Book your rooms now for the 2022 National Conference
Members can take advantage of a special group rate at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside for the conference in Bellevue, Washington, in October.
Educational Foundation welcomes a new trustee, begins evaluating scholarship applications
Patricia Green joins the board as Vice President for Scholarships; review of scholarship seekers in 2022 follows March 31 end of application period.
Springing forward with the Amateur Wine Competition
We’re updating the brochure and registration site for this year’s Amateur Wine Competition.
Local AWS chapter holds event for countries in desperate need of potable water
Members of the Lake Hickory (NC) Chapter built filtration kits and donated funds to help support life and dignity.
GoFundMe drives started for AWS members
Fundraising efforts for members of American Wine Society are under way to help them face life-changing challenges.
Resurgence after the pandemic
A gathering of 3 chapters conveys a message of endurance and strength
National Tasting Project update
Delivery of some wine has started already, but there’s still time to order for your chapter and then use our new website to organize your tasting.
Join AWS for a river cruise through Germany
Our cruise in 2023 is selling out quickly, but there’s still time to reserve your spot and get a discount for booking.
Government affairs
Read about how laws and regulations could affect wine consumption, production, or purchases in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, as well as in Europe, Bangladesh, and South Africa.
Winemaker’s corner: Save The Wine!
Kevin Kourofsky elaborates on how to avoid making stinky wine by fining for hydrogen sulfide odors.
Chapter events
Your fellow AWS members have had some exceptional experiences lately; read what they’ve been up to.
Book your rooms now for the 2022 National Conference
Book your room now at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside for the AWS 55th Annual Conference in Bellevue, Washington, scheduled for October 27–29.
We expect our first conference in the Evergreen State will be a great success, and we’re eagerly anticipating what its wines have to offer. Look for details and a full agenda in the summer.
Be sure to leave time on October 27 for a day tour to Woodinville wineries, and for our offerings of Wine Judge Certification, Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Wine Smarts (formerly SuperTasting Series), and more.
Take advantage of a special group rate by booking now. Rates start at $159 per night, depending on type of room and the view selected.
Educational Foundation welcomes a new trustee, begins evaluating scholarship applications
Patricia Green is the newest trustee for the American Wine Society Educational Foundation. She was elected during a special meeting of the AWSEF Board of Trustees in early March.
Patricia graciously agreed to fill the balance of the term left vacant by Holly Tillis’ resignation in late February. Foundation bylaws require a trustee in these situations to be nominated by the president, then voted on by the board. Patricia received unanimous endorsement in the board’s vote.
Her term runs through December 31, 2023, and she takes on the responsibilities of Vice President for Scholarships.
Patricia has been a member of AWS since 2001 and attended her first conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2005. In 2007, she and her husband, Terry, started the Bucks County (PA) Chapter. She became chair of the Philadelphia Chapter during its 30th anniversary in 2009, serving in that capacity until 2018.
Patricia and Terry have supported AWSEF through donations to the auctions and purchases of donated items, and by offering their home to donated dinners and tastings. Patricia has tried to incorporate several chapter events a year in which money collected goes to the AWSEF.
For 5 years, she and Terry hosted an Eastern Regional Picnic at their home, which included more than 13 chapters in Pennsylvania. The event included an amateur wine competition, lunch, speaker, and silent auction to benefit the AWSEF.
In thanks for the dedication of Patricia and Terry, the AWSEF awarded our highest honor, the Award of Merit, to them several years ago.
You can read more about Patricia’s professional accomplishments on our website, www.awsef.org, soon. We are excited to have Patricia join the Board of Trustees!
Scholarship application period ends
The 2022 scholarship application period officially ended on March 31.
Each year, the Board of Trustees looks forward to reading applications about interesting and innovative research being pursued in enology, viticulture, and related fields by master’s and Ph.D. candidates at universities across North America.
Since the AWSEF’s first scholarship awards in 1994, we’ve granted scholarships to students from 23 universities.
