Pennsylvania Wine Society

FREE Virtual Event ~ Wine Wednesday ~ South African Wines
2021-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
The Wines of South Africa by Marty Cook
South Africa is a relative newcomer to the American wine scene over the past three or four decades; but that region has a rich winemaking tradition that extends well into the nineteenth century. The South African wine industry is also one of the leaders in doing research on wine and winemaking. Their signature white wine (Chenin Blanc) is known as “Steen” and their signature red wine (Pinotage, a manmade cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault) was developed by South African wine researchers nearly a century ago. But that is not where their award-winning wines ends, as the terroir is suitable for many V. vinifera wine grape varieties.
Explore the many possible South African wine choices next Wednesday during our next episode of Wine Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time. Secure a bottle of your favorite South African wine (or ask for help at your nearby Wine & Spirits store) and share your find with us during the finest hour of the work week – PWS Wine Wednesday! Connecting is easy for you via the Zoom link shown below! Oh, and please remember to photograph the front and back labels on your bottle and e-mail those photos to WineCat@pa.net for inclusion in the Wine Wednesday PowerPoint slides!
We look forward to seeing you Wednesday at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York time! Take care!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Pinot Noir
2021-05-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Pinot Noir by Marty Cook
Our next Wine Wednesday takes place on May 26th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time, and focuses on Pinot Noir, the red grape whose clusters loosely approximate the shape of a pinecone (the name is derived from the French words for pine and black). This difficult-to-grow cool climate grape gives winegrowers fits; but, as a result of their persistent efforts, Pinot Noir wine has become the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine.
The sensory characteristics of Pinot Noir are rather diverse, depending on the terroir in which it is grown, and those winegrowing regions span the globe. So, whether you prefer Pinot Noir from its native France, or Oregon, or New Zealand, or Germany, or wherever, pick up a bottle of your favorite representative Pinot Noir and join us next Wednesday, May 26th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time, to enjoy some entertaining comparisons of this amazing wine!
Oh, and please remember to take photos of the front and back labels of your bottle of Pinot Noir and send them to WineCat@pa.net for inclusion in next Wednesday night’s PowerPoint slideshow. It’s so much more fun to chat about these wines when we can visualize the labels as we discuss the merits of our wines!
Please join us on the Zoom link below. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Rhône Whites & Reds
2021-06-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Rhône Whites & Reds by Marty Cook

The Rhône wine region of France has been making wine for over 2000 years. The area is broken up into the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône, and the history and wines of the entire area is well-documented. The Northern Rhône wines are exclusively red wines made primarily from the Syrah grape, while the Southern Rhône region is known for a number of grapes and blends of both red and white wines.
Our next Wine Wednesday takes place on June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time and will examine the many possibilities of the entire Rhône region. Surprise us with your favorite Rhône wine, or ask the Wine Specialist in your local wine and spirits shop to assist in your selection. Then, join us for an hour of sharing, learning, and engagement as we look at what this ancient winegrowing region has to offer.
Oh, and, please remember to send photos of the front and back labels of your Rhône wine to WineCat@pa.net for inclusion in our PowerPoint slide show that will appear during our Zoom session next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you at the link shown below!
https://zoom.us/j/94073160420?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 7316 0420
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Regions/Wineries You Visited
2021-06-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Wines from Regions/Wineries You have Visited by Marty Cook
It is likely that all of us have visited a winery or a number of wineries in various wine regions. These explorations are tremendous fun! And, each winery and wine region introduce you to a number of wines from which to draw conclusions.
Virtually every winery makes at least one wine varietal for which it is well known, i.e., its signature wine. Perhaps they are known for both a red and a white. Beyond that, every wine region or AVA usually has a reputation for one or several grape varieties on which they have hung the collective hat of the wineries that reside within that region or AVA.
On the East Coast, one might identify Finger Lakes wineries and the wines that they produce with such grape varieties as Riesling or Cabernet Franc. Or, a visitor to Central Virginial might identify that area with the Viognier grape. Or, a region may be known for its Bordeaux-like red blends, or its cooler climate grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
For this coming Wine Wednesday, select a wine region or a winery that you have visited whose representative wines you particularly enjoyed. Secure a bottle of the wine that you would like to showcase during this coming Wine Wednesday and join us at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time.
As always, please remember to photograph the front and back labels of your bottle and e-mail them to WineCat@pa.net ~ PRIOR TO Wednesday ~ for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show of the wines we will taste.
We look forward to seeing you at the following Zoom link (see below) this coming Wednesday at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York time! Please join us!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Eastern American Wines (Maine to the Rockies and Michigan to Texas)
2021-06-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Wine Wednesday by Marty Cook
The work week is dragging on and you are half of the way to the weekend. Wednesday, or “Hump Day”, as it is commonly called. You need a little pick-me-up. Something more than a beer, some dinner, and a sitcom. You have been practicing some form of sheltering-in-place for the past twelve months and you are about ready to scream! As the late, great Peggy Lee once sang, “Is that all there is?”, despair not! Now, when you reach your mid-week crisis and Wednesday leaves you adrift between the faint memory that was last weekend and what seems to be a mirage teasing you with the prospects of this coming weekend, help has arrived in the form of Wine Wednesday!
Wine Wednesday is the latest virtual offering from the Pennsylvania Wine Society! Join us on Zoom every Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm! The link is published in separate announcements on our PWS Facebook Page as well as in separate announcements that are sent to our eMail distribution list. The format for this new virtual offering is simple. It is casual, social, and informative. theme for that evening is included in our social media and eMail announcements. It gives all of our participants a chance to let their hair down and socialize over a glass of wine.
All details will be distributed in advance of the event each week. The important part is to remember to reserve your Wednesday evenings to join us for Wine Wednesday!

