New Year - New Soup Pair Bowl Wine Tasting

 January 2022 Upcoming Program!

 It's Time for Soup Pair Bowl (Part 2)

Join us on January, 12, 2022 at 7 pm in the Evergreen Community Center for a unique experience. We will be sampling soups and pairing wines with them. Soups and wines aren’t opponents but rather great teammates if you know which ones to pull off the rack and bring to the table!

Soups on the menu, I mean in the lineup will be: Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo; Chicken Tortilla Soup; Split Pea; Vegetable Beef Barley; Turkey Curry; and Mushroom. The wines will be a surprise. We must keep the suspense up somehow! 

 

This is a true competition, so we will vote for our favorite soup and wine pairing and the winner will receive a free entry for the raffle wine!

 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

Wednesday, January 12, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

 Cost for members or guests:

$20

Please reply before Wednesday, January 5, 2021 to:

kedred2006@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

 412-979-6565 or 412-979-9594

Mail your check, payable to AWS to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane
Pittsburgh PA  15229

RSVP Today for "Wines for the Holidays"

 

Wines for the Holidays!

 Wednesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.

 

Attend your holiday events with confidence by bringing some amazing wines that we will showcase at our next tasting.  During the tasting on November 10, we will be pairing some excellent wines with traditional holiday foods to highlight how wines can enhance your dining experience. 

We will sample six wines paired with food samples that are typical of holiday celebrations.  

Please consider volunteering for a position on our Board. We will be electing Board Members for 2022 at the next meeting.

Please RSVP by November 5 using the contact information provided below.

 PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$30 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Please RSVP to kedred2006@gmail.com

Mail your check, payable to

AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

Wines for the Holidays!

 November Program: Wines for the Holidays!

Get ready to celebrate with family this year by bringing wines that compliment Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or any holiday or occasion you may wish to celebrate. These wines know how to get along with popular side dishes and main dishes in typical holiday meals and will enhance your dining experience. 

This will be an interactive tasting so bring your taste buds and chime in and tell us what you are experiencing with each wine and its pairing. We will sample six wines paired with food samples that are typical of holiday celebrations.  

Go to any celebration with confidence that you have a solid wine to contribute without breaking the bank.

Please RSVP by November 5 using the contact information provided below.

 

 PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$30 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Please RSVP to kedred2006@gmail.com

Mail your check, payable to

AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

Oktoberfest is Sold Out!

 

Thanks to all who RSVP'd. Oktoberfest is now sold out and we will not be able to accept any walk-ins for this event.

If you have RSVP'd we will see you on Wednesday, October 13 at our annual nationality tasting featuring German wines. We will provide a full authentic German dinner to pair with a selection of German or German influenced wines.

****Please note our safety precautions: We will require everyone to wear a mask inside the community center when you are not eating or drinking. This is regardless of vaccination status. We will have windows open for cross ventilation of the space and will be social distancing the tables. If you do not feel well, please do not attend our meeting.

  PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$40 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Last Call for Oktoberfest!

 

If you don't RSVP by Monday, October 4, you may give a schnitzel!

Wednesday, October 13 will be our annual nationality tasting featuring German wines. We will provide a full authentic German dinner to pair with a selection of German or German influenced wines. 

We can't accommodate any walk-ins for this event because food will be prepared by volunteers so advanced reservations are required to determine food and wine quantities.  

Deadline to register is Monday, October 4.

Come join us for food, drink, some festive music and good company!

****Please note our safety precautions: We will require everyone to wear a mask inside the community center when you are not eating or drinking. This is regardless of vaccination status. We will have windows open for cross ventilation of the space and will be social distancing the tables. If you do not feel well, please do not attend our meeting.

  PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$40 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Please RSVP to kedred2006@gmail.com

Mail your check, payable to

AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

RSVP Today for Oktoberfest!

 

RSVP by Monday, Oct. 4!

Join us in October for our annual nationality tasting featuring German wines. We will provide a full authentic German dinner to pair with a selection of German or German influenced wines. Food will be prepared by volunteers so advanced reservations are required to determine food and wine quantities.  

Deadline to register is Monday, October 4.

Come join us for food, drink, some festive music and good company!

****Please note our safety precautions: We will require everyone to wear a mask inside the community center when you are not eating or drinking. This is regardless of vaccination status. We will have windows open for cross ventilation of the space and will be social distancing the tables. If you do not feel well, please do not attend our meeting.

  PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$40 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Please RSVP to kedred2006@gmail.com

Mail your check, payable to

AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

Oktoberfest is On!

