Pennsylvania Wine Society

Wine Wednesday ~ Tuscany, Italy
2022-03-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday on March 2nd at 7:00 pm Eastern (New York) Time features “the Wines of Tuscany, Italy”. Tuscany is the land of the Sangiovese grape. This wine region is located on the western coast of central Italy and is home to Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wines and Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine. Such richness! And then, there are the Super Tuscans to explore! All in good time. Let’s take them one at a time as we taste and discuss!
So, secure a bottle of wine from Tuscany, Italy and join us on the Zoom link shown below. As usual, please send pictures of the front and back labels to your bottle and send them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday for inclusion in this week’s PowerPoint slide show. We look forward to seeing you on Wine Wednesday this week on March 2nd at 7:00 pm Eastern Time!
No reservations needed – just send your labels and join us near 7 PM Wednesday via the Zoom link below!
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Wine Wednesday ~ The Veneto Region of Italy
2022-02-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our topic for Wine Wednesday on February 23rd at 7:00 pm Eastern time examines the wines of Veneto, Italy. This region is in the northeastern corner of “the boot” that describes the peninsula that is Italy. It is generally a cooler climate for growing grapes. The Veneto region produces more whites than reds under the DOC designation and is notably home to the Prosecco and Soave wines. However, continued recognition for other wines from the region, such as Valpolicella, Amarone, Soave and Bardolino, help keep Veneto in the spotlight.
The red wines of Veneto are also identified with several techniques which are used to increase body, structure and intensity to various of the wines. Such processes as Ripasso and Appassimento yield stunning results that we will discuss this week.
So, secure a bottle of wine from this region and join us for Wine Wednesday on February 23rd at 7:00 pm Eastern time to learn “the rest of the story.” And, as always, please take photos of the front and back labels of your bottle and email them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in our PowerPoint slide presentation. We look forward to seeing you!
No reservations needed – simply send your label photos and join us via the Zoom link below close to 7 p.m. Eastern/New York time Wednesday.

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Godforsaken Grapes II ~ Wines of Lesser-Known Grapes
2022-02-18 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
Preparing for this event has been a lot of fun. I began selecting and setting aside wines in anticipation of staging Godforsaken Grapes II almost immediately after the first Godforsaken Grapes event concluded on February 18th of 2020. That was before the shutdown in March 2020, which seems like a million years ago. It has been an especially long time because the pandemic forced us to postpone plans for a Godforsaken Grapes event in February 2021.
To refresh your collective memory, allow me to make a brief explanation of the premise for this upcoming event. It is based on Jason Wilson’s book “Godforsaken Grapes”, in which he chronicles a two-year effort to track down wines from the world over that are made from lesser known, rare, and sometimes nearly extinct grape varieties. Many of the wines are varietals, i.e., wines named after the grape variety. So, the name of the grape says it all. It’s all about the grapes!
In the intervening two years since February 2020, I collected nearly thirty prospective wines from which to assemble this year’s program. My co-host Joe Via and I got together several Saturdays ago and set about the task of determining which eleven wines we would present to our audience. I had already whittled down the field of possibilities to eighteen wines before Joe and I convened.
I arrived at Joe’s home in mid-morning, and we set about our task with gusto! What you may not realize is the difficulty of the task with which we were faced. Perhaps the best way to explain this is to tell you the names of the delicious wines that were runners-up to the eleven finalists. The wines that did not make the cut:
Aligote (White) France – Burgundy’s “other” white grape.
Gros Manseng (White) France – A delightful South France variety.
Marselan (Red) France –A fuller-bodied French red with notes of dark cherry.
Pais (Red) Chile – One of two Pais we considered (also known as the Mission grape).
Rkatsiteli (White) Georgia – An ancient and thoroughly delicious cold-climate grape).
Scheurebe (White) Germany – It’s not all about Riesling in Germany!
Vernaccia (White) Italy – Another ancient grape and a rare Tuscan white.

