Welcome to the Holiday Edition of the Wine School Newsletter

For wine reviews this month, Brian Freedman offers up his some wonderful dessert & holiday wines. Our fearless leader (aka Keith) writes up a short list of his top wallet-friendly deals. He didn't give us any tasting notes, but he did snort and say "trust me, these $*%&# bottles rock."

Guess what? We are hiring again. The details are in this newsletter.

There is no question, our annual Ultimate Champagne & Dessert Wine Class is our top event for the holiday season. It's a legendary once-a-year event. For the first time ever, we have two dates for you to choose from. December 23rd and December 30th.

We have just posted a HUGE number of new & cool classes. Everthing from a cooking class to a Premier tasting of Napa Valley wines. We've organized them to be easier to browse:

If you are tired of the mounting economic woes, then its your time to spend a semester at the Wine School.

We have been called "The Best Wine School in America" by Dining Out Magazine, and voted "Best of Philly" by the readers of Philadelphia Magazine.

Despite the widespread acclaim, we have kept our tuition very reasonable. Programs cost $595 per semester, which is about half of what similar programs cost.

Classes start the last week of January.

For information regarding our Academic programs, please contact our Fearless Leader (aka Keith) at 1-800-817-7351 x55

The Holiday Short List

The Top Wine Picks

These are my two favorite wine to bring to big holiday parties. They are exceptional wines and cost less than $10.

Tasty Juice, Moldy Milk, and the Quest for Holiday Happiness

In our never-ending quest to find novel and exciting ways to fill our students' bellies with great wine and food, The Wine School recently began offering wine-and-cheese classes that highlight not only the pairings in the specific classes, but also the best ways to get the most bang for your buck at the wine shop and cheese counter, respectively.

Recent highlights have included a gloriously succulent Maytag Blue, a Gouda so smoky it might have spent Thanksgiving rubbing up against a campsite bonfire, and a Parmigiano Reggiano that's nuttier than even Roberto Benigni. The classes will run throughout the year, but this holiday season, when all of us spend a bit more time perched on the couch, shoveling food into our maws and pretending to act absolutely fascinated by Aunt Maude's tales of woe at the department store, strategies for finding good food and drink are more important now than ever. And, as always, we here at The Wine School are happy to help.

Brian Freedman

Springtime in December

There's just no fighting it any longer: Winter is here, bringing with it all the shortness of daylight, depression of spirit, and necessity of down-filled coats it always does. Which is why now is the perfect time to crack open a bottle of liquid sunshine. And the state seems happy to oblige: Aromatic, spring-timey elixirs abound right now. And while you may not feel like packing your fingers into a pair of mittens and braving the elements to grill up some seafood, the wines will nonetheless remind you that warmer days lie ahead. Until then, however, you'll just have to make due with these warm-weather charmers. Think of them as the next best thing until winter releases its death-grip on us.

Rolf Binder 2006 Viognier "Hovah," Barossa Valley
New World viognier typically falls into two categories: The Good and The Ugly. This one carves out a whole niche: Call it The Miraculous. Its densely packed with summertime stone fruits, sure, but also possesses a straight-edged minerality that forces you to pay attention. Simply gorgeous. $12.99. Code: 28121.

D'Arenberg 2007 Viognier "The Last Ditch," Adelaide Hills
This one finds its center of gravity on the richer end of the viognier spectrum than the Rolf Binder. It's a barrel-fermented, Creamsicle-rich wine that you don't want to chill down too much. Just pull it from the cellar, screw open the cap, and call it a night. You won't want to leave the couch once you start sipping. $19.99. Code: 29364.

Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder

Helfrich 2005 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru, Alsace
The great wines of Alsace often represent some of the best deals at the high-end of the fine-wine world. This minerally, floral, spice-scented steal is just as delicious on its own as it is with holiday-season foods. And at $17.99, it's cheap enough to buy several bottles. Code: 22144.

Donhoff 2006 Riesling Oberhauser Leisten Kabinett, Nahe
From one of the best producers in the sadly overshadowed Nahe (one cannot live on Mosel alone, after all) comes this fabulously affordable 06. This one is all about intimation: It hints at sweetness but doesn't overpower; braces with acidity without growing tart; finds that perfect balance that so many rieslings strive for yet so few ever achieve. And all at the almost ridiculously fair price of $26.49. Now that's a holiday miracle. Code: 26240.

Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder

Pascual Toso 2007 Torrontes, Mapiu Valley
Malbec might get all the glory in Argentina, but a good torrontes, like this melon-y, springtime-in-a-bottle white, stands out by virtue of its easy, almost dangerous drinkability. But don't fret: if you kill a bottle on your own before your guests arrive, you can pick up another one for just $7.99. Code: 28723.

The Dessert Wines

'Tis the season for cozying on up to a glass of something sweet. There's no better way to end a big holiday feast than with late-harvest, fortified, or otherwise sweetened vinos. Roaring fireplace and Barry White on the iPod are both optional.

Campbell's of Rutherglen Muscat NV, Victoria
This Australian sticky is the natural follow-up (or accompaniment) to fruitcake or other spiced holiday goodies. Or just enjoy it on its own while making googly-eyes at your sweetie-pie. $16.99 for a 375 ml. bottle. Code: 11284.

Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder

Pedro Romero Pedro Ximenez "Extra Rich" Sherry
Known to aficionados simply as "PX," this underappreciated, wildly affordable sherry is perfect for creamy desserts and as an accompaniment to a pipe or a good spicy cigar. $24.99. Code: 10277.

Chateau Liot 2005 Sauternes
Sure, the 2005 Chateau d'Yquem will run you approximately the same as a new home, but they're far from the only producer in Sauternes. And while Chateau Lion isn't exactly a household name, its 05 bottling is irresistible at $27.99. Code: 10106.

Graham's 1991 Porto
Okay, so at $89.99 this doesn't exactly fall into the value category of holiday wines. But remember, it's also 17 years old. When you do the math, that's a mere $5.30 a year since the grapes were harvested. Which is downright cheap for a mature beauty like this one. Code: 11583.

Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder

Wine School Gift Certificates

If you give them to your friends & relatives, they will stop bringing Walnut Crest and Yellowtail to your dinner parties: Gift Certificates