The Board of Trustees meets in May to determine this year’s scholarship recipients; the results will be in the summer newsletter.
We can provide this wonderful opportunity to graduate students each year thanks in huge part to you, our members. We cannot adequately express our thanks for your continued, generous support of the AWS Educational Foundation program. Our support for these students results in better quality wines for all of us!
–Kristen Lindelow, president of AWSEF
Springing forward with the Amateur Wine Competition
With the spring in our step, we’re updating the brochure and registration site for this year’s Amateur Wine Competition.
We’re trying to get the final info needed for the wine receiving facility in Washington. So, stay tuned for the email announcement.
If you have winemaking groups or businesses that we should ensure have the competition information, send a note to AWC@AmericanWineSociety.org.
On another topic, we hope you had an opportunity to hear Daniel Pambianchi’s Zoom session on fining and bottling. Hopefully, the information presented will help you with your future efforts.
—Vince Williams, CSW, Chair of the Amateur Wine Competition
Local AWS chapter holds event for countries in desperate need of potable water
At their annual charity event in February, members of the Lake Hickory (NC) Chapter assembled 28 water filtration kits and raised approximately $2,200 that will support the production of potable water for 280 people for 10 years.
The event was a partnership with a North Carolina-based nonprofit called Wine to Water (W|W), which seeks to support life and dignity for all through the power of clean water and since 2007 has reached more than 1 million people across 46 countries.
GoFundMe drives started for AWS members
Fundraising efforts for members of American Wine Society are under way to help them face life-changing challenges. Here are their stories.
It happened on Mulberry Street – Janda Marshall Fund
Suzanne Halvorson has been acquainted with long-time AWS members Bruce and Mary Janda of Louisville, Colorado, for more than 25 years, and calls them one of the nicest couples she knows. They lost their house last year to Colorado wildfires.
Susan writes:
“We moved onto Mulberry Street in Louisville at about the same time — Mulberry Street was a true neighborhood with neighbors, like Bruce and Mary, who supported each other and cared for each other. Bruce and Mary supported me and many other neighbors through tough times and were great friends during good times. Now retired, the Jandas lost their home, their car and everything they owned. Their cherished home and memories they shared with the daughter are suddenly gone. They’re a loving, wonderful family. Like so many affected by the wildfire, the Jandas need assistance with living expenses. Selfishly, I’ll admit, I want them to continue to live in this community and for Mary to continually beat me at pickle ball!
Please help support the Jandas to rebuild their lives and stay in the community they love and call home.”
You can help Bruce and Mary at https://gofund.me/230560b5
Roberto (Tito) Erb needs a kidney transplant
AWS member Nancy Stabins explains that Roberto (Tito) Erb, 29, has kidney disease. Over time, treatments have not worked, and his options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. He undergoes dialysis 3 times per week, which affects his ability to work normal hours and prevents him from leading a normal, healthy life.
Nancy writes:
“Tito is in the process of finding a “live donor” for a kidney transplant. Donor from a deceased person can take years and there are 100,000 people on the waiting list. Some wait for years and many die while waiting.
“The money raised will help Tito during the process of finding a live donor and support him during the recuperation period once a donor is found.
“Tito is an accomplished home wine maker, a volunteer for Camp Good Days and Special Times, and received the “Teddy Award” in 2020 for outstanding service. He is involved with many wine events in the Finger Lakes and is a member of the American Wine Society. Please consider a donation to help Tito and raise a glass of your favorite wine to support this very special person.”
You can help Robert at https://gofund.me/0b8425f7
Resurgence after the pandemic
Recently, I was privileged to attend a special event of the Lehigh Valley (PA) Chapter — a dinner and wine tasting at Folino Estate Winery in the Lehigh Valley AVA.
Executive Director
Emerging from the shadow of the pandemic made the event more special. As if the simple act of convening wasn’t enough, participating were the Northampton (PA) Chapter and the Berks County (PA) Chapter.
