Mon March 30: Noon-4:00pm. Fine Wine Importers Alliance. DelPosto (85 10th Ave @ 16th St) RSVP: 917-691-9267 or patriciarichter@hotmail.com

Wed 1: 11:30am-2:pm.Wine Media Guild Lunch. Austrian Rieslings. Felidia

Monday April 6th: 1-5:00pm. Wineberry Portfolio Tasting (131 East 36th St) RSVP- 212 481-0322 or contact@wineberry.com .

Mon 20: 1-6:00pm. Spanish Wine Cellar & Pantry. Gotham Hall (36th & Broadway) RSVP: iinfo@gregorywhitepr.com or 718- 403- 0097.

Tues 21: Portuguese Tasting. City Winery (155 Varick St). No other information available.

Tues 21: 3-5:00pm Seminar; 5-7:30pm. Tasting Reception – Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Crus. Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street at 4th St.) RSVP: pnyko@myoungcom.com or 212-620-7027 X 301.

Wednesday April 22: Noon-5:00pm Tasting; 1-3pm Seminar: Burgundy Wine Tasting. The Altman Building (135 West 18th St) RSVP: eventsusa@sopexa.com or 212-386-7436.

Wed 22: 11:30am-2:00pm. Provence Wine & Food. Fig & Olive (420 West 13th St) RSVP: Joan Bloom jbloom@dgi-nyc.com or 212-922-0900.

Mon 27: 11:30am-2:00pm. Wine Media Guild Luncheon. “The Two Pichons.” Felidia. (NOTE DATE-this is the May tasting). RSVP: jrlevine1@aol.com

Mon 27:- 11:00am-4:00pm. Jura Wine Tasting. Gary’s Loft, Penthouse (28 West 36th St) RSVP: www.terroirevent.com

Mon 27: 1:00-5:00pm. 2007 Vintage Port Preview Tasting. Four Seasons Restaurant (99 E 52nd St). RSVP by 4/24: guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,968C5F1D-D829-469B-8EA1-EB5533C5E52D (copy and paste into your browser)

Thurs 30: 7:30pm. European Wine Council Dinner. Le Cirque (151 East 58th St). You must receive an invitation from the EWC to attend.

ALSO:
Tracy Ellen Kamen has been named NY Wine Shopping Examiner for Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/x-5719-NY-Wine-Shopping-Examiner . Examiners provide helpful information, resources and tools related to their area of expertise that can be used by people in their community.

According to NYS senior staffers familiar with Legislative talks, the so-called wine bill (allowing wine sales in grocery stores) has been taken off the Legislative agenda and appears dead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Save the date: WMG Annual Dinner: Sunday, June 14 at Del Posto restaurant. Invitations will be send in April.

JANUARY EVENTS

Wed 7th: 11:30am-2:00pm.  WMG Luncheon. Felidia “Cabernet Franc.” Two seats available.

Mon 12th: 9am-Noon. Wine Market Council Research Conference “The U.S. Wine Consumer: Attitudes, Behaviors, and Trends.”  NY Public Library (South Court Auditorium, 5th Ave & 42nd Street entrance). For free press registration: www.winemarketcouncil.com/research_press_reg.asp. Press inquiries to Jennifer Pagano, Director of Research & Member Services, jpagano@winemarketcouncil.com, 415-608-0335.

Thurs 22nd: 1:30-4:30pm.  Navarra, Spain: Kingdom of Flavors. Wine & olive oil tasting. W Union Square Hotel (201 Park Ave South) RSVP: navarrawines@myoungcom.com or 212 620-7027-X304.

Tues 27th: 7:00pm. Tuaca Body Art Ball. Cue Art (511 West 25th Street) RSVP: andea_duvall@b-f.com or (502) 774-6044.

