NYSHWC Committee News

	New York State Home Wine Committee of the American Wine Society
Home Committee News Seminar How to Make Wine Links Contact Us	Seminar: I am sure that most of you have noticed that we have increased the cost of the seminar, again. There are a few reasons for that. Our speakers have said that similar seminars cost much more. They reguarly state that we a putting on a $200 seminar for much less, and we agree. Ok, we are upping it to $20, or 10% of what it should be. Another reason is that we need to do some capital improvements. That is buy a digital projector, so we don't have to rent one for $100 everytime, and glasses for tasting, so we don't buy and throw out all of those, as Peter Bell calls them, pee cups. It would be much better if we could appraise the various wines that our speakers bring in INAO glasses instead of the afore mentioned cups. It would be greener too, less waste. The projector purchase would make it easier on the committee to just have one, and not have to worry about getting it and hoping it works. Eventually it would be easier on the budget as well. Sorry to have to up the cost, but you are going to get the benefit from it. We have chosen a date for next year's seminar (2009) and are starting to line up speakers. If there is a subject that you want covered, then let us know. NOW! Please use the "Contact Us" page for that. Remember that you can thank the winery and winemaker for volunteering their time and wine by buying their wine. I am sure that it is much appreciated. Further, it can help your choose a wine style for the wine you make. Vintage: Ok, here is one of my pet peeves. By definition the vintage of a wine is the year in which the fruit, generally grapes, is HARVESTED. Not the year you bottle or make the wine. If you are making it from a kit, and the vintage is not stated on the packaging or the wine is a blend of vintages, then it is a non-vintage wine. That is not a fault or problem, in any competition, but just say so. Stated N/V. Don't use the year you fill out the competition entry form, either. Yes, I know that is not what one likes to put on your wine label. I find it hard to believe that one makes a wine from fruit that has not been harvested yet. That means no 2009 Merlots at the 2009 competition. OK? E-Mail Addresses: Remember we do NOT spam, nor do we sell your e-mail address to spammers. We will send you reminders about the seminar. That should be not be more than once a month and at least twice a year. If you have any questions, then please send an e-mail to webmaster@nys-homewine.info.