This was a painful process of elimination, but we were very pleased with the prospects of the eleven finalists! So, beginning with our warmup wine and then following through with five whites and five reds, our field for Godforsaken Grapes II on Friday, February 18th is as follows:
Glera – (White) Sparkling — From northeastern Italy; grape used to make Prosecco.
Cortese – (White) Italy – Fruity on the nose, minerality on the palate.
Falanghina – (White) Italy – “Yumminess”, ripeness, flavor of the grape shows through.
Furmint – (White) Hungary – Simply outstanding! Very subtly oaked.
Rotgipfler – (White) Austria – Organic, spicy nose, crisp, fruity.
Sauvignonasse – (White) Slovenia – A French grape known as Sauvignon Vert.
Aglianico – (Red) Italy – A big wine with good fruit and tannins.
Lagrein – (Red) Italy – Medium to full bodied, rich and earthy.
Pais – (Red) Chile – The Pais we liked the best; a lighter red with easy drinkability.
Schiava – (Red) Italy – A totally balanced, smooth medium to full-bodied red.
Tannat – (Red) Uruguay – Another French grape from South France that excels in Uruguay.
You may notice that six of our eleven grapes are from Italy. This should not be much of a secret, as literally 25% of the world’s recognized wine grapes are indigenous to Italy. This is primarily due to the Romans’ influence and their love of wines of every type.
I must hasten to add that we will have door prizes again during this sequel of Godforsaken Grapes; but, this time, we will be giving away wines! Those wonderful wines that didn’t make the cut… well, we want you to experience them, even though they are not part of the evening’s package. So, every attendee will leave with a bottle of delicious wine!
Plan to attend this event, folks! If you were at the first Godforsaken Grapes in February 2020, then you know you will have a great time! My co-host and good friend Joe Via will be at the top of his game and we cannot wait to introduce you to eleven wines made from grapes that you may never have tasted before! So, join us to experience and savor these wines and learn about the grapes behind them!
Reservations for this event can be made online on the Pennsylvania Wine Society website at pawinesociety.org But don’t wait! Seating is capped at 48 attendees and seating is at a premium! Seating will also be at 4-top tables with adequate social distancing between tables.
100% complete COVID 19 vaccination proof 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 notes, or e-mail to the Treasurers.
This event takes place at the Hilton Harrisburg at 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA on Friday evening, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. EST. Indoor parking is available and preferred at the Walnut Street Parking Garage at a discounted price for all event attendees by having the hotel front desk personnel stamp your parking ticket. Please join us! Click here for reservations.
Members: $50 Patrons: $45 Nonmembers: $60

Wine Wednesday ~ Piemonte, Italy
2022-02-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This week’s Wine Wednesday episode on February 16th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern focuses on one of my most favorite wine regions in the whole world, i.e. that of Piemonte (Italy). This region is in the northwest of Italy and is bordered on the western side by a mountain range that separates Italy and France. It is also the homeland of my maternal ancestors, many of whom were from Asti and the agrarian towns and villages to the southeast of Asti. When my grandpap told me that he grew up on a farm, I asked him what they grew. His answer was, “Grapes!”
It is difficult for me to pin down my favorite wines from Piemonte. Owing to the influence of the Romans, roughly 25% of the world’s recognized wine grape varieties are indigenous to Italy. Thus, no matter where you go in Italy, you will find local wine grapes growing everywhere! This translates into endless wine varietals. Piemonte is no slouch when it comes to grape varieties and wine varietals. And, there are almost as many white wines from which to choose as there are reds.
So, spend some time, do the research, and you will be amazed at the wines Piemonte has to offer! Then, meet us on the Zoom link below on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time for Wine Wednesday! Arm yourself with a suitable bottle of wine from Piemonte and, as always, send photos of the front and back labels from your wine bottle to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in Wednesday night’s PowerPoint slide show.
No reservation needed – simply join us close to 7 p.m. Wednesday via the Zoom link below. We look forward to seeing you then!
Click on the Link below to Join the Wine Wednesday Zoom Meeting:
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Board of Directors Meeting
2022-02-15 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Board meetings are virtual via Zoom. Active, dues paid current Members may attend as guests. Please contact the President if you are interested in attending a meeting.

