If you dream of jumping into the world of wine, now is the perfect time. A wine certification or even a diploma is the smartest way to launch your palate into the big leagues.

Sommelier Smackdown, October 7th

Wine & Cheese Pairings, October 14th

More Food & Wine Classes

The Wines of Italy, September 12th

South American Wines, September 23rd

More Wine Classes

British & Irish Beer, September 25th

Beer 101, October 9th

More Beer Classes

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These are the top five wine deals in the good ol' PLCB wine stores in and around Philadelphia.

For an everyday tipple, the Hedges 2007 CMS White is my top pick for a white, at least this week. At $7.99 in the PLCB stores, this is a very good deal. Extra brownie points if you know what the CMS stands for.

For the WTF bargain of the month, hands down, its the Columbia Crest 2005 Reserve Syrah. For some crazy reason, the wine shops are selling this beauty for $12.99 when it really should be priced at about $25. Robert Parker and I have the same notes on this bottle: Smoke, mineral & blueberry. No surprise there: this is a textbook Washington State Syrah.

All of a sudden there are a half dozen good Pinot Noirs on sale in the PLCB wine shops. Two of them are actually very good and under $20. I am really digging the Gundlach Bundschu 2005 Rhinefarm Vineyard Pinot Noir. At $17.99 it's a steal. I really love its balance between fresh roses and cranberry.

Another lovely is the Picket Fence 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir which is clicking in at $19.99. It's a woodsy little number with a light body of strawberry and bing cherry.

Finally, Altair Vineyards 2003 Sideral for $16.99 is one of the only Cabernet Sauvignon's under $25 that is worth paying for. Really good stuff, with cedar notes and fat layer off vanilla over a muscular core of cassis.

Find these wines with the Wine Finder

Keith is the founder of the Wine School, a contributor to the Wine Lover's Companion, creator of Philly Uncorked show, and the wine columnist for The Daily Beast.

Every year we run a sale in September. Wine classes are starting up again, and our Fearless Leader is having yet another birthday. Personally, I think the haggard, weary look is very becoming on him (don't you?). So in celebration of his birthday, we are giving you a gift: 25% off everything and anything! That's right! You will get a huge discount on classes, programs, corkscrews, gift certificates, whatever. Next time you see him, make sure to tell him he looks great for a 53 year old (he's turning 40).

Use this code to earn your discount: keithisolder
Valid from September 9th to September 21st.

Go crazy! vinology.com

Back to Wine Season

So summer has finally come and gone. Not that we don't love the season--how can we complain about drinking all the rosé we want, or all the Vinho Verde, or Albariño? What we are excited about is ramping up our autumn and winter-season schedule. This not only means more classes, but a bigger variety of classes.

In the next week or so,  we will have everything posted through the end of the year, from food-pairing classes to special one-shot deals that focus on the great wines of specific regions. So while we'll miss the lazy days of summer, we're looking forward to autumn with a real sense of excitement. Plus, it's time to pop the corks on some bottles of richer reds for a change!

Brian is the Director of Consumer Education at the Wine School, a contributing writer for John Mariani's Virtual Gourmet, and contributing editor for Philadelphia Style Magazine.

Celebrate the Season
Stores all over the city and suburbs are full of great deals these days. The wines below are perfect for ringing in the autumn season, with its cooler temperatures, warmer dishes, and need for heartier wines.

Torres Mas La Plana 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon
It would be enough if this were simply an elegant, fully mature Spanish red. But the fact that it's an elegant, fully mature Spanish red for one-third its usual price makes it truly special. $19.99, and worth every penny. Code: 26798.

Chateau Grand Destieu 2004
We've said it before and we will say it again: 2004 is so underrated that it's almost funny at this point. Take this lovely St.-Emilion, for example: It's drinking well right now but still has the stuffing to last in the cellar, and is available for $19.99. Oh, how we love underrated vintages! Code: 19449.

Hentley Farm 2007 Zinfandel
Say "Zinfandel" and most people will immediately think of California. But Australia is also home to some great examples of the grape variety. This one, from Barossa Valley, shows all the exuberant fruit you'd expect, and pairs it with mineral notes you wouldn't. $19.99. Code: 01846.

St. Clair 2006 Pinot Noir
Well-crafted Pinot Noir that doesn't break the bank? That doesn't just taste like cherry tart with some desultory mushrooms thrown in for faux-authenticity? That spans the seasons and is a chameleon at the dinner table? Yeah, we'll take that any day of the week. $18.99. Code: 10738.

Find these wines with the Wine Finder

More Food!
Between Sommelier Smackdowns, the Corked & Forked cooking-and-wine series, food-pairing classes, and more, there will be enough food-focused classes this fall and winter to keep even our hungriest students satisfied. And these are the wines that we'd be more than happy to have at our table.

Jean Laurent NV Blanc de Blancs Brut
The name may not be quite as familiar as some of its more famous cousins, but it deserves to be. This 100% Chardonnay bubbly is not only delicious on its own, but also incredibly versatile at the dinner table. And for $40.99, it's an absolute steal. Code: 29400.

M. Sorrel 2005 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc
In the Rhone Valley, the reds get all the attention and the lion's share of love. But fans of the region's whites know that they are every bit as wonderful as the reds, and often rather surprising to boot. What makes this one a standout is its vintage designation ('05!), its flavor profile (masculine and feminine at the same time!), and its price ($26.49!). Code: 22265.

Castillo Labastida 2001 Rioja Reserva
International Wine Cellar, notoriously the most difficult of the major wine-review publications, called this bottling "fully mature and delicious." To that we would also add "guilt-inducingly affordable" and "dangerously drinkable." $21.99.Code: 26710.

R.L. Buller NV Fine Tawny
Sometimes, a 375-milliliter bottle is all you really want. And sometimes, the sweet scent of caramel and coffee are all you really need for dessert, chocolate cake be damned. $12.49. Code: 11404.

Find these wines with the Wine Finder

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