|
In This Issue:
|
Vol. II, Issue 33 - August 18, 2003
|
 |
|
|
•
|
Notes from the publisher
|
|
|
|
•
|
Bocce product of the week
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Non bocce product of the week
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The FREE weekly Ezine for bocce aficionados everywhere
Volume 2, Issue #33 - August 18, 2003
Publisher: Mario Pagnoni Copyright 2003 http://www.joyofbocce.com
**********************************************
Come visit us often at joyofbocce.com. We have bocce info, merchandise, links to other great bocce sites, and the best selling bocce instructional book in the USA.
Order Now @ just $13.95 by clicking on the book image to the right.
*********************************************
I hope you will like this electronic newsletter. To be deleted from my list, you can Unsubscribe at the end of this issue. We will quickly and permanently remove your email address from our list (we'll be sorry to see you go). But, be aware that one of our enthusiastic readers suggested that “…bocce and unsubscribe are mutually exclusive terms.”
********************************************
If you know others who would enjoy and benefit from this Ezine, encourage them to sign up. You could forward this issue to them so they can decide for themselves if they want to "opt in". I promise that I will never be in the business of selling or trading your email address or other personal information. Our ambitious goal = 10,000 subscribers by 12/31/03.
*********************************************
A word about ads: Like any entrepreneurial type, I'd love to turn a profit from something I really enjoy. For now, I have decided not to accept paid advertisements. If I pitch a product here, it is something I have examined and tested and deem it beneficial to our readers.
********************************************
PLEASE – we are always looking for bocce photos and feedback from all over the USA. We want to connect bocce fans everywhere. You can email (author@joyofbocce.com) or snail mail (Mario Pagnoni, P.O. Box 608, Methuen, MA 01844).
*********************************************
Disclaimer: Hey, I don't claim to be a bocce pro. Heck, I'm not even a very good player - but no one loves the sport more than I do. My contribution to the game is in having interviewed many of the top players and then assembling the information into a concise, easy-to-read book. What I've created is comparable to what others have done for basketball, soccer, and other sports.
|
|
|
|
|
You may recall that Jim Vaughan of the Bargetto Winery sent us a copy of his winery’s newsletter that had, among other things, a fascinating account of the relationship between bocce and wine. {see archives - Vol. II, Issue 16 - April 21, 2003}
In that issue, according to Vaughan…
“The last few years I have been introducing Bargetto wines to buyers and wine consumers with bocce as the sporting background. Some of the wine & bocce venues were on the traditional surface, while others were improvised. For instance, we played on the carpet of a French bistro in Singapore, a putting green on the island of Kauai, inside a warehouse in Seattle and alongside horse stables in Tucson.
The fusion of wine tasting, food, music and a relaxing (often very competitive) bocce tournament creates an appealing social dynamic.”
I reprinted some of the Bargetto newsletter and included a link to the Bargetto Winery web site and, in appreciation, Vaughan offered to send me a sampler of wines.
“Honestly, Jim, I said. “Those fine wines would be wasted on me. I’m an uncultured slob with an unblemished record for missing the deeper meaning in poetry, art, dance and theatre. But, If you send it, I’ll share it with my (sophisticated) bocce posse.”
So, one recent Monday we partied with wine, Italian sausage and other good things to consume while playing our favorite game. We thought that combining comments about the wines with the actual barbecue and bocce competition might make for an interesting read.
Also, we are interested in learning what things you choose to combine with bocce. We play in the mornings usually, so coffee and pastry are our first choice. But I know many prefer wine and bocce or fine cigars and bocce. Please REPLY and tell us what goes well with bocce for your tastes.
The line-up…
1) CA Pinot Grigio 2002 - Bargetto’s best-selling white wine. PG, by the way, is now the second leading white wine (nationally) in restaurant sales. Bargetto has won 14 gold medals over the past five years with this offering.
According to Vaughan, “The flavors of green apples, pear and honeysuckle are combined with a very clean, refreshing acidic backbone. It is a great lunch wine and not bad when the first pallino is tossed out. (approx. retail: $16.00).”