Wine Wednesday ~ "Summertime Sippers"
2021-06-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom

Wine Wednesday ~ Burgundy Whites and Reds
2021-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
———-by Marty Cook———-
Burgundy. Thought of as a color. Also synonymous with a wine. Burgundy is, first and foremost, a place. Located in France, Burgundy is arguably the most significant wine-growing region in the world. Renowned for its highly prized red wines made primarily from Pinot Noir, Burgundy (the place) also encompasses a region in its southern tip known as Beaujolais where red wines are made from the Gamay grape. And, Burgundy is equally as renowned for its incredible white wines made principally from the Chardonnay grape, although the “other” lesser-known but cold-hearty white grape (Aligoté) is also employed by Burgundians to make a light, citrusy white wine.
This event, scheduled for this coming Wednesday, July 7th at 7:00 p.m., is not meant to be an in-depth study of the wines of Burgundy. That would require an entire course spanning many hours of exploration. Rather, this program is meant for its participants to experience a little bit of Burgundy and some of its many wines as represented by the many places within the Burgundy region where perhaps the best wines the world knows are produced.
Please secure a bottle of your choosing of either a Burgundian red or white (or, both if you must!) and join us on Wednesday, July 7th at 7:00 p.m. to explore, discuss, and share what you have learned in your exploration of the Burgundy region!
And, just a reminder to shoot a photo of the front and back labels of your bottle and send as e-mail attachments please by 11 p.m., Tuesday, July 6th, to WineCat@pa.net for inclusion in our PowerPoint slide show for this coming Wednesday evening. We look forward to seeing you then!
Click on the following link to join our Zoom presentation:
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Wine Wednesday ~ Sauvignon Blanc
2021-07-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Sauvignon Blanc by Marty Cook
This week’s installment of Wine Wednesday takes place on July 14th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time on the Zoom link shown below and features wines made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Known as one of the small handful of Noble Grapes, and doubling as one of the parents to Cabernet Sauvignon, this French wine grape is grown the world over.
Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile grape that is capable of portraying many profiles. The terroir of each vineyard has everything to do with the wine aromas and flavors. So, French Sauvignon Blanc from various regions within the Loire Valley will differ from each other as well as from those from, say, Washington State or Australia.
For this Wine Wednesday event, choose your favorite Sauvignon Blanc from wherever and join us on July 14th at 7:00 p.m. to showcase your selection! And, as always, please take photos of the front and back labels of your bottle and send them to WineCat@pa.net by Tuesday at 11 p.m. for inclusion in Wednesday’s PowerPoint slide presentation.
We look forward to seeing you this coming Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm for Wine Wednesday! Zoom connection information follows below.
https://zoom.us/j/97721300481?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 977 2130 0481
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Wine Wednesday ~ Syrah
2021-07-21 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Syrah by Marty Cook
Syrah. One of the handful of the six or seven Noble Grapes, depending upon whose list you read. The Noble Grapes as an aggregate make the dominant proportion of fine wines around the world. This is partially as a result of these grapes being hardy enough to grow in most wine climates, not to mention that they also make some very fine wines.
Syrah is a thick-skinned grape that makes intensely colored wines. Syrah is elegant, refined, peppery and austere with a number of non-fruit notes and is found in France (synonymous with the Northern Rhône), Spain, cooler-climates in Australia, California (particularly Paso Robles), Washington State, Chile, and pockets on the North American East Coast and Southwest.
During this episode of Wine Wednesday, we will not be discussing Shiraz, which is a fruit-forward, jammy presentation of the Syrah grape popularized in Australia where they grow this grape in hot, arid areas to produce an entirely different flavor profile from the one that we will discuss on Wednesday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time.
So, secure a bottle of your favorite Syrah and join us for Wine Wednesday on July 21st at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time for an hour of interactive wine appreciation and education that you do not want to miss! And, just to make it interesting, take photos of the front and back labels of your bottle and send them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show as we step through each of our selections and discuss the producer, the region, its terroir, and what makes this wine appeal to you.
We look forward to seeing you at the following Zoom link on Wednesday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time for our next Wine Wednesday!
https://zoom.us/j/98625764928?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 986 2576 4928
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Wine Wednesday ~ Fruit Wines and Dessert Wines
2021-07-28 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Fruit & Dessert Wines by Marty Cook
The topic for our next Wine Wednesday on July 28th at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern/New York time) may initially be off-putting to some, as “Fruit & Dessert Wines” raises the suggestion that our discussion will revolve around sweet wines. I like to think of it as “sweet wines with a purpose!” Yes, it is true that most dessert wines are sweet or sweeter, and many also carry a higher percentage of alcohol by volume. But, who’s to say that you cannot drink a dry sparkling wine with your dessert item? Even more importantly is the fact that one’s initial impression of “sweet” upon hearing the words “fruit and dessert wines” completely neglects the inherent food pairings that are enhanced by such wines. My rule of thumb for dessert wines is that the wine should be as sweet or sweeter than the dessert. But, you may enjoy something less sweet, which is your prerogative.
True, there is a bias among most “dry” wine drinkers by the implication of “sweet” wine. But, during this episode of Wine Wednesday, I ask that you put that bias aside and consider the possibilities. There is an entire genre of delicious, albeit, sweet or sweeter wines that you really should consider. And, during this discussion, I am not including the slushie crowd from one of those sweet wine-producing wineries. Although it is undeniable that there is a market for such swill (because you can hide a multitude of sins, i.e. bad wine, with enough sugar), that will not be our focus during this event.
We will rise above the cotton candy-flavored wines to such types of wines as Port, Sherry, Sauternes (and, not that California invention of “Sauterne”), Ice Wine, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and well-made Moscato (and, not industrial grade bulk Moscato). There are also sparkling wines that are served as dessert wines. My favorite is a nice Asti, although you could go in another direction and choose a Brut or Extra Dry Champagne or Prosecco. Remember that I said in the onset that “most” fruit and dessert wines are sweet. There are also a number of very delightful and inexpensive fruit-based varietals or blends with which to explore. I will try to have some of those on hand to discuss during our upcoming Wine Wednesday on July 28th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time.
I have attached a brief article (or see it here at Usual Wines ) to this announcement that will give you some additional detail on dessert wines and perhaps more ideas as to the wine you wish to select for Wine Wednesday. So, give it some thought and join us next Wednesday to discuss “Fruit & Dessert Wines”! Oh, and, as always, please photograph the front and back labels of your bottle and email them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in our Wine Wednesday PowerPoint lineup of wines to be discussed. Thanks!
_________________________________________________________________________
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Wine Wednesday ~ "if you could have only one wine..."
2021-08-04 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
Imagine being marooned on a desert island with nothing but a secure, climate-controlled wine cellar and an endless supply of wine but limited to only one varietal or blend. Not necessarily your favorite, but possibly your “forever” wine. What would that one wine be?
All details will be distributed to PWS members in advance of the event each week. Everyone may always check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information!

