Happy almost Halloween, everyone! We are ending our tasting program year strongly with two great programs to carry us into the holiday season. First up is a return visit from an outstanding speaker, Daniel Hubbard, National Portfolio Manager for MS Walker National Sales. Since he last presented to us in 2016, 2 new estates have been added to the portfolio, which we will sample in addition to the ones poured last time. The estates and wines we will taste are:

The Melsheimer family boasts 5 generations of growing Riesling on the steep slopes of the Mosel. In 2013, the estate earned the Demeter certification as a fully biodynamic winery.

Melsheimer Reiler Mullay-Hofberg Riesling Sekt Brut 2015

A. Christmann is one of the most prestigious estates in the Pfalz, known for their dry wines.

A. Christmann Spatburgunder Pfalz 2014
A. Christmann Riesling Pfalz 2018
A. Christmann Riesling IDIG GG 2017

Founded in 1670, the estate has been solely owned and operated by the Clusserath family. The estate is currently managed by Ansgar and his daughter, Eva Clusserath-Wittmann.

Ansgar Clusserath Riesling Apotheke Spatlese Trocken 2016

The estate is located in Bodenheim, hear the famous Roter Hang. Ecological farming with biodynamic elements, natural yeast fermentation and large wooden casks are employed in the production ot their unique wines.

Kuhling-Gillot Quinterra Scheurebe trocken 2017

The latest addition to the portfolio, this renowned estate dates back to 1636, when it was named after the widow, Katharina Thanisch, and has been under female leadership ever since, and shares a portion of the famous Doktor vineyard.

Wwe. Dr. H Thanisch Riesling Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2016
Wwe. Dr. H Thanisch Riesling Bernkasteler Doktor Spatlese 2016

Please join us to welcome David back for what is sure to be a fantastic evening.

DATE: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Caffe Aldo Lamberti
2011 Route 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
856-663-1747

PRICE: Couple Members and Single Members with one guest, $45.00 per person; Non-members and additional guests,
$52.50 per person.
RESERVATIONS: By e-mail to bsheligo@germanwinesociety.org  or call 856-228-7330 and leave a message by Friday, November 15th. While it is possible to check space availability after November15th, we cannot guarantee that space will be available. Please let us know of your intention to attend at your earliest convenience. Payment at the door by cash or check payable to German Wine Society is acceptable, but you MUST reserve in advance – no walk-ins. Please make your reservation today to avoid disappointment.

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, December 10, 2019 – a return visit by Michael Lykins from Michael Skurnik Wine sampling the portfolio of Terry Theise.

DIRECTIONS:

From Philadelphia and points West, take the Ben Franklin Bridge , and exit from one of the two left lanes. Follow signs to
Routes 30 – 130; stay in one of the two left lanes. Two miles East of the Bridge, the highway divides at the top of a ramp. Bear left, towards Routes 38 & 70. At the bottom of the ramp, move over one (or two) lanes to your right, to stay on Route 70 East. Go straight for three miles; 1/4 mile before you come to the restaurant, you will see a sign for Grove Street . Lamberti’s is on your right on Route 70 at the Grove Street turn. (Traffic is normally light on 70 East from the Bridge to Grove St. , and the normal ride is 7 minutes.)

From NJ or points South, take Route 295 North to Route 561, Haddonfield/Gibbsboro, and turn left towards Haddonfield.
Follow 561 until it ends, at the former Kress Liquors. The road will fork to your left; stay in the right lane and bear left onto Potter Street . Follow Potter to the light at Kings Highway , then jog across onto Grove Street . Stay on Grove Street through Haddonfield, and across the bridge over Cooper River . As you are approaching the intersection of Grove Street and Route 70, right before 70 you will see a sign on your left for Commerce Bank. Turn left into the bank parking lot, and continue straight past the bank into the back parking lot at Lamberti’s .

Beth Sheligo Chapter Chairperson

All Society members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication and therefore Society members and their guests are expected to drink in moderation at Society events. We suggest those attending either utilize designated drivers or other modes of transit where available, or mostly taste rather than consume alcohol when such drivers or alternative means of transportation are not available.