Tues 27th & Wed 28th: All Day. Italian Wine Week 2009. Waldorf Astoria, NY Palace and Hilton Hotels. Breakfast, seminars, luncheon & Grand Wine Tasting. To view schedule and request press credentials: www.italianmade.com/vino2009  Inquiries: Italian Trade Comm – Vincenza Kelly, 212 848-0308 or vincenza.kelly@newyork.ice.it  OR Melanie Young, 212 620-7027, ext 303 or melanieyoung@myoungcom.com. Some of our members are Panelists or Presenters.

FEBRUARY PREVIEW

Tues 3rd: 11:00am-4:00pm. Israeli Wines. Prince George Ballroom (15 E. 27th St bet 5th & Mad). RSVP: Hanna Kamionski
(212) 499-5624 or hanna.kamionski@israeltrade.gov.il

Just Opened: California Wine Merchants, a retail store founded by wine writer Jennifer Frank (a prospective WMG member) and sommelier Taylor Senatore. It brings the best of California wines to New York and to all California wine enthusiasts through their e-commerce website. The shop carries a carefully chosen selection of great values, limited production wines, famous names, and the latest cult producers. 15 Bridge St (between Whitehall and Broad Streets). Email: info@cawinemerchants.com  Website: www.cawinemerchants.com.

TASTINGS:
Mon 1st:  Wines of Germany “Riesling Fellowship.”  Mandarin Oriental Hotel (80 Columbus Circle, entrance on 60th St).
Seminar on how Riesling ages from 10AM-12PM; Lunch with winemakers from 12-1:45PM; Tasting of Rieslings from around the world from 2-4PM. Must RSVP: RieslingFellowship@RFBinder.com

Mon 1st: 7-9PM. Canadian Wine & Food-”Eat Drink Canada.”  Private Home (3 East 75th St). Must RSVP to Kibui Pyron kibui.pyron@international.gc.ca

Wed 3rd:  11:30AM-2:30PM. Wine Media Guild Champagne Luncheon  “Vintage Champagnes.”  Ed McCarthy speaker. Sold Out

Thurs 4th: 3-7PM.  Cyprus food & wine tasting. Helen Mills Event Space (137-139 West 26th St). RSVP: cyprustrade@accentpr.com .

Fri 5th: The 75th anniversary of the repeal of the 18th Amendment  (Prohibition). Two events are scheduled.               ~5:32-8:30PM (check the time repeal started). DISCUS Repeal Party. Back Room (102 Norfolk St – Delancey & Rivington Streets. Essex-Delancey Street subway stop: F,J,M & Z).  rsvp@discus.org or (202) 682-8840.
~7-10PM. Old Forester Repeal Party. Devon Tavern (363 Greenwich Street) RSVP: (502) 744-0462 or to swend_jansen@b-f.com . You can make the two events since they are both downtown.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR

“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`

Save the Date: Wed, January 7th: Wine Media Guild Cabernet Franc tasting. “The Loire, Long Island and…Canada” with Speakers Paul Grieco and Bruce Schneider

John Foy alerted us of the following limitations on wine in packed luggage: United Airlines requires wine to be packed in Styrofoam, even if it’s in a checked bag. It doesn’t matter how well you have packed the wine (or any other bottled liquid); if it is not packed in Styrofoam United won’t accept it. This is stated on their website. Might be a good idea to check on other airlines’ policies for future travel.

There will be no Newsletters during the summer months of July and August. They will resume in September.

JUNE TRADE TASTINGS

Tues 3 & Wed 4: 4-8:30pm. Tapas party & wine tasting. Murcia Wines of Spain. Astor Center (399 Lafayette St @ East 4 St). RSVP: MurciaNewYork@gmail.com

Thurs 5: Reception Noon; Lunch 12:45pm. Murcia Wines of Spain. Restaurant 81 (45 West 81 St). RSVP: jharding@earthlink.net or 212-794-0040

Thurs 5: 2-6pm Prosecco Valdobbiadene. Time Warner Center (Columbus Circle- 2nd Floor).
RSVP: 212- 924-5555 or prosecco@mackenzieagency.com