Wine Wednesday ~ "Plonk"
2021-08-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
PLONK by Marty Cook
What is “Plonk”? Wikipedia defines it thusly:
“Plonk is a non-specific and derogatory term used primarily in British and Australian English for cheap, low-quality wine. It is believed to come from Australian slang, in reference to blanc, before it became naturalised in Britain. Despite the reference to the colour white, the term is not limited to white wine, and can as easily indicate a red wine or rosé.”
For the sake of this segment of Wine Wednesday, which takes place on Wednesday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time, we will elevate our definition by interpreting “Plonk” as inexpensive (“affordable”) wines of little or no repute that are nonetheless palatable, easy-drinking wines. We could go so far as to say that they are wines that you would not be embarrassed to serve but about which you may not necessarily care to share the details. We could go so far as to include jug wines, box wines, and even canned wines, although there are many examples of affordable, easy-drinking wines that are packaged in 750 ml bottles. Some may go so far as to have cork closures! The key ingredient in all of this is “affordable” and “palatable” wines. If that is Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill or Gallo Hearty Burgundy, then so be it. Or, if you get on your inner snob, then it might be some version of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. To each their own.
So, put your pride aside, hold your nose, and confess what wine really gets you through the workweek. Join us on Wednesday, August 11th at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York time for this coming installment of Wine Wednesday and be ready to share your favorite Plonk with us! Oh, and, as always, please photograph the front and back labels of your chosen wine and send those pics to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday evening for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show presentation. We hope to see you at the Zoom link shown below. Take care!
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Meeting ID: 831 8882 2681
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Wine Wednesday ~ Chardonnay
2021-08-18 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This ubiquitous grape of French origin grows well in nearly all terroir and exhibits a multiplicity of aromas and flavors reflective of those terroir. Yet, there are those who decry this wine with “Anything But Chardonnay!” Why is it hated and what is your favorite Chardonnay?
___________________________________________________________
All details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event date, and distributed to PWS members and those on our distribution list via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
You may request to be placed on the mailing list for a complimentary 3-month trial by entering your full name and email address at the top of the home page. If you want to be a Member or Patron, and enjoy all the benefits, click here to join!
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.

Wine Wednesday ~ Your Favorite Wine?
2021-08-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Maybe there is a wine that you reserve for very special occasions, or another of which you can never get enough, or another without which you could never live. Is it your favorite? What is that wine?
___________________________________________________________
Additional details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event date, and distributed to PWS members and those on our distribution list via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
You may request to be placed on the mailing list for a complimentary 3-month trial by entering your full name and email address at the top of the home page. If you want to be a Member or Patron, and enjoy all the benefits, click here to join!
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.

