The Wine School September 2008 Newsletter

We are just opened up a a special Wine Class this week! The school has a super-secret club that we call the "Cru Club" Its just like the Illuminati, but for wine lovers. Really.

Once and awhile (maybe twice a year) we open up one of these classes to everyone. That's what we are doing this week. Only a few seats are available:

Italy vs America

New Wine Classes Released!

Our dearest Brian Freedman has just posted dozens of new classes, including many Wine 101 Classes, some great Director's Cut classes, a few Cooking Classes, a class on South American wines. There is even a Beer Brewing class. Its time to cherry pick classes, my friends!

The Wine Foundation Course

Saturdays, October 11th to December 6th, 2008 4-6pm

8 Seats Available

The Intermediate Regional Wine Course

Thursdays, October 2nd until December 4th, 2008 7:30-9:30pm

9 Seats Available

If you are interested in taking both programs in the Fall semester, you can do so here: Wine Diplomas

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at keith@vinology.com or at 215-965-1514s55

According to Keith, he will be "around 40" this Sunday. Silly, silly boy.

To celebrate, we are offering a 18% off sale on all wine classes. Use this coupon code to get your discount: KEITHISOLD

Sale if for classes only, and not academic programs. Sale ends October 1st. Register for classes here.

The festival is happening October 17th and 19th this year, and it is featuring the Wine School.

For the first time ever, the we are running the show! Here is the link to the event: http://www.gourmetshows.com/ac/

Plus, we will be running wine classes and events all through the event.

Come to the Festival for Free!

We will need at least ten people to run wine tastings throughout the weekend. In exchange for you assistance, you will get a free pass to the show for the entire weekend. If you are interested please contact us via this link only: Volunteer for the Wine Festival . Please list the dates and times you will be available in your email.

Please make sure you emailed us via the link above. If not, we may not receive your application. We will start coordinating dates and times the last week of September.

Prices are for PA. Prices in other states will vary. To find any of these wines, make sure to use our Wine Finder. Wines marked with an asterisk are not yet on the shelves in Pennsylvania, but are due in a few weeks.

The Under $15 Aussies

The PLCB is mining the discount Australian juice like a unmitigated addict these days. If you are relishing the state's lapse into a koala-like daze, don't let me stop you. Here are five of the best buys in the state right now. All these wines retail in New Jersey, New York, and Delaware for 10-30% more than in Pennsylvania.

Grant Burge 2006 "Barossa Vine" Chardonnay. At $10, this is a steal. Aromas are of fresh apple and pear, with just a whiff of butter. Soft but delicate on the palate, this opens with a tang of citrus and finishes with a nutty richness.

Rolf Binder 2006 "Hovah " Viognier. A Viognier of this caliber in this price range is very rare. I strongly suggest picking up a bottle, especially if you have never experienced a viogner. Classic notes of peaches and lemongrass give way to a palate of ripe Asian pear and a hint of clove. Fresh and well balanced.

RedHeads Studio 2005 "Barrel Monkeys" Shiraz. I don't like to parrot other reviewers but in this one, it cant be helped: this is a blackberry overdrive machine. Toss in some licorice for fuel, and this velvet monkey will fly.

Chapel Hill "The Devil" Port. You probably noticed by now, the Australians love to give their wines nick names. Sometimes they are sexy, sometimes they are cute, and on a few occasions, they are just plain wicked. This is the equivalent to a 15 year tawny. Rich and lush, this dessert wine offers up layers of dried fruit, hazelnuts, molasses, and espresso.

Prices are for PA. Prices in other states will vary. To find any of these wines, make sure to use our Wine Finder. Wines marked with an asterisk are not yet on the shelves in Pennsylvania, but are due in a few weeks.

The French Picks

I was having lunch with an executive of a very large Burgundy house a few days ago. Amidst the chit-chat of a new vineyard they just bought, he let slip his honest opinion of the '08 vintage. Not good. Not good at all. This follows a dismal '07 for most of France, as well.

