France is December's Featured Country

In the International spirit that is Rotary, each Etown Rotary board meeting this year will feature a different country by way of a wine tasting. According to the French proverb, " In water one sees one's own face; But in wine one beholds the heart of another."

Our meeting on Tuesday will highlight France. The history of Rotary in France... In 1913, after some Rotary Clubs had been started in Great Britain, Paul Harris and Ches Perry decided to try a similar effort in France and they sent two 'missionaries' to Paris. The men chosen were Frank Mulholland of Toledo, Ohio PRI 1914/5 and Tom Stephenson of Edinburgh PRIBI 1927/8. However their mission was not successful, and in practice, the first club in France was the Allied Rotary Club which held regular meetings in Paris toward the end of the First World War. This was not really a French club since it catered primarily for the Allied Forces, based in or passing through the city. A second 'mission', Robert Withington of Philadelphia and Elmer Felt of Tacoma, Washington, arrived in Paris in September 1920. There they met a Dutch businessman A.Vonck, and with his help, three more prospects were gathered and on October 21, a further 13.

On February 1, 1921, Vonck was appointed interim President of the new organising committee for the Paris Rotary Club. On July 4, the Paris Rotary Club was officially constituted with 16 members.

Our December tasting this month will be Cotes Du Rhone Guigal 2007 Rhone. Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône Blanc is a blend of 55% Viognier with Rousanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc. Fresh and floral aromatics of orange blossom and white flowers, honey, stone fruit and tangerine. On the palate, fairly rich and creamy with apricot and white peach and some key lime. Solid acidity and minerality with a clean, polished finish.