Both the Lehigh Valley and Northampton Chapters are longstanding groups with strong leadership that stuck with it during the difficult two years. The Berks County Chapter was founded on the eve of the pandemic, yet it didn’t throw in the towel or ice its plans. Berks members continued meeting and finding ways to advance the AWS mission, and the chapter is vibrant and growing.
Host Folino Estate Winery, which has a close relationship with the Lehigh Chapter and is a supporter of the AWS and its Commercial Wine Competition, shared wines that were honored in our organization’s 2021 competition.
The event captured the virtuous cycle that has been part of the AWS role through the years: members supporting professionals who support the organization.
Within Folino’s generous event space, chapter chairs offered hellos and overviews of their plans for 2022. Two regional vice presidents, Robert Hale and Jennifer Perry, attended. As members and local leaders reconnected, they shared smiles and successes.
While unspoken, the message to me was clear: The AWS and its chapters are stronger after confronting challenges during the pandemic.
What a great way to start the Spring!
National Tasting Project update
As announced previously, information regarding the 2022 National Tasting Project featuring Sicilian wines is web-based — and that website is now available at awsntp.org.
There, you will find all of the information you need to run your chapter’s 2022 NTP. (Note that you will not receive documents separately by email this year.)
On the website, NTP organizers, chapter chairs, and regional vice presidents can register. Once you place your order, the retailer will email to confirm it. (Keep in mind that while you still can order the wines this way, availability and price were guaranteed only through March 15.)
Deliveries of wine to some have started already.
In addition to being able to order wine through the NTP website, other items you will find there include:
NTP Chair
- Educational information.
- A meeting presentation.
- Suggested food and wine pairings.
- Guidance regarding how to organize and run an event.
- NTP updates on the news page.
Also, please take a few minutes to answer a brief survey that will help us keep improving the NTP. By sharing feedback about your past experiences, you’ll help your fellow AWS members optimize their future ones.
Finally, be sure to submit your chapter’s wine evaluations by September 30, 2022.
Send any inquiries to Mike Blake at ntp@americanwinesociety.org.
Join AWS for a river cruise through Germany
From the castles that tower above the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine Valley to the vineyard-clad hills of the Moselle, enjoy European wine country at its most delicious and picturesque with your American Wine Society friends during a 7-night cruise from April 11–18, 2023.
The storybook villages will captivate and enchant you. You’ll taste through the world-famous wines of the Rhine along with the hearty smoked beer of Bamberg and Rüdesheim’s famed coffee, all combined with an intimate understanding of the history and culture of this remarkable region.
Your winery hosts will be Barbara Frank of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, which is an American pioneer in Riesling, and renowned wine educator and story-teller Paul Wagner!
Your exclusive wine experience will include:
- A welcome-aboard reception.
- Three wine dinners
- Three wine-tasting seminars.
Staterooms start at $3,049 per person for bookings before June 30, and include daily shore excursions, complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner, free wi-fi, and much more! (If you plan to go, don’t delay; fewer than 20 cabins remain.)
You can learn more details about the cruise here.
Government affairs
Here’s a roundup from Tom Cobett of official actions that could affect consumers and wine.
WASHINGTON, D.C. The federal Department of the Treasury wants to give small alcoholic beverage companies a chance to get their product to market.
The Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) says that the 5 biggest wineries account for about 65% of U.S. production, and the 2 biggest wholesalers control about half the market in beer, wine, and spirits. The TTB notes that this concentration has resulted in higher prices.
Michael Kaiser, a vice president for the national wine industry association WineAmerica, said, “I think there is a realization that some producers have trouble getting their product to market and that something needs to be done to help them.”
TTB’s goal is to further competition in alcohol and to provide a level playing ground for the thousands of small producers. We can expect to see the following plan of attack rolled out by TTB.
- Tougher scrutiny of mergers.
- Closer inspection of wholesale trade practices such as slotting fees and pay to play
- Giving more support to direct-to-consumer efforts.
- More federal government assistance to state alcohol regulators to ensure fair competition.
