertson, South Africa, poured by Emblem Club member Kendell Wilson.

"It's pleasant," she commented. "Not too dry."

Emblem Club No. 507 also holds a mystery dinner fundraiser in the spring, as well as catering dinners and Christmas parties at the Elks Lodge.

Karen Herbert poured a glass of Casa Lapostolle merlot, 2006, from Chile for her husband, Colin.

"Pretty good," he said.

"The one everybody raved about Friday was the Restoration Old Vine Red from Portugal," Karen said. "The whites didn't go over as big as the reds."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.