Pennsylvania Wine Society

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

Charles Smith Wines
2021-12-17 19:00 - 21:00
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

PWS Member Selections
2021-11-12 19:00 - 21:00
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

Red, Red Rhone
2021-10-15 19:00 - 21:30
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
