1. Date: August 16, 2008. This is a change for MoCool, which has been one week before Labor Day weekend for more than 10 years. This is a week earlier. The good news about this is that it works much better for the owners of the lodge, therefore we have the lodge confirmed as the venue! The bad news is that this is the same weekend as major NASCAR events at the nearby Michigan International Speedway, so hotel rooms in and around Ann Arbor may already be in short supply, and rates may be slightly higher. There are a few cottages located at the lodge and there is some talk that there might be room for a few people to stay there. As of now, that is not certain, but if that does turn out, we will let you know as soon as it is clear to the locals in Ann Arbor.
2. Theme: The working theme is "Bordeaux by the Fives" or "Bordeaux 5x5". Meaning Bordeaux vintage years which are multiples of 5 which as we know include a lot of highly-ranked vintages, focusing most on the "5" most recent "5's" vintages 1985-2005. We're geeked about red Bordeaux of course, but since great white wines, both dry and sweet, come from Bordeaux also, we don't want to leave those out!
3. Food: Chef Alan is in conversations with the main planners. We were trying to figure out how to make duck work as a main dish, but it's just too labor-intensive (and/or expensive) for us. So it will probably be beef. But nothing is decided for sure yet.
Sound good?
Note: I am going to make reservations in some hotel in the area ASAP! We all know how those rowdy NASCAR fans are, they come by the thousands and party hearty. I fully recommend that if you even think you are coming that you do the reservation thing as well. One can always cancel a day or two in advance, but it may not be possible to find anything as the time draws closer. The above is all I know at this time, but I am keeping my ear to the ground.
