AWS News – February 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

From the desk of the Executive Director

From our active accounts on Instagram and Facebook, to lining up sponsors for the 2026 National Conference, to soliciting member feedback on future conference locations, this year is off to an exciting start.

Calling all speakers for our 2026 National Conference

If you are a regular speaker at your chapter or know a great presenter, by all means get in touch. We are collecting and reviewing submissions through April 3.

Welcome Here adds new partners, enhancing a member benefit

In the last few months 16 new wineries and wine-focused businesses have signed up, and California’s Livermore Valley is opening its arms to AWS.

NTP: Central Italy is calling, and it’s bringing wine

The National Tasting Project (NTP) for 2026 will feature a new theme and a new coordinator, Dennis Fraley.

The AWSEF scholarship application period is open

Those interested have until March 31 to apply. Plus, learn how your chapter can help fund scholarships.

The Eastern Winery Exposition beckons to AWS members

Remember to take advantage of your AWS member registration discount when you register for the EWE next month in Richmond, VA.

Winemaker’s corner: Why Cayuga white is timeless

In his latest column, Kevin Kourofsky explores the correlation between the Waltz King (Johann Strauss) and a King of Bordeaux (Cabernet Franc).

Accent on education

Read about how the words Cabernet and Sauvignon came to be associated with a particular grape.

Chapter events

From the ‘Zins’ of November to the storms of January, your fellow members persevered to hold tasting events of distinction. Read what they’ve been doing.

From the desk of the Executive Director

Hello,

I hope everyone is keeping warm this winter; it has been brutal here in Virginia!

In better news, 2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year:

Natalie Dippenaar, AWS Executive Director

• Social media is on fire this month! If you are on Facebook or Instagram, show your love for the American Wine Society and like, share, follow, and comment on posts to help us build our online presence.
• The National Tasting Project (NTP) launched its 2026 theme on social media on February 6. You can watch the reel here and get ready to taste some great wines with your chapter.
• Florida, here we come! We already have 4 wine sponsors vying over which days to sponsor at this year’s National Conference (October 22-24 in Jacksonville, FL), and multiple wineries signing up to provide wines or attend the receptions.

We are now looking for financial sponsors for items we use, from glasses to corkscrews to tasting mats; if you know sponsors who might be interested, have them reach out.

If you want to see some of the action from the 2025 National Conference, take a look at the photos here.

• One question from last year was “Where should we go for future conferences?” If you haven’t done so yet, please take a moment to fill out this survey to help us plan the future!
• Membership renewals are rolling throughout the year, so be on the lookout for reminders, log on to the AWS portal to renew, and reach out to memberservice@americanwinesociety.org for assistance, if needed.

If you are looking for opportunities and discounts, visit Member Benefits, and for more information about travel opportunities, visit the AWS travel page. Take a look at the land tour that celebrates the libations (beer, bourbon, moonshine, and wine) of the United States. It is perfect for the 250th anniversary of America!

Last but not least, don’t forget, the Wine Judge Certification Program registration is open, so if you are interested, sign up and start attending online classes beginning in late February. The final class and exam are in-person at the national conference location in Jacksonville, Florida, in October.

Until next time,

Natalie

Calling all speakers for the 2026 National Conference

AWS is seeking speakers for our 2026 National Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 23 and 24. If you are a regular speaker at your chapter or know a great presenter, by all means get in touch. We are collecting and reviewing submissions through April 3.

Submit your proposal

We are particularly interested in topics related to:

• An exploration of a single varietal — for example, Pinot Noir, Merlot, etc.
• An exploration of a style—for example, sparkling, ice wine, dessert, etc.
• Country/state/AVA-level explorations
• Vertical tastings
• Storytelling related to wine
• Winemaking styles or techniques
• Trends in wines—organic, alternative, orange wines

Not sure your idea fits the bill? Feel free to reach out to the Sessions Review Panel at sessions@americanwinesociety.net.

NTP 2026: Central Italy is calling, and it’s bringing wine

Dennis Fraley, NTP Coordinator

The National Tasting Project (NTP) committee has been busy doing the hard work of tasting through Italian wines so you don’t have to. Actually, that’s a lie. You absolutely have to — and that’s the whole point.

The NTP is a collaborative tasting by AWS members from multiple chapters to learn about and taste the same wines and compare their scores using the American Wine Society Wine Evaluation format.