2) CA Merlot 2000: “The smokey--spicey cherry flavor is accented by hints of plum, chocolate and violets. This is a full-bodied, user-friendly Merlot with extremely smooth tannins. (approx. retail: $12.00).”
3) SCM, Regan Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2000 Reserve - The Santa Cruz Mountain winegrowing region has a reputation for producing world class Pinot Noirs and this is an excellent example.
"This premiere red Burgundian grape variety-some argue the ultimate "vino rosso"-truly enjoys the cool, elevated growing conditions of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Pinot Noirs have been described as the "Grace Kelly" of red wines (soft, delicate but complex) and this vintage fits the image perfectly. (approx. retail: $40.00....and we have another version in the $18.00 range)."
4) SCM, Regan Vineyard Chardonnay 2001 - "A clean, buttery-lemon/mango flavor combines with a sturdy and complimentary acidic backbone (like the Pinot Grigio). We use newer and older barrels so the fruit expression can stand out. A satisfying, lingering finish is an added bonus. (approx. retail: $18.00)."
5) SCM, Regan Vineyard, La Vita 1998: "Possibly a strong candidate for the best wine from the misunderstood vinage of 1998. This is a unique blend of three Northern Italian varieties: Nebbiolo, Dolcetto & Refosco. This is only the second vintage of this "Cal-Ital" estate produced wine and it already is on the threshold of cult status. The earthy, smokiness of the aroma is coupled with a spicey-cherry, black pepper flavor that transports you back to the foothills of Piedmonte! (approx. retail: $50.00)
P.S. a % of the profits from La Vita (The Life) are given back to a local charity in Santa Cruz. The Siena House is this year's recipient. The Siena House supports and assists unwed mothers and women experiencing domestic challenges."
6) Chaucer's Olallieberry: Best description of this non-grape dessert wine is like drinking your pie.
"Olallieberry (a double hybrid blackberry) is grown just below Regan Vineyard in Pajaro Valley. The main use of this berry is for jams and pies. We are the only producers of a commercial Olallieberry wine. Chaucer's is the label used by the Bargetto Family for all of the dessert wines; Mead and Raspberry are currently the other selections. Olallieberry is enjoyed in many applications, including poured delicately over any chocolate based desserts, New York cheesecake, vanilla ice cream, added to perk-up sparkling wines...or just by itself. (approx. retail: $10.00)."
Summing up...
"Bargetto Winery is located in the hamlet of Soquel, just four miles from the city of Santa Cruz and one mile from the coastal village of Capitola. Regan Vineyard is approx. 20 minutes away in the agriculturally rich town of Corralitos.
As for purchasing Bargetto wines, I would suggest your readers inquire with their favorite wine merchants (we are distributed in over 40 states)...or go online to Bargetto.com and click onto the Wine Club icon and inquire about the wines through this method....and be sure they mention they read about us in your Joy of Bocce newsletter!"
{Obviously, Jim Vaughan knows of what he speaks - and he speaks eloquently and passionately about his wines...all I can say is that our bocce posse gave its collective "thumbs up" to this fine array of wines. Click on the La Vita label to view the Bargetto Web Site}
|
|
|
|
|
{chronological order}
Please - anyone running a tournament - do me a favor - put a notice near your tourney bracket board informing players that they can go to http://www.joyofbocce.com and "opt in" for my FREE Ezine on bocce. Click the logo to the right to opt in if you do not already receive this ezine every Monday.
August 22-24, 2003 – 19th annual Wickliffe Italian American Club (Wickliffe, OH (east of Cleveland) Tournament. Contact Tony Continenza at 440-585-4600 or email lincolnsunoco@aol.com.
August 23, 2003 - USBF Western Sector Raffa Championships, Los Gatos, CA, Campo di Bocce - Raffa Rules. Contact John Ross (408) 354-0625 or heresjohnny@earthlink.net.
August 23, 2003 – Long Island Bocce Club’s President’s Cup - two-person team, single elimination event. Entry fee is $15.00 per person. Prize money to be distributed to the top 3 teams. Contact libocceclub@yahoo.com or call 631-664-6831.
