Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy PR and WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, led 3 wine tastings - Abbey Wines, Pinot Noir from Germany and Burgundy, Rhône Valley - at the 2018 Annual Meetings of the American Wine Society. In addition, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening.
The tastings were sponsored by ombiasy WineTours and the wine producers whose wines were presented or their US importers.
The 2018 American Wine Society Annual Meetings took take place in Buffalo, New York State, from November 1 to 3, 2018.
More than 500 members from all over the USA came to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations.
Thursday was the day of wine judging. There were full-day courses for those who want to become a certified AWS Wine Judge. This is a 3-year program. Also, the Amateur and Commercial Wine Competitions took place on Thursday.
Friday and Saturday was filled with about 50 wine seminars, led by winery owners, wine educators, and renowned winemakers. The breakfasts, lunches, dinners and after-dinner gatherings provided ample opportunities to network with other AWS members.
There were two pre-conference trips, in which Annette and I did not participate.
Postings on schiller-wine
This is the first in a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2018 in Buffalo, New York State:
The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens
VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, with Annette and Christian Schiller
"Abbey Wines”: The Importance of the Monasteries for the Development of ViticultureGerman Wines in the 21st Century - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller
Burgundy Pinot Noir and German Pinot Noir: Differences and Similarities - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller
A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller
The American Wine Society
The American Wine Society was founded in 1967 as a non-profit, educational, consumer-oriented organization for those interested in learning more about all aspects of wine. On October 7, 1967, around 200 grape growers, home winemakers, and wine lovers gathered at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s vineyard on Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, NY for the AWS’ initial meeting.
In December of the same year, the thirteen charter members, led by Founder Dr. Konstantin Frank, met to determine the organization structure of AWS and elect officers. Now in its 49th year, the American Wine Society is the largest consumer based wine education organization in North America. Membership is open to anyone interested in wine and over 21 years of age.
In the early days, AWS members were located primarily in the eastern part of the country. As the society grew , we established chapters throughout the eastern U.S., then into the south and Midwest, and finally into western states. Today, the American Wine Society has over 5,000 members in 45 states and 120 chapters across the U.S.
Each November the Society hosts a three-day national conference with two full days of nearly 50 educational seminars to choose from. Winery owners, wine educators, and renowned wine makers are selected to present sessions during this national event. In addition, a program educating members to become AWS certified wine judges is conducted on the day preceding the seminars.
The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference
Thursday, November 1
7:00 am to 5:00 pm: Wine Judge Certification Programs Year 1 + 2 + 3
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm: Welcome "Tailgate" Reception
10:00 pm to 12:00 pm: Hospitality Suite
Friday, November 2
7:30 am to 8:45 pm: Sparkling Wine Breakfast
8:45 am to 6:00 pm: Exhibits
One of the about 15 booths was Annette Schiller's ombiasyPR & WineTours booth, where Annette presented her 2018 wine tours to Germany (East, South, North) and France (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhone).
9:00 am to 10:15 am 7 Morning Sessions (A)
“Abbey Wines”: The Importance of the Monasteries for the Development of Viticulture
Prsenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours
Without the work of monks and sisters, viticulture would not have developed the way it did and would not have become a part of fine living. Monasteries were always a center of intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge. They had huge holdings on farmland and vineyards - mostly gifts of rich aristocrats. The abbeys always were and still are self-sufficient and had to work in agriculture to sustain their living. Therefore, the monks not only focused on religious studies but also on studying better methods in farming and viticulture.