The 2026 theme is central Italy, and we’ve selected 12 wines that showcase the region’s diversity, character, and remarkable value. We worked closely with a distributor and retailer to keep both wine and shipping costs down, because exploring Italian wine shouldn’t require a second mortgage. These bottles are genuinely wallet-friendly, which feels especially important after the holidays did what holidays do to our bank accounts.

Here’s what you need to know:

• NTP is open to every AWS member. You don’t need to be a chapter chair. You don’t need to be a certified wine judge. You just need curiosity and a willingness to taste, discuss, and share your impressions.
• Any group can host a tasting, though connecting with your chapter chair or regional ambassador can help maximize participation and minimize costs.
• The wines will be announced in mid-March, with ordering available through mid-June. This keeps your wine from spending July in a hot delivery truck, which benefits everyone.
• Scores won’t be due until early September, giving you flexibility on when to gather your group and pour.

If you want to lead a tasting, sign up as an NTP Organizer.

Once ordering opens in mid-March, organizers will have access to the wine list, ordering instructions, and education materials to help guide your tasting. For general information, visit our frequently asked questions. And, you can always get in touch with me by email.

Central Italy is waiting. Come thirsty.

The AWSEF scholarship application period is open

This is the 32^nd year for the AWS Educational Foundation to award financial scholarships to graduate students studying fields related to enology, viticulture, and/or health aspects of wine. And, thanks to the generous donations of different chapters and our commercial sponsor, Banfi Vintners Foundation, we have 8 fully funded scholarships for 2026.

Spread the word among any students, professors, and wine professionals that the application period is open through March 31.

Access the scholarship application

Please contact Isabelle Lesschaeve via email with any questions.

Your chapter can sponsor a scholarship

It may be easier than you think to fund an AWSEF scholarship. Different chapters do different fundraisers; some incorporate fundraising into their monthly tasting while other have special events to raise scholarship funds.

You don’t have to have the full $3,500 to start a scholarship fund. You can send in any amount that your chapter raises to help fund a full scholarship. Simply send a check or transfer the money via Venmo or PayPal to our treasurer, Walt Rachele. His mailing address is PO Box 264, Lovettsville, VA  20180. If you have questions about transmitting money, you can always send an email to him.

Looking for ideas for fundraising?  I’m collecting ideas from our chapters on how they like to fundraise scholarship funds. Please send me your “secret sauce” recipe, and I’ll share with other chapters!

Kristen Lindelow, President
AWS Educational Foundation

The Eastern Winery Exposition beckons to AWS members

Remember to take advantage of a 10% registration discount when you reserve your spot at the 2026 Eastern Winery Exposition (EWE), which will be March 24–26 in Richmond, VA.

This member benefit results from the American Wine Society being a supporting sponsor of EWE, so all you have to do is use the code 26AWS when you register.

Now in its 14th year, EWE is the largest winery and vineyard trade show held east of the Pacific states. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with more than 200 exhibiting companies; attend workshop and conference sessions covering all aspects of the winery and vineyard business; network with more than 1,000 other industry professionals; and attend numerous social and networking events.

New in 2026: the Virginia Wineries Association Annual Conference is partnering with EWE and will be presented in a session room within the EWE Conference. That means all conference attendees can attend these sessions without needing to register for a separate pass. Also, the 2026 Governor’s Cup Case will be revealed and tasted for the very first time.

For more details, visit the Eastern Winery Exposition website.

Winemaker’s corner: Why Cayuga white is timeless

Kevin Kourofsky

Harkening back to how the phylloxera plague of 1871 in France led to French-American hybrid grapes, Kevin Kourofsky posits that hybrids may once again rescue winemaking from a new plague: global warming and chemical eco-sustainability. In so doing, he focuses on the one varietal you might want in your vineyard and in your cellar.

Read more here

Accent on education

Linguists are uncertain of the derivation of the word Cabernet. Sauvignon is less mysterious: it is linked to the French word sauvage, meaning wild and referring to the rustic, vigorous, somewhat wild-vine character of old plantings and the parent variety Sauvignon Blanc.

Origin of the vintage

Historical records and modern DNA analysis agree that Cabernet Sauvignon appeared in Bordeaux (especially the Médoc region) in the 17th century as a spontaneous cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. The composite name Cabernet Sauvignon reflects that parentage.