Mon 9: 11am-6pm. Alsace & Rhone Valley Wine Council. Taste 400 wines. Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18 St-5th Floor). RSVP: 866-310-5707 or eventusa@sopexa.com

Mon 9: Seminars 1:30-4:30pm; Tasting 1-5pm. Wines of Chile. Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36 St). RSVP: 866- 461-WINE or www.winesofchile.org

Tues 10: Seminar Noon-1pm; Tasting 1-5pm. Wines of Brazil. Astor Center (399 Lafayette St @ East 4). RSVP: info@hgmarketing.net or (718) 403-0097

Wed 11: 11:30am-2pm WMG Bordeaux Verticals luncheon. Felidia restaurant. Sold Out. (Contact JRLevine1@aol.com for last minute cancellations.)

Mon 16: 6:30pm- Reception; 7:15pm WMG Annual Dinner & induction of the Hall of Fame members. I Trulli restaurant (122 East 27th Street). Still a few places open. RSVP: psavoie@nyc.rr.com or CRScicolone@gmail.com after June 5. In addition to Hall of Fame Inductees Ed McCarthy and Kevin Zraly, several members of the trade will attend. Members $80; Non-members $95.

Sun & Mon 22 & 23: Noon-6pm. The Bar Show. Javits Convention Center. (38 St & 11th Ave). I have gone the past few years. Not sure what their policy is re: journalists. Info: 800- 243-9774 or info@rdpgroup.com

Mon 23: Noon-2pm. WMG Annual Business Meeting. Astor Center. (399 Lafayette St @ East 4 St). Voting on programs for 2008-09 and election of Officers. Lunch and wines are provided. Additional information and Agenda to follow.

Wed 25: 10am- Noon Seminar; Noon-1pm Lunch. Andre Lurton Bordeaux Seminar & Lunch. Restaurant 81 (45 West 81 St). RSVP: Info hasn’t arrived, but it is a WJ Deutsch event. (Probably barbara.scalera@wjdeutsch.com )

Sun 29 -Tues July 1: 10am-5pm. Fancy Food Show, Javits Convention Center. Info: www.fancyfoodshows.com/connections

THIS SUMMER

Sat, August 2: Annual WMG Pool Party

Tues-Wed, August 5-6: Stony Brook University Center for Wine, Food, and Culture (Directed by WMG Member Louisa Thomas Hargrave) will host a major international symposium: The Art of Balance: Cool Climate/Maritime Wines in a Global Context at its Southampton campus. The two-day symposium features advanced educational presentations and wine tastings from top wineries in cool climate/maritime winegrowing regions around the world. A Grand Tasting takes place the evening of August 5th. Tickets are $180 per day or $360 for both days including the Grand Tasting. Information: www.stonybrook.edu/winecenter

Wed 2: 11:30am-2:00pm. Wine Media Guild Petite Sirah Luncheon. A few places left. psavoie@nyc.rr.com

Fri 4 – Sun 6: Greater NY Wine & Food Festival. 1-5:00pm Sat & Sun – Grand Tasting. Seminars all three days. Doubletree Hotel, Tarrytown. Media Inquiries: Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson (914) 762-1900 or liz@thompson_bender.com

Mon 7: 1:00-5:30pm. Loire Valley Wines. Altman Building (135 West 18 St) Seminar- 3-4pm. RSVP: info@loirevalleywine.com or (212) 244-0800.

Tues 8: 6:00-9:00pm. Benefit for the Southern Food & Beverage Museum with New Orleans Chef Susan Spicer. Astor Center (399 Lafayette St @ East 4 St – above Astor Wines). $25 donation. RSVP: Elizabeth Pearce (504) 578-8280.

Mon 14: Noon-5:00pm. Portfolio Tasting VOS Wines. Puck Building (Lafayette St @ Houston). Bring business card.

Mon 14: 2:00-5:00pm. Affordable Bordeaux. Altman Building (135 West 18 St) RSVP: eventsusa@sopexa.com or
(866) 310-5702.

