Wine and Beer Schools Newsletter
August 2010
www.vinology.com

For the pretty version: http://www.aweber.com/b/1VCVS


Politics and Wine. ARGGGH!!


People who love wine are a happy bunch of folks. They don't tend to
complain about stuff. There is one exception, though: nearly every
wine drinker in PA is fed up with the PLCB.

My role at the Wine School has always been as an academic and a
consumer advocate. Most of what I do is behind the scenes. Usually, 
all I have to do is write wine reviews and teach.

It's a pretty sweet gig, but sometimes I have to go toe-toe with
the PLCB
in Harrisburg. Just ask the PLCB's former chairman, Jonathan
Newman: we
are friends now, but I used to drive the man nuts. It says a lot
that
since he resigned, he's become a vocal critic of the PLCB, too.

My job has never been a big deal. However, some major news agencies,
including NPR, BBC, and Consumer Reports, have started taking
notice.
Just a few months ago, over 200 major newspapers picked up the
story when
I spoke out against some recent big-brother tactics at the PLCB. So
much
for being anonymous.

Since it an election year in PA, I figure it was time to go beyond
talking. I wanted to see if there was any chance at all at
reforming the
PLCB. So, for the last few weeks I been talking with some folks
down in
Harrisburg.

I am really excited: we have a once-in-a-decade shot at reforming
the
PLCB.

In those conversations, I have gained assurances that Gubernatorial
candidate Tom Corbett will make reforming the PLCB an element of his
administration. Don't ask me to say more than that-- you know I
can't;
all this political intrigue is not good for a simple soul like
myself.

If you want to throw your support into the ring and help the cause,
Jonathan Newman --my former arch-enemy and now good friend-- is
hosting a
wine tasting/fundraiser on September 7th. You should be there!

The tasting/fundraiser will be a good time to hobnob with some
political
heavyweights, and also try some wine's from Newman's wine
collection (he
promises to open some great bordeaux and cali cult wines--he has a
great
collection.)

As with all such things, the price tag is high: it's $500 a ticket,
but
for industry insiders and those of you who want to support the
reform of
our onerous wine laws, it's worth it. The Wine School will have a
strong
presence at the event, and I hope to see you there, too.

If you want to attend, please email Jonathan at
jnewman@newmanwineandspirits.com . Make sure you tell him you are a
friend of the Wine School!


The Foundations of Beer Diploma


Mondays from September 13th to November 8th

The ultimate beer & brewing program for the novice, as featured in
Draft
Magazine.

Classes are held in two locations, at the Beer School in Fairmount
and at
the Philadelphia Brewing Company. Taught by master brewer Dean
Browne,
this first level certification program is a must-have for all beer
enthusiasts and amateur brewers.

Enroll Now: www.thebeerschool.com





 

Wine Reviews

 

Peachy Canyon 2006 Cirque du Vin

 

Bouncy and round and charismatic. There are plenty of wines like
that at
this price point, but this wine goes for the gold: it's got a bit of
depth, too.

An edge of acidity and tannin offer a level of balance and , dare I
say
it, complexity. Nice bit of earth and flowers on the nose, but
these are
really just diversions . This is a great everyday wine. $9.99

 

Spice Route 2007 Pinotage

 

This producer is creating some of the most appealing pinotage
available
today. The tobacco and smoke notes are heavily woven into chocolate
and
fig flavors and a touch of soy sauce.

Fruit veers from dark to bright red fruit flavors. The
pinotage-ness of
this wine reveals itself fully in the granite and smoke finish.
$12.99


 

Belguardo 2004 Morrelino di Scansano Bronzone

 

A lovely example of an older Tuscan wine (well, older than typically
available commercially). Hazelnut and orange oil notes are followed
by
mocha and dark cherry flavors. $14.99

 

Portia 2006 Ribera del Duera

 

Put on you nicotine patch, because this smells just like cured
tobacco: I
had a hankering for a cigarette after just one sniff. A bit of
forest and
charcoal add to the overall character of this wine.

On the palate, this is a lean and liner wine, with just enough
fruit to
soften an otherwise austere wine. An very good example of this
spanish
wine region. $14.99

 

Chateau Maris 2006 La Touge Syrah

 

This bottle is an old Wine School favorite--circa the 2001
vintage-- and
its making a comeback! From the Languedoc-Roussillon region of
France,
this is a warm weather syrah: fleshy and full bodied . What
separates it
from the pack is it pitch-perfect bacony nose... and its chocolate
finish. Truly a delight. $14.99

  
 

Prices and Available are for Pennsylvania. To find these wines in a
shop
near you, click here:The Wine Finder.



 

Beer Reviews

  Pliny The Elder / Russian River Brewing
  

Vinnie Cilurzo, Brewing God at Russian River Brewing Company, named
his
new experimental Double I.P.A. after the Roman author and soldier.