Happy fall, everyone! Our first program of the season will feature the German wine portfolio of Bonhomie Wine Imports, led by our New Jersey sales representative, Eva Zorad. Information on the wines to be tasted and the estates appears below:

Eva Fricke, former vineyard and operations manager for Rheingau superstar Johannes Leitz, began her own independent vineyard project in 2006. In 2008, she moved to Kiedrich, where her cellar is located. She currently works 3.2 hectares in Lorch, Lorchhausen and Kiedrich.  In 2013, she was named “Newcomer of the Year” at the Falstaff Deutchland Wine Trophies. We will taste:

Rheingau Riesling 2018
Kiedrich Riesling 2017
Riesling “Whisperwind” 2017
Riesling “Mellifluous” 2017

From the Pfalz, from the southern most village of Schweigen, Johannes Julg continues a tradition of growing with respect for nature. Soils are complex, and there is great diversity to the site. From this winery, we will taste:

Spatburgunder Trocken 2016
Muskateller 2017

Our second Pfalz producer is Weingut Stefan Meyer. Vineyard practices are organic, yields are low, and harvest is by hand. We will taste:

Kerner Kabinett 2017

<>Spayer-Veit in the Mosel is near the Village of Piesport, one of the top growing sites of the Mosel. All the wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks before spending a short time in the traditional Fuder before bottling. We will taste:

Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett ‘Armes’ 2016

<> Please join us for this exciting program!

DATE: Thursday, September 19, 2019
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Caffe Aldo Lamberti
2011 Route 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
856-663-1747
PRICE: Couple Members and Single Members with one guest, $45.00 per person; Non-members and additional guests,
$52.50 per person.
RESERVATIONS: By e-mail to bsheligo@germanwinesociety.org  or call 856-228-7330 and leave a message by Sunday, September 15th. While it is possible to check space availability after September 15th, we cannot guarantee that space will be available. Please let us know of your intention to attend at your earliest convenience. Payment at the door by cash or check payable to German Wine Society is acceptable, but you MUST reserve in advance – no walk-ins. Please make your reservation today to avoid disappointment.

DIRECTIONS:

From Philadelphia and points West, take the Ben Franklin Bridge , and exit from one of the two left lanes. Follow signs to
Routes 30 – 130; stay in one of the two left lanes. Two miles East of the Bridge, the highway divides at the top of a ramp. Bear left, towards Routes 38 & 70. At the bottom of the ramp, move over one (or two) lanes to your right, to stay on Route 70 East. Go straight for three miles; 1/4 mile before you come to the restaurant, you will see a sign for Grove Street . Lamberti’s is on your right on Route 70 at the Grove Street turn. (Traffic is normally light on 70 East from the Bridge to Grove St. , and the normal ride is 7 minutes.)

From NJ or points South, take Route 295 North to Route 561, Haddonfield/Gibbsboro, and turn left towards Haddonfield.
Follow 561 until it ends, at Kress Liquors. The road will fork to your left; stay in the right lane and bear left onto Potter Street .
Follow Potter to the light at Kings Highway , then jog across onto Grove Street . Stay on Grove Street through Haddonfield, and across the bridge over Cooper River . As you are approaching the intersection of Grove Street and Route 70, right before 70 you will see a sign on your left for Commerce Bank. Turn left into the bank parking lot, and continue straight past the bank into the back parking lot at Lamberti’s .

Beth Sheligo Chapter Chairperson

All Society members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication and therefore Society members and their guests are expected to drink in moderation at Society events. We suggest those attending either utilize designated drivers or other modes of transit where available, or mostly taste rather than consume alcohol when such drivers or alternative means of transportation are not available.

Our next event is our much anticipated, annual food and wine dinner conceived, designed and executed by chapter member, chef extraordinare Tony “Global Winechef” Lawrence, the owner of A CHEF FOR YOU, LLC, based in Philadelphia, Pa., a lifestyle wine and food public relations and consulting company. Tony also works globally as a food and wine pairing specialist/event planner with major wineries, importers, distributors and fine wine shops. For over thirty years, he has been trained as a chef, sommelier, a certified wine judge, freelance writer, lecturer, and food and wine educator.

Tony started to develop his skills at twelve years of age in the restaurants and the vineyards of Maryland. His formal culinary training began in vocational school, then summers in Germany, learning the foods and wines of Europe. He has a BS degree in Hotel, Restaurant Management from Widener University in Pennsylvania and is a Pro-chef CIA graduate from Greystone in Napa, CA. Tony is a serious wine collector with a three thousand+ -bottle cellar, he is all about the wine as well as the food.

Our theme this year is Finger Lakes Riesling, represented by the iconic Hermann J. Wiemer estate comprised of 80 acres on the western slopes of Lake Seneca. In July, 2017, the owners purchased Standing Stone Vineyards, on the eastern shore of Lake Seneca. The result is a great synergy that reflects the best of Lake Seneca.While chef is still tweaking the final menu, his ideas thus far as well as his selected wine pairings appear below. If anyone has any food allergies, please let me know in your response so that I may inform the chef. This is always one of our most popular events of the year. You are encouraged to make reservations at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Tony’s Summer Dual Pairings Finger Lakes Wine Dinner

HJW Rose Brut Pinot Noir Methode Champenoise 2014
Standing Stone Saperavi Dry Rose Direct Press 2018

