A convergence of oenophiles
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I am thrilled to introduce a guest editorial that explores the humanity of our field, written by Mike Schweitz, MD.
For those who don’t know Mike, he has recently retired from practice after 42 years, but during that time he has accomplished so much — advocating, organizing and inspiring a generation of rheumatologists through his activities with the Florida Society of Rheumatology, the Arthritis Foundation and his leadership in the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO), an advocacy group comprised of state and regional rheumatology societies that he helped to establish in 2003.
Mike is not only a respected colleague but also a dear friend with whom I share many interests, not least of which is our passion for the joys of wine. Let me say that while I consider myself knowledgeable and a long-term collector, my sophistication, as well as my depth and breath of enological experience, pales in comparison to that of Mike. Indeed, in the past I wrote a brief column for Jack Cush, MD, when he founded Rheum Now called “Wine and the Rheumatologist,” which was very fun, but Mike’s knowledge, experience and palate are the stuff of legend.
I have invited Mike to tell a story about how the work and the life of rheumatologists do not have to be separate. Over nearly 25 years, he has organized a legendary tasting coinciding with ACR Convergence that is a story that deserves to be told. I have been privileged to have shared many of these, but not enough. I have always been impressed that his event is more about the joy of wine and the humanity that surrounds it, rather than a blind tasting devoid of humanity. I am a fan of the philosophy of wine espoused by the terrific and award winning wine writer Terry Theise (who incidentally was introduced to me by none other than another rheumatology enophile, Chris Ritchlin, MD, MPH), that wine should not be a chemical experiment to ponder, but rather a “glide path to beauty and meaning.”
I encourage all of you who attend ACR Convergence to find your own muse to enhance the humanity of the meeting, whether it be through wine, food, coffee, jogging or walking with friends, music or beyond. Thank you, Mike, and I’ll see you soon.
As always, please share your thoughts with me at calabrl@ccf.org or at rheumatology@healio.com.
by Leonard H. Calabrese, DO
A common pastime at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting is getting together with colleagues and friends. This commonly includes sharing a meal, but a focused group of rheumatologists from around the world has been meeting yearly to share an evening devoted to wine appreciation and education.
The tradition began at the 2003 meeting, in Orlando, when a small group of eight oenophile rheumatologists met for dinner. At this meal, each brought a special wine from their own collection to share with the group. Over the ensuing 20 years, the dinner grew, primarily by word of mouth, to its current turnout of 30 to 35 participants.
It is a diverse group, including those from academia, private practice, industry and everywhere in between. Their level of interest varies, from near experts to budding oenophiles who want to increase their knowledge and appreciation of the grape, but all share a love of wine.
There is a long-standing structure for the evening: A restaurant in the meeting’s host city is booked and a menu is designed to complement a myriad of wine types and styles. Each devotee brings two bottles or a magnum of the wine of their choice. There is no predetermined theme. They may be red, white, sparkling or sweet. One attendee even brings a rose he made himself. The wines are arranged strategically to be served in flights of three during and between each course. They are arranged usually by type, but in a way that can illustrate an oenophilic point. The pours are small, about 1.5 ounces, so each person can inspect, swirl, smell and taste each one on offer. Dump buckets are routinely used.
When each wine is poured, its contributor stands and briefly discusses some aspect of it — the grape, region, vintage or even a story of their relationship with that particular bottle. It is an opportunity to educate the audience.
These events, to me, represent an evening when the science of rheumatology takes a back seat to the science of the grape, a fun and educational night when all who come, whether near expert or neophyte, learns something new. For many, it is one of the highlights of the national ACR meeting — a Convergence of Oenophiles.
All that’s left is to call an Uber.
by Michael C. Schweitz, MD
- For more information:
- Leonard H. Calabrese, DO, is the Chief Medical Editor, Healio Rheumatology, and Professor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, and RJ Fasenmyer Chair of Clinical Immunology at the Cleveland Clinic.
- Michael C. Schweitz, MD, is a member of the Healio Rheumatology Peer Perspective Board and vice president of the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions.
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