Tues 15: 2:00-5:00pm. Wines of Portugal. Seminar 2:30-3:00pm. Altman Building (135 West 18 St) RSVP: Alexandra Bullock (212) 929-7700 or alex@dunnrobbinsgroup.com .

Mon 21: 2:00-6:00pm. The Tuscan Nose- Chianti Classico. 583 Park Ave (@ 63 St). 50 leading producers. RSVP: seth@dunnrobbinsgroup.com or (212) 929-7700.

Tues 22: 1:00-6:00PM. Spanish Wine Cellar & Pantry. Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36 St) RSVP: info@hgmarketing.net or Helen Gregory (718) 403-0097

Tues 29: 7:00-10:00pm. Wine Spectator 2008 Grand Tour. Marriott Marquis Hotel (1535 Broadway). Good luck getting comp tickets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PREVIEW – May 7: Charbono Tasting. We hope to have all of the dozen or so existing producers contribute their wines. Speaker is Paul Smith, owner and winemaker at OnThEdge Winery in St. Helena. Also attending will be Pacific Star owner and winemaker, Sally Ottoson, and possibly others. This is a unique tasting. Advance reservations: psavoie@nyc.rr.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing Mulligan are writing the ninth in the Dummies wine series (10th book overall) titled California Wine For Dummies (John Wiley), due out in September.

We forgot to mention last month that David Rosengarten was a speaker on four panels at the Professional Wine Writers Symposium held at Meadowood (Napa Valley) February 19-22…At the Symposium, attended by 50 wine writers (including 5 from the WMG), David and Pat Savoie announced they are co-authoring a book on how to navigate restaurant wine lists and recognize and work with a variety of sommelier types. Expected publication in 2009.

Tidbits
A great website authored by Doug Cook (not a WMG member): After a career at Yahoo he had a pre-pre-midlife crisis and went off to study wine professionally. While working toward his MW, he experienced the frustration of trying to find up-to-date, authoritative wine information on the Web. Go to www.ablegrape.com , his wine-only search engine. I used it twice the first day.

Sharpen your acting skills: Two different producers are bidding to make a movie about Hardy Rodenstock and the scandal over the auctioned cache of wine bottles, purported to have been owned by Thomas Jefferson, that were called fakes. One adaptation will be from the Benjamin Wallace book The Billionaire’s Vinegar, the other from a New Yorker Magazine article. I will let you know when there is an open call for wine writers.

MARCH TASTINGS

Mon 3: 2:30-5:00pm. Joseph Drouhin Chablis with Laurent Drouhin. Bar Boulud (1900 Broadway across from Lincoln Center). Caviste Room. By invitation only. Do not attend if you have not received an invitation.
Mon 3: 2:00-7:00pm. Tre Bicchieri Gambero Rosso Italian Tasting. Media-only tasting is 2-3:00. Location changed to 583 Park Avenue (A private event space @ 63rd St). Could not find an RSVP, so bring a card.
Tues 4: Noon-2pm. A luncheon to celebrate the launch of Mercer Estates Washington State Winery. Blue Hill Restaurant (75 Washington Place -between 6th Avenue & Washington Square Park). RSVP: Donna White donna@hgmarketing.net or 718-403-0097.

Tues 4 through Fri 7: Wineries Unlimited Conference & Trade Show. Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia, PA. For more information 866-483-0172 or www.wineriesunlimited.com.
Wed 5: 11:30am-2:00pm. Wine Media Guild Luncheon. Dr. Konstantin Frank vertical library tasting of 15 vintages of Dry Riesling plus other whites. Felidia restaurant. (243 East 58th St). Two places open. RSVP: Pat Savoie psavoie@nyc.rr.com.
Thurs 6: 11:00am -2pm. The Art of Artesa Winery luncheon. New Chelsea Arts Tower (545 West 25th St-14th Floor- between 10/11 Aves) RSVP: Anne Kircher akircher@cornerstonepr.com or (212) 605-0370.