TTB’s recommendations are part of a Biden administration promise to look at concentration and anti-competitive behavior in the U.S. in markets that include alcohol, meat packing, and hearing aids.
COLUMBUS, OH. Ohio law allows alcohol to be sold (under a temporary permit) —but not given away — at non-profit, charitable, or political events held in private homes.
If ANY money changes hands, for ANY reason, at the event and the event organizer has no temporary permit, a first-degree misdemeanor infraction has occurred. This is covered under Ohio’s “Keeper of a Place” law, established in 1908.
The Division of Liquor Control admits that it monitors social media for private events where alcohol is being served and money changes hands. Undercover police officers who have attended some of these events and see an exchange of money then charge the event organizer with a “Keeper of a Place” violation if no temporary permit exists.
Rep. Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus, and House majority floor leader Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Green Township, want to change the law. Their House Bill 574 would permit liquor to be “furnished or gifted” at these events, and it would expand the definition to include any not-for-profit social purpose. They would not allow the person who is the host or owner of the residence to financially benefit from an event.
The bill would also set the limit on guests at 100 people, continue prohibiting the sale or gifting of alcohol between 2:30 and 5:30 a.m., and require alcohol be bought from a licensed Ohio seller.
Note from Tom: I will speak with the bill sponsors to try to ensure that it does not adversely affect any AWS chapter activities.
NEW YORK, N.Y. Mayor Eric Adams wants to create a permanent outdoor dining program for the city’s struggling restaurant industry.
His proposed permanent program would replace a temporary program set up by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in June 2020 to help restaurants after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down indoor dining citywide. It would allow restaurants to continue to use portions of sidewalks and curbside parking adjacent to their businesses to set up tables and chairs and serve customers food and drinks.
ALBANY, N.Y. New York’s State Liquor Authority ruled on January 26 that movie theaters can apply for beer and wine licenses, allowing them to serve customers for consumption in theater seats.
ALABAMA. Senate Bill 126, which took effect in October 2021, allows ABC Board-licensed businesses in the state to deliver wine, beer, and spirits to customers’ homes.
Deliveries from a business with an on-premises retail liquor license must be accompanied by a meal. Alcohol cannot be delivered to a location more than 75 miles from the retail business where the order was received. Delivery is not allowed in dry counties or to any residence hall of a college or university.
House Bill 437 allows a licensed manufacturer of wine, either in the state or outside of Alabama, to ship wine to buyers in Alabama. Only wineries, not retailers, can ship wine to consumers in Alabama.
PENNSYLVANIA. State Rep. Natalie Mihalek, from Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania, has proposed a constitutional amendment that would ban the state from being in the business of selling alcoholic beverages. It would end the state’s monopoly on liquor sales, which has been in place since the end of Prohibition. If approved by the state legislature in two successive sessions, the amendment would go to voters for a final decision.
Elsewhere around the world
EUROPEAN UNION. The European Parliament refocused the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) report, which was released in February, regarding the harmful use of alcohol; the report no longer suggests there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption.
The Parliament instead added a clear distinction between moderate, responsible consumption and harmful drinking. A proposed requirement for health warning labeling was replaced with a message to “drink with moderation and responsibility.”
DENMARK. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen reportedly have discovered a method for decreasing the quantity of hops used to produce non-alcoholic beer by instilling the final product with molecules called monoterpenoids, which produce the smell that beer drinkers love. If true, monoterpenoids could lower production costs dramatically. The researchers suggest brewers could begin using monoterpenoids before the end of 2022.
UNITED KINGDOM. The Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA) has concluded that consumers are “being kept in the dark” about the sugar content and calories of wine, saying that individuals can reach the daily recommended limit for sugar by drinking two glasses of wine.
The AHA pressed the government to require that calories and sugar content be displayed on wine labels to help reduce alcohol harm.
SOUTH AFRICA. The South African Liquor Brand Owners Association (SALBA) wants the government to address the illicit alcohol trade by reducing excise taxes on alcoholic beverages.