From grape name to wine style

Once the grape became dominant in Left Bank Bordeaux, producers and merchants began referring to wines by their leading grape, so “Cabernet Sauvignon” evolved from a vine name into a style designation for wines where this variety is the main structural component.

Thanks to the San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter for creating this feature.

Chapter events

NOVEMBER

For their November tasting, members of the San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter and Zinfandel enthusiast Jim Mueller collected “field Zins” for a blind tasting.

Field Zins represent different varieties of grapes — but predominantly Zinfandel— purposely inter-planted, harvested together, co-fermented, aged, and bottled. In short, the blending occurs in the vineyard. Since grape varieties ripen throughout the fall, creating a pleasing field blend with a long shelf life requires the proper climate, soil, art, science, a discerning palate … and a good bit of luck.

Jim explained that the number of vineyards producing field Zins or, actually, field anything has dropped in recent decades because of consolidation of wineries, vine disease, industrial-size demand, time and equipment required and, especially, the aging out of vineyards with acreage devoted to field Zinfandels.

In each group of three, one of the wines was “new” compared with the ancient vines more typical of a field Zin. Interestingly, the winner with 19 votes — Dry Creek Heritage — was among the newer planted field Zins.

• 2022 Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Vines, $27 (1)
• 2021 Saucelito Canyon Sandy Lane Vinyard Field Blend, $35
• 2022 Ridge Vineyard Lytton Springs, $50
• 2022 Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Bambino Field Blend, $29
• 2022 Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Ancient Field Blend, $50
• 2023 Turley Wine Cellars Kirschenmann Vineyard, $45 (3)
• 2023 Bedrock Wine Co. Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Red Wine, $45
• Caliza Winery End of the Day ZM Cuvée, $34
• 2023 Carlisle Winery Mancini Ranch Vineyard, $46 (2)

Participants seemed very interested in the nuances of field Zins and impressed with the quality of the various ancient wines.

Among other things, we learned that, generally speaking, field Zins are not inexpensive  because varietal grapes ripen at different rates, which requires extra care when selecting the grapes to include in a particular post-field blend.

The Fleur de Lis Chapter of Louisville (KY) tasting on November 1 was hosted by Robin Penick and Chris Zaborowski featuring a blind tasting of 7 wines from Paso Robles, California. The theme was “Red Wines, Same Year, Same Winery, Single Varietal.” Below are the ratings from highest to lowest.  There was a tie for second and sixth place.

• 2018 Tobin James, Silver Reserve, Zinfandel, $52 (1)
• 2018 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Syrah, $55 (2)
• 2018 Tobin James, Silver Reserve, Merlot, $52 (3)
• 2018 Tobin James, Silver Reserve, Lagrein, $52
• 2018 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Petit Verdot, $48
• 2018 Tobin James, Silver Reserve, Cabernet Franc, $52
• 2018 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Petit Verdot, $48

DECEMBER

On December 5, the Monterey (CA) Chapter held its annual holiday party at A Taste of Monterey in historic Cannery Row. At this sold-out event, 40 members and guests indulged in 5 outstanding Monterey wines, perfectly paired with delicious appetizers. This was a fun and social gathering for our members and their guests, while we learned more about Monterey wines from our venue host, Jasmine Hernandez and our server, Scott.

The 5 wines selected for our tasting were sourced in different parts of Monterey County, from the famous Santa Lucia Highlands to the southern San Antonio Valley. The knowledgeable staff guided us through each wine. The most unique was the Russell Joyce Le Blanc, a blend of Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc, from two vineyards in the Arroyo Seco AVA.

• NV Folktale Sparkling Rosé, Monterey AVA, $45 (1)
• 2024 Russell Joyce Le Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, $35
• Tondre’ Grapefield Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $40 (2)
• 2019 Shale Canyon Merlot, Arroyo Seco AVA, $40
• 2021 Marin’s Cabernet Sauvignon, San Antonio Valley AVA, $45

The Venice (FL) Vinos Chapter held a Christmas party for its members on Sunday, December 14, at the Harrington Lake clubhouse in the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice. The 25 members attending were treated to an Italian-themed wine tasting experience with food provided by San Marco restaurant catering of Venice. The chapter provided several hundred dollars to help pay for the celebration. Wines paired with the food were:

• Conegliano Valdobbia Dene Prosecco Superiore, $15
• 2024 Antica Cantina di Calosso Rodero Arneis, $16
• 2022 Montresor Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, $22
• 2023 Renieri Rosso di Montalcino, $27
• 2019 La Sarestia Barolo, $43

The holiday tasting for the Perkiomen Valley (PA) Chapter on December 14 featured sparkling wines, followed by some ports from Portugal. and any number of delicious dishes prepared for the​ occasion. It was a great way to help usher in the festive season.