Château Maris Wines from the Cordier Portfolio
2022-02-13 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Please join Marty Cook, PWS President, and our guest Gregg Mutschler, Director of National Distribution for Cordier USA on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, to enjoy wines from the Languedoc region of France. Cordier USA is the U.S based importer of global wine producer Cordier by Invivo. Cordier USA’s core business is sustainable and family-owned French vineyards. Their vertically integrated global wine sourcing, as well as sales and marketing expertise, provide unique “Vineyard to Market” wine solutions. The close relationships they maintain with their producers, distributors, retailers and consumers allows Cordier USA to offer the finest products, in line with customer expectations.
Cordier’s portfolio producer chosen for this event is Château Maris. Perhaps the world’s greenest wine project, Château Maris is located in the heart of the Languedoc, where the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains come together. Nestled in the foothills of the Black Mountains, Maris is a Certified Biodyvin, Demeter, Biodynamic 120-acre estate that uses only native yeast, bottles without fining or filtering, and plows with Percheron horses. It has built the world’s first and only hemp cellar: a sustainable, recyclable, plant-based building; completely biodegradable, self-sufficient in energy, and carbon negative.
Maris’ winemaker and owner, Robert Eden is the nephew of former UK Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, and a direct descendant of Lord Baltimore. He started his career rather early by getting expelled from school for illegally brewing beer in his dorm. Because (or, thanks to) this, his father shipped him off to Australia where he found himself at the age of 17 pruning vines in the Barossa. After a stint in Tuscany and many years working with Becky Wasserman in Burgundy, he purchased Château Maris in 1998. Robert is a recognized authority on Organic and Biodynamic viticulture, giving lectures on the need to reduce the negative impact on the environment from non-sustainable farming. He was one of three winemakers invited to participate to the COP21 Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015. Wine Enthusiast reported, “There are organic, sustainable and environmentally minded winemakers, and then there’s Robert Eden. No one in France can compete.”
Every label bearing Maris’ name is Certified Organic at a minimum, low sulfites (under 100 ppm), chemical free, and has no additives. Maris is also the first and only B-Corp Certified European winery, one of the most rigorous sustainability and social responsibility certifications in the world. Maris is a philosophy come to life with straightforward preparations yielding complex wines. The vineyard areas are alluvial soils – a mix of schist, sandstone, quartz and limestone. This makes for a varied terroir that allows each grape to best express itself. The winemaking uses all-indigenous yeasts and concrete tanks are often used for fermentation. Robert Eden’s wines have been described as “a testament to the practices of letting the land speak through the vines, and letting the grapes express the land”.
Featured wines for our event include an elegant, mouth filling Vermentino; a Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend with delicious, supple, bright red-fruit flavors; and a full-bodied Syrah-Grenache blend showcasing silky tannins and savory dark fruit. We look forward to hearing more about and tasting these wines with you!
Wine Ordering: Order early to receive your wines prior to the event. (Also consider this week’s temperatures are forecast to be milder for shipping.) You may order and ship wines through Wine.com. Links to each of the specific wines’ pages on the Wine.com website follow below. Click a link, place the wine in your cart, and continue with the next wine. I completed my order in less than 10 minutes. If you’re new to Wine.com, some first-time discounts are often offered, so be sure to take advantage of those.
Here are the links to each wine on Wine.com:
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-maris-la-touge-2018/757090
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-maris-vermentino-2019/638651
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-maris-zulu-2019/707665

How to join us: No reservation needed. Simply grab your wines and join us via the Zoom link below close to 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time on Sunday, February 13; sit back and enjoy!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Indigenous Grapes
2022-02-09 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday episode on February 9th at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York time is “Wines from Indigenous Grapes.” This topic almost screams “Italy!” The Italian peninsula is home to nearly 25% of the world’s 1,200+ recognized wine grape varieties. But, many other wine regions and countries can also claim a number of wine grapes as indigenous to their wine growing regions. Determining a grape variety’s place of origin has become far easier in light of the modern-day work of geneticists in the field of ampelography, which is the science concerned with the identification and classification of grapevines. So, do your research, because a Tanat from Uruguay is not an example of an indigenous grape. Neither is Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley an example of an indigenous grape. Nor is Sauvignon Blanc indigenous to New Zealand. This is an exercise in finding the roots of the varietal that you are drinking!
Please join us this week for Wine Wednesday on February 9th at 7:00 pm Eastern/New York time when we explore the genealogy, so to speak, of your favorite varietal! And, as we do every week, send photos of the front and back of your wine bottle labels to WineCat@pa.net by 11 pm Tuesday for inclusion in this week’s PowerPoint slide show, which is when you will have your 3 minutes of fame as you feature your chosen indigenous varietal! We look forward to seeing you then!
No reservation needed – simply join us via the Zoom link below close to 7pm Wednesday evening.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Cool Climate Grapes
2022-02-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Many grapes are what we call “cool climate grapes.” Think Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Rkatsiteli. Also consider a number of cooler climate hybrid grapes like Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, and Marquette. Such grapes reflect their true typicity when grown in cooler growing regions. These grapes can also grow in warmer regions; but, the desired flavor profile will be considerably different, and that is not a bad thing. It just yields a different outcome.
Our next installment of Wine Wednesday on February 2nd at 7:00 pm Eastern Time features wines made from the grapes we know as “cool climate grapes.” The cold, hard truth is that cool and cold areas are best suited for white wine production because white grapes generally ripen earlier and they are more forgiving, flexible and adaptable in the hands of a talented winemaker to make a good wine over a wider range of maturity than would red grapes grown in the same cool or cold area. With new viticulture technology in the form of cold-hardy and disease-resistant hybrid grape varieties, the possibility of growing fine wines has expanded into cool and cold areas that were previously thought to be inaccessible to wine production.
So, pick up a bottle of your favorite cooler or even colder climate wine made from cool climate grapes and join us for Wine Wednesday on February 2nd at 7:00 pm Eastern Time and share your thoughts about your wine with us! And, as usual, take photos of your bottle’s front and back labels and email them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint presentation.
No reservations needed – just join us close to 7 PM Wednesday Eastern/New York time via the Zoom link below. We look forward to seeing you then!