Wine Wednesday ~ Cabernet Sauvignon
2021-09-01 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as “The King of Wine Grapes”, is the topic of our upcoming installment of Wine Wednesday on this coming Wednesday, September 1st at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time. One of the Noble Grapes, “Cab Sauv” is representative of so many stylistic interpretations owing to “place” and “winemaker preference”. An offspring of a natural crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc (hence, the name “Cabernet Sauvignon”), this revered grape can portray Old World or New World styles, as well as some that bridge those two styles.
What version of Cabernet Sauvignon represents your particular preference? Is it the higher acid and lower alcohol content of the traditional Old World style, or do you enjoy a more full-bodied “big, bold, and fruit forward” style of a New World portrayal from, say, Napa? There are regions that perhaps should not insist on growing this grape due to their lack of sunlight and heat. Or, will those regions have the last laugh as climate change smiles on their fortunes with more heat and sunlight? So, grab a bottle of a Cabernet Sauvignon from the region that you prefer and share it with us as we enjoy another round of Wine Wednesday on the Zoom link shown below!
As always, we ask that you send photos of the front and back labels of your wine bottle to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday evening for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint “Slide Show of Stars” as we trot out each of the wines that our participants choose to feature!
We look forward to seeing all of you this coming Wednesday for this week’s installment of Wine Wednesday on September 1st at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time at the Zoom link below!
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Meeting ID: 812 3205 4782
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Wine Wednesday ~ Merlot
2021-09-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This much-maligned grape remains the favorite of many, save for the movie-goers who fell prey to undeserved bad press in “Sideways”. Tell us about your favorite Merlot!
___________________________________________________________
Additional details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event date, and distributed to PWS members and those on our distribution list via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
You may request to be placed on the mailing list for a complimentary 3-month trial by entering your full name and email address at the top of the home page. If you want to be a Member or Patron, and enjoy all the benefits and events, click here to join!
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.

Wine Wednesday ~ Your First Wine
2021-09-15 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Your First Wine(s) by Marty Cook

A “tell all” segment of Wine Wednesday will occur next Wednesday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time. That’s when we get into some personal (and, possibly ancient) history regaling the tale of your first wine or wines or, to make it easier, one of the first wines you ever tasted. We all had to start somewhere and the moniker of “wine aficionado” is not earned in a day.

“ONCE UPON A TIME…” you discovered wine. Boone’s Farm aside (and, maybe it really was Boone’s Farm, which is actually malt-based and not a real wine), what were some of the first wines that you enjoyed drinking and to which you are willing to admit?!? Please tell us!!! Inquiring minds are dying for a good laugh!!!

But, seriously… whether it was Riunite (I liked their Cella wine) or Lancer’s Rosé, or Leonard Kreusch’s Moselblumchen (and, I could go on, but will refrain!), clue us into what you were quaffing (probably straight from the bottle, no doubt) and subsequently using the empty bottles for candle holders! Anyone for Banfi’s Chianti in a wicker basket?!?

So, let’s have some fun! Join us for Wine Wednesday on this coming Wednesday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time when we put aside our inner snob and revisit our wine drinking roots, and maybe even tell a few funny stories about “back in the day”!

Oh, and, please remember to send photos of your bottle’s labels (front and back) to WineCat@pa.net by 11:00 pm Tuesday evening so that we can assimilate your photos into our PowerPoint Cavalcade of Wines From Yesteryear so that we can fully appreciate the wine or wines on which you first test-drove your palate!

We look forward to seeing you for Wine Wednesday on this coming Wednesday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time! Please join us via the following Zoom link:

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Wine Wednesday ~ Organic/Biodynamic Wines
2021-09-22 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Organic and Biodynamic Wines by Marty Cook
Next week, Wine Wednesday ventures into the confusing world of Organic and Biodynamic wines. The confusion stems from how these terms are defined and regulated. Our Federal government regulates use of the term “organic,” but “biodynamic” has no legal definition. The following excerpts are from Dr. Vinny of Wine Spectator:
“There are two types of organic listings on wine bottles. Wines can be made from certified organically grown grapes, avoiding any synthetic pesticides or additives, or, to take it a step further, “organic” wines are made from organically grown grapes, and are also made without any added sulfites (though naturally occurring sulfites will still be present).
Biodynamic is similar to organic farming in that both take place without synthetic chemicals; but biodynamic farming incorporates ideas about a vineyard as an entire ecosystem, and it also includes things such as astrological influences and lunar cycles. A biodynamic wine means that the grapes are farmed biodynamically, and that the winemaker did not make the wine with any common manipulations such as yeast additions or acidity adjustments. A wine “made from biodynamic grapes” means that a vintner used biodynamically grown grapes, but followed a less strict list of rules in winemaking.”
Still confused? Then, join us on Wednesday, September 22nd at 7:00 PM Eastern/New York Time for Wine Wednesday when we will discuss Organic and Biodynamic wines at greater length. Bring a representative wine of either of these genres with you and we will learn together! Also, remember to photograph the labels of your wine bottle (front and back) and email them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM TUESDAY Eastern/New York time for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show of wines to be discussed! We look forward to seeing you! All Zoom link information follows below.