August 24, 2003 - 6th Annual Tempo Italiano Celebration Bocce Tournament – Villa Tempo Italiano, 440 Northampton St., Easton, PA, 18042 - Contact Tempo Italiano at 610-559-5570. $500.00 to First Place Team, $300.00 for Second Place and $200.00 for Third Place.
Sept 5-7, 2003 - St. Anthony's - Struthers, OH – 4 person - 330-755-0077
Sept 6 & 7, 2003 – Rochester, NY – 2 person double elimination. 1st place $1500 – awards thru 8th place. Contact Natale Scala @ 585-704-7080.
Sept 12-14, 2003 - Farrell Lion's Club - Farrell, PA - 4 person - 724-342-5919.
Sept 13, 2003 - World Open Course Bocce Championship - Seabeck, WA. Single-player event. Contact Jeff at boccethis@yahoo.com for details.
Sept 15-21, 2003 - World Bocce Championship, Chiasso, Switzerland, CBI International Bocce Tournament, Raffa. For more information see www.bocce.com or contact Mike Conti (847) 692-6223 / usbocce@aol.com.
Sept 20, 2003 – Collinsville, Illinois Italianfest Tournament - Glidden Park, Lebanon and Branch Street, Collinsville (located approx. 1 mile from the fest grounds) – contact allgreen@socket.net.
Sept 20, 2003 - Le Phare Des Alps bocce tournament – Valdese, North Carolina - $40 per four-person team. Contact T.R. Robinson at trrobin111@yahoo.com.
Sept 21, 2003 – Sunshine Village Universal Bocce Bowl, Szot Park, Chicopee, Mass. Four player teams - $200 entry fee – includes t-shirt, lunch & dinner. Limited # of teams – 1st place = $600, 2nd place = $300, 3rd place = $200. Contact Rico Daniele @ 1-800-BOCCE54.
Sept 21, 2003 - Bruno Freschet Memorial Tournament, Peninsula Social Club, San Mateo, California, Open, 4 Players, contact Adriano Undorte at (650) 591-3318.
Sept. 27 & 28, 2003 - Festa Italiana - Seattle, Washington includes a bocce tournament - info @ www.festaseattle.com.
October 3-5 Farrell VFW - Farrell, PA - 4 person - 724-981-1020.
October 4, 2003 - USBF Western Sector Open Championships, Los Gatos, CA Campo di Bocce, Open (Four Person). Contact John Ross (408) 354-0625 or heresjohnny@earthlink.net.
October 7-12, 2003 - Volo World Championship, Nice, France, Federation International De Boules, International Volo Tournament. Contact Mike Conti 847-692-6223 or usbocce@aol.com.
October 11, 2003 - Fall Open Tournament, Marin Bocce Federation, San Rafael, California, Open, 4 Players, contact Diana Pellegrini at (415) 454-4483.
October 25, 2003 - Raffa Tournament, Campo di Bocce, Los Gatos Bocce Club, Raffa, 3 Players, contact Bill Schlaefer at (408) 379-9409.
October 26, 2003 - 3rd Annual Tempo Italiano Fall Classic Bocce Tournament - Villa Tempo Italiano, 440 Northampton St., Easton, PA, 18042 - Contact Tempo Italiano at 610-559-5570. $500.00 to First Place Team, $300.00 for Second Place and $200.00 for Third Place.
November 1, 2003 - Third Annual Big Ben Invitational - 2 person Punto, Raffa, Volo - International rules, two person teams - three balls each. Price not yet determined, big money potential. Contact Ben Musolf - Campo di Bocce 408.395.7650.
Nov 14-16 - Bessemer Croatian Club - Bessemer, PA - 4 person - 724-667-8997.
NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, NO MATTER WHAT PART OF THE COUNTRY, SEND US YOUR TOURNAMENT INFO SO WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT IN THIS COLUMN. PEOPLE MAY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR EVENT OR JUST VISIT TO CHECK IT OUT TO "BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
