The "Wine Cellar at PINOT" Announces Winter Education Series

Feb. 12, 2010 - PRLog -- PHILADELPHIA – PINOT Boutique, the Old City wine accessories superstore, can help you get your warm on with its Winter 2010 line-up of wine classes.  This season’s topics include primers on grape varieties, Israeli wines, and developing your “wine I.Q.,” all under the tutelage of some of the country’s best known wine aficionados.
 
All classes at PINOT Boutique are conducted in the cozy downstairs space known as "The Cellar at PINOT."  With its low ceiling, exposed Colonial-era brick walls, murals, low-key accent lighting, and wine bottles everywhere, The Cellar at PINOT is a warm, welcoming setting that’s highly conducive to socializing and learning about wine.  

“A terrific atmosphere, along with the good fortune of having several of the nation’s best-known wine experts make these classes engaging, educational and above all, fun,” says PINOT Boutique owner Dan Soskin.

Veteran oenophiles and instructors Marnie Old, Maria Valetta, Mark Squires and Jeff Carroll will share their expertise in classes that are appropriate for neophytes, more sophisticated wine drinkers, and everyone in between.  Here’s the list:
 
Learn to Host the Perfect Wine Party & Get to Know Your Grapes!
Themed parties are all the rage right now, and what could be better than throwing a party with great wines and perfect wine accessories?  You will learn the basics of wine tasting, become familiar with the most popular varietals, and learn to choose fun décor to put it all together.  There’s a surprise challenge at the end, and everyone will go home with a little gift.
Dates: Thursdays, Feb 18 and April 8
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM  
Host: Maria Valetta
Price:  $59 per person
 
Shopping the French Wine Aisle  
French wine labels can be intimidating even for wine aficionados, but French wines are some of the best in the world.   You will learn how to decode the fancy French labels, while discovering the regions in France known for the best deals.  Buying French wine doesn’t have to drain your bank account.  After this class, you’re guaranteed to feel more confident when browsing the French aisle of the local PLCB store.  The class will also cover some great wine gadgets to help make the most of your wine drinking experience.
Date:  Thursday, March 4
Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Host: Maria Valetta
Price: $49 per person
 
Beyond Chianti - Interesting Italian Wines
The amour for Italian wines is abundant in the City of Brotherly Love; we just can’t seem to get our fill of Chianti and Super Tuscans.  But there are many interesting Italian grapes that you probably havn’t discovered  that can be very wallet-friendly.  With 20 different regions in Italy making wine, there is a lot to discover, sip, and savor.  This class will introduce you to the Italian gems worth seeking out, help you choose the most food-friendly bottle for that BYOB, and show you a few ideas for maximizing your enjoyment of interesting Italian vino.    
Date: Thursday, March 18
Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Host: Maria Valetta
Price: $49 per person
 
Essentials of Wine
Take the mystery out of wine in an easy, fun-filled setting where you'll learn about the basics of wine and taste a variety of wines from around the world. You'll feel like a wine 'insider,' confident in choosing what to drink and ready to explore more.  Class will cover wine regions, how wine is made, wine varieties, and how to read a wine label. This is the class for casual wine drinkers ready to take the next step into the exciting world of wine.
Date: Wednesday, March 10
Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Host: Jeff Carroll
Price: $49 per person
 
Developing Your Wine I.Q.
The best way to learn about wine is by drinking and drinking...and evaluating in a consistent manner.  Learning methods of wine evaluation can help you find out what style of wine you enjoy the most, and is the best way to understand how to pair wine with food. By comparing different styles you'll learn what you like and why. The tasting will help identify the differences (and similarities) between: Old World and New World wines; light and full body wines; and the influence of oak, tannins and acids. The class will also cover the proper handling, serving and storage of wine.  After this class, you'll know all sorts of intersting wine terms – what better way to show off your heightened wine I.Q. to your friends?
Dates:  Wednesdays, Feb 24 and March 24
Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Host: Jeff Carroll
Price: $49 per person
 
Introduction to Israeli Wines
You’ll be amazed at what’s been happening when you weren’t even looking…Israeli wine isn’t just for religious events any more.  Hear Mark Squires talk about the ins and outs of Israeli wine, its history and its present status – everything you need to know as a beginner or even a more advanced drinker.  Plus, you’ll taste five well-regarded Israeli wines, including top selections from established wineries Yatir, Recanati, Carmel and Domaine du Castel.
Dates:  Thursdays, March 11 and April 1
Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Host: Mark Squires
Price:  $75 per person

About The Instructors:

Marnie Old is one of the country’s highest profile sommeliers and is a breath of fresh air in the stuffy wine world.  Old hosts and co-produces Philly.com's "Philly Uncorked." Teaching is her passion; she has taught award-winning classes since 1997.

Mark Squires has been described in Newsweek as an “influential American wine critic.”   Squires is an authority and regularly writes about Israel, Portugal, Greece and other regions for Robert Parker’s “Wine Advocate" website.

Maria Valetta is host of the ‘The Philly Dish’ and author of the web blog SipsBitesandSites.com.  Valetta has studied wine extensively; her approach to wine appreciation is fun yet educational and her specialty is food and wine pairing.

Jeff Carroll is a Certified Specialist of Wine and has earned Intermediate and Advanced Certificates from the internationally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust. A former manager of a specialty wine store,  Carroll is currently writing a guide to the local wineries of the Philadelphia region.  
 
About PINOT Boutique

PINOT Boutique, located at 227 Market Street in the heart of Old City, is a wine lover’s playground, offering an array of wine accessories, specialty items and more.  From decanters to corkscrews, stemware to wine storage units, PINOT has established a reputation as the place to shop for just about anything wine-related.  Recently celebrating its third anniversary, PINOT Boutique has become a favorite location for local wine lovers as well as a tourist destination.  In 2008, PINOT was awarded "Best of Philly" for Best Specialty Shop by Philadelphia Magazine.  For more information, call (856) 495-1160 or visit www.PINOTboutique.com

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