So how did the Double I.P.A. come to be? "An accident", says
Cilurzo.
"I used 50% more malts, so I needed to add 100% more hops." Many do
not believe the process was accidental at all, but it makes for a
great
story to attach to the already legendary brew.

A hefty 8% beer that smells of grapefruit and lime zest, the big
evergreen scent can be detected from 4 feet away. It's a powerful
lady.
Full of excessive bitterness and soft malts, the sticky residue left
behind in your mouth is quite nice; a harmonious blend of sweet and
bitter notes show the true strength and length of this supremely
balanced
Double I.P.A.

  Racer 5 I.P.A. / Bear Republic
  

Arguably the most popular style in the craft beer world, I.P.A.'s
have
become the flagship beer for many breweries across the country, and
none
so much as Bear Republic Brewing's Racer 5 I.P.A.

While I have other favorites that I might choose for personal
preference,
I can say without a doubt that this offering from the Healdsburg, CA
brewer is the template for all other West Coast India Pale Ales.

As with most West Coasters, floral and flavorful hops are the name
of the
game here. More focused on pine than tropical fruit, The Racer 5
has a
touch more refreshment than sweetness. The quiet malt backbone is a
nice
touch as well, making it sing a sweet and complex harmony with the
hop
flowers. A really superb beer.

  

Cantillon Gueuze

  

Very few breweries make beer with wild yeasts anymore, but the small
group around Senne Valley in Belgium still practice this method.
This
style of brewing produces a very sour taste, unlike any beer you
have
ever experienced.

My very favorite brewery on Earth is Brouwerij Cantillon. They are
one of
the breweries still on the forefront of spontaneous fermentation.
Their
flagship beer is The Geueze. This legendary beer is created by
mixing 6
lambics together, followed by a secondary fermentation in bottle
that
provides the champagne-like effervescence.

The nose is ridiculously funky with notes of barnyard, clay, and
pungent
moldy basement. It is intimidating to any non-adventurous beer
drinker.
But being daring can be rewarding, and in this case, so very true.

The flavors are all super tart fruits, a kiss of yeasty wheat, and
rich
leather. The mouthfeel is nearly perfect, and as it ages will only
get
better. For those of you looking for something different, this is
the
beer to try. For those in love with Gueuze, this is the yardstick.

  

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere Farmhouse

  

Earth and barnyard funk are aromatic descriptors usually associated
with
wine moreso than beer, but The Bam Biere from the good folks at
Jolly
Pumpkin has all the best of a Burgundian Pinot in a cloudy frothy
head.

The taste is zesty and tart, and the attack is just a touch sour.
Funk
and fruit aside, my Saisonaholic friends will be pleased with the
trademark Farmhouse refreshment. A rare find in the state of
Pennsylvania, we must thank the Shelton brothers for bringing Jolly
Pumpkin to us. And as with all of their labels, it's of the highest
quality and the cool factor is off the charts. (22oz. bottles)

  


The Wine Critic Challenge

Saturday, August 28th at 4pm

Want to run the Wine Spectator Magazine for a day? Want to become a
professional wine critic, then this is the class for you!


Reserve Tickets: www.vinology.com


The $250 Armchair Sommelier Contest


Saturday, September 4th

Want to win the title of The Heavyweight Armchair Sommelier of the
World?
Want to win all expense paid trip to Italy (or a $250 gift
certificate,
our choice)?

Then make sure to attend this class! Click on "More Info" for the
rules.


More Info: www.vinology.com


The Wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux


Friday, September 3rd 7:30pm - 9:30pm

In this class, you will get a rare chance to try some lovely wines
from
Bordeaux and Burgundy, including a selection from from Keith
Wallace's
personal wine cellar.


Reserve Tickets: www.vinology.com



The Brewer Master Class: Flying Fish Brewery


Wednesday, August 18th at 7:30pm

Casey Hughes from Flying Fish will be teaching at the Beer School
tonight.



He will also be popping a sweet selection of his critically
acclaimed
brews, so make sure to grab one of the last tickets.


Reserve Tickets: www.thebeerschool.com


Philadelphia's Historical Brews


Friday, August 27th at 7:30pm

Philly is the birthplace of both America and the American Lager. A
class
on the significance of our fair city on the history of beer in
America.


Reserve Tickets:  www.thebeerschool.com



The Brewer Master Class: Stoudt's Brewing Company


Thursday, September 23rd at 7:30pm

This month, Carol Stoudt is teaching the Philly Beer School's Master
Class. Come and learn from the legend herself, and sample a wide
range of
her brews.


Reserve Tickets:  www.thebeerschool.com







Limited Seating



The Wine Foundation Course


The essential sensory training course

Thursdays, September 30th to November 18th, 7:30-9:30pm


More Information: http://www.vinology.com/education_foundation.php








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