The country’s illicit alcohol market has doubled in less than 10 years to represent 22% of the overall market.
Resulting from excise tax increases, prices for legal alcohol are now, on average, 43% higher than those of illicit alcohol. Excise tax rates for alcoholic beverages have quadrupled since 2000, but total alcohol consumption officially has remained virtually unchanged.
INDIA. Within 3 months, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intends to issue regulations requiring calorie labels for beer. In 2019, the FSSAI required all alcohol beverage bottles to carry cautionary messages such as “Drinking is injurious to health” and “Don’t drink and drive.”
BANGLADESH. The Home Ministry has set stricter rules for “all types of alcohol-related permission” by issuing Alcohol Control Rules 2022.
Passes will be required for carrying and transporting alcohol, and licenses will be required for importing, exporting, producing, processing, supplying, marketing, selling, purchasing, and storing alcohol.
No more than three units of alcohol may be sold at one time. Bars and liquor stores must remain closed on Fridays, as well as on religious and other government-declared holidays.
Winemaker’s corner: Save the wine!
Kevin Kourofsky suddenly smelt raw garlic in his wine.
No, not just garlic, but rotten eggs marinating in raw garlic! This as he was punching down his lovely Malbec grapes obtained at some expense from Lodi, California. Only the day before it smelled “brushy.” Now he had a bad case of stinky wine.
Read his blog for tips regarding how to avoid making stinky wine by fining for hydrogen sulfide odors.
Chapter events
The Bristow (VA) Chapter had its first face-to-face of 2022 on February 20. The theme was Merlot World Tour, presented by Al Guber. Thirteen members and guests attended. The wines were presented in flights and the members had to select the descriptor that matched each wine. Attendees were also asked to identify the country of origin.
- 2018 Cousino-Macul, Chile, $15
- 2018 Januik, Washington, $28 (3)
- 2017 Marco Felluga Collo Vernei Friuli-Venazia, $19
- 2012 Chateau Robin, St. Emilion, $25
- 2017 Polizinno In Violas Cortona, Montepulciano, $32
- 2020 Juntos Alicante, Spain, $12
- 2018 Ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley, Washington, $25
- 1994 Ravenswood Gregory Vineyard, $38 (1)
- 2009 Chateau Rocher-Bonnegard, Pomerol, $40
- 2019 Decoy, California, $27 (2)
- 2019 Man Family Jan Fiskaal, Western Cape South Africa, $13
On January 23, the North Wake (NC) Chapter returned to Zoom meetings with a tasting of Value Wines from Wine Spectator. The chapter does this tasting every year and it is quite popular. Twenty-six members attended. All wines were rated 90 or better by Wine Spectator and were priced $20 or below. We tasted 3 reds and 3 whites.
Greg Hedrick presented the wines and showed a PowerPoint presentation with information about the wines, the wineries, and the grapes. The wines were from various regions, with one from Italy, two from South America (Chile and Argentina), and three from North America (New York, Oregon, and Washington). The average scores for the group showed that all wines scored at least 15 points, an “excellent” rating per the AWS rating system.
- 2019 Boundry Breaks Dry Riesling #239 (Finger Lakes), $20
- 2020 Chehalem INOX Unoaked Chardonnay (Willamette Valley), $20
- 2020 Terra Alpina by Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio (Italy), $16
- 2018 Clos de los Sieto Red Blend (Argentina), $20 (1)
- 2019 Substance CS Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley), $16 (3)
- 2019 De Martino Legada Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile), $20 (2)
The Kish Valley (PA) Chapter met on Sunday, January 16, at Stonefly Cafe in Reedsville. Mark Ostrowski, program chairperson, presented to 16 members and 2 guests an enlightening and warming array of spiced wines. Participates first were presented the Cloudline Pinot Noir (2019) from Cloudline Cellars, Willamette Valley Oregon.
