Picnic in the Park - Sustainable Packaging May 2025

 

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Please Note New Location on the 3rd Wednesday You are invited to a PICNIC in the PARK Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7:00 Evergreen Community Park Building 3430 Evergreen Road, Pittsburgh 15237 We will be celebrating Sustainable Packaging with Premium Wines in Bags, Boxes or Cans. It will be a fun way to sample the wines together, and we will be doing our part to save the planet! To make the evening more fun we would like you to bring a dish to share. The club is planning on providing chicken and the rest of the menu is up to you!   Reservation Deadline May 14, 2025   PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES    Cost for members or guests:   $15 per person Guests are very welcome. This is an ideal social evening to get to know people in the club and others interested in learning more about wine and the American Wine Society.     aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com   Or you may reply to: Karen Henrich @ 724-444-1949   We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.   OR    Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to: Karen Henrich 5131 Lakewood Drive Gibsonia, PA 15044 Click here to RSVP

Spring into the Finger Lakes

 

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Let's welcome Spring with a special wine tasting from the  Dr. Konstanin Frank Winery Finger Lakes, New York Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. In April we'll be tasting Finger Lake wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Cellars.  Dr. Frank was a pioneer credited with starting the vinifera revolution in the Eastern United States.  It's especially appropriate to discuss Dr. Frank and this winery since they hosted the very first meeting of the American Wine Society more than 60 years ago.  We'll be tasting some white vinifera varieties that grow especially well in the Finger Lakes region.  Bread and cheeses we'll be served as we learn about Dr. Frank and his pioneering contributions to the Eastern US wines enjoyed today. Our presenter for the evening is Terry Germanoski. Terry has been an AWS member of the Pittsburgh Chapter for more than 25 years.  He joined the AWS to learn more about wine and winemaking.  Since that time, he's become an accomplished wine maker with numerous awards including two "Best of Show" recognitions.  He enjoys making all types of wine including vinifera, hybrid varieties and fruit wines.  Fermentation is a critical step in both wine and bread making so it's only natural that Terry also enjoys baking bread.  Terry is always willing to share his winemaking experiences and knowledge and has helped many newcomers to this hobby. Reservation Deadline April 2, 2025 PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.     PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090 Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.    Cost for members or guests:   $25 per person     kedred2006@gmail.com   Or you may reply to: 412-979-9594   We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.   OR  Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:   Robert Dering 38 Perry Lane Pittsburgh PA  15229 Click here to RSVP

Discover the World of Unusual Varietals with Adam Knoerzer!

 

Discover the World of Unusual Varietals with Adam Knoerzer!

Wednesday, February 12 at 7 p.m.

Join us on Wednesday, February 12 at 7 p.m. for an unforgettable evening of wine exploration as we delve into the fascinating world of unusual varietals. Our esteemed guest speaker, Adam Knoerzer, will guide us through a curated selection of rare and unique wines that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and expand your wine knowledge.

Featured Wines:

Cederberg Bukettraube 2023 - South Africa

Les Cretes Petite Arvine 2023 - Valle D'Acosta, Italy

Filipa Pato Post-Quercus Baga Tinto 2023 - Portugal

Sigalas Mm Mavrotragano - Mandilaria Red Blend 2022 - Santorini, Greece

Los Bermejos Canary Islands Listan Negro Maceracion Carbonica 2023

La Spinetta Colli Tortonesi Derthona Timorasso 2023

Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your journey, this event promises to be both educational and enjoyable. Don't miss this opportunity to taste and learn about these extraordinary wines in the company of fellow wine lovers.

Come and raise a glass to the extraordinary! We look forward to seeing you there.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.

 

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 

 Cost for members or guests:

 

$40 per person

 

kedred2006@gmail.com
 

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

 

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

 

OR 

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

 

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA  15229

 

5th Annual Soup Pair Bowl

 

Join us as we sample soups and pair them with wines.

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!

 

This is a true competition, and we will vote for our favorite wines that pair with the soups.

 

Reservations will be accepted until January 2 to allow our chefs to prepare.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.

 

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 

 Cost for members or guests:

 

$25 per person

 

 

kedred2006@gmail.com

 

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

 

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

 

OR 

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

 

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA  15229

 

2024 AWS Pittsburgh Holiday Party

 

 Pittsburgh Chapter Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Please join the AWS Pittsburgh Chapter for our holiday party. There will be a variety of wines to try and a catered meal. We will also have a (not mandatory/volunteer only) wine elephant game which is a nice play on words for the typical white elephant game. Please bring a wrapped wine related gift valued at $15-20. Each couple may bring one gift. If you bring a gift you will receive a number and will have the opportunity to select a present and/or take an already opened gift. We hope you can join us.

Reservations will be accepted until December 3.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 Cost for members or guests:

$20 per person

kedred2006@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

 

OR 

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane
Pittsburgh PA  15229

Wines of Argentina and Chile with Barsotti Wines

Barsotti Wines Present Wines of Argentina

Wednesday, November 13 at 7 p.m.

