July 2018 Newsletter

Hope you are having a good summer. It’s been really great here at the school, and we have a lot of interesting classes coming up. The Great Ciders of the World  class is going to be really interesting. The Mixology class is going to be really amazing. We did a preview of the class for Yelp’s Elite squad and they went crazy for it.  If you prefer to plan further ahead, i’ve posted classes up to December, including our Italy Vs Greece class. Wine Lover? We’ll Give you $300 to Live Above the School Did you know there is a beautiful apartment above the Wine School? It’s going to become available on August 1st –for the first time in five years– and we’d love to have a wine-lover live here. To that end, If you (or someone you refer) ends up renting the apartment, we will send you a $300 gift certificate as a thank you for finding us the perfect neighbor. For all the details, check it out here: http://www.bitly.com/wsop3 Cheers! Keith Keith Wallace Founder Wine School of Philadelphia   New! Master Wine Aroma Kit Master Wine Aroma Kit We are happy to announce that the International Wine Scholar program now includes a  Master Wine Aroma Kit. This is the kit used by many of the wine education schools to train sommelier-instructors, master sommeliers, and winemakers.  This kit is not available to the public and costs $350 per kit wholesale. Students in the  International Wine Scholar program will receive the Master Wine Aroma kit free of charge.   What is the International Wine Scholar program, you ask? It’s an accelerated wine course for people interested in earning their Advanced Sommelier pin. The program will expose students to exotic and rare wines, the type of wines every great sommelier must know. Most importantly, the program focuses on the component training and deductive wine tasting critical to all wine education. Each class will include blind tasting and sensory training exercises. This training, which began in the Foundation Wine Course is greatly expanded with this program. If you want to attend, we are hosting the program this August and only a few seats remain. Details: https://www.vinology.com/class/international-wine-scholar/2018-08-20/ Wine Reviews   Mazzei Belguardo 2013 Serrata Toscana Belguardo’s vineyards are on the Tuscan coast, which is much warmer than the more traditional vineyards in the central hills. Along with an enthusiastic use of oak aging, this makes for some very modern, ultra-ripe versions of Sangiovese. Aromas of espresso, blackberry, and vanilla. Medium bodied with supple tannin, the flavor goes toward melting fudge and Asian five-spice. This is a wine with style, charisma, but not much depth. It’s the type of wine I open when I want to simply enjoy a richly textured Super-Tuscan.  As for a food pairing, try it with a handful of white chocolate truffles. Price: $11.99  | Wine Rating: 90 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA     Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 Back in the 60’s, Michael Bernstein planted some grape vines that a farmhand had given him for free. He farmed plums on the property and was fine with that: he just stuck the vines in the ground and pretty much forgot about them. Despite never watering them, the grape vines thrived and the fruit they produced was amazing. Within a few years, he had replanted all of his lands to grape vines, in particular, Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon. Those old vineyards and the deft winemaking skills of Janet Myers are what makes this bottle very special, especially at this price point. Price: $13.99  | Wine Rating: 94 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA     Cambria Benchbreak Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2014 The wine is fresh and vibrant, with just a wedge of rich fruit. The nose is all about the wildflowers: daisies and violets. On the palate, baking spices back up the rhubarb and bing cherry flavors and a wash of minerality adds some serious backbone to the enterprise. The finish brings in some complex forest-floor notes. Try this wine with oven-roasted shitake mushrooms and shaved Manchego cheese. Price: $13.99  | Wine Rating: 91 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA     Montecillo 2011 Reserva Rioja A 19th Century winery that still manages to put out some serious juice,  year in and year out. If you need an everyday bottle of Rioja, this will fit the bill.  Aromas of cigar box and tomato leaf; flavors of cherry, burnt vanilla, and laurel. There is plenty of fresh juicy flavors here and a pleasant grip in a medium-bodied package. My suggestion is to grill a lamb chop to medium rare, drizzle it with high-quality olive oil and finish with some flake salt. Slice up a tomato and give it the same treatment. Price: $9.99  | Wine Rating: 89 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA     Commanderie de la Bargemone 2017 Rose Commanderie de la Bargemone dates back to the 13th Century, founded by the Knights Templar. It’s a very light pink by rosé standards, but that is because of an early harvest. In fact, there is more red wine flavor here than in most rosé wines, with fresh strawberry and dark fruit on the nose and palate. The acidity is brilliant, with a dose of pomegranate and white pepper on the finish. One of my go-to brunch wines; it’s perfect with eggs benedict. Price: $14.99  | Wine Rating: 90 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA   Jean Cavaille 2016 Cep Noir Vielles Vignes Apremont, Savoie The grape here is Jacquère which can make elegant and ethereal white wines when sourced from older vineyards, like this bottle. A pretty nose of lemongrass and Lily of the Valley. A touch of spice on the palate, with light and supple orchard fruit flavors. An expressive style with rich notes and a fine length. Pan-seared sea scallops with a lobster-chorizo sauce is a perfect pairing. Price: $14.39  | Wine Rating: 91 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA   Domaine Kuentz Bas 2014 Alsace Blanc his particular bottle is what’s known as an Edelzwicker, a simple everyday blended wine. In this case, it’s Sylvaner, Muscat Ottonel, and Auxerrois. Crushed oyster-shell and Wisteria on the nose. This white wine has a bright fresh body with flavors of mint, lemon, and freshly picked pears. The finish is mineral-rich with a touch of ocean air. Shuck some Maine Oysters (Glidden Point if you can find them), dress them in a classic mignonette, and slurp away. Price: $13.99  | Wine Rating: 89 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA   Brotte 2015 Esprit Barville Cotes du Rhone Blanc Mostly Grenache Blanc with some Clairette and Viognier in the blend. The scent of anise and jasmine is layered into a note of grapefruit. On the palate, almond flavors are a pleasant counterpoint to the fresh apple and ginger flavors. Crisp with just a hint of richness on the palate and a lingering note of apricot. This would be a great bottle for grilled monkfish with peach salsa. Price: $14.99  | Wine Rating: 91 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA   Hillersden 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough An exceptional New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Nose of guava and pineapple with an understated note of fine herb. The palate is texturally richer than most New Zealanders, with soft pear flavors that are kept in line with a POW of fresh acidity in the finish. Fresh grass and hazelnuts on the finish. Price: $9.99  | Wine Rating: 90 Points | Availablity: Wine & Spirits Stores in PA   Wine School of Philadelphia 109 S. 22nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.vinology.com

 

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