This 2017 vintage has beautiful color with rich, silky, wild raspberry fruit flavors laced with pepper, sage, tar, and olive/herb tones. Aromas are raspberry, smoky, wild gamey, peppery, and cinnamon. The wine has a clean purity of Syrah fruit that is reminiscent of many St. Joseph’s and other Northern Rhone's. It has forward fruit flavors and great acid balance. It is very smooth and savory in the mouth.
“One day, you’re gonna write a book about my family, and it won’t be so pretty. Why all the secrets? Why all the lies?”
These fateful words were spoken to Jay Wilkinson by his mother, who had recently discovered a small piece of the secret history of their Italian family. After 12 years of extensive research, Jay Wilkinson disentangles the complex history of his family in New Orleans and Sicily in the book “A Lie Will Suffice: A DiGiovanni Family History”. Jay’s family had strong links to organized crime and all the drama that goes with it: Atlantic Ocean crossings, murder, extortion, vendetta, bootlegging, hostage-taking Fascists cracking down on Sicilian Mafiosi, labor influence on the New Orleans banana docks, two criminal trials, a secret interment in the family burial vault, the Great Depression and World War II. This book includes an extensive bibliography that supports and helps unravel and explain the sometimes difficult-to-discern, complex, but ultimately triumphant DiGiovanni-Guinta family history. It ends with the opaque revelation to the author by his Godfather, ten months before his Godfather’s death, of the most closely held family secret.
“Picchi didi a verita farfantaria cia basta.”
(Why tell the truth when a lie will suffice.)
Join Ciao Asheville, Metro Wines, and author, Jay Wilkinson, for a presentation and book signing of Jay’s dramatic family story. This event will take place on Friday, November 3, from 2-3:30pm at Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville. The event is free; however, registration is required. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Wine by the glass will be available for purchase. Please call Metro Wines at (828) 575-9525.
Note for attendees: Please park at the back of the parking lot at Metro Wines.
About Jay Wilkinson
Jay Wilkinson was a United States Magistrate Judge at the federal trial court in New Orleans for 25 years until his retirement in 2020. Before his judicial appointment, he was a lawyer for 15 years and a newspaper reporter for two years.
He is a life-long product of Louisiana and an honors graduate of the Tulane University School of Law (1980), the Louisiana State University School of Journalism, now the Manship School of Mass Communication (1976), Archbishop Shaw High School (1973) and Christ the King School. He is a husband, father and grand-father; great-grandson of Gaetano “Don Tano Baioco” and Angelina Bucaro DiGiovanni and the grandson of Natale and Antonia (Lena, Nia) Guinta. He is extremely proud of his Sicilian heritage and loves his extended DiGiovanni-Guinta-Wilkinson family more today than ever before. He lives with his wife Sue in Gretna, LA.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 29, 2023 • 4-8 PM
Weaverville Community Center at Dottie Sherrill Knoll - 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787
Chateau Vignol, Entre Deux Mers 2022, Château la Fleur des Pins Blanc 2019, Château Léhoul Graves Supérieures 2020
Lemon Pepper oysters served 3 ways
Chateau Haut-Bergeron Sauterne
Foie Gras torchon, fennel apple chutney, little gem salad,
cider vinaigrette
Chateau Coulonge Malbec 2016, Château Léhoul Grand Vin de Graves 2019, Château Le Chatelet St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2018
Duck confit terrine, cherry bordelaise, winter squash, garlic greens
Château Haut-Bergeron 2016 Sauternes
Blue Cheese cheesecake, poached pear, spiced honey syrup, pecan crumble
"Please reserve your seats early," says John Kerr of MetroWines, "The very mention of Chef Sam Etheridge and Importer Jean-Christian Rostagni, creates a buzz that guarantees a sell out!"
News Release: Monday, September 25, 2023
About: Ciao Asheville Event: Trick or Tarot? The History of Tarot in Italy
Tarot cards originated in northern Italy during the late 14th or early 15th century. They began as illustrated playing cards with imaginative themes and were used for a leisurely card game called tarocchi, which became popular in Europe. Tarocchi eventually became tarot in southern France and around the mid 18th century decks started to be used for divination and fortune telling while also being infused with a layer of the occult. In modern times you'll find a never-ending variety of designs and themes for tarot cards, from French Impressionism to Star Wars.
Just in time for Halloween, join Ciao Asheville and local teacher, folklorist and book author H. Byron Ballard as she discusses the history of tarot and how cards are interpreted (is drawing the Death card always a bad thing?) She'll also do some sample card interpretations for attendees.
This event will take place on Thursday, October 26, from 5-6pm at Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville. Price for the evening is $20 + tax and includes a glass of red or white Italian wine. Register online here and find out more information about this event here. (Note: registration refundable up to 48 hours prior to the event.) For more information call Metro Wines at (828) 575-9525.
Note for attendees: Please park at the back of the parking lot at Metro Wines.
Contacts:
Ciao Asheville: Gail Rampersaud, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Metro Wines: Gina Trippi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Event title: Trick or Tarot? The History of Tarot in Italy
Tarot cards originated in northern Italy during the late 14th or early 15th century. They began as illustrated playing cards with imaginative themes and were used for a leisurely card game called tarocchi, which became popular in Europe. Tarocchi eventually became tarot in southern France and around the mid 18th century decks started to be used for divination and fortune telling while also being infused with a layer of the occult. In modern times you'll find a never-ending variety of designs and themes for tarot cards, from French Impressionism to Star Wars.
Just in time for Halloween, join Ciao Asheville and local teacher, folklorist and book author H. Byron Ballard as she discusses the history of tarot and how cards are interpreted (is drawing the Death card always a bad thing?) She'll also do some sample card interpretations for attendees.
This event will take place on Thursday, October 26, from 5-6pm at Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville. Price for the evening is $20 + tax and includes a glass of red or white Italian wine. Light snacks will be served. Register online here https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/ciao-tarot-card-event.html. (Note: registration refundable up to 48 hours prior to the event.) For more information call Metro Wines at (828) 575-9525.
Note for attendees: Please park at the back of the parking lot at Metro Wines.
About H. Byron Ballard
H. Byron Ballard, BA, MFA, is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Southeast Wise Women’s Herbal Conference, Glastonbury Goddess Conference, Heartland, Sirius Rising, Starwood, Scottish Pagan Federation Conference, Hexfest and other festivals and conferences. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on “Wyrd Mountain Gals.”
Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Her books include “Staubs and Ditchwater” (2012), the companion volume “Asfidity and Mad-Stones” (2015) “Embracing Willendorf” (2017), “Earth Works: Ceremonies in Tower Time” (2018),“Roots, Branches, and Spirits: the Folkways and Witchery of Appalachia” from Llewellyn (Feb. 2021) and “Seasons of a Magical Life: a Pagan Path of Living” (Weiser, August 2021). Upcoming: “The Ragged Wound: Tending the Soul of Appalachia” (Smith Bridge Press), “Porch Food: a cookbook from Wyrd Mountain” and a musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. www.myvillagewitch.com
I am writing to you with a heavy heart, and letting you know that I will be leaving Metro Wines. I have an opportunity to be the Director of Operations for a real estate investment company that will be a game changing opportunity for me and my family. We will be staying here in Asheville for this opportunity.
Leading the team here at Metro Wines has been one of the highlights of my career. I have made so many amazing connections that I hope last a lifetime. I will never forget my Metro family of vendors, customers and colleagues.
A special thanks to John and Gina for letting me be apart of their business for almost 5 years.
Thank you for everything and remember... life is too short to drink bad wine, so keep supporting Metro Wines!
Zach Eidson