Fresh Burrata on a bed of Wilted Spinach & Gazpacho dressing topped with pink sea salt

HJW Gruner Veltliner 2017
HJW Field Blend White (Gruner Veltliner, Riesling Chardonnay) 2018

Mexican Seafood Ceviche topped with marinated Artichoke White Peach Salsa on a fresh Lime sea salt corn chip

HJW dry Gewurztraminer 2017
Standing Stone Select Reserve Gewurztraminer 2017

Thai Green Papaya Salad

HJW Riesling Reserve 3 Sites Select 2016
HJW Riesling Single Vineyard Old Block 2017

Braised Moroccan Boneless Beef Short Rib with dried apricot tapenade
Jasmine Rice Vegetable Medley, lemongrass curry ginger sauce

HJW Noble Select Riesling Magdalena Vineyard 2015
Standing Stone Ice Riesling 2017

Dessert Tasting Plate: Cambozola, Key Lime Parfait, Candied Peach, Pate topped with lemon cured goat cheese

DATE: Wednesday, August 21, 2019
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Lawrence Residence
239 East High Street
Germantown, PA 19144 (For GPS, the city is Philadelphia)

COST: Couple members; single members; and one guest of a single member, $85.00 per person; non-members and additional guests of single or couple members, $95.00 per person.

RESERVATIONS: Via e-mail to bsheligo@germanwinesociety.org, or call and leave a message at 856-228-7330 by Friday, August 16th. You may pay by check payable to the German Wine Society or in cash at the door, but you MUST reserve in advance – no walk-ins. You may check for space availability at any time, but we cannot guarantee space will be available after the cutoff date. Please let me know of any food allergies or intolerance’s when you place your reservation, so that I may share them with chef, who will accommodate you.

DIRECTIONS: From Center City Philadelphia – Take Route 76 to Lincoln Drive North (only direction you can go for it starts there) Make a right at the first light which is Rittenhouse Street. Rittenhouse becomes a one way street at Wayne Ave. Make a left at Wayne Ave then a right at Harvey St. (the first light that you come to after turning onto Wayne). Harvey will take you all the way to Germantown Ave. (Germantown High School will be directly in front of you). Make a dog leg turn (short left then right) onto High Street (High Street runs between First United Methodist Church on the left and Germantown High on the right). The house is in the second block of High Street, on the left (across from the High Street Church of God). Tony’s address is 239 East High St (several houses down on the left).

If you get lost on the way, call 856-952-2144 for assistance, and be sure to leave a return number if you are forwarded to voicemail. I look forward to seeing you for a wonderful summer evening of creative food preparation and wine pairings.

Beth Sheligo
Chapter Chairperson

All society members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication, and therefore, Society members and their guests are expected to drink in moderation at Society events. It is advisable to provide designated drivers or other modes of transit where available, or mostly to taste rather than consume alcohol when such drivers or alternative means of transportation are not available.

(An email from Barry P. Boothe, President, San Francisco Chapter, German Wine Society)

Just in case any members of the Capital Chapter of the German Wine Society are in the San Francisco area on July 27, 2019, I hope you will pass on this Email to your members.  Members of the Capital Chapter are generally considered Members for San Francisco Chapter Events and would pay the per person Member price to attend.

We have now settled on the impressive collection of wines we will be having at the San Francisco Chapter of the German Wine Society Saturday, July 27, 2019, Guided Tasting Event in the Artists Gallery in Building A at Fort Mason in San Francisco.  The guided tasting will be conducted by Dade Thieriot and Marion Groetschel of Dee Vine Wines.

This event is heavily subsidized and will feature Sekt wine during the reception followed by four flights of three wines in each flight.  Each of the four flights will feature wines from three of the most important wine regions in Germany – Mosel, Rheingau, and Nahe.

The first flight will feature three Trocken (dry) wines 

The second flight will feature three Kabinett wines

The third flight will feature three Spätlese wines

The fourth flight will feature three sweet style wines including an Auslese, a Beerenauslese, and an Eiswein.

We will also have our usual buffet spread of enough food to make a full meal, including desser.

==========================

(Formal Announcement)
We are pleased to announce that the San Francisco Chapter of the German Wine Society will be conducting a Special Guided Tasting event on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

This Special Guided Tasting will feature four flights of three wines each with Prädikat levels ranging from relatively dry to relatively sweet.  To guide the tasting, we are privileged to have Dade Thieriot and Marion Groetschel (who selected the wines) of Dee Vine Wines discuss the wines we are having in each flight.  Dade and Marion both have extensive experience, having tasted several thousand German wines.

