By Zandra Wolfgram
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) celebrates 10 years of good wine, good food and good community outreach with the 10th Annual Wine Walkabout. This year’s event is Thursday, Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. To toast the occasion, we bring you 10 fun facts. Cheers!
Global grapes
Grapes are the most planted fruit globally, with more than 10,000 varieties growing around the world and over 80 countries involved in wine growth and production.
The state of wine
Wine is grown in every state of the U.S. even Alaska, where wine is made from not only grapes but other locally grown fruits like blueberries, gooseberries, and even rhubarb. Some Alaskan wineries are also known for making ice wine, a sweet dessert wine produced using grapes frozen while still on the vine.
The original health drink
The health benefits of wine have been championed for thousands of years. As far back as 400 BC, wine was being prescribed to patients to help a variety of ailments from fever to depression to pain during childbirth. These days it’s still said to have plenty of health benefits, including lessening the chances of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
To your health
The ancient Greeks were similarly afraid of poisoning, and so the phrase ‘drinking to your health’ comes from them. At gatherings, the host would stand and drink the first cup of wine, again to show that they had not poisoned it and that their guests were in no danger.
Underwater wine
Wine is found not just all over the world but under the sea too! Divers exploring the historic wreck of the Titanic were surprised to find that many of the wine bottles in the ship’s cellar remain intact despite the boat sitting at a depth of 12,000 feet below the surface. The bottles were not removed but left undisturbed aboard the ship.
Drinking age
The oldest bottle of wine in the world is on display in Germany at the Historical Museum of Pfalz, Speyer. The bottle was unearthed in the 1800s from a tomb where it had been buried along with several other vessels and glasses. The wine dates back to 325 AD and is still liquid at its center, but we’re not going to be first in line at that tasting.
A whole lot of grapes
It takes around 500 grapes to make a bottle of wine, and in your glass, you’ve probably got about 75!
Business Babe Ruth
Chris Steak House was founded on February 27, 1927, by New Orleans entrepreneur Chris Matulich. Ruth Fertel, a divorced mother of two, purchased the restaurant in 1965. On her first day, she sold 35 steaks at $5 each. Fertel personally took a hand in every part of the business; for many years, it was the only upscale restaurant in New Orleans with an all-female wait staff. In early 1976 she moved, expanded to 160 seats and renamed the new restaurant Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Michael J. Thomas is No. 1
Saxophonist and vocalist Michael J. Thomas has been entertaining patrons at Ruth’s Chris Destin since the restaurant opened in May 2006. He performs a wide range of music from classic standards to jazz to pop. This breakthrough single “Baby Coffee” hit No. 1 on Billboard Smooth Jazz Song charts. His No. 1 hit recordings have aired on nationally.
Cheers to ArtsReach
Proceeds from Wine Walkabout benefit ArtsReach, MKAF’s robust outreach series leverages the talents of artists, provides hands-on art, theater and music education programs designed especially for K-12 students, children and adults with special needs, as well as veteran and active-duty military service members.
Tickets for Wine Walkabout and the special Wine Dinner that follows are on sale now at MKAF.org.