Next, this same wine was “mulled” into a beverage known from Poland as Grzaniec galicyjski. Mark shared that “mull” means to grind and then to heat and spice! Traditionally mulled wine has become a well-received tradition during cold winter months.
In Europe, street vendors sell mulled wine often served with nuts, spiced cookies or biscuits. In Norway, spiced wine is often served alongside rice pudding. Next Wassail, or spiced cider was served. The act of “wassailing” involves singing, drinking, and celebrating the health of the apple trees following the harvest. Mark and his wife Joann serenaded the group with “good tidings” while sipping the Wassail.
Last, spily a spiced apple wine from Seven Mountains Wine Cellars was savored. The snacks pairing deliciously with the spiced wine. shared a recipe for both the Grzaniec galicyjski and Wassail.
Coming in at first place was the Pinot Noir, ($23), a close second was the spiced apple ($17), followed by the Wassail, and lastly the mulled Grzaniec galicyjski.
The Lehigh Valley (PA) Chapter held a tasting on Jan.22, 2022. Judi Roggie and Tom Harbin introduced members to fine Cavas, Spanish sparkling wine. Judi spoke about each wine and about 20 members tasted and scored in flights of 3. The top wines from each flight were repoured and tasted again with various tapas.— both sweet and savory. All agreed it was a fabulous experience and the wines were lovely! A light supper followed.
- Icebreaker: Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut NV, $8
- Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava Catalonia, $9
- NV Marques de Caceres Cava Brut, $10 (2-tie)
- NV Mercat Cava Brut Nature, $16
- 2017 Juve y Camps Brut Nature Reserva de la Familia Cava, $20
- 2018 Bertha Cava Brut Nature Reserva, $15 (2-tie)
- 2016 Vins El Cep, Gelida Brut Gran Reserva, $18 (1)
- Jaume Serra Cristalino Extra Dry Cava, Catalonia, $10
- 2018 Raventos I Blanc de Nit Rosado Brut Rose, $18 (3)
- Juve Y Camps Pinot Noir Brut Rose NV, $14 (2-tie)
Myrtle (SC) Chapter met Feb. 17, 2022, for value wines presented by Kurt Cowles from Total Wine with chair and co-chair Richard & Mary Berezinsky and 43 members/guests. With inflation being what it is, everyone wants value for their money, and that includes wine we purchase. Kurt presented value wines from all over the world — high-scoring wines that pack a great price-to-quality punch.
- Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, $12
- Gazela Vinho Verde, Portugal, $8
- P.H. Morel Cotes du Rhone Villages France, $16
- Armani Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy, $12
- First & Local Chardonnay, California, $11
- Nero Oro Appassimento Nero d’Avola, Sicily, $13
- 2016Asua Rioja Crianza, Spain, $18
- 2019 Olema Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, $20
- Mina Mesa Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA, $12
The Lonestar/DFW (TX) Chapter met on Saturday, February 26, at the home of Tom and Suely Lohr for a tasting of wines from “Award Winning Texas Wineries.” Twenty-eight guests attended as Tom and Suely provided education about the Texas terroir and types of grape varietals being grown in our home state, including several varietals grown locally that are similar to those grown in France, Italy, and Spain. After the tasting, guests dined on a lovely pork tenderloin with a mushroom cream sauce provided by our hosts as well as many other delicious dishes brought by members.
- 2019 4R Ranch Viognier, $24 (3)
- 2020 Eden Hill Albarino, $26 (2 – tie)
- 2015 Brushy Creek Trebbiano, $20
- 2020 Blue Ostrich Dolcetto, $28
- 2016 Brushy Creek Sangiovese, $25
- 2019 Eden Hill Tempranillo, $35 (1)
- 2019 Caudalie Crest Tannat, $30
- 2016 OG Cellar Syrah Reserve, $40 (2 – tie)
The Northampton (PA) Chapter and members held a surprise birthday tasting for Ann Koempel. Wines were paired with 3 soups. Rather than attendees bringing wine for scoring, the following came from the Koempel cellar.