Time:  Reception with Sekt wine at 7:00 p.m.; guided tasting 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Where:  Building A at Fort Mason – SF MOMA Artist Gallery

Cost:  $59 per person for members and one guest and first time guests who RSVP by July 19 with payment to the Treasurer by July 23.  Reservations made after July 19 (but in no case later than July 22) will be $69 per person with payment to the Treasurer by July 25 for those parties.  Reservations for all others will be $69 per person if received by July 19 (payment due by July 23) and $79 per person for RSVP’s after July 19, but in no case later than July 22, (payment due by July 25).  Note: We have a limited number of places for this Special Guided Tasting so reservations will be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis.

Food:  There will be enough delectable food, including dessert, to make a full meal.

Please send a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response to

Barry Boothe by the initial deadline of July 19. 

Barry‘s email (preferred):  barrypboothe@aol.com  

Phone: 415-346-5934

To confirm your attendance, send a check made payable to the German Wine Society – SF to our Treasurer: Harris Holzberg –

24 Hawthorne Lane, Corte Madera, CA  94925

Checks must be received by the dates noted above.

So act now to reserve your place and bring along any prospective members…it will be a good occasion to introduce them to the German Wine Society.

Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies

All Society members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication and therefore Society members and their guests are expected to drink in moderation at Society events. We suggest those attending either utilize designated drivers or other modes of transit where available, or mostly taste rather than consume alcohol when such drivers or alternative means of transportation are not available.          

Barry Boothe, President and Cellarmaster– barrypboothe@aol.com     Harris Holzberg, Treasurer  –  coachharris1@comcast.net    Henry Kim, Event Organizer – henrykimm@yahoo.com  Carlos Lopez, Assistant Cellarmaster and Website Organizer  –  carlos.alfonzo@gmail.com

—————————

Directions:

From East Bay

Bay Bridge to Fremont Street Exit; on Fremont (100 yards north) take first right on Howard; left on Embarcadero & go 2 miles; left on Bay, about 2 miles, right on Buchanan. Cross Marina Blvd. & sharp right into Fort Mason Center.

From North Bay

Golden Gate Bridge (US 101) to Marina Exit; go 1.5 miles.  Turn left at Buchanan & turn right into Fort Mason Center.

From Peninsula/South Bay

US 101 North to 9th St. Exit; 9th across Market & left on Hayes; right on Franklin; about 2 miles. Turn left on Bay St, right on Buchanan. Cross Marina Blvd. & sharp right into Fort Mason Center.

Parking

There is ample pay parking ($10 for three hours) in the area around Buildings A, B, and C.  Previously, parking in the area just prior to reaching the Gatehouse was free, but now that area is also pay parking.

Public Transportation Information

Bay Area-Wide: www.511.org or call 817-1717 or 511 from any area code
East Bay BART: www.bart.gov (510) 465-2278
North Bay Golden Gate Transit: 
www.goldengate.org (415) 455-2000
Peninsula/South Bay CalTrain: 
www.caltrain.com (800) 660-4287
San Francisco MUNI: 
www.sfmuni.com (415) 673-6864

For additional information go to the Fort Mason website – https://www.fortmason.org

German Wine Society Members and Friends, our next event will be one that you do not want to miss. We will be hosting representatives of 10 wineries from the German/Austrian portfolio of Terry Theise Estate Selections in an unprecedented opportunity for you to sample wines from the 2018 vintage before they are offered for sale, and to meet wine makers and estate representatives to whom you can direct questions you may have in a one-on-one conversation. We have had to change our regular time and location to accommodate the schedule of the producers, but wanted to make every effort to allow as many of you as possible access to these wines and the people pouring them.

Our format for this event will be “walk-around,” meaning each producer will be standing behind a table with the wines they are pouring. You will arrive and take a glass, then make your way around the room from table to table, in whatever order you like. There will be a total of 40 wines for you to choose among to sample, all from the top estates in their respective regions. The estates and producers are:

  Terry Theise’s 2018 vintage report comments

E & M Berger – Erich Berger (Kremstal, Austria)   “Best liter bottles”
Donnhoff – Sasha Schomel (Nahe, Germany) “Wine of the vintage” (Germany)
L. Hiedler – Ludwig Hiedler, Jr. (Kamptal, Austria) “Winery of the vintage” (Austria)
Kunstler – Enrico Saam (Rheingau, Germany)   “A top 3 wine of the vintage”
Loewen – Christopher Loewen (Mosel, Germany)
Ott – Patrick Laister (Wagram, Austria)    “A top 3 wine of the vintage”
Setzer – Hans Setzer (Weinviertel, Austria)
Spreitzer – Andreas Spreitzer (Rheingau, Germany)
Strub – Sebastian Strub (Rheinhessen, Germany)   “Greatest values of the vintage”
von Winning – Andreas Huetwhohl (Pfalz, Germany) “A top 3 wine of the vintage”