Newsletter - Winter 2012 - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Annual CALPACS Wine Tasting Event 2011Mosby Winery and Vineyards – by Payam MinoofarChemistry is the science of transformation, andoenology is one of its earliest forms. As chemistswe may wonder which transformation is moreprofound: the transformation from squashedgrapes to an alcoholic elixir, or the one from a sadmood to a state of ecstasy.The winemaker and owner, Bill Mosby, showedup and entertained numerous questions about hiscareer as a periodontist, his early career as abrewer in his college dormitory, his retirement to anew career as a winemaker and, of course, the wayhe makes his wines. Unfortunately, legalrestrictions proscribed the pouring of brandies thathe had begun to distill on the property, but thathad no negative impact on the mood of theattendees.No one really pondered that deep philosophicalquestion at Mosby Winery and Vineyards onDecember, 10, 2011. We celebrated the fabulouselixirs fermented by Bill Mosby. The fullcontingent of chemists who descended uponBuellton on a sunny, cool autumn day were treatedto a wonderful tasting of many Italian varieties ofwine, an assortment of delicious cheeses andhearty soups prepared by members from San LuisObispo.Full attendance made the event a fantasticopportunity to meet chapter members from theextreme regions of the chapter's vast territory:from Thousand Oaks to San Luis Obispo. It was,therefore, just as fabulous a networkingopportunity as it was a way to spend a beautifulday.