Typically, I would tell our readers to not worry. There will be plenty of '06 wines to fill in the gaps. The only problem is that the '06 are terribly overpriced, nearly as expensive at the '05. That leaves those of us who have a thing for Burgundy and Bordeaux to scramble for the last remaining values.

I spent my evening scouring the PLCB database to find some great values. I went through thousands of listings to uncover these gems. Enjoy them. Oh, and in my search, I discovered that someone at the PLCB thinks that both the Rhone valley and parts of Italy are located in Burgundy. If anyone knows who is responsible for the PLCB database, let them know about our Intermediate Wine Region Program. They really need to attend.

Prices are for PA. Prices in other states will vary. To find any of these wines, make sure to use our Wine Finder. Wines marked with an asterisk are not yet on the shelves in Pennsylvania, but are due in a few weeks.

Montirius 2004 "Terre des Aines" Gigondas. Gigondas tend to drink like rough versions of Chateauneuf du Pape. This one breaks the mold. A delicate structure of tannins underlies a rich framework of ripe blackberries and kirsch. A gentle puff of lavender ushers in a long and complex finish. Very nicely done. Price: $24.99

Chateau Beaumont 2005 Haut Medoc. Exactly what I want for a mid-level Bordeaux. Mineral and rustic cedar notes are juxtaposed with fresh black fruit notes. The eucalyptus in the finish just seals the deal. Lovely now, but will mature over the next five to eight years. This is the best Bordeaux value in the state right now. Price: $15.99

Labegorce 2000 Margaux. Amazing that this one is still kicking around, and its just about nearing its peak. Cedar, plums and toast are woven into medium-bodied framework. Excellent fruit concentration with finely grained tannins. Drinking perfectly now. Price: $34.99

Chateau Bouscaut 2005 Pessac-Leognan. Extraordinary value for a Grand Cru Classé des Graves.. Exceptionally full bodied, this wine has the tannic structure and acidity to cellar for at least a decade. After being decanted for six hours, this wine began to offer up a bouquet of lilac and crushed stone with a burst of charred fresh fruit. On the palate, this is an intense experience of burnt earth, unsweetened chocolate, and fresh berries. This wine shows and it shows its pedigree. Price: $35.99

J.M. Bouley 2004 "Clos De Chene" Volnay1er Cru. A beautiful Burgundy which is just starting to develop, and will continue to do so for another decade. Lush and tannic for a Volnay, a filigree of freshly cut roses and allspice rises about its complex palate of red fruit and violets. A lush beauty that is just beginning to find its poetry. Price: $49.99

In the PLCB database, there is a MOIL.POMMARD EPENOTS PREMIER CRU DOMAINE 04 for $49.99. This may be the Hubert de Montille Pommard Grands Epenot. If so, this is a lovely find. This wine is as rugged as the Volnay is delicate. Rich black fruit intermingles with the strawberries and dusty violets. A bit jagged in its youth, this will start to mature in about five years.

Another great mystery. The DOM.DES PEDRIX NUITS-ST-GEORGES 04 is listed in the PLCB database for $38.99. Most likely, this is the Domaine des Perdrix 2004 Nuits-St.-Georges, which has a street value of $75 or more. This wine shows the great possibilities in this spotty appellation. A classic aroma of barnyard and flowers is followed by a palate of fresh tea, cardamom, and bing cherry. Beginning to flower, but there is much to be revealed in this wine over the next few years.

Chateau Camplong 2002 "C de Camplong" Corbières. The modern Corbières style marries the freshness of Beaujolais with the fierceness of a Languedoc red. This is a strong example of the technique of using whole-berry fermentation in a Mediterranean climate. The Syrah-based wine rolls out of the class with baking spices and roasted meat. On the palate, burnt chocolate and raisins are counterpoint to sweet candied cherries and cinnamon. Price: $14.99

Prices are for PA. Prices in other states will vary. To find any of these wines, make sure to use our Wine Finder. Wines marked with an asterisk are not yet on the shelves in Pennsylvania, but are due in a few weeks.