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PA Wine Excellence Awards Event POSTPONED to May 1st!
2022-01-30

Wine Wednesday ~ Wines of Sicily
2022-01-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next episode of Wine Wednesday takes place on January 26th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time and features “The Wines of Sicily,” the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 20 regions of Italy. This island, located at the “toe of the boot” as described by the shape of the Italian Peninsula has had a rather storied past of being overrun and occupied by invaders representing multiple cultures. The Sicilian dialect and their traditional foods reflect the multiple raiders that swept across the Sicilian landscape. This is hardly surprising, as each of these intrusions, in some cases, occupied the island for centuries at a time. As a result, Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature, cuisine, and architecture.
The terrain of inland Sicily is mostly hilly and is home to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. The volcanic soil in those areas of the island that have been influenced by volcanic action bodes well for vineyards and winemaking. Some ancient archeological findings testify that Sicily was one of the first Italian region to practice the art of enology. More recently, Sicily has seen a growing interest from modern day winemakers who are strongly committed to innovating, transforming and improving the quality of Sicilian vineyards. The current wine industry has introduced new grape varieties, experimented with new techniques and modernized the wineries. The sun, the land, the hills and the sea breeze have done the rest, providing an extraordinary variety of Sicilian wines which have taken a leading role on the international stage.
So, secure a bottle of Sicilian wine and join us on Wednesday, January 26th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time when we gather again for Wine Wednesday. As usual, please photograph the front and back labels of your bottle and email them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. this coming Tuesday evening for inclusion in Wednesday evening’s PowerPoint presentation. We look forward to having you aboard as we share with each other our own impressions of the wines we will discuss during Wine Wednesday! Join us on the Zoom link below.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines of the Balkans
2022-01-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday on January 19th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time revolves around the wines of the Balkans. As wine regions go, the Balkans comprises one that is lesser known by most, yet possesses more ancient roots in practicing the craft of winemaking than today’s more well-known wine regions.
There are eleven countries that comprise the Balkans, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. These countries have a rich history and winemaking tradition and may present a challenge in finding a representative example of their wines, due to availability of wines from the Balkans in our domestic fine wine shops. Still, there are many possibilities from which to choose, if you do some sleuthing! I personally know that there are a number of both red and white Grecian wines available, as well as many wines from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Romania on the shelves of local wine shops. Ask your Wine Specialist for assistance and you will be surprised at the number of Balkan wines you will find!
So, please join us at the Zoom link below with a bottle of wine from the Balkans for our next Wine Wednesday on January 19th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time when we explore more about this genre of wines! And, as always, please send photos of the front and back labels of the bottle of wine that you plan to feature to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday evening for inclusion in Wednesday’s PowerPoint lineup of featured wines!
We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time for this week’s episode of Wine Wednesday! Please join us via the Zoom link below.
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The Loire Valley – Jardin de la France with Kevin Ostrowski
2022-01-16 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
The Pennsylvania Wine Society series of Sunday afternoon Virtual Wine Education events returns on Sunday, January 16th at 3:30 pm Eastern/ New York Time on Zoom! Our first presentation of the New Year will feature The Loire Valley – Jardin de la France, hosted by PWS Member and past-presenter Kevin Ostrowski.
In the First Century BC, the longest river in France, the Loire, was recognized by Julius Caesar as valuable real estate. Beginning in the heart of the country and extending for over 600 miles to the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire River has provided access and transportation to its bounty throughout history. This includes the luscious wines of the region, as well. Exploring the wine regions of the Loire, we will see what makes each region unique unto itself. From crisp, light classic whites to bright and clean cool climate reds, we will sample and enjoy some wines from the Loire Valley, the Garden of France.
Even though many of the regions in the Loire grow and make wines from the same grapes, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, the wines are ultimately distinctive in character from region to region. Loire Valley wines are frequently known by the place names from the region in which they are produced (such as Sancerre, Quincy, Pouilly Fume, Muscadet, and Chinon), reflecting the characteristics of each regional terroir as well as the stylistic approach of the winemakers in those regions. Many of these Loire Valley wines are available in Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits premium stores. We urge you to explore the availability of Loire Valley wines in the French section of your local wine store and select one or several to enjoy during this event. We will undoubtedly touch upon the wine(s) you choose and the regions in which they are produced.
Please join us on Sunday, January 16th at 3:30 pm for The Loire Valley – Jardin de la France on the Zoom link shown below. We look forward to seeing you then!
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Wine Wednesday - Wines of South West France
2022-01-12 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday on January 12th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time takes us to a somewhat unsung, yet fascinating region of France known as South West France (or, Sud-Ouest as the French call it). As the folks at Wine Folly say:
“If you like Bordeaux but not the prices, then the South West region of France is calling you. Many of the wines are very similar to Bordeaux in varietal, wine making style and quality. Add some unique grapes and ‘terroir’ into the mix and this is one exciting region for wine lovers.”
The South West France wine region has a long history of being treated as the red-headed stepchild of the French wine scene, and therein lies a story. As always, it is the age-old story of money, politics and power. But, as a result, this region is also something of a best kept secret when it comes to affordable yet wonderful French wines! Look for regional names on the label like Bergerac, Montravel (dry white blends), Pécharment (big, reds), and sweet wines from Saussignac, Rosette and Monbazillac.
So, secure a bottle of wine from the South West region of France and join us for our upcoming Wine Wednesday on January 12th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time as we explore some of the fantastic yet somewhat obscure wines of this region! And as always, please take photos of the front and back labels of your wine and send them to WineCat@pa.net by 8 PM Tuesday for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show. Use the Zoom link shown below. We look forward to seeing you!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines of Alsace
2022-01-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
We kick off a New Year of Wine Wednesday on January 5th, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time with a discussion of one of my favorite wine regions, that being the region of Alsace, France.
Alsace is a land of rich historic background that marries both French and German culture to present the best of two worlds. Alsace produces many incredible white wines and one allowable red wine. A cooler climate region that once resided within the boundaries of Germany, this multi-cultural area is now part of France by virtue of the spoils of the First World War. Yet, Alsace has a distinctively German flavor in its foods, wines, customs and architecture.
The Alsace wine region is renowned for its wonderful white wines, such as Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer and its one allowable red wine, Pinot Noir. This region is also home to many long-time wine producers that have endured through the ages in spite of international conflicts.
Please join us for Wine Wednesday on January 5th, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time with a bottle of your favorite Alsatian wine. And, as always, please send photos of the front and back labels of your bottle to WineCat@pa.net by 11:00 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in that evening’s PowerPoint slide show of featured wines that we will discuss.
We look forward to seeing you on January 5th, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/New York Time for our first Wine Wednesday event of the New Year!