The wines were:

• 2022 Avinyo Brut Reserva Cava, $25
• 2022 Nadal Corpinnat Brut Reserva, $25
• 2020 Pere Llopart Brut Reserva Corpinnat organic sparkling, $27
• 2022 Sabate i Coca Brut Nature Reserva Corpinnat, $24
• 2019 Sabate i Coca Brut Nature Josep Coca Corpinnat, $42
• Croft Reserve Tawny Port, $30
• Maynard’s 10 Year Old Aged Tawny Porto, $23

Many thanks for all who pitched in with a tasty dish and to Lori Law who again served as our host.

The San Diego (CA) Chapter met December 14 at the home of Dennis and Faye Capps for a themed event: Champaign versus California Sparkling Wines – Three Champagne Houses. The presenter was Dwight Navis, WSET 3 and AWS-certified wine judge.

We tasted wines from three Champagne houses (Roederer, Mumm, and Taittinger) and compared each with a California sparkling wine. Each wine was analyzed for the essential elements of Champagne wines: blending, fermentations, dosage, mousse, bouquet, and palate.

Pairing 1

Roederer Collection 245 Champagne, complex blend of estates, reserves, and varieties, $56

Roederer Estates Brut, Mendocino County, multi-vintage cuvee in the tradition of Louis Roederer style, $27

Pairing 2

Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Champagne, house signature style Pinot Noir cuvee, $55

Mumm Sparkling Brut Prestige, blend of six California wine regions and four varieties, $18

Pairing 3

Taittinger La Francaise Brut Champagne, blend of 35 villages and three varieties, $56

2021Domaine Carneros Brut, blend of estate clones and vineyard blocks and three varieties, $30

The group selected Roederer Collection 245 Champagne as its favorite.

The Myrtle Beach (SC) Chapter met December 18 for a tasting of wines from Shooting Creek Vines presented by the owner, Kerry Darnell.

Shooting Creek Vines is a small, family-owned winery founded in 2017in the Upper Hiwassee AVA. It is in the westernmost part of North Carolina, almost on the Georgia border at the foot of the Nantahala National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains. The soil there closely resembles the soil in the Southern Rhone region of France at Chatueuneuf-du Pape.

The winery currently grows Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Chardonnay, but is best known for its red Bordeaux-style blends that have won silver medals at the annual North Carolina Wine Competition and the NC Fine Wine competition. Its Syrah won best in the state.

• 2019 Red Blend. $45
• 2020 Red Blend, $40
• NV Destination Syrah, $38
• NV Elevate 2350 Merlot, $38
• NV Last Light Cabernet Sauvignon, $38
• NV Lost English Rose, $30

In addition to Kerry’s wines, we began the evening with Larry amd Joann Garners’ Glühwein, a warm German mulled wine. Glühwein literally translates to “glow-wine,” supposedly because of how you feel after you’ve been drinking tiny mugs outside in the cold. We felt like we were at one of the European Christmas markets. We ended the night with Bill and Marie Woodwards’ traditional homemade eggnog! The evening was a great start to the Christmas season.

The Lehigh Valley (PA) Chapter holiday festivities in December were held at the Aster Event Center. Members and guests enjoyed themselves, including sharing a table of a wide variety of wines.

Bonnie and Dean Scott hosted a Silent Auction and 50/50 raffle, featuring 22 wine items donated by members, with more than 40 people bidding. A total of $1,277 was collected to benefit the AWS Education Fund Scholarship. So, the chapter now has enough to cover a $3,500 scholarship. Thanks Jan Thomas and committee for planning this wonderful holiday event. The appetizers and dinner were delicious.

And a big thank you Ann Vlot for hosting various BYOBs every month.

JANUARY

On January 2, the Monterey (CA) Chapter met at the Tira Nanza tasting room in Carmel-by-the-sea. Organized by board member Janet Torelli, 21 members and guests learned about this relatively young winery. Tira Nanza has quickly made a name for itself, taking root (literally!) in the former Galante Vineyards in Carmel Valley. Owners Greg and Sydney burst onto the scene with their impressive estate Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Greg and Sydney take their own approach to farming and winemaking. They have chosen not to pursue traditional Monterey County Pinot noir and Chardonnay, but produce organically what their vineyard does best. Located in Cachagua Valley, Tira Nanza is well suited for Bordeaux and some Rhône varietals. In addition, they have a second label called “Offshoot” for wine made from grapes acquired outside of their estate.