- N/V Francois Montand, Brut, Blanc de Blanc 2016 Crux (Sonoma)
- 2016 Chateau Macard Rhone Blend
- 2012 Brothers in Arms Bourdeaux (Australia)
- N/V Line 39 California Cabernet Sauvignon ($9 from PLCB)
- 2019 Stolpman V.Y., Santa Barbara, Syrah and several others donated by the guests.
The North Wake (NC) Chapter returned to Heritage View Clubhouse in Wake Forest on February 27, 2022, for a tasting of “German Wines Not Riesling.” Six wines from Zähringer Winery were presented by Markus Zähringer, a cousin of wine owner Fabian Zähringer.
The fully organic winery has been in the Zähringer family for six generations and is located in the Baden region of Germany. Baden borders the French region of Alsace and is Germany’s warmest region. Markus did a good job introducing German varietals other than Riesling and also outlined winemaking techniques used by Zähringer and other German wineries. It was a very informative session for members who often think only of Riesling when considering German wines.
Prior to the tasting, chapter co-chair Jay Davis presented an aroma demonstration, which is part of the AWS Master Tasting Course. Members blind sniffed 26 fragrances. Guest Barbara Bowers correctly identified 14. Jay also reported that chapter membership is at 50.
- 2016 Zähringer Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, $40
- 2019 Zähringer Weissburgunder Sonnhohle Trocken Pinot Blanc, $36 (3-tie)
- 2020 Zähringer Grauburgunder Vierlig Trocken Pinot Gris, $29
- 2020 Zähringer Cuvée Rosé Edelgrafter Trocken Blend, $19 (3-tie)
- 2019 Zähringer Cuvée Rouge Edelgrafter Trocken Blend, $19 (2)
- 2019 Zähringer Spätburgunder Vierlig Trocken Pinot Noir, $30 (1)
The Ocean Isle Beach (NC) Chapter met on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at the Silver Coast Winery, with 63 participants, to learn about the Wines of Portugal.
The tasting began with members and guests enjoying social wines with time to mix and meet. Following that, chapter chair Stan Barwikowski opened the meeting with announcements and a preview of our 2022 chapter tasting schedule.
Stan shared the history of wine in Portugal followed by displaying a map of Portugal to point out and describe four major wine regions where the events wines originated: Douro, Vinho Verde, Lisbon and Alentejo.
- 2020 Blanka Vinho-Verde, ABV 11%, $10
- 2020 Rapariga Da Quinta White, ABV 13%, $15
- 2017 Quinta Das Carvalhas Tinto, ABV 14.5%, $15
- 2018 Destino Fifth Empire Douro Red, ABV 13.5%, $17
- 2016 Quinta Das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional, ABV 14%, $20
- 2016 Colossal Reserva, ABV 14%, $8
- 2016 Rapariga Da Quinta Reserva, ABV 14.5%, $25
When the Touriga was presented, our Silver Coast staff member generously offered us a taste of their 2017 Touriga for comparison.
The wines were paired with two types of Portuguese cheese, two types of Portuguese sausage (Chourico and Linguica) with honey mustard, a Portuguese Biscoitos and Belgian chocolate.
The Southport (NC ) Chapter met on Friday evening, February 18, 2022, at the St. James Community Center in Southport. It was hosted by co-chairs Dave & Vicki Caruso. The meeting had 63 members in attendance. This year they start off with 132 members (primary and secondary chapter members)!
The theme for the month was “Médoc AOC Wine,” including a review of the history of Bordeaux and the Médoc region, its wine production, terroir, and viticulture practices within the individual wine growing communes/regions. The characteristics of the land/wines from St. Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis, Margaux, and Haut-Médoc, were discussed with the many food pairings. The group tasted 7 Médoc AOC wines. Everyone enjoyed the wine education discussion.