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Champagne
2021-12-19 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Please join us online on Sunday, December 19th at 3:30 pm for a Virtual Wine Tasting during which we will discuss Champagne, the region, the wine, and their history! This special event will be presented by the Pennsylvania Wine Society and conducted by Wine Educator Joe Via and PWS President Marty Cook. A concise list of suggested Champagnes will be listed below. You will be able to secure one or several Champagnes in advance of the program of which you can partake during the broadcast. This event will be interactive through the Chat facility during the airing of the event and then during an open discussion forum at the end of the show.
Permit the following brief background to the program. Champagne is, first and foremost, a place. Europeans, especially the French, name their wines after places. This only adds to the confusion for Americans who do not speak French, which is an intimidating ingredient to interpreting wine labels and appreciating the wines that bear place-names. Champagne is also a wine that is distinguished by the fact that it contains a natural effervescence (putting it within the genre of “sparkling wines”), as opposed to wines that do not have effervescence (known as “still wines”). Champagne has been in production for several centuries and is the result of two separate fermentations. It is the second fermentation that imbues the wine known as Champagne with a sparkle. The process of making Champagne with two fermentations is known as the Champagne Method (Méthode Champenoise in French), nomenclature that has been updated in recent years to “the Traditional Method” (Méthode Traditionnelle). During this presentation, we will discuss the history, geography, and soil types of the Champagne region, as well as the history and step-by-step process by which Champagne, the wine, is made. You will discover that, although the finished product is generally a white wine, Champagne is frequently made from a combination of three grapes, two of which are “red” (which includes a spectrum of grape skin colors from red to blue to black). It is the process that is employed that achieves a clear colored wine from such grapes, all of which will be discussed.
The three Champagne wines that we will feature are listed below and are available in most Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. If you are unable to secure any of these wines, then it is suggested that you select an alternate wine for your tasting pleasure during the event, so long as it is a sparkling wine from the Champagne Region of France, made in the Traditional Method.
PLCB Code #83367 – Bertrand Delespierre Enfant de la Montagne Brut Champagne Montagne de Reims 1er Cru Non-Vintage – $39.99
PLCB Code #39622 – Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Brut NV – $39.99
PLCB Code #47130 – Ruinart Rose Brut NV – $74.99
So, please consider joining Joe Via and Marty Cook for this special presentation of Champagne, presented by the Pennsylvania Wine Society on Sunday, December 19th at 3:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you then!
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Charles Smith Wines
2021-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
EVENT SOLD OUT – you may contact the Treasurers via the contact page to be placed on a waitlist should you wish to be called in final days to take any canceled reservation seats that may come available.
CHARLES SMITH Unique wine names. Unique labels. One unique winemaker
Charles Smith is known for producing some pretty terrific wines out of Washington over the past 20 years. Before settling down in Washington to make wine in the late 1990’s, Charles moved to Denmark thinking he would find a position in the wine industry. What he actually did in Denmark was to manage and book music groups. While creating promotional material for the bands, he developed his bold graphic black-and-white promotional style.
Smith came to Walla Walla, Washington after leaving Denmark. With a very small budget and the generosity of the local vintners, he created his first vintage in 2001. He used fruit from one vintner, crushed the grapes at another facility, and fermented the wine at a third site. He made 330 cases of a minimally produced, biodynamic Syrah which he sold out of the back of his van. But what people remembered was the label – it was stamped only with a giant, black ‘K’ on a white label. It was easily spotted across the room but more importantly, they didn’t forget the wine. K Syrah.
Smith continued to create new wines– all designed with a black-and-white label and with inventive new names. Who doesn’t smile when you see a bottle of Velvet Devil Merlot? Boom Boom! Syrah? Kung Fu Girl Riesling?
For our tasting we will sample six wines from the Charles Smith label (now owned by Constellation Brands) and one from the HOUSE OF SMITH Substance label.
2019 Band of Roses:
We will start the evening with a cool dry Rosé made from 100% Pinot Gris
2020 Kung Fu Girl Riesling:
The story goes that Charles was eating Chinese takeout and watching a fight scene in a notorious martial arts film when he had an idea: a killer white wine to be paired with Asian food.
2018 Substance Sauvignon Blanc Sunset Vineyard:
The Substance label was created with the goal of creating the best value-price Cabernet Sauvignon in America. It has expanded to include red-blends, Merlot, Chardonnay and this Loire-style Sauvignon Blanc.
2016 Eve Chardonnay:
100% Washington State Chardonnay, producing a dry, creamy and smooth wine.
2019 Velvet Devil Merlot:
When the movie “Sideways” created anti-Merlot sentiments, Charles set out to rebuff the movie’s unflattering portrayal. One taste of Velvet Devil and you’ll know he succeeded.
2018 Boom Boom! Syrah:
This spicy Syrah is a tribute to Charles first lost love – a woman named “Boom Boom” O’Brien – and it’s one of the biggest, boldest Syrah’s of all time.
2016 Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon:
While Charles Smith Wines does not actually have a chateau, the Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon stays true to the old-world winemaking style from Bordeaux.
Join us on Friday, December 17th at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg to taste the wines of Charles Smith.
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 notes, or email to the Treasurers.
Click here for reservations.
Members: $60 Patrons: $55 Nonmembers: $70

