Join us as we taste and learn about wines from some lesser known but promising regions of the world.

MONDAY – OCTOBER 12th, 7pm – $10
Banksville Road – Pittsburgh

This is the first tasting in a series of tastings being sponsored by Waddell & Reed.

Thanks to financial advisor and wine lover Chris Rondinelli, Grape Thoughts is offering a series of affordable wine tastings.

The tastings will only be $10, and you will be entered to have a chance to win $2500 for yourself and $2500 donated to your choice of charity.

These tastings will be once per month, and Chris will be making short 5-10 minutes presentations.

You will only be able to attend one event during this series.

For every friend that you invite that attends with you, or attends a later event, you will get another entry into the $5000 drawing.

Chris will be showing an energetic 5 minute video called “The Infinite Loop” which shares interesting facts about the world economy.
It looks at different financial opportunities related to world growth, and with that theme, this event will be focusing on wine growths from around the world. There will be cheeses and some snacks from around the world as well.

This tasting will be at the Cut N Run Productions studio on Banksville Road.

Cut N Run Productions

1701 Banksville Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
412 440 6951

Space is limited, RSVPs are not final until payment is received.

You can pay by check, sent to
Grape Thoughts
460 Porter Street
Springdale, PA 15144

or you can pay online, via

Meetup.com

This bus tour will be visiting some local wineries.

We begin our journey at the Windgate Wineries store at the Mills Mall.
Its a cute shop with wine tastings and wine paraphernalia.

We then board the bus, and head to La Casa Narcissi for a tour of the winery from the owner, hearing his personal story of being in the wine business, along with a sit down tasting.

Then we head North to Rustic Acres.
I like my fancy shmancy wines, but dear God!
They have a Rhubarb wine which is DIVINE.

Don at Oak Spring Winery will be welcoming us with appetizers and tasting of his 27 varieties of wine.

Winfield Wineries will then welcome us with seating at their outdoor patio.

We then will head back to the Mills Mall, and those who wish can decide on dinner.

The cost for this trip is $40. This covers the cost of the bus, tours, and tasting.

RSVPs are final only with payment.

Hope you can make it!

If you cannot make this date email me! More people have contacted me and I am currently planning classes on alternative dates. Also, if you have a group of ten or more, we can plan a private class.

Have you ever felt paralyzed when someone asked you, what do you think of this wine?

Sure, you can say “I like it”, or “I don’t like it”, but have you ever wished you could comment more on the bouquet, the flavors, the way it feels in your mouth?

In this relaxed, introductory class, you will be able to learn how to pick out some characteristics of some popular wine varietals, and feel more confident when asked this question.

Some other factoids will be shared during the class will clear up some common misconceptions about wine tasting, related to tannins, sulfites, cork smelling, and how to spit gracefully.

Wine will be provided (but of course!) along with cheese and crackers.
Please bring a notebook with you.

A little bit about me, for those of you who I haven’t met yet.

I have trained at the Culinary Institute of America’s Professional Wine School, and have been teaching people about wine since 2006.

I am a member of the La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and am passionate about wine and adult learning!

Cost of this class is $35.00, and is limited to 20 participants
RSVPs will only be considered Yes, along with payment.

Please contact me to RSVP – judy@grapethoughts.com– and for more details.

Springdale is 17 miles North of downtown Pittsburgh, via Route 28

Hope to see you there!

Judy

The Wall Street Journal Weekend edition is home to a weekly wine article by husband and wife team Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher. In the year 2000 they started “Open That Bottle Night”.

This is the day that you take that bottle you have been saving for a special occasion and open it. Maybe you have been saving it for years, just waiting for just the right occasion. And waiting. And waiting. Wait no longer. Its a holiday just for us wine lovers, a reason to celebrate!

So, your special assignment is THIS:

Create the right setting for yourself. Invite friends over, or go it solo, plan a meal around your wine, or take it to your favorite BYO restaurant. You may want to have a backup, just in case it doesn’t satisfy your craving for a good vino.

Whatever you do, take notes. Does it live up to your expectations? Does it exceed them? Did it age well, was it corked?

However you plan to celebrate, please enjoy this special day, then stop back here to share your experience by leaving a comment.

We look forward to hearing your stories!