July 2008


Wed July 9: 12 noon. Tyler Colman at the Beard House. Tyler talks about his new book:
Wine Politics: How Governments, Environmentalists, Mobsters, and Critics Influence the Wines We Drink
Guests are welcome to bring a brown-bag lunch. Water coffee and chocolate are served. Suggested Donation: $20 for nonstudents. The Beard House, 167 W. 12th Street, NYC. Please RESERVE: 212.627.2308 or reserve online

Sat August 2: WMG Pool Party. (Rain date: Sun, August 3)

August 5-6: The Art of Balance: Cool Climate/Maritime Wines in a Global Context at SUNY Stony Brook (Organized by Louisa Thomas Hargrave, WMG member and director). Many notable local and international speakers; tastings of Long Island wines as well as wines from Friuli, Bordeaux, the Rheingau, the Finger Lakes, Rias Baixas, the Loire, and Coastal California. details and reservations

Tues August 12: 6:00-8:30pm THE GOLD STANDARD: Double Gold and Gold Medal Winning Wines
Location: Estonian House (243 East 34st bet 2nd/3rd). Sponsored by Tasters Guild International. The 2008 Competition involved over 1,820 entries from 17 countries and 31 states, but only a handful acheived a prestigious double gold medal. Most of the double gold medal winners and many of the gold medal winners will be offered at this stand-up, walk-around tasting. Over 65 wines are available for your tasting pleasure. $60 for everyone.
WMG members MUST RSVP to Ron Kapon if they wish to come as the Estonian is a private club. Ron@tastersguildny.com

Thurs August 14 6:30 – 8:30 pm. “Cool Italian Wines, Hot Summer Nights”- Italian wines taught by Charles Scicolone, who is now teaching at the Astor Center in Manhattan ( www.astorcenter.com ) $65. Registration

At the business meeting in June we voted on the nine themes for the year. While the Guild co-Chairs are working with the member sponsors to nail down all the dates, we at least have the three remaining for this year in place. Here they are:

October 1 – Chenin Blanc in all its Variety-Still, Sparkling and Sweet. Member Sponsor: Cynthia Sin-Yi Cheng

November 5 – Wines of Puglia. Member Sponsor: Charles Scicolone

December 3 – Champagne (theme not yet more specific). Member Sponsor & Speaker: Ed McCarthy

Put these on your calendar now–other fun themes to follow in the new year!

The inaugural induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame happened recently. Many members and guests attended the ceremony at I Trulli restaurant. Of this year’s inductees, Kevin Zraly and our own member, Ed McCarthy were present and made heartfelt remarks.

For accounts of the event check out member Robert Simonson’s blog as well as member Tyler Colman over at DrVino.com.
ed mccarthy

Jeremy Parzen, Ph.D., became the latest member of the Guild after a vote at the June business meeting. Welcome, Jeremy!

He blogs regularly at Do Bianchi., his blog devoted to Italy and Italian Wine and Food (and, occasionally, his band). His writing has also appeared in Wine & Spirits, Gastronomica, and The Art of Eating.

He’s also probably the only one to have translated a 15th Century cookbook (Maestro Martinoof Como’s The Art of Cooking) from the Italian.