Drink and learn

In the middle of Brussels, Belgium there is an interesting and much beloved unique sculpture. Manneken Pis (meaning “Lil’ Piddler” in Dutch) is a landmark sculpture in Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain’s basin. It was put in place in 1618 and is the best-known symbol of the people of Brussels. It embodies their sense of humor and their independence of mind. With their sense of adventure, free spirit and playfulness, Rupa Mathur and Alfred Van Gool invited the Wine Stewards to spend an evening exploring the foods and wines of Belgium. Rupa and Alfred served a traditional Belgium dish, vol-au-vent, French for ‘windblown’ to describe its lightness. It is a common main dish in Belgium and is filled with a combination of chicken, mushrooms and small meatballs, served with French Fries. Remember, the Belgiums invented French Fries! To accompany this meal, the Wine Stewards were instructed to bring wines only from the Cote Du Rhone region of France. This region in the southern Rhone Valley has produced wines since pre-Roman times, and was the favorite wines of kings. The wines produced are from a blend of 22 grapes, and not from a single source. Red and rosé wines are made from Grenache noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignane, Counoise and Mourvedre grapes. White wines are mainly from Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussane, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Culinary and cultural history, geography, and hospitality combined made this evening one of complete enjoyment for the Wine Stewards.