Join Patty Bouvy from Barsotti Wines for an unforgettable evening as we embark on a tantalizing journey through Argentina's diverse wine regions. From the lush vineyards of Mendoza  to the high-altitude terroirs of Salta, experience the rich tapestry of flavors that make Argentine wines so unique.

Patty has been with Barsotti Wines since 2013, but has been in food and beverage for a lot longer. She traveled to Argentina in 2018 and toured many of the wineries we will be enjoying. 

RSVP by November 6!

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot. 

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 

 Cost for members or guests:

$40 per person

 

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 1522

 Spooktacular Wine & Snack Pairings

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Whether you are headed to a football party, have leftovers from Halloween or just want to sit on the couch watch a movie and have some wine and a snack, join us to learn how to pair wine with standard household snacks. 

Please RSVP by Oct. 2 so that we can prepare.

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot. 

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 

 Cost for members or guests:

$30 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 1522

Wine is good for you! "The Healthiest Pour" has an algorithm to prove it!

 Wine is good for you!

"The Healthiest Pour" Has an algorithm to prove it!

Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m.

Join us on Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. at PYCO School of Music to resume our 2024 wine tasting schedule after our summer break!

Get ready to geek out over the wines we will try. The Healthiest Pour are two passionate individuals (Juli and Colin) whose lives are centrally focused on remaining as healthy and happy as possible physically and mentally by eating a healthy diet, remaining active through fitness and mental agility, and following an overall healthy lifestyle.

 Many factors go into winemaking, from the initial philosophy in the vineyard to the ideology in the cellar. The Healthiest Pour is focused on what’s in your wine and what’s not in your wine.

What should be in it? Polyphenols, and this goes way past the much talked-about and touted resveratrol. These are the same desirable compounds found in spices, vegetables, tea and berries, that have been studied extensively for their effects on human health.

Unfortunately on the opposing side, sometimes nefarious chemical additives, pesticides, herbicides, and coloring agents make their way into wines. We set out to qualify wines looking at several key criteria – factors that influence total phenolic compounds and the practices that keep the junk out. Who ever thought science could be so palatable?!

So join us as we learn the health benefits of the right wines! 

Please RSVP by Sept. 3 so that we can prepare.

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot. 

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 

 Cost for members or guests:

$40 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 15229

Summer Picnic and Trip to Refucilo

 Member Appreciation Summer Picnic at Refucilo Winery

Thursday, June 27 at 6 p.m.

907 Western Avenue, Pgh., PA 15233

 

Join us on Thursday, June 27 at 6 p.m. at Refucilo Winery on the Northside of Pittsburgh at 907 Western Avenue, Pgh, PA 15233. 

This tasting will feature wines available to purchase at the winery. It is complimentary to current members of our chapter and AWS national. If you are not a member, the cost of the tasting will be $35.

Please RSVP by June 20 to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

About Refucilo Winery from owner Juan Lora:

I have always been a lover of fine wines. I experimented with home winemaking for many years and was honored to receive several awards in amateur competitions. This inspired me to examine the possibility of owning a vineyard and making my own wine from vine to bottle.   

My wife and I decided to travel to Argentina to explore the land in the Uco Valley. The Uco Valley has three key elements that have made it a highly sought-after region for wineries and have placed it at the forefront of New World wine making: 1) vines grow at an altitude of 3,800 feet with a wide variation of temperatures between day and night producing high quality tannins and concentration of color; 2) well drained soils made up of pebbles, clay, and sand receive water in the spring from melting snow from the Andes Mountains; 3) the south/south-west orientation allows the grape vines to soak up the sunshine, producing full flavor ripeness.

While in Argentina, we stayed at Casa de Uco, Hotel and Managed Vineyard owned by Juan Tonconogy. The scene took our breath away. The Andes Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop to the amazing vineyard landscape. We had the opportunity to meet with the team in charge of the wine making process and were impressed by their vision for the winery. The whole team was as passionate about making wine as we were.

Our Uco Valley experience and the uniqueness of the Uco Valley’s terroir, cemented my determination to be a part of the exciting venture of wine making in this region, and in July 2016, I became a new member of the family of Casa de Uco.

"I chose the name Refucilo for my wine in honor of my Uruguayan uncle, who was passionate about sailing and wine. I have wonderful memories of cruising with him in Caribbean waters on his sailboat Refucilo."

Juan Antonio Lora, MD

907 Western Avenue,

Pittsburgh, PA 15233

 

Bringing the Loire Valley to Pittsburgh

 

May Wine Tasting Meeting

Bringing the Loire Valley to Pittsburgh

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Spanning 170 miles in central France, The Loire Valley is one of the world's most well known wine areas. Several wine regions can be found here including Muscadet on the Atlantic coast to the regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé just southeast of the city of Orléans in north-central France. Loire wines tend to exhibit a characteristic fruitiness with fresh, crisp flavors.

Two of our AWS Pittsburgh chapter members, Shobit and Jinny Singla recently visited this part of the world and will be sharing their experiences there, as well as the wine knowledge they have as a result of their trip. This wine tasting will include a meal.Please let us know if you have any food allergies.