• 2024 Tira Nanza Malbec Rosé, Mendocino AVA $30
• 2024 Offshoot Vermentino, Mendocino AVA $40 (1)
• 2024 Tira Nanza Viognier, Carmel Valley AVA $60
• 2022 Offshoot Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA $48 (2)
• 2023 Tira Nanza Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA $85

The Palmetto Pointe (SC) Chapter met January 9 at the home of Brad and Gerri Hughes for a tasting featuring wines of Italy. Twenty-four members and guests were present.

A primer in the use of the AWS tasting notes was presented by Annemarie Humm, AWS SC Ambassador. All wines were matched with small/tasty bites that brought out the best in each wine. Wines were purchased locally, reasonably priced and good quality.

• 2024 Prosecco DOOG Bele Casel, $15
• 2021 Ameis DOC Langhe, $13 (2)
• 2023 Komaros Rosato IGT Marche, $8
• 2023 Nebilio Langhe DOC Garombello, $18 (3)
• 2019 Brolo delle Giare, Valpolicella Superiore, $19 (1)

A social sharing of wine and food followed the tasting.

The Beaufort (SC) Chapter held its second meeting on January 11, with all members bringing both a Chardonnay of their choice and a dish to share. Eleven members and guests attended. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Everyone did a great job presenting their selection to the group, sharing information about each vintage and winemaker as well as personal reflections on travels to tour the vineyards for those lucky enough to have had those experiences.

The wines were:

• NV Lancelot-Pienne Champagne Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Table Ronde, $95 (1)
• 2022 Terlan Kreuth Chardonnay, $40 (3-tie)
• 2023 Wrath Chardonnay, $35 (2)
• 2022 Domaine Gilles Noblet, Pouilly-Fuisse, $50
• 2020 Peju Carneros Chardonnay, $34
• 2022 The Calling Dutton Ranch, $33
• 2014 Hartford Court Four Hearts Vineyard Chardonnay, $40 (3-tie)
• 2023 Bread & Butter Chardonnay, $18

Thanks to chapter chair Melissa Venable for organizing, Nick Braxton for curating the tasting sequence, and Beaufort Wine, a local retail shop and AWS Welcome Here participant, for hosting!

The Venice (FL) Vinos Chapter held a tasting on, January 15 at the Venice Fine Wines store in downtown Venice. Fifteen members and guests enjoyed a French-themed tasting paired with chef-prepared food.

Featured wines were:

• 2023 Ladoucette Les Deux Tours Sauvignon Blanc, $18 (best value)
• 2023 La Chablisienne Chablis Le Finage, $23
• 2021 J. Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone red blend, $18
• 2022 Chateau ‘Chevalier de Lascombes’, $45 (favorite wine)
• 2013 Chateau Lassegue St. Emillion, $40
• 2019 Chateau Haut-Lagrange, $40

The Myrtle Beach (SC) Chapter met January 15 for a fun and educational tasting by Larry and Joann Garner just in time for Valentines Day–Wines Paired with Chocolate.

Like meats and cheeses, various chocolates have different flavor structures that complement different wines. As expected, white chocolate (which really doesn’t contain cocoa) paired best with the white wines. Zinfandel paired better with dark chocolate than did Cabernet Sauvignon, while milk chocolate worked best with Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir.

• NV Jacqueline Leonne Brut Methode Champenoise, New Mexico (welcome wine), $19
• 2021 Willm Reserve Gewurztraminer; Alsace, France, $22
• 2024 Dr. Heidemanns Dry Riesling; Germany, $20
• 2023 River Road Unoaked Chardonnay; California, $15
• 2021 River Road Double-Oaked Chardonnay; California, $15
• 2023 Domaine Saint Germain Bourgogne Pinot Noir; France, $19
• 2023 District Series Cabernet Sauvignon; Alexander Valley, CA, $20
• 2019 Ironstone Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel; Lodi, CA ,$19
• 2023 Barista Pinotage; South Africa, $19

The Barista, which has a rich coffee flavor because of natural compounds created during fermentation and aging in toasted French oak barrels, paired well with all of the chocolate — but only coffee drinkers liked it.