 

Come Join us for Oktoberfest

We will resume our wine tastings in October for our annual nationality tasting of German wines. We will provide a full authentic German dinner to pair with a selection of German or German influenced wines. Food will be prepared by volunteers so advanced reservations are required to determine food and wine quantities. Deadline to register is Monday, October 4.

There will be no formal educational program, just food, drink, some festive music and good company! We hope you will join us.

****Please note our safety precautions: We will require everyone to wear a mask inside the community center when you are not eating or drinking. This is regardless of vaccination status. We will have windows open for cross ventilation of the space and will be social distancing the tables. If you do not feel well, please do not attend our meeting.

  PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$40 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Please RSVP to kedred2006@gmail.com

Mail your check, payable to

AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

September Wine Tasting is Cancelled

                                                             

The AWS Pittsburgh Chapter Board regrets to inform you that our September 8 Pinot Noir tasting is cancelled due to a number of conflicts. We plan to offer this program at a future date. At this time, we plan to gather together on October 13 at 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Community Center for our Oktoberfest with German wines as part of our Annual Nationality Tasting. 

We will of course be monitoring any safety advisories in place and will notify the group by mid-September on details for Oktoberfest.

You can still register for the AWS 2021 National Conference held in Atlantic City, NJ from November 4-6, 2021. 

Keep sipping the good stuff and enjoy the last few days of summer before it's fall! Cin cin!

We Still Have Spots Available! Join Us Next Wednesday - July 14 at 7 p.m.

 

"Everything Old is New Again"

(Exploring Pet-nats and Piquettes)

On July 14 at 7 p.m., we are happy to welcome Deb Mortillaro of Dreadnought Wines to the Evergreen Community Center to help us to understand the ancient wine making art of Pet-nats (an abbreviation for “pétillant naturel”—a French term that roughly translates to “naturally sparkling.”) and Piquettes.

More About Deb Mortillaro:

After 15 years as one of Pittsburgh’s private chefs, Deb decided to dive into the wine business partnering with Mike Gonze of Dreadnought Wines. Her professional drive within not only Dreadnought, but also its two sister businesses Palate Partners and Soiree Partners, ensures customers an amazing experience.

Traveling the world as both a distributor and wine educator, Deb has a truly unique insight into the industry. Her hands-on approach shows through in her teaching, giving students and event-goers a real glimpse into the fun and fabulous world of wines.

 Everything Old is New Again!

Join us on Wednesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. 

Evergreen Community Center

The June wine tasting was a blast as we welcomed back those who we haven't seen for over a year, along with a few new faces. Adam Knoerzer delighted us with his knowledge of Bargain Bordeaux and we learned how to enjoy this wine without spending much. 

On July 14 at 7 p.m., we are happy to welcome Deb Mortillaro of Dreadnought Wines to the Evergreen Community Center to help us to understand the ancient wine making art of Pet-nats (an abbreviation for “pétillant naturel”—a French term that roughly translates to “naturally sparkling.”) and Piquettes. The summer issue of the AWS Wine Journal has an exceptional article about Piquettes and they compare it to the "White Claw of Wine." If you have not yet read your issue, it is on pages 31-32. 

Here is an excerpt from the article for those who are on our mailing list, but haven't made the full commitment of becoming a member. (Being an AWS member does have its perks!)

According to the Wine Enthusiast, “Derived from the French word for “prick” or “prickle,” which describes the drink’s slight fizz, piquette dates to ancient Greek and Roman times, when it was known as lora. Considered a meager, cheap-to-produce drink made from the scraps of winemaking, it was given to slaves and field workers.” And as wine prices have continued to climb over the years, where wine has become more of a luxury good and collector’s item that so often signifies status and exclusivity, Piquette could be the drink that breaks through all those barriers. Consider it The People’s Wine.

Like so many wine things, everything old is new again. So, while this production style has been around for ages, it’s seeing something of a revival as the market becomes more educated and demands more and different products. Especially among millennials and “natural wine” drinkers. There is a big interest right now in lower-alcohol beverages, so Piquette seems to satisfy the mid-point between wine and say, hard seltzer. And for people with a soft spot in their heart for products that reduce  environmental  impact,  who  also  want  something  light  and  easy-drinking,  but  with  a  more  legible  ingredient  composition  than  hard seltzer, Piquette is perfection. 

If this has piqued your interest, please join us!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. 

We will not have any glasses for guests. We will have plastic cups. 