*From charlessmithwines.com and houseofsmith.com

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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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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Aromatized Wines - Vermouth, Vini Amari, and Bitters
2021-12-05 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This will be an overview of aromatized wines, or wine-based beverages that are flavored with botanicals. A few may have neutral spirits added for stabilization and may be classified as fortified wine.
Our tasting and discussion will break into four different areas to help understand aromatized wines.
First, with different Vermouth brands; their styles and origin.
Then we will explain (wine based) Vini Amari or bitter wines and their uses.
Digging a little deeper into the aromatized category, and similar to vermouth, are uniquely flavored Quinquina wines and its subcategory Americano.
Please check back closer to event month for event details, including the Zoom connection information.

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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Beaujolais & Beaujolais Nouveau
2021-11-20 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau by Marty Cook
It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time! Every year at 12.01 am on the third Thursday of November, a young, fruity wine full of flavor and zest is released for consumption. In France, it is against the law to release this wine before the appointed time, and the rest of the wine drinking world complies with this tradition so that Beaujolais Nouveau Day can be simultaneously celebrated the world over!
This weekend’s Virtual Wine Tasting takes a detour and presents on Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday. So, please mark your calendar and join us this Saturday, November 20th at 3:30 pm Eastern Time on the Zoom link shown below. That is when Joe Via will lead us through a wine tasting and discussion of the history and tradition of the Beaujolais Region of France and their red wines, which includes both Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau. During Joe’s dissertation, he will discuss the grape with which both Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau are made, the region in which the grape and the wines are made. Joe will also focus on the process used to make Beaujolais Nouveau, which makes this wine the first wine of the new harvest and how it is able to be bottled and distributed within mere weeks of harvest!
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is not immune to the supply chain difficulties that currently plague the world as a result of the pandemic. As such there is only one Nouveau Beaujolais available this year in Central Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. So, we will discuss Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 and Beaujolais as a region using an old vines Villages and a “Cru” (Morgon) from Louis Jadot.
Here are the three codes for the zoom tasting on Saturday, November 20th:
PLCB Code #5877 ~ Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 @ $12.99
PLCB Code #84512 ~ Château d’Emeringes Beaujolais Villages 2020 @ $12.99
PLCB Code #86015 ~ Louis Jadot Morgon Chateau des Jacques 2019 @ $27.99

