MEMBER MEMOS

* CONGRATULATIONS to Tyler Colman, who has been contracted by Simon & Schuster to write “a practical and fun wine book.” S&S has put the book on a very fast track: it will be released this fall! So, if Tyler is absent from a couple of tastings, it’s because he is writing the book and editing galleys! This is Tyler’s second book due out this year.

* Four WMG members will attend the fourth annual Professional Wine Writers Symposium in Napa Valley at Meadowood Resort. The Symposium is for wine writers only and involves four days of meetings, speakers, panels, lunches/dinners, wine tastings, and a day at the CIA. The four are Marisa D’Vari, Tyler Colman (his third and a writing Fellowship winner), Pat Savoie (her third and a writing Fellowship winner) and Mort Hochstein (a Judge for the Fellowship writing competition; judging was done blind by the way). The Symposium takes place Feb 19-22. For information: www.winewriterssymposium.org

* DATE CHANGE ALERT FOR JUNE BORDEAUX TASTING - We have decided to move the June lunch from the first to the second Wednesday — from the 4th to the 11th in order to have the heads of three top Bordeaux Chateaux be able to attend the lunch with their wines. Mark Golodetz, who is organizing the tasting, comments: “Not only do we have Ch. Giscours participating, but it will be joined by its sister Chateau, Du Tertre (also a Grand Cru from Margaux). Veronique Sanders, the wife of Managing Director Alexander Van Beek (both Giscours and Du Tertre), also happens to be Manager of Chateau Haut Bailly (which her family owned for several years) in the Pessac Leognan (Graves) area. The program will start with the stand-up tasting of verticals from each of the three Chateaux: from the years 2000-2005. During lunch, we will be treated to the 1979 from each Chateau plus a second wine to be chosen by each of the properties. Finally, with a cheese course, an interesting mystery wine that I have heard about, but not yet had the chance to taste, will be served.” Reservations for this event will be open first to Members until June 1. If a member would like to bring a guest, the guest’s name will be put on a wait list in order of request and admitted if there are openings after June 1. [ psavoie@nyc.rr.com ]

* SAVE THE DATE: The Wine Media Guild Annual Business Meeting will be held on Monday June 23 at noon at a
location to be determined. We will be electing Officers, voting to decide the programs for 2008-09 and conducting other business. All members should try to attend. A quorum of members is required. More information to come.

* If you wrote up the Jan 9th Chateauneuf-du-Pape tasting, please contact Tyler Colman with a link that he will put on the WMG website.

FEBRUARY TASTINGS

Monday 4th: 1:00-4:00pm. Taste Walla Walla Washington State Wines. Thalassa Restaurant (179 Franklin St at Howard) RSVP: www.tastingpanelmag.com or (800) 338-7819- X6.

Thursday 7th: 11:00am- Seminar/1:30-4:30pm Tasting. Wines of Navarra. W Union Square Hotel (201 Park Ave South at 17th St) RSVP: (646) 413- 8886 or RSVP@globalbridgesllc.com

Wednesday 20th: Media 5:00pm. 2nd Annual Kosher Food and Wine Experience. The Puck Building (293 Lafayette St.) RSVP: Martin Davisdon (718) 534-0172 or mdavidson@royalwines.com

Thursday 21st: Gala Italia 2008 11:45am-3:00pm seminars & press luncheon (by Le Cirque). 3:00-6:00pm Press Tasting, fashion show, car show etc. Marriott Marquis Hotel (Broadway at 45th St). Italian Trade Commission. You must have an invitation to be admitted. Info: www.italianwineandfoodinstitute.com RSVP: iwfi@aol.com

Thursday 21st: 10:30am-Noon. Masi vertical tasting of Amarones. Location not yet announced. Time conflicts with Gala Italia semnars.

Tuesday 26th: 11:00am -Seminar/12:30-6:00pm-Tasting. Alto Adige Grand Tasting. The Puck Building (295 Lafayette Street at Houston) RSVP: (212) 605-0370 or aseibert@cornerstonepr.com

March Preview

Wednesday 5th: 11:30am-2:00pm. Wine Media Guild. Dr. Konstantin Frank vertical library tasting of Dry Riesling. Fred Frank, speaker. This opportunity is not often extended, so we feel privileged. To reserve early: psavoie@nyc.rr.com

Sunday 9th: Trade Day Noon-4:00pm. The New York Wine Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center — a three-day wine exposition open to the public with one special trade day. For information: www.newyorkwineexpo.com