Kennedy's European Experience: Leiwen Wine Fest

6 Sep - Michael's family invited us to spend the day in Leiwen and attend the Weinfest in town. After we arrived, we gave Alfons and Petra some Slovak Wine that Tina's parents sent to them as well as a bottle of special Tokaj wine from Slovakia. Tokaj is made from a grape with a special mold that provides a unique flavor. We also gave Michael his key to our house because he is a member of this family!!! Jamie helped Petra cook a wonderful lunch of mushroom soup, roasted pork with gravy, Spatzle (egg noodles) and broccoli. Michael's Oma (Grandmother) joined us for lunch. Of course we had some wonderful Stoffel sparkling wine before lunch and a great 2007 Reisling feinherb with lunch. For dessert, we had a Panna Cotta (Flan) and Alfons served 2007 Eiswein - SNAP!!! After lunch, we showed them some pictures of our home and from Slovakia. Then Michael drove us to the top of the mountains and we had a great view of Leiwen. Jamie stayed with her new friend Petra!!! Then we drove to a tower and when you see the Mosel River from that point, it looks like 5 lakes in the valley - really neat. Afterwards, Michael drove us to his school - really neat school. When we returned, we ate a wonderfully light cheesecake (Kaesekuche) that Petra cooked with homemade (hausmachte) whipped creme and coffee. We then went to the wine fest on the main street (hauptstrasse). The wine makers on that street set up booths and sold wine and food. There was a DJ that played German traditional and some American music - Jim Croche, Elvis, Richie Valance, etc. Michael plays French Horn in the local youth band. they were playing and we watched them. Pretty good and real traditional which was perfect. After they played, they passed a bottle of wine around the band - the songs got better and faster as the night went on!!!!!!!! We drank a rose sparkling wine from Alfons cousin, ate a nice shrimp scampi and a schwenkbraten (swinging grilled pork steak) and of course WINE - a couple bottles of feinherb and a bottle of Kabinett. Trust me, when Alfons recommends a wine - get it. Kim and Jamie had grapejuice (trabbensaft) that was really strong and really good. We finished the night at 2230 and headed home with Jim and Alfons dancing the Waltz in the streets. Its a guy thing. Thanks to the Stoffel family for hosting us. It was a wonderful evening and we had a great time with many memories. We're very proud of Michael and his school and playing. We would not have missed him playing with the band for anything. It was great!!