Please RSVP by April 24 so that we can allow the caterer to prepare.

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot. 

 

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

 

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 

 Cost for members or guests:

$40 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 15229

SOLD OUT - Getting To Know The Finger Lakes Terroir

 

April Wine Tasting Meeting

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 7 p.m.

This event is sold out.

Terroir is a French term that can be translated to “a sense of place”. The Finger Lakes Region enjoys a rich variety of terroir. In this meeting Terry Germanoski will not only walk you through and expand on the terroir definition: but also see if we can actually taste and identify “terroir”; as we taste three different single vineyard Rieslings. The Finger Lakes AVA is recognized for its world class Riesling and white wines. This region is also gaining in recognition for its cool climate red varieties. We’ll be exploring three unique red wines including a Rose of Saparavi, a Cabernet Franc and a special red blend made up of some classic and historic varietals. We’ll have some small light bites to go along with this premium tasting but not a meal. We hope you’ll join us in what we expect to be a very educational meeting.

This event is sold out.

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot.

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 Cost for members or guests:

$30 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 15229

Explore Sparkling Wines With Wine Expert Adam Knoerzer

 

An Exploration of Sparkling Wines

March 13, 2024 at 7 p.m.

We are pleased to bring back wine educator Adam Knoerzer for an informative session on sparkling wines. We will sample the following sparking wines with very light food pairings.

• Decibel Wines Organic Petillant Naturel 2022

• Bisol Crede Prosecco Superiore 2022

• Chateau de Bligny Brut Grande Reserve

• Crémant de Bourgogne "Oeil de Perdrix," Dom. Chollet - NV

• Graham Beck Brut Methode Cap Classique

• Marenco Brachetto d'Acqui Pineto 2022

Reservations will be accepted until March 6.

 

Adam is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is a WSET Diploma candidate, and in 2019, he won the United States championship in the Wines of South Africa Sommelier Cup, besting over 200 American entrants. He went on to compete against 10 other national finalists in Cape Town.    

Adam is a native of Indiana who made his way to Pittsburgh in 2011 after stints in New York and Paris. A polyglot with bilingual fluency in French (he also speaks Portuguese and Spanish), Adam brings over 10 years of teaching, training, and public speaking experience to his independent wine education and consulting practice.

MEMBERS, PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. (Also, a friendly reminder to please pay your membership dues for both the national organization and local chapter.)

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

Cost for members or guests:

$35 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle.

 

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot.

Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 15229

 

Just Desserts
For Valentine's Day!

February 14th at 7 p.m.

 

Join us on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7 p.m. for a love affair with wines that pair with sweet and savory final course dishes (aka desserts). Not all food pairings will be sweet, but the enjoyment of the wines that accompany these finishers will be! Show yourself some love this Valentine's Day and treat yourself to this decadent wine tasting event.

P.S. - Please let us know if you have any food allergies at the time of your RSVP.

Reservations will be accepted until February 7 to allow our bakers to prepare.

Space is limited and your payment secures your spot. 

MEMBERS, PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES. (Also, a friendly reminder to please pay your membership dues for both the national organization and local chapter.

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 Cost for members or guests:

$30 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 15229

 

4th Annual Soup Pair Bowl

 

It's Time for AWS Pittsburgh Chapter's Fourth Annual Soup Pair Bowl 

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at
7 p.m  

 

Join us as we sample soups and pair them with wines. 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!

This is a true competition, and we will vote for our favorite wines that pair with the soups.

Reservations will be accepted until January 5 to allow our chefs to prepare.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 Cost for members or guests:

$30 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

OR

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane

Pittsburgh PA 15229

2023 Holiday Party Invitation

 

 Pittsburgh Chapter Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

7 p.m.

Please join the AWS Pittsburgh Chapter for our holiday party. There will be a variety of wines to try and a catered meal featuring beef brisket, chicken romano, green beans almondine, with garden salad and dessert.

We will also have a (not mandatory/volunteer only) wine elephant game which is basically the typical white elephant game. Please bring a wrapped wine related gift valued at $10-15. Each couple may bring one gift. If you bring a gift you will receive a number and will have the opportunity to select a present and/or take an already opened gift. We hope you can join us.

Reservations will be accepted until November 28.
Attendees must prepay to hold their spot.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINE GLASSES.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM

PYCO School of Music, 150 Lake Drive, Wexford, PA 15090

Please park in the rear of the building and enter through the back door for easiest access to the Concert Hall at PYCO.

 Cost for members or guests:

$40 per person

aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Or you may reply to:

412-979-9594

We now accept payment via Zelle. Just send your payment to aws.pittsburgh@gmail.com.

 

OR 

Mail your check, payable to AWS Pittsburgh to:

Robert Dering

38 Perry Lane
Pittsburgh PA  15229

 

Important note : The venue has reserved parking spots for our attendees near the back of the building. You can enter through a door with a sign that says AWS.