Fri 7 through Sun 9: New York Wine Expo. Sunday 11:00am- 4:00pm is trade and media day. Javits Center (34 St. @ 11 Ave). Press contact: Alison Hoiem, G.S. Schwartz & Co. 212-725-4500 X326 or ahoiem@schwartz.com .

Sun 9 through Tues 11: 10:00am-5:00pm. International Restaurant and Foodservice Show. Javits Center. Press information: Amy Riemer 978-475-4441 or amy@riemercommunications.com .

Mon 10: Noon-4:30pm. Bordeaux Right Bank 2007 Barrel Sample tasting. Chanterelle Restaurant (2 Harrison St @ Hudson) RSVP: eventsUSA@sopexa.com or 866-310-5704.

Tues 11: 7:00-9:00pm. Bombay Sapphire Revelation. Baccarat (625 Madison @ 59 St.) RSVP: alane@deussenglobal.com .

Thurs 13: 7:00-10:00pm. European Wine Council Gala Dinner. Le Cirque (151 East 58 St). Attendance by invitation only. Information: info@braunpr.com .

Wed 26: 6:00-10:00pm. Wine & Wishes Benefit. Chelsea Pier 60 (@ 23 St). A benefit sponsored by Charmer Sunbelt for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It is possible to go as a guest. Contact: Jeff Richter 212-299-7024 or wine&wishes@charmer-sunbelt.com .

————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Save The Date: Wed, April 2: Petite Sirah tasting with speaker Kevin Morrissey, winemaker at Stags Leap Winery, Napa Valley. psavoie@nyc.rr.com

Be sure to mark you calendars for upcoming events: May 7- Charbono tasting with speaker Paul Smith, winemaker, OnThEdge Winery in Napa Valley. Three June events: June 11 – Chateaux Giscours, du Tertre and Haut Bailly – vintages 2000 through 2005 plus two older vintages of each; June 16 – Annual Dinner at I Trulli; June 23 – Annual Business Meeting
All tastings and dates are listed in the Calendar on our Website…

RON KAPON, EDITOR

* 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

Trade events:
Monday Jan 14: – Vias Portfolio Tasting. 1:00-7:00pm. Marriot Marquis Hotel (1535 Broadway @ 45 St). For More info www.viaswine.com

Wednesday Jan 16: Wine Market Council Third Annual Research Conference 9:00am- Noon. The NY Public Library- South Court Auditorium (5thAve & 42nd Street). RSVP Laura Dowling ldowling@webershanwick.com (312) 988-2340

Sat/Sun Jan 19-20: Sun Winefest. Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT. For information 860-728-5700 or www.sunwinefest.com

Wednesday Jan 23: Grand Cru Bordeaux 2005 Tasting 2:00-6:00pm. Waldorf Astoria Hotel- (50th & Park Ave). RSVP (800) 709-7667 or Katie Carpenter events@balzac.com

Thursday Jan 24: Wine Australia. 1:00-4:00pm. Cirpiani Wall Street (55 Wall Street). RSVP Kate McClure usa@wineaustralia.com

Tuesday Jan 29: Benvenuto Brunello. Tasting by Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. 1:00-5:30pm. Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway). For information and reservations call 212-620-7027 x 337 or email brunellorsvp@myoungcom.com

FEBRUARY PREVIEWS

Monday Feb 4: Walla Walla-Wines of Washington 1:00-4:00pm. Thalassa Restaurant (179 Franklin St @ Howard) rsvp@tastingpanelmag.com or call (800) 338-7819 x6

Wednesday Feb 6: Wine Media Guild “Pinot Noir Off the Beaten Path.” 11:30am-2:00pm. Felidia Restaurant. RSVP psavoie@nyc.rr.com before Feb 1. Members are allowed one guest. If there are open places, members may bring more than one guest.
Sat/Sun Feb 9-10: Boston Wine Expo. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. For information 877-946-3976 or www.wine-expos.com