@Jean P Froehly, Minister, Head of Economic and Financials Affairs, German Embassy Washington, on his linked-in page:
Wine plays a significant
role in the German heritage within the USA, serving as a cultural bond
that connects us across the Atlantic. This tradition highlights the
historical and cultural intertwining of our peoples and demonstrates how
these connections endure over time.
We
extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the German Wine Societies
in the USA. A special thank you goes to the great D.C. Capital chapter
leadership Carl Willner and his wife Nina, along with Annette Schiller and Christian Schiller for their outstanding contributions.
The 2025 Holiday Dinner of the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) took place at the prestigious Cosmos Club in Washington DC. The event was sold out.
We enjoyed a 3-course dinner with 8 German and 2 Finger Lakes wines.
Annette and I received the German Wine Society Silver Medallion for superior knowledge of German Wine and joint the exclusive group of I believe 10 German wine lovers in the USA who have received the Silver or Gold Medallion so far.
Jean P Froehly, Minister, Head of Economic and Financials Affairs, who attended with his wife Dr. Justina Budginaite-Froehly, represented the German Embassy in the USA and delivered remarks.
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GWS Silver Medallion (German Wine Society Web Site)
Many German Wine Society members have our bronze medallions with the ribbons in the colors of the German flag, which any member is entitled to obtain and is worn for festive Society events. But sometimes you can also see longtime members wearing gold or silver medallions on their ribbons as well. These medallion colors signify the three classes of German Wine Society membership, as described in our Articles of Incorporation.
The Gold Medallion is available only to graduates of the German Wine Academy, which required travel to Germany for courses that were once offered at the Academy in English.
But the Silver Medallion is not so difficult to obtain. Under the Articles of Incorporation, it is available to “persons who have considerable knowledge of German wines, based on study and/or professional exposure (but who are not graduates of the German Wine Academy).” Any Bronze Medallion holders “can progress to the class of Silver Medallion members upon proof of their advanced knowledge of German wines through tastings and/or other examination conducted by Gold Medallion members.” The German Wine Society still has a limited supply of Silver Medallions available, but our examination for those interested in qualifying for this medallion had been long out of date, with some versions even predating German reunification.
It is time to once again give our members an opportunity to demonstrate their German wine knowledge, and so National Board members Carl Willner and Christian Schiller have collaborated to bring the Silver Medallion examination fully up to date for German wine in the 21st Century, and it has been approved by National President Beth Sheligo, a Gold Medallion holder. The Silver Medallion examination is a written test, which must be taken under the in-person supervision of an officer of any GWS chapter or a National Board member without use of the Internet or other materials during the exam, and is then sent to be graded by those members of the National Board familiar with the exam’s answers. President Beth Sheligo will give final approval to all successful candidates, satisfying the requirement in the Articles for examination by Gold Medallion members. Those interested in taking the examination can request to do so through a chapter officer (or, for at-large members, directly to any National Board member). Examination forms will not be returned, but the taker of the examination will be advised of the score obtained, and if successful, presented with the Silver Medallion.
It is strongly recommended that members not attempt to take the examination “cold” as it is challenging. Rather, to prepare for the test, members should familiarize themselves with current information about the GWS, German wines, wine grapes and regions, and the current German wine law, making use of the National website, and the Wines of Germany and VDP websites as well (links to these are available on the National website), as well as other up-to-date sources on German wines and their own wine experience from attending numerous GWS events. Be cautious about using any older sources to prepare, as much has changed in the world of German wines with the new Wine Law of 2021. Those who are unsuccessful with the exam and want to try again must wait at least a year before doing so. We encourage experienced members to demonstrate their wine knowledge, and look forward to welcoming more Silver Medallion members to the German Wine Society!
See: Annette and Christian Schiller Awarded German Wine Society Silver Medallion for their Superior Knowledge of German Wine (USA, Washington DC, December 12, 2025)
Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings
Summary: Loire 2024 - Châteaux and Wine - by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller
Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours
Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)
Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023
Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List
2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA
Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France
Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller
schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)
2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller
Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024
The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Shifting from the Sugar Level at Harvest to the Wine's Geographic Origin
Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024)
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