New Year+Wine=New Classes
In our continuing effort to keep things fresh and tasty here at the Wine School, we are kicking off the new year with a whole new range of classes.
Starting with our March schedule, you will notice a change in how frequently certain classes are offered (some more, some less, so if you see a class that looks good, snap it up or forever hold your vinous peace) and in the classes themselves. Some classes will only be run once a year!
This month, we are kicking off two new series: Premier Wine Classes and the Ultimate Wine School Experience classes. The former deals with regional issues and wines, the latter with the kinds of bottlings you’ve only dreamed of tasting before (eat bland for a month before these classes—you won’t want to miss a thing!).
Did you love your 101 class? If so, we have great news for you!
We also now offer Wine 201! It will change how you buy and drink wine for the rest of your life. You can check out all our upcoming 101 and 201 classes in the Learn About Wine section of our website.
There’s some good, tasty stuff happening here at the Wine School. And that’s definitely worth raising a glass to.
The Search Continues
The Wine School continues its search for a new staffer
So far, 87 people have contacted us about the job, 20 have begun the interview process, and we’ve held three preliminary interviews.
The search won’t stop until we find the perfect candidate. Are you the one? All queries about this position must go to our applicant email: applicant@vinology.com
Upcoming Classes
Our Fearless Leader spent that last four months cloistered in an ivory tower. Fortunately for us, they tossed him out just in time for our Winter Semester!
Keith will be teaching the Wednesday section of the The Foundation Program that begins February 4th. Only readers of our newsletter know he will be teaching the program, so its our secret, okay? This is a smart time to take the Foundation Program, since: you get to learn from the guy who created it! Read on for Info & Registration
The Golden Wine Event is the wine and haute cuisine extravaganza, and has been for over a decade! The gentleman behind this incredible event is a good friend of the Wine School, and he asked Keith, our fearless leader, to pour his favorite wines during the event.
Keith was only happy to oblige, especially since his buddy (and former PLCB chairman) Jonathan Newman was going to be pouring wines, too. All in all, over 250 wines will be available to taste during the event.
The event is held in Wilmington, but it is definitely worth jumping into your car for it. Oh, and did we mention the price includes dinner? Check out the details & purchasing info here.
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Long Nights + Dark Reds = Happiness in a Glass
I was recently reading an article about those nuclear-strength lights you can buy to help stave off the most evil effects of winter’s darkness. Which got me thinking: Instead of fighting the winter blues with light, would it be possible to cheer yourself up by reveling in the dark? After much experimentation—I’m always happy to take one for the team—the answer, I have discovered, is an unequivocal yes: Drinking dark-toned wines even in the season of mid-afternoon nighttime is a surefire way to pep yourself up.
Mitolo 2006 Shiraz “Savitar,” Barossa Valley – Finding its center of gravity somewhere between Aussie drama and Rhone-y gravitas, this cold-weather Shiraz is perfect for chasing away the chill. Just make sure to have your decanter on hand: It needs some coaxing—or some serious bottle-age—to really show its potential. $49.99. Code: 27969.
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Sette Ponti 2005 Toscana “Crognolo,” Tuscany – The miraculously priced Luce 375s that the state has been selling may have gotten all the attention (and justifiably so—the 2001s are drinking beautifully right now), but that famous Mondavi – Frescobaldi collaboration isn’t the only great Super Tuscan to look out for. This one, a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, it excellent, too. And at $27.99, it’s a solid buy as well. Just make sure to pick up two: One for decanting now, and one for aging. Code: 24094.
Muga 2004 Rioja Reserva, Rioja – Muga is a perennial favorite here at the Wine School, and for good reason: It’s wines, from the value-priced white Rioja to the majestic Torre Muga, are, quite simply, delicious. This one is no different, its ripe fruit balanced by a distinct minerality, and all of it wrapped up in a structure as elegant and polished as you’ve come to expect from this great producer. $28.99. Code: 26244.
Bodega Numanthia-Termes 2005 “Termes,” Toro – Sure, the mortgage-necessitating Termanthia may get all the fame, and its fans (and we count ourselves among them) absolutely adore the Numanthia bottling, but for the price, you’ll have a hard time doing better than the 2005 Termes, a coffee-rich beauty that’s just as good with a big old steak as it is sipped alone from the glass. Price: $27.99. Code: 26872.
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Domaine de Saumarez 2004 “Aalenien,” Coteaux du Languedoc – When the weather turns cold, rich reds from warmer climes are often best. And this one, a Syrah-Grenache blend, fits the bill perfectly. It shows exactly why the reds of Languedoc and Roussillon have gained such popularity in recent years: The price-value ratio cannot be beat, and the flavors, like this Aalenien’s dark, ripe fruit and well-considered new oak, are so easily loved as to be almost dangerous. In a good way, that is. Price: $37.49. Code: 19212.
Like the Birds Say: Cheap-Cheap
Now that the holidays are over and the credit card bills are starting to come in, the time has come to consider value-priced wines. Because, after all, spending a lot of money on wine doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get great wine. It just means that it’ll be expensive. Here, then, are some recent standouts that we’ve found floating around the state—all for under $15.
Allan Scott 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough – Bright, unobtrusive fruit, a light-framed body, and supremely easy drinkability. Price: $13.99. Code: 27853.
Luna 2006 Pinot Grigio, Napa County – Surprisingly bold, this Pinot Grigio is a far cry from the stuff in the six-pack. But for all its idiosyncrasy, it works. And for $10.99, it is most definitely worth a try. Code: 18096.
Find these wines near you using our Wine Finder
Michele Chiarlo 2007 Moscato d’Asti “Nivole,” Piedmont – Okay, so maybe we’re cheating here recommending a half-bottle that costs $12.99, but sometimes, you really do want to drink something nice all by your lonesome. And this fruity, gulpable wine is perfect for doing exactly that. Code: 10006.
Bodegas Laxas 2007 Albariño, Rias Baixas – Sometimes, the best way to fight wintertime weather is to pretend it’s not actually happening. This fragrant, distinctly spring-y white is the perfect way to do so. Whip up some crab cakes, chill a bottle of this, and pretend it’s June. Your friends and family may think you’re crazy, but your taste buds will thank you. Price: $12.99. Code: 26172.
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