Please join us this Saturday at 3:30 pm Eastern Time as we celebrate this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau and learn about Beaujolais red wines and the Beaujolais Region! We look forward to seeing you on the Zoom link shown below!
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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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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 ~ 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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Syrah Comparisons - Syrah/Shiraz Around the World
2021-11-07 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Join us online on Sunday, November 7th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time for our next Pennsylvania Wine Society Virtual Wine Tasting event. During this upcoming program, Joe Via will lead us through a comparison of three examples of Syrah. These wines will come from a diversity of locations all around the globe that will include France, Washington, and Australia (where it is known as “Shiraz”).
During this comparison, Joe will discuss the Old World origins of Syrah in France (which we believe to be the case) as well as the geography, geology, and other elements of terroir that make Syrah from these three areas so distinctive and different from each other.
Genetically the same grape, albeit, represented by many clonal varieties, the typicity of Syrah is emblematic of the terroir in which it is grown. It would be difficult in one afternoon program to discuss every area in which Syrah is grown worldwide; but, the three areas that immediately pop into mind are the three on which we will focus.
The three wines selected for our November 7th tasting are extreme, expressive examples to demonstrate how terroir and climate can affect the style of wine produced. They are as follows (accompanying data sheets are attached to this announcement):

PLCB Code #83406 ~ J.L. Chave Saint Joseph ‘Offerus’ 2018
PLCB Code #85037 ~ Elephant Seven Syrah Walla Walla Valley ‘River Rocks Vineyard’ 2018
PLCB Code #85374 ~ Mollydooker Shiraz ‘The Boxer’ South Australia 2019