Annette presented the following wines:
01) 2015 Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Louis Latour, Burgundy, France
02) 2015 Bermatinger Spätburgunder, Markgraf von Baden, Bodensee, Baden, Germany
03) 2015 Riesling, Abtei Sankt Hildegard, Rheingau, Germany
04) 2016 Grüner Veltliner, Stift Klosterneuburg, Wachau, Austria
05) 2016 Saalhäuser Weisser Riesling, Kloster Pforta, Saale-Unstrut, Germany
06) 2017 Steinberger, Riesling, Spätlese, Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Gemany
See also: Annette Schiller Presented "Abbey Wines" at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), USA
11:00 am to 12:15 pm 7 Morning Sessions (B)
12:30 pm to 2:15 pm: Luncheon & Business Meeting
2:30 pm to 3:45 pm 7 Afternoon Sessions (C)
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm: Showcase of Wines
VDP - Wines of Germany Table (Annette and Christian Schiller)
Annette and Christian Schiller presented 6 German wines, 4 whites and 2 red wines. All wines were from VDP producers, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany:
10:00 pm to 12:00 pm: Hospitality Suite
Saturday, November 3
7:30 am to 8:45 pm: Breakfast and AWSEF Annual Meeting
8:45 am to 6:00 pm: Exhibits
9:00am to 10:15am 7 Morning Sessions (D)
Burgundy Pinot Noir and German Pinot Noir: Differences and Similarities
Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours
Germany is in the midst of a red wine revolution. Thirty years ago, red wine production amount to 10 percent of the wine produced, now it is almost 40 percent. Germany is now the third-largest producer world-wide of Pinot Noir. Burgundy and the German Pinot wine regions can look back on a long common history and both share a very similar soil profile. The Pinot Noir grape produces terroir-driven wines, and we will explore the similarities and differences of Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Germany.
Annette presented 6 wines:
01) 2014 Spätburgunder, Weingut Jülg, Schweigen, Pfalz
02) 2014 Pinot Noir, Savigny-Les-Beaune, Albert Bichot, Burgundy
03) 2012 Spätburgunder, Alte Reben, Weingut Bernhard Huber, Malterdingen, Baden, Germany
04) 2012 Pinot Noir, Beaune Grèves, Louis Jadot, Burgundy
05) 2015 Spätburgunder, Assmannshäuser Höllenberg, Crescentia, Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Germany
06) 2015 Pinot Noir, 1er Cru Les Porêts-Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Faiveley, Burgundy
11:00am to 12:15pm 7 Morning Sessions (E)
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm: Awards Luncheon
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm 7 Afternoon Sessions (F)
4:45 pm to 6:00 pm 7 Afternoon Sessions (G)
A Journey through the Rhône Valley
Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours
The Rhône Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in France and the second largest after Bordeaux. The Greeks introduced viticulture in the 4th century B.C. Since then, the world has discovered Rhône wines, and some of the most famous wines of the world come from the Rhône Valley. The vineyards are located on both sides of the river. The Rhône Valley is divided into two distinctively different regions: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. We will taste wines from both regions and explore the differences.
Annette presented 6 wines:
01) 2017 St.Cosme, IGP Vaucluse Les Deux Abions Blancs
02) 2017 Perrin, Côte du Rhône Reserve Blanc
03) 2014 Guigal, Côte du Rhône
04) 2015 Domaine Belle, Crozes-Hermitag, Les Pierelles
04) 2016 Domaine des Pasquiers, Côte du Rhône Village, Sablet
05) 2015 Bastide St. Vincent Vacqueyras
06) 2015 Château la Nerthe, Châteauneuf du Pape
See also:
Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History
Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône
7:30 pm to 10:00 pm: Grand Banquet
For the Grand Banquet, people also brought their own wines.
10:00 pm to 12:00 pm: Music, Dancing and Hospitality Suite
Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in California
The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens
The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller
The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA
The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery
Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist
Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2017 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania
The 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens
Showcase of Wines at the 2017 National Conference of the American Wine Society: Annette and Christian Schiller Present German/ VDP/ Loosen Bros. USA Wines
A Journey through the Vineyards of Alsace - A Tasting Seminar at the National Conference 2017 of the American Wine Society, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)
Burgundy: What makes it so Special? - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)
German Wines in the 21st Century - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)
schiller-wine: Related Postings
UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2018)
Ombiasy Wine Tours 2018: 3 x France and 3 x Germany - Ombiasy Newsletter December 2017
Chardonnay: Germany versus Chablis - Salon Tasting at Schiller's Home, USA
Annette Schiller Presented "Abbey Wines" at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), USA
Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Lunch, Tour of the Abbey, the Steinberg and the Steinbergkeller, with Tasting - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History
Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History
Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France
The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône