How to Dine on Killer Wine: A Party-Planning Mystery by Penny Warner Read Free Book Online Page B

lying pig!” JoAnne was now shouting. “You and your pals here are
ruining
the Napa Valley, spreading your polluted vineyards to the streams and wetlands and destroying the water quality for everyone. I’ve been fighting for years to protect the wildlife habitat and stop the land erosion, but you newbies have no concern for the environment, as long as you can expand your fences and your fortunes. Your so-called boutique wineries are no better than those jerks at Napology who want to take over the whole county.”
    Nick Madeira cleared his throat and spoke up. “Listen, JoAnne, we’re on your side with the environment. Yes, big wineries like Napology are the ones ruining the valley, but not us little guys. They’re the ones buying up and consolidating all the smaller vineyards that are suffering in this lousy economy. They’re the ones you should be after, not us.”
    “He’s right, JoAnne,” ex-governor Dennis Brien slurred more than said. “Yes, I’ll admit, I want to defeat Measure W, but only because it’s too extreme and it really won’t help wildlife, or improve the water, or stop further erosion.” He sounded every bit the politician as he spoke, and I wondered how sincere he was. I glanced at his wife, KJ, who sat wide-eyed, intently listening. Claudette, meanwhile, had a tiny smile on her face and seemed to be enjoying the drama.
    “Growth is essential for Napa County, JoAnne,” Dennis continued. “We all know this area is the most popular region for domestic wines. If we limit growth, that will only impact the economy in a negative way. Plus it’ll hurt our county’s eight-billion-dollar industry. You don’t want that, do you?”
    “You’re the biggest liar of all, Governor,” JoAnne said. “You’ve brainwashed these guys into believing your political agenda. Well, it won’t work with me—I’m not that stupid. My winery has been here for generations, unlike you idiots who pretend you’re vintners when you don’t know the first thing about producing quality wines. All you care about are your fancy castles, fancy cars, and fancy parties. Well, just wait until tomorrow night.
    “I’m warning you, Christopher, if you host that party, you’ll get a taste of JoAnne Douglas’s
amuse-bouches
.” Pronouncing the words “amuse-bootches” instead of “amooze-boosches,” she stepped to the table, picked up one of the chocolate mousse desserts left on the tray, and hurled the soft chocolate glob across the table, directly into Rob’s face.
    I gasped. The men ducked to the side to avoid being in the line of fire, should she sweep up more ammunition, while the women screamed. As Rob picked up a cloth napkin and wiped the gooey mess from his face, Marie rose with her glass of wine. She stared at JoAnne, utter hatred in her usually serene eyes; then with a backhanded sweep, she tossed the red liquid at JoAnne, dousing her face, hair, and T-shirt.
    The other guests recoiled as the residue spattered the tablecloth. The women inspected their cocktail dresses for stains. The men rose, ready to defend or attack, as required.
    JoAnne wiped the wine from her face with her sleeve, cocked her jaw at the stunned crowd, and said calmly, “Well, then. I’ll see you all tomorrow night.”

Chapter 5
    PARTY-PLANNING TIP #5
    For a theme within a theme at your wine-tasting party, try a “horizontal tasting,” with wines that come from the same vintage, or a “vertical tasting,” using wines from the same winery. Or make up your own rules and taste wines from a certain location, grape variety, or price range.
    There was no need to call the police on JoAnne Douglas. She left of her own accord, after blotting the front of her shirt with a cloth napkin and tossing it on the floor. No one said a word for several moments, until Rob broke the silence.
    “Well. We may need to double our security tomorrow night, but there’s no way I’m going to let that impossible woman ruin our event.”
    “Are you sure you