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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from the Rhine and Mosel River Valleys
2021-09-29 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Wines from the Rhine and Mosel River Valleys by Marty Cook

The German wine industry marches to the beat of a different drum. Their wine classifications, wine styles and intimidating wine labels with lots of words sporting umlauts over various vowels can be confusing at best. But, the industry has a very long and rich tradition stemming back to the days of the Roman Empire and their wines are delicious and memorable.
One of the most salient features of the German wine industry are the river valleys where the vineyards grow. The water from the rivers warms the vines during harsh winters and keeps the grapes cool during summer nights. Two of the most prominent river valleys are the Rhine and the Mosel, which bring us many popular wines where the principal grape is Riesling. This grape is used to make a number of exciting, crisp, citrusy white wines that range from dry to sweet.
Want to explore some of these new and exciting wines? Grab a bottle of wine from the Rhine or Mosel and join us for this segment of Wine Wednesday on September 29th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time on the Zoom link below. Also, please send photos of the front and back labels of your bottle to WineCat@pa.net by 11pm Tuesday evening for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show.
We look forward to seeing you on this next Wine Wednesday on September 29th at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York time on the Zoom link below!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Cabernet Franc
2021-10-06 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
The enigmatic Cabernet Franc. Parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are two of the six Noble Grapes. Parent grape to three of the six allowable red grapes permitted in a red Bordeaux blend, and itself one of those six allowable red grapes. A grape that yields complex red wines, with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper, Cabernet Franc is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style; but, it can also be vinified alone, as in the Loire’s Chinon or throughout the wine regions of North America’s East Coast. And, yet, it is a grape that evokes strong emotional responses in favor of or against it.
Join us for this week’s installment of Wine Wednesday on October 6th at 7:00 PM Eastern Time when we explore the many portrayals of Cabernet Franc wines. There is more to this wine than Chinon. And, as a reminder, shoot some photos of the front and back labels of your bottle of choice and send them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday evening, for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show.
We look forward to seeing you and learning about your Cabernet Franc during Wine Wednesday on October 6th at 7:00 PM Eastern Time! Zoom link below.
NO reservations necessary. Just send label photos to WineCat as noted above and click the zoom link Wednesday evening at 7 PM to join.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines of Italy
2021-10-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
Our next Wine Wednesday focuses on the Wines of Italy this coming week on 10.13.2021 at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York Time.
From a wine perspective, Italy has a fascinating story. Twenty-five percent of the world’s recognized wine-producing grape varieties are indigenous to Italy. This is a direct tribute to the Romans, who loved wine, and to the Catholic Church, whose monks were constantly cultivating new varieties of wine grapes as an extension of their passion for making sacramental wine. Unlike the French, whose focus was on developing fewer grape varieties and only those of greater quality, the Romans and subsequently the Italians focused on the quantity of different grape varieties as well as the quantity of wines produced. For that reason, there is no shortage of different Italian wines from which to choose.
For this week’s Wine Wednesday on 10.13.2021 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time, consider the many wines of Italy’s 20 Regions (comprised of 110 provinces) and choose the wine that you would enjoy featuring during our weekly Zoom broadcast. Some of what you might ponder could be a blend or single varietals ranging from Arneis, Vermentino, Primitivo (known as Zinfandel in the United States), Verdicchio, Sangiovese, Nero d’Avola, Nebbiolo, or another of Italy’s hundreds of indigenous wine grapes. And, of course, recent decades have seen regions such as Tuscany produce some outstanding blends and varietals from French grape varieties. So, there is no shortage of material from which to choose.
So, please join us for Wine Wednesday on 10.13.2021 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time. And, as a reminder, please send photos of the front and back labels from the bottle you select to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday evening for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint of featured wines. We look forward to seeing you on the Zoom link shown below!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines at, or lower than, 12.5% Alcohol-By-Volume
2021-10-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Wines at 12.5% ABV or Less by Marty Cook
Our next Wine Wednesday episode, which airs on Wednesday, October 20th at 7:00 PM Eastern/New York Time, will confront the topic of wines at 12.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) or Less.
When I first began to explore wine in 1971, wines rarely exceeded 12.5% ABV. Yeast strains at that time only tolerated ABV’s of 13.6% at the top end before they naturally succumbed to the effects of alcohol, whereupon they fell to the floor of the fermenter and subsequently died. So, sitting down with a friend over a bottle of wine in those days left both of you relatively sober. That was before scientists developed yeast strains that could tolerate ABV’s north of 16%.