The year’s kickoff event for the Ocean Isle Beach (NC) Chapter was an Italian wine tasting attended by 55 members and guests at Silver Coast Winery. The guest presenter was Drew Clawson of Petrea Imports, which brings Italian wines North Carolina.

Drew provided a tasting of seven varietals beginning with a Terre di San Venanzio Prosecco and finishing with a 2016 Villa Girardi Recioto della Valpolicella. Drew provided information on the 7 varietals and delighted the audience with a video call to Antonio Romano of Corte Corbo Winery in Montemarano. In addition to the 2 wines mentioned, we enjoyed sampling following wines:

• Rosa en Rosa from Podere Roseto
• Ilvania Coda di Volpe from CorteCorbo
• Langhe Chardonnay Blagheur from Gigi Rosso
• Anthonia Irpinia Campi Taurasi from CorteCorbo
• Chianti Classico Ragonaia from Lecci e Brocci.

The San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter met in January for a blind tasting of Cabernet Sauvignons from Australia and California.​

Beforehand, winemaker Alex Kemp of Brecon Estates generously shared a delicious 2023 Grenache from his family winery (Terranean). That set the stage for a spirited and enjoyable comparison of Cabernet Sauvignons.

Considering the general fruit-forward preferences of chapter members, it wasn’t shocking that local offerings garnered the most votes. The favorite was Kemp’s Brecon Estates Cabernet Sauvignon.

• 2023 Deauratus Cabernet Sauvignon, Jillian Rose Vineyard, Paso Robles, $45 (2-tie)
• 2021 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, $50
• 2022 Vasse Felix Winery Felius Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, $23
• 2023 Adelaida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, $30 (2-tie)
• 2023 Brekon Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $94 (1)
• 2018 Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, $18
• 2021 Arbuckle Ridge Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, $30
• 2020 Miller Family Wines Reciprocity Cabernet Sauvignon, $15
• 2018 Evans & Tate Red Brook Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, $40 (3)

The Lehigh Valley (PA) Chapter focused on ‘All round Bordeaux’ a its January event. Hostess and teacher Suzanne Laverick-Stone educated more than 40 members and guests regarding France’s Bordeaux wine region.

The soil of right bank is more favorable for Merlot and the left bank (think “Lefty took a Cab”) is conducive to Cabernet Sauvignon. The regions are separated by the Garonne River, which joins the Dordogne north of the city of Bordeaux.

The wines tasted were:

• 2022 JC Calvet Crémant, Cabernet Franc/Merlot, Bordeaux, $23
• 2020 Chateau D’Aiguilhe, 80% Merlot/20% Cabernet Franc, Right, $30
• 2019 Chateau Lalande, 75% Merlot/25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Right, $20
• 2022 Chateau Saint-Andre, 70% Merlot/30% Cabernet Franc, Right, $25
• 2020 Chateau Bel-Air Eiffel, 80% Cabernet Franc /10% Merlot, Deux-Mers, $23 (3)
• 2018 Chateau Greysac, 65% Merlot/25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Left, $30
• 2014Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon /50% Merlot, Left, $25 (2)
• 2021 Chateau Langlet, 75% Merlot/25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Left, $24
• 2020 Petit Guiraud, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, Sauternes, $36 (1)

Thanks to Suzanne and Rod Stone for hosting this fun and educational event at Casa de Italia. The buffet was delicious. And thank you Ann Vlot for hosting another delicious BYOB at Ninja Ramen.

FEBRUARY

The inaugural gathering of the Mint Hill/Charlotte (NC) Chapter had to weather a very stormy start.

With 64 people and presenter Kevin Brady set to attend on our originally scheduled date in January, a catastrophic ice storm struck the region.

The following week, 64 people and Kevin were ready again — until a snowstorm of epic proportions dropped over a foot of snow.

By our third attempt on February 3, we had lost our speaker and 20 attendees, but still had 42 people for a successful chapter launch. Chapter chair Michele Novotni led the presentation with help from Bob Novotni and Anthony Morlando. Ron Natalie, vice president of AWS, and his wife, Margie, helped to kick off the meeting.

The theme was Under 20/Over 90, focusing on 12 wines that received a rating of over 90 points and cost less than #20. The tasting was followed by a potluck dinner and hope for better weather in the future!