Please secure one or more of the above wines in advance of November 7th and join us online that day at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time using the Zoom link shown below.
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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!
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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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German Wine Labels with guest, Inge Mountz
2021-10-24 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
Have you ever wandered into your wine store’s German section, only to feel totally overwhelmed? At first glance, your first impression is that the bottles are all very decorative with their multi-colored and very artistically done labels. But, upon closer inspection, deciphering the Germanic font with strange accents over some of the lettering in the words can become quickly perplexing. You are confronted by many uniquely new and strange words and without the slightest clue as to where to begin or what it is that you are reading! Well, fear not!
Our next Virtual Wine Tasting event on Zoom, which takes place on Sunday, October 24th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York Time, will dispel the confusion that surrounds interpreting German wine labels. During this segment of our regularly scheduled virtual programming, our host Joe Via and his guest host Inge Mountz will cut through the mystery of German wine labels and how to understand them. Inge is a German native whose first language is German, and she will offer correct pronunciations for the many words to which we may not relate, while Joe Via will guide us through a basic “German Wines 101”. During his overview of the German wine industry, Joe will touch upon Germany’s wine history, its thirteen regions, and the way that the German wine industry addresses wine quality and other details on its wine labels.
Please join us on Sunday, Sunday, October 24th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York Time for this exciting look inside German wines and their labels! Get a bottle or two of German wine (anything except Blue Nun!) and be prepared to eliminate any confusion that German wine labels may cause you to experience! We look forward to seeing you at the Zoom link displayed 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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Red, Red Rhone
2021-10-15 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
by Eric Miller
The concept for this tasting is to simplify the signature features of the Rhone Valley’s climate, soils, grape varieties and its confusion of regulations. All that sounds very serious, yet our guest speaker, Eric Miller, promises “We will laugh, we will cry, we will zig and we will zag our way just north of Avignon and up the Rhone Valley, almost to Lyon. We will give white wines a tip of the hat but spend our precious time on everything red. We will learn the differences between Côte du Rhone, Côte du Rhone Village, the Crus and what grapes are legal to use. Why is it legal to irrigate some vineyards and not others? How is the rock underlayment related to soil moisture? Why are stews and braised meats, sausage and cassoulet served with these wines? But tuna, pasta and eggplant too!? All these things and more will be burned into your mind like the searing winds of the Mistral and magically, yea joyfully, appear on your tongue for ever and ever, amen.” Okay, Eric. Let’s tour!
The wines were selected from top producers and the amazing 2015 and 2016 vintages long before retaliatory price increases, and this exemplary collection cannot be replicated. If that fact alone doesn’t have you reserving a spot, there’s special food pairings and more, so read on, please. The wines Eric selected for us to explore and enjoy are:
The Greeting Wine—2017 IGT, Viennes, Viognier, Les Vins de Viennes Les vins de Viennes is a modern winery in Viennes, Northern Rhone Valley, about 25 kilometers south of Lyon. It is a collaboration between Yves Cuilleron, Francois Villard and Pierre Gaillard who are best known as Syrah specialists.
The South (Grenache and 9 close red friends)
2019 Côte du Rhone, Producer to be announced This dry red wine is grown within the limits of its appellation, approx. 200,000 acres. Côte du Rhone, somewhere north of Avignon and South of Lyon. Reds are generally dominated by Grenache. Northern Rhone has a continental climate and granite and argili-calcairous soils. Southern Rhone is chiefly Mediterranean climate with chiefly sandstone, limestone alluvia, loess and quartzite shingle soils.
2016 Lirac, Ch de Ségriès, Cuvee Réservée A 17th century chateau with 145 acres that is located with the right to make both Rosé with the Tavel appellation and a red Lirac, both AOC “named villages”. It is located across the river from Chateauneuf de Pape. 40% or more must be Grenache and Mourvedre. 25% or less must be Syrah and Carignan.
Chateauneuf du Pape, Chateau de la Grande Gardiole, Vielles Vignes 11,500 cases/year. 83% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 2% Mourvedre, 2% Counoise, 1% WT_? Wine from an ancient hillside town made famous by its powerful red wines.
2015 Gigondas, Domaine du Grand Montmirail, Vielles Vignes A large property of 100 acres with terraces on the southeast side of the Dentelles de Montmirail that form a perfect amphitheater above most of the surrounding vineyards. Some say this town is a contender for the crown still worn by Chateauneuf du Pape.
2009 Ventoux, Chene Bleu, Abelard Near the picturesque hilltop village of Crestet, it is several miles east and north of Gigondas. Xavier felt this underappreciated appellation was being overlooked, underpriced and allowed to dither. So, he converted the vineyards to bio-dynamic culture and put in a massive cash infusion to build an eco-sensitive winery 4 stories deep in solid rock.
2017 Côte du Rhone, Seguret, Domaine de l’Amandine One of the perfect hillside villages in southern Rhone. Complete with world class restaurant and a view to die for it has attained the status of a CdR Village. The history of Amandine begins in 1968, when Jean-Pierre Verdeau, accompanied by his wife Maryse, founded the Domaine de l’Amandine, driven by the desire to make his own wine from the few hectares left to him by his father. The wines were first sold only to merchants until his daughter married a trained enologist from South Africa.
The North (Syrah, is all she wrote)
2015 Cornas, Domaine Durand, Empreintes Family owned and operated by Eric and Joel Durand since 1991. Incredibly steep granite slopes and terraces of 100% Syrah. A notably hot dry vintage.
2016 Crozes Hermitage, Emmanuel Darnaud, Les Trios Chenes This domaine began in 2001 with 3.2 acres on the left bank of the Rhone. It has grown to about 32 acres of small prime plots of mostly red grapes. Some stems are left in the primary fermentation for 15 to 20 days before the wine is aged in “demi-muids” (600 litre) for 12 to 18 months. This bottling was grown in Glacial Alluvium composed of river-rolled stones.
2016 Saint Joseph, E. Guigal Established in 1946, the year after WWII ended, by Etienne Guigal, who had worked for Vidal Fleury for 15 years before that. Guru Robert Parker said about Guigal’s winemaking son, “I have never seen a producer so fanatical about quality as Marcel Guigal”, which undoubtedly influenced the rapid change in perception and quality of the wines of the Rhone.
This is a high-end exploration of fine, food worthy wines, and so, we have planned with Hilton’s Chef Bianco several small plate accompaniments to make it even more enjoyable for your palate:

BBQ Mushrooms with Polenta Smoked Almonds and Arugula
Braised Pork Stew – Grilled Garbanzo, Red Pepper, Rosemary Voulevant
Cheese plate of Fontina, Gloucester Cheddar, and Manchego.

Space is limited by both Hilton space, safe distancing, and wine availability; so sign up early to be able to tell the wonderful story later to those who procrastinate and miss out. Plan now to join us at 7 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Hilton Harrisburg for this fun and educational tour of the Rhone Valley. It will be a great way to kick off an October weekend!
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All CDC and PA DOH 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. I promise you will not be disappointed with any feature of this event.
Members: $90 Patrons: $85 Nonmembers: $100