Several decades ago, New World wine producers began pushing the limits of high-alcohol wines, which was easy to do in sun and heat-laden areas. This resulted in higher sugar-per-berry content, yielding bigger, bolder fruit bombs of higher ABV and lower acidity. In recent years, however, a backlash among consumers arose that persuaded producers to back off of these techniques.
There are plenty of wines available today at 12.5% ABV or less, albeit, you may have to search a bit. So, the task for our next Wine Wednesday on October 20th at 7:00 PM Eastern/New York Time will be to secure a bottle of wine with an ABV of 12.5% or less that you would like to feature during Wine Wednesday. And, as usual, please send photos of the front and back labels of your wine bottle to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint presentation.
We look forward to seeing you for Wine Wednesday on October 20th at 7:00 PM Eastern/New York Time for some fun with wine! The Zoom link for this virtual event is shown below.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Give Us a Recommendation
2021-10-27 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday, on October 27th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time will feature your wine recommendations. This is a wide open topic and gives you a wide berth of considerations from which to choose. You could recommend a wine to pair with a particular meal; so, in your estimation, what goes best with steak? But, there are those of us who prefer seafood or fowl or even pork or ham to red meat. So, what, then? And, of course, what about the challenge of vegetarian meals? And, one of my favorites would be pairing wines with desserts!
You may also wish to make your recommendations based on the time of year, such as summer and warm weather as opposed to cooler or colder weather. And, then there are occasions. What is your preferred sparkler for New Year’s Eve? Or, how about Christmas or Hanukkah? What goes great with grilled foods for the Fourth of July? How about Easter and Passover foods? And, let’s remember that Turkey Day is right around the corner!
A variety of situations are on the table for this Wine Wednesday! So, give this some thought and join us on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time on Wednesday, October 27th for some fun and socialization at the link shown below. We hope to see you then!
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Wine Wednesday ~ "The Last Wine You Drank"
2021-11-03 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday episode, scheduled for November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time, is a takeoff on so many social media posts with similar premises. “Tell us the last food you ate” or “Tell us the last song you heard”. This topic was delivered to me while riding a train from New Orleans to Virginia last summer. I had just finished my dinner of pot roast. The only red wine choice I had was an industrial grade (Cough! Gasp! Gorp!) Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon. Shortly thereafter, I read a Facebook post that asked, “If you had a lifetime supply of the last wine you drank, what would it be?” I guess you can get used to anything, given sufficient desperation; but, I hope I never get to test that theory. At least not with an infinite supply of anything made by Barefoot. But, I digress…
The good news is that next week’s Wine Wednesday will not damn you to a lifetime of wine mediocrity; but, it does have an element of “show and tell.” So, show us and tell us! What was the last wine you drank in advance of next week’s program? There is some hair-splitting going on here, as we ask that you send us photos of your wine labels from that “last wine you drank” to WineCat@pa.net by the preceding day (Tuesday, November 2nd at 11:00 p.m.) for inclusion in our Wine Wednesday PowerPoint presentation. So, it’s more like “the last wine you drank before you sent your photos!” WineCat advises, “Drink what you want, any time you want… just remember to send photos and join us for what promises to be wine potpourri – red, white, pink, blue, orange – a wine rainbow.”
Whatever the case, let’s have some fun with this topic! So, send along your wine label photos and join us for Wine Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time on November 3rd!
NO RESERVATION needed. Simply connect to the below Zoom link at the appointed time. We look forward to seeing you!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines 10 Years old, or older
2021-11-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Wines 10-Years-Old or Older by Marty Cook
Our next Wine Wednesday episode will occur on November 10th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time and will focus on older wine vintages. More specifically, we will draw upon our collective wine cellar to feature wines that are ten or more years in age. By that, we do not mean “ten or more years in the bottle;” rather, we mean “ten or more years since the vintage year in which the grapes were harvested. So, whether a 10-Year-Old Tawny Port or an Allegro Cadenza, share with us “how old” and “what, when, and how” you came by this particular bottle! How did that bottle hold up at an advanced age? Softer, smoother, flabby and over-the-hill, or (heaven forbid) infected by some microbial agent?
As an added point of interest, you may go as far as to research information from the vintage year specific to your wine. Thus, 2018 in, say, France may have been a vastly different vintage than the 2018 vintage in, say, Argentina. In fact, you may find that 2018 was a good year in such-and-such region for Chardonnay while, later in that same summer, the harvest in that same area may have had issues pertaining to the quality of, say, Cabernet Sauvignon.
As always, a quick reminder to snap some photos of the front and back/side labels on your bottle and send them along to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday evening for inclusion in our Wine Wednesday Parade of Stars!
Please join us online for our next Wine Wednesday on November 10th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time by clicking on the Zoom link shown below! We look forward to seeing you!