 

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM

$25 per person

 

Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Please RSVP to kedred2006@gmail.com

Mail your check, payable to
AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

Bargain Bordeaux Event is Full

 

All Spots Are Taken for Bargain Bordeaux 

Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m.

 

 

For those who have RSVP'd and sent payment thank you and see you soon! Before you know it, we will be with Adam Knoerzer for another fun and educational wine tasting about Bargain Bordeaux at the Evergreen Community Center. RSVP's only please, we can't accommodate any walk-ins for this event. 

We may require masks be worn unless eating or sipping, but will take a vote at the beginning of the meeting to determine comfort level with mask wearing with our group. If weather permits, we may host the meeting on the outdoor deck of the building. 

 

We Still Have Space Available!
Come Raise a Glass with Us
Bargain Bordeaux - Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m.

 

We are pleased to bring back Adam Knoerzer for another fun and educational wine tasting about Bargain Bordeaux at the Evergreen Community Center. But most of all, we are especially excited to see you again! Since restrictions have been lifted with occupancy numbers in Pennsylvania after May 31, we can allow a few more people to join us for this event.

RSVPs are required so that we can plan for the number of attendees. We may require masks be worn unless eating or sipping, but will take a vote at the beginning of the meeting to determine comfort level with mask wearing with our group. If weather permits, we may host the meeting on the outdoor deck of the building. 

RSVPs will be on a first-come, first-served basis and once we are full we will not be able to accommodate any walk-ins. Please RSVP to santinagrace@gmail.com by Friday, June 4, 2021. Cost is $20 please make checks payable to AWS Pittsburgh. Please mail payment to AWS Pgh 106 Rossmor Court, Pgh PA 15229.

June Wine Tasting - Bargain Bordeaux

 Upcoming AWS Pittsburgh Chapter Wine Tasting!
Bargain Bordeaux - Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m.

The time has finally come for us to enjoy the experience of learning and sharing wines with one another again! We are happy to invite you back to another wine tasting experience at the Evergreen Community Park. Our last meeting as a group featured wine educator Adam Knoerzer for our South African Wine Tasting and we are pleased to pick things back up again with him to learn about Bordeaux Bargains! Read about Adam below.

RSVPs are required for this event so that we can remain compliant to Allegheny County Health Department criteria for the number of attendees. We will require masks be worn unless eating or sipping. We will practice proper social distancing protocols, and if weather permits may host the meeting on the outdoor deck of the building. 

RSVPs will be on a first-come, first-served basis and once we are full we will not be able to accommodate any walk-ins. Please RSVP to santinagrace@gmail.com by Friday, June 4, 2021. Cost is $20 please make checks payable to AWS Pittsburgh. Please mail payment to AWS Pgh 106 Rossmor Court, Pgh PA 15229.

AWS Pittsburgh's John Eld Featured in Northland Public Library's Virtual Garden Gala

Northland Public Library's popular Garden Gala is back in virtual form this year! They’ll be sharing wine, cocktails and food demos, a variety of entertainment, and an online auction. 

Honorary Chair Peggy Finnegan will be hosting remotely as she enjoys her retirement as a beloved, longtime anchor at WPXI-TV. Wine expert John Eld returns as Honorary Sommelier; as always, he will offer excellent info about a few personally-selected wines. Event ticket-holders will be notified of the wine choices in advance so they can conduct their own tastes at home. 

The food and beverage demonstrators will include a surprise or two, from local chefs to local “celebrities!” Library staff will also have a few fun things to share with Garden Gala guests. 

VIP "Violet" tickets are sold out, but there are a very limited number of premier "Primrose" tickets available at the $70 level. Both VIP and premier ticket holders will receive Garden Gala swag items. General "Gardenia" tickets are available for a "pay what makes you blossom" amount (free will donation). All ticket holders receive a link for the virtual event on April 17. Click here to purchase a ticket. 

 

Happy Almost Spring!

Well folks, we have almost made it through a very long hard winter. As the snow gradually melts and starts to reveal the grass and the first blooms of spring we can take a sigh of relief that we are that much closer to being able to resume our meetings.  

It has been especially hard this year without having the comfort of enjoying wines with friends once a month to help us get through these cold and dark times. But we are working behind the scenes to find a solution to meeting in person and as the warmer temperatures enter day by day, they bring more possibilities. More to come when we have news to share! In the meantime, please join our friend and wine expert for another virtual wine-tasting event hosted by the Hampton Community Library and the Shaler-North Hills Library in March. Details below.