What Can You Do With a Couple of Grapes?

 

Deb Mortillaro from Dreadnought will present two grapes, a German Riesling and an Italian Corvina, and show us what changes occur in the taste as the winemakers alter their techniques.

If there’s one wine that is often misunderstood, it’s Riesling.  With the wide variety of styles, ranging from very dry to extremely sweet, it can be difficult to decipher which one will suit your taste.  Deb will guide us through the Wonderful World of Riesling and the amazing German words that accompany those styles (practice saying Trockenbeerenauslese).

Corvina, sometimes referred to as Corvina Veronese, is the grape from which Valpolicella is made, both in the Ripasso style and the Classico.  It’s also used in the production of Amarone and Recioto.   These are premium wines, and premium information, so prepare for a real treat!

Terry Germanoski and Kathleen Simpson will be your hosts for the evening.

 

Make your reservations EARLY!

 

Members: $20 Guests: $25

RSVP by February 3, 2014 to:

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

 

or

 

Kathleen Simpson  412-657-1861

 

Make checks payable to AWS and mail to:

 

 Dr. Dennis Trumble 1302 Arch St. Pittsburgh PA 15212

 

Remember the meeting will be on WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12th at 7:00pm in Ross Township, at the Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

Notes from the Chair

 

 

Snobs?

I’ve had people tell me that they wouldn’t come to one of our tastings because they thought that we were snobs.  So, I decided to find out exactly what that word meant.  It seems that “snob” was originally used as a term for common folk, and derives from the word for a shoemaker’s apprentice.  In the late eighteenth century, students at Cambridge referred to the townspeople as “snobs”.  In other words, “townies” as opposed to “gownies”. 

The word eventually became associated with a person who would adopt the manners of the wealthy, and then became the definition that we’re accustomed to today; one who enjoys looking with disdain on those perceived to be of a lesser class.

At our last tasting, Bob and Metha Hillard (with the help of their criminally-minded daughter) provided six very tasty and interesting wines from Firelands Winery in Ohio.  The most expensive wine we tasted was $14.  Our hosts, Carole Katelan and Mary Eld, prepared a selection of wonderful appetizers and snacks, mostly from Penn Mac in The Strip.  (LOVED those red olives!)  And, again, John Eld did a fantastic job in presenting the wines, even though the winery didn’t provide the details about the selections.

I don’t think any of that qualifies as “snobbery”.  However, if we use the original meaning of the word, then I guess we are snobs. We’re just average folk that enjoy sharing our enthusiasm about wine.  Nuthin’ wrong with that.

I, for one, am proud to be that sort of snob. 

 

Congratulations to Tim and Brittany Altimus on winning the Wineaux Raffle Big Ol’ Bottle of Barolo!  The next tasting will be the second Wednesday of February, the 12^th, (and Lincoln’s birthday) at the Evergreen Community Center. 

Don’t forget your National & local American Wine Society dues!

Tasting Notes - 2014 - January

Tasting Notes from January 8, 2014

	Wine	Vintage	Cost	W/R
1	American Chardonnay	2011	$9.99	White
2	Isle St. George Riesling	2012	$10.99	White
3	Lake Erie Pinot Noir	2011	$13.99	Red
4	Isle St. George Dolcetto	2010	$14.99	Red
5	American Cabernet Franc	2011	$10.99	Red
6	Dolci Note – Sparkling Moscato	2012	$13.99	White

Paired with the wine was an amazing assortment of treats!

• Salmon spread on baguette slices with the white wines
• Hearty green and red olives
• Stuffed mushrooms paired with the Pinot Noir
• Pistachio Mortadella with the Dolcetto
• Prima Donna - cow's milk cheese paired with the Cabernet Franc
• Drunken Goat cheese paired with the Cabernet Franc
• Tip of the hat to Ohio Buckeyes serving chocolate peanut butter cookies with the Sparkling Moscato

This was a wonderful kick off to our new venue!

A little reminder

Our next tasting will be held at the Evergreen Community Park in the North Hills.  The new location is roughly six miles from the Knights of Equity building, and takes about 11 minutes to drive from there (at posted speed limits!).

The new venue is very attractive, has plenty of parking (off street) and it’s right next to a lake!  Our next tasting will take place at this new location.  The address is below.  For some GPS units, it will be listed as Ross Community Park, but it’s the same place.

We will meet on the second Wednesday of the month.  Mark your calendar.

 January 8, 2014! 

3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237