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PWS Member Selections
2021-11-12 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
by Scott Casper——————–
On Friday evening, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg, we will be experiencing a unique and fun event featuring eight wines presented by PWS board members and members. This event is unique because instead of being seated at a table, you will be able to socialize and walk around to different pouring stations to taste each wine. It’s fun because…well, because it is!
The wines will be presented and poured by the board member or member who selected that particular wine for this event. The presenter will give you the name of the wine, the winery that produced it, the grape varietals in the wine and the country and wine region it comes from, as well as, a discussion of tasting notes. The presenters/pourers and their wines:
Averill Shepps, Presenter/Pourer – Burgundy, France – White – Domaine de la Tour Penet Macon-Peronne Vielles Vignes 2018 – 100% Chardonnay
Description and Tasting Notes: Sustainable. Ample bouquet of peach, pear, hazelnut and vanilla. Deep and full-bodied on the palate with a juicy core. This wine has good acid and a long grippy finish. It is fresh and youthful. It should drink well for another five years at the least. This is a Weygandt Importer wine.
Laura Reich, Presenter and Barry Einsig, Pourer – Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA, New Mexico – White – Gruet Blanc de Noirs – American dry sparkling wine – Non-Vintage – 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay – Grapes sourced from New Mexico, California and Washington.
Description and Tasting Notes: Methode Champenoise. Salmon color, full-bodied with aromas and taste of raspberry, baked pear and cherry, with a hint of toasted vanilla. It has a balance of fruit and minerals with crisp acidity. It was aged for a minimum of 18 months. This wine pairs well with green chili chicken enchiladas.
Score and accolades: Wine Spectator 90 points, a Smart Buy and Top 100 Wines. One of the Top 10 Wines of New Mexico.
Scott Casper, Presenter/Pourer – Piedmont, Italy – White – Vietti Roero Arneis 2019 – 100% Arneis
Description and Tasting Notes: Pale straw yellow color with fresh floral, citrus and melon on the palate with almond hints. It is an unoaked, dry, medium-bodied wine with crisp acidity. This Arneis is a well-balanced, elegant wine with good complexity and a lingering finish. This wine is an excellent aperitif and pairs well with light hors d’oeuves, seafood, salads, light soups, veal, pork, chicken and creamy cheese.
Score: Wine Advocate 91 points.
Sheila Hagg-Rickert, Presenter/Pourer – Sicily, Italy – Red – Tascante Ghiaia Nera Etna Rosso 2018 – 100% Nerello Mascalese
Description and Tasting Notes: Aromas of hazelnut, eucalyptus and violet lift out of the glass. Linear and elegant, the polished palate features Morello cherry, blackberry and hints of ground clove alongside lithe tannins and fresh acidity for a salty finish. Drink through 2025. Ghiaia Nera is Tenuta Tascante’s demonstration of the possibilities for Nerello Mascalese from young vineyards. It is the perfect blend between the Nerello Mascalese grape and the volcanic soils of Etna. It offers juicy plum and cherry flavors framed by polished pebbly tannins. Notes of bay leaf and citrus peel enliven the finish. This is enhanced by a lighter touch with oakwood aging. It is aged in large non-invasive Slavonian oak barrels to which the Nerello Mascalese variety is well-suited. Bright and approachable, it’s priced to pour by the glass at the trattoria. The name means ”black gravel” which describes the volcanic vineyard soil.
Robyn Meadows, Presenter/Pourer – Mendoza, Argentina – Red – Catena Malbec 2018 – 100% Malbec
Description and Tasting Notes: This Argentinian wine is a blend from four unique vineyards in Mendoza, a region known for its Malbec, resulting in an intense aroma, deep violet color and rich, concentrated mouthfeel. This New World Malbec shows berry flavors with hints of leather and cinnamon with well-integrated tannins and bright acidity followed by a dry, long pleasant finish. It’s an excellent representation of the quality of Mendoza Malbecs.
Score: Wine Advocate 91+ points
Robyn Meadows, Presenter/Pourer – Cahors, France – Red – Chateau Vincens Origine 2018 – 100% Malbec
Description and Tasting Notes: Although now associated with the New World and Argentina in particular, Malbec originated in France and is still produced in the Cahors region. Although made from the same varietal, this Cahors Malbec will show notes of chocolate, coffee and spice over its berry flavors. The tannins are more apparent in this representation of Malbec than will be detected in the Catena. This wine could easily age for several more years. Also highly rated, the Cahors is well-suited for comparison with the Catena. Tasters will have a chance to determine whether they prefer the more common Argentinian or the traditional Cahors presentation of Malbec.
Score: Wine Enthusiast 93 points
Scott Casper, Presenter/Pourer – Tuscany, Italy – Red – Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio 2015 – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Description and Tasting Notes: The wine’s appearance is darkly saturated and rich, with little light breaking through. The bouquet offers full-force black fruit with shadings of spice and cedar. The wine’s Tuscan side is also very apparent thanks to those Mediterranean aromas of summer cherry and Italian rosemary and dried oregano. The tannins are soft and well-integrated into the thick fiber of this medium to full-bodied Tuscan red. This wine pairs well with tomato and basil tortellini. Drink 2019-2028.
Scores: Wine Advocate 93 points, James Suckling 93 points
Cathy Boyd, Presenter/Pourer – Sauternes, France – White Dessert – Chateau Carmes de Rieussec 2017 – 94% Semillon, 3% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle
Description and Tasting Notes: This wine opens with gorgeous lemon marmalade, peach preserves and preserved kumquat notes with touches of preserved mandarin peel and honeycomb. It fills the palate with rich, spiced apricot preserves, with a racy backbone to balance and a good, long finish.
Scores: James Suckling 93 points, Wine Advocate 92 points, Wine Enthusiast 91 points
You do not want to miss this event! Join us for a fun evening tasting and discussing eight sumptuous wines. I promise you will not be disappointed with any feature of this event.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Tables of 4 persons each may be reserved via communication with your reservation, or to the Treasurers. Click here to sign up online.
Member: $60 Patron: $55 Nonmember: $70

Wine Wednesday ~ GSM's - Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Blends
2021-11-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
GSM’s (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blends) by Marty Cook
Next week’s Wine Wednesday on November 17th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time will examine a very popular red wine blend to which many refer as a “GSM” (an acronym for three well-known grape varieties known as “Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre”). This genre of wines is a huge favorite among red wine blend fans and is prized for its complex red fruit flavors and age-worthy potential. Originally grown in the Côtes du Rhône region of France, this blend is now evidenced in many wine regions of the world. This style and variations of the GSM blend excels in warmer climates such as in Spain, South Australia, South Africa, parts of the United States, and Southern France. In Australia, the grapes are commonly called Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro. Some of the most renowned examples of GSM are known as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is produced in the Rhône and where producers are permitted to use up to nineteen different grape varieties (including white grapes). Examples of this wine is produced in regions of the United States as diverse as Paso Robles, California, as well as Central Virginia and Washington State.
So, scout out the shelves of your local wine and spirits shop and delve into the topic of GSM’s. After you research, decide on and purchase the GSM about which you want to share on our next Wine Wednesday, remember to take photos of the front and back/side labels and send them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday evening, for inclusion in our weekly Power Point slideshow.
Then, join us on Wednesday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time for an hour of online fun by clicking on the Zoom link shown below. We look forward to seeing you!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Islands
2021-12-01 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Wine Wednesday goes on vacation in the Islands! Well, so to speak. Our next Wine Wednesday program on December 1st at 7:00 PM Eastern/New York Time leaves the mainland to visit the islands. Wine producing islands, that is! On first glance, you may say, “How many wine-producing islands can there possibly be?” The answer is, “Plenty!” For instance, The United States has Long Island, which produces some great wines from Long Island’s North Fork, most notably their Merlot! Then there is Hawaii! I have tasted several wines over the years that were produced by MauiWine (was Tedeschi Winery), opened in 1974 in Kula, Maui. They are known for estate-grown wines, traditional method sparkling wines, and pineapple wines.
On a more serious note, other longtime wine-producing islands include the Mediterranean islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, and Malta. Then, there are the Azores (an archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean) and the Madeira Islands (both of these groups are autonomous regions of Portugal), the Canary Islands (off the coast of Northwest Africa), and the island of Great Brittan. Onetime island Australia does not count since it reached continent status some years ago; but, there are the nearby islands of New Zealand and Tasmania to consider. Rhode Island is not an island, although wine is actually produced there!).
So, join us with an example of a wine from an island for our next Wine Wednesday event on December 1st at 7:00 PM Eastern/New York Time. Also, send pics of your bottle’s wine labels (front, back and/or side) to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday for inclusion in our Wine Wednesday PowerPoint slide show. We look forward to you joining us!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Malbec
2021-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next installment of Wine Wednesday on December 8th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time involves a discussion of wines made from Malbec, a grape that is principally grown in Cahors in southwestern France as well as Argentina. Although genetic origins point to Burgundy, France, Malbec (known as Côt in southwestern France) only came into prominence in recent decades when it was catapulted to popularity by the winemakers of Argentina.
Malbec was originally used as a blending grape in the Bordeaux region of France as one of the six allowable red grapes that could be included in a red Bordeaux blend. Malbec has recently gained popularity as a varietal produced in the area of southwestern France near Cahors. Malbec is also widely grown around the globe in recent years.
Please join us on Wednesday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York time for our upcoming episode of Wine Wednesday when we will engage on Zoom to discuss this grape and its various flavor profiles as portrayed in varying terroir. Also, please take a picture of the front and back labels of your bottle of Malbec and send those photos to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday evening for inclusion in our PowerPoint slide show next Wednesday. It adds to the fun and enjoyment! Then, follow the Zoom link shown below!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Chilean Wines
2021-12-15 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next and last Wine Wednesday event for calendar year 2021 will take place on December 15th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time and will deal with the topic of “Chilean Wines”. Similar to what Argentina did for Malbec and Uruguay did for Tannat, Chile has resurrected an almost forgotten grape known as Carménère, a grape of French origin that was facing near extinction in France. Vineyards in Chile were growing boatloads of what they thought was Merlot until 1994 when geneticists discovered that the Chilean vineyards were actually growing Carménère! Of course, Chile is quite famous for other grape varieties, including some fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon as well as other varietals.
That’s just one unusual characteristic about Chilean wines. Chile is a long and narrow country along the southwestern border of South America with valley after valley that run east to west from the Andes Mountains to the coast. Each of these valleys have distinctive terroir characteristics. And, because Chile is walled off by the Andes (the longest continental mountain range in the world) from the rest of South America, phylloxera has never breached that barrier into Chile. Thus, Chilean vineyards grow their grapes on their own rootstocks instead of grafted rootstocks from North American grapes.
Please join us for Wine Wednesday on December 15th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time to share in the discussion about Chilean wines by jumping on the Zoom link below. Please secure a bottle of Chilean wine and please remember to send pictures of the labels from the bottle of wine you wish to feature to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday. Those labels will be featured in next Wednesday evening’s PowerPoint slide show. We look forward to seeing you then!
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