Chuck, The Wine Guy

2005-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our new wine and spirit events feature entertainment. Last night, Detroit welcomed Lafayette Gilchrist to the city. It was a shining moment. Before his first set at 8:30 p.m., he tested the grand piano in the bar and then the upright in the Dining Room. After playing tunes on both, he stated that the upright gave up some richer tones.

Lafayette is from Baltimore and this was his first visit to Detroit. Between Sherman Sharpe's steaks, which Lafayette proclaimed as ..."the best I ever had." Or Nicole Wells beauty, this young man will return and to larger audiences. Those few who witnessed last night will attest to the shining light, that is Lafayette Gilchrist.

Last night, Lafayette was solo on the piano. When I left the Harlequin, after discussions with Sherman, Lafayette, Marcus Belgrave, Reggie Smith and two other patrons, I could not sleep and put in my new CD. Like most musicians who are great solo artists, when I heard Lafayette in a band, I was blown away. This young man has skills.

By the way, our next event is Thursday, August 4, 2005 at the Hotel St. Regis, from 5-9 p.m.
Wine, Jazz & Mo' kicks it up another notch featuring Back To Back with Gewn Fox. Our featured beverage will be "Pitu". What is "Pitu"? It's from Brazil and it is similar to Rum. Come and discover something new.

Drink What You Like,

Chuck, the Wine Guy

2005-07-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

July 29th's event at the Harlequin is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 2
a.m., but the tasting is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Crab Dinners are
available during that time, but to assure your Crab Dinner we
suggest that you pre-pay.

The entire night, when you pre-pay, is $40 plus food tax. Crab
Dinner ($15 plus tax), Lafayette Gilchrist $20 admission ($15 when
you pre-pay) and Chateau Valerio tasting (three different wines
to taste) for $10. If you wait until Friday, your total cost
increases by $5, to $45.

The VIP package takes care of your meal (your choice of
entree) in the dining room, admission to Lafayette Gilchrist and
the tasting. Those in the VIP also receive an additional wine to
taste. Click the link below or call 313.942.5467 to pre-pay.

http://www.domainedetroitwinefestival.us/Page1.htm

Hope to see you there.

Chuck

2005-06-26T05:04:00.000-07:00

And our name is Verondee / Domaine Detroit Production. It is a joint venture created to enhance events at venues special to our team. DiChondra and myself will help create wonderful networking events.

There is excitement swirling around this venture. We must all work together to accomplish our task. No one person is more important than any other. Each person brings something that enhances each event. Verondee / Domaine Detroit is poised and ready to take advantage of all opportunities.

For updates on our collaborations, join our Google group at:

Subscribe to Verondee/ Domaine Detroit Productions

Email:

Browse Archives at groups-beta.google.com

Drink What You Like,

Chuck & DiChondra

2005-06-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

While speaking with Ophelia at the St. Regis today, we tossed around the idea for a fundraiser for Plowshares Theatre. Plowshares lost costumes, props and other items during that massive fire at Piquette Storage (John R. & Piquette). Members, can any of you solicit donations from vendors for a silent auction?

I have already started. While at Chateau Valerio, Jason promised to donate two bottles of wine in the beautiful wood boxes they use.

It's time to get creative. We cannot lose Plowshares. Also, we will be looking into doing a fundraiser for the African American Museum as well.

Thanking You In Advance For Your Support,

Chuck & DiChondra

2005-06-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here are the links I promised. These links are to organizations that focus on consumer rights.

http://www.winecam.org/

http://freethegrapes.com/

From these links, you can sign up to send letters to your legislators in Michigan to let them lnow how important this issue is to you. Remember, technology has come a long way since the end of Prohibition. Why is there still a need for a three tiered structure that significantly benefits a select few? Distributors should have prepared for this day.

Now what you like and drink what you like.

2005-06-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Chuck, the wine guy is a name given to me by Fox 2 Weekend Anchor Charles Pugh. The name that my mother and father gave me is Charles Jackson, Jr. I am the founder of Domaine Detroit Wine Festival. I was the Vice President of the African American Wine Tasting Society's Detroit Chapter. After that affiliation, I moved on to the Mahogany Tasters; where I was Vice President until the Founder, Torrance Hucks, moved to D.C. Then I became the President of the Mahogany Tasters.

Now, I am focusing on the business that I started before I joined either organization, namely, Domaine Detroit Wine Festival. The connections I have made over the last ten (10) years, with Michigan wineries are important, now, more than ever. If the Michigan Legislature eliminates the direct shipment of wine, by Michigan wineries to their customers, a great majority of these wineries will die on the vine.

At a time when the Number One industry in our state is struggling, why would politicians seek to destroy an important part of our State's second and third largest industries? Wine wholesalers want to keep their monopoly on wine distribution, at the expense of consumer choice and the State's economic development. We need to grow those businesses the drive our economy, not those that feed off of it.

Tourism is Michigan's second largest industry, while Agriculture is the third largest. Michigan wineries impact both tourism and agriculture. Wineries are tourist attractions in rural Michigan. You can see grapes growing and taste the products made from grapes. Most Michigan wineries showcase other products grown and made in Michigan. They showcase the best that Michigan has to offer. And the wine wholesalers seek to destroy that, so they can continue to profit from an antiquated distribution system.

My next blog will include links to email addresses for our state legislators. The people must have their voice heard. Pure capitalism hates monopolies and cartels. Americans benefit when there is competition.

Drink What You Like,

Chuck, The Wine Guy