- 2015 Château Beaumont, $23 (1)
- 2018 Château D’Arsac, $35 (2)
- 2016 Château la Bridane, $33 (3)
- 2018 Château Grandchemin Monplaisir, $25
- 2018 Château Bellegrave, $37
- 2016 Château Lestage, $21
- 2016 Château Mauvesin Barton, $26
The Triangle (NC) Chapter met on February 20, 2022, celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Rose’ All Day tasting presented by AWS member Kathleen Conn at her home.
According to Joseph Micallef, wine and spirits writer for Forbes Magazine, “Rosé is hot! It is the fastest-growing wine category in the United States. In 2017, the consumption of rosé wines in the U.S. grew by roughly 50%. By comparison, the overall consumption of wine grew by a more modest 4%.”
If you think that rosé wines are made by merely leaving the red grape skins in the wine in order to develop the pink tints of the wines, there is much more to the story. As Micallef remarks, “… the distinction between a light red wine and a rosé can be rather arbitrary. Think of rosé as more a style of wine rather than a wine of a particular color.” Have you heard the term Saignee? Check it out. The group tested its wine knowledge on rosé wines and discovered the pleasure they added to their wine cellars and tasting experiences.
- NV Le Grand Courtage Rose’ Brut (Burgundy France), $18
- 2020 Cline Mourvèdre Rose’ (California), $17
- 2020 Frescobaldi Alie Rose’ (Tuscany Italy), $24 (2)
- 2020 Goats Do Roam Rose’ (South Africa), $13
- 2020 Les Lauzeraies Tavel Rose’ (Rhone Region France), $17 (1)
- 2020 The Pale by Sacha Lichine Rose’ (Provence France), $18
- 2020 Villa Wolf Pfalz Pinot Noir Rose’ (Pfalz Germany), $16 (3)
The Venice (FL) Vinos Chapter held a tasting on January 30 at Devine’s Wine Bar in downtown Venice. Twenty-one members and guests enjoyed 5 French wines paired with appetizers. The wines were available for sale after the tasting, all for $15 per bottle. All wines were from the Bordeaux region.
- 2020 Auguste Rose
- 2020 Jean Balmont Chardonnay
- 2020 Jean Balmont Pinot Noir
- 2019 Jean Balmont Merlot
- 2019 Jean Balmont Cabernet Sauvignon
The Venice (FL) Vinos Chapter also held a tasting on Sunday, February 27, at the Harrington Lake clubhouse at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice. Twenty-six members and guests enjoyed Pinot Noirs from the northern and southern hemispheres. Each attendee brought food items to share.
- 2019 Fernridge Pinot Noir, Marlborough, NZ, $20
- 2019 Givry ler Cru Clos du Cras Long, Burgundy, $40
- 2019 Carmen Gran Reserve, Chile, $18
- 2020 Samuel Robert Winery, Willamette, OR, $21 (best value)
- 2017 Unanime Mascota Vineyards, Argentina, $26
- 2017 Lloyd-Robert Lloyd, Napa, CA, $50 (best wine)
- 2018 Whacky Jack Pinot Noir, Central Valley, CA, (priceless?)
To have your event included in the AWS News, e-mail your tasting results to me at chapterevents@americanwinesociety.org. Please follow the format specified for Chapter Events, which you can download from the AWS website. Include the cost of the wines you tasted, plus scores or rankings. This information lets other members know what you liked and which wines were good values.
AND … Please send us sharp, interesting pictures from your event. We would love to share those, too.
–Adrienne Turner, Chapter Events editor
| AWS News Staff | We welcome your comments and suggestions. |
| Jack Kraft, Editor | AmericanWineSocietyNews@gmail.com |
| David Falchek, Publisher | ExecutiveDirector@AmericanWineSociety.org |
| Adrienne Turner | ChapterEvents@AmericanWineSociety.org |
| Tom Cobett | tcobett@tcobettandassociates.com |
| Mike Blake | NTP@AmericanWineSociety.org |
| Kevin Kourofsky | carolynandkevinathome@gmail.com |
| Kristen Lindelow | President@AWSEF.org |
| Diane Meyer | Diane@AmericanWineSociety |
