Monday, November 7, 2022

The 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens




Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy WineTours and member of the American Wine Society led 2 wine tastings at the 2022 National Conference of the American Wine Society: "The End of the Grosslage in Germany" and "Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine" 

In addition, together with Kirk Wille of Loosen Bros. USA, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening. 

The American Wine Society 2022 National Conference took place in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State between October 27, 2022 and October 29, 2022. 






More than 600 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.

All of the pictures in this posting are mine.  



Postings on schiller-wine

This is the first in a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State:

The American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State - Seen through Christian Schiller`s Camera Lens

The End of the Grosslage in Germany - Seminar at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine - Seminar at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Selfies - Annette and Christian Schiller at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State

German Wines at the American Wine Society: Tasting Premium German Wines from the Loosen Bros. USA Portfolio at the Showcase of Wines of the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, with Loosen Bros. USA General Manager Kirk Wille and Annette and Christian Schiller

Oysters and Washington State Wine: Back at Elliot Oyster House and at The Tasting Room in Seattle, Washington State, 2022

Meeting Gilles Nicault, Winemaker, Long Shadows, Washington State, at the National Conference of the American Wine Society (2022) and at Long Shadows (2011) 




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.













Pre-Conference

At previous conferences, Annette and I arrived a couple of days before the conference. This time, we arrived on Wednesday late in the evening. After checking in, we joined a group of friends who had arrived even earlier and were involved in the AWS 3-year wine judge program as well as in the amateur and commercial wine competitions.



The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, Otober 27-29th, 2022

Thursday, October 27th 

12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Registration Desk Open

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wine Judge Certifications

9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pre-Conference Winery Tours

8:00 am – 12:00 pm Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2* 

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3* 

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm “First-Timers” Orientation 

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Presidential Reception

The Presidential Reception was sponsored by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux - UGCB.




7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Welcome Reception 

The Welcome Reception was sponsored by the Washington Wine Commission and showcased wines from Washington State.
















10:00 pm – 12:00 am Hospitality Suite Open 

For Annette and me, the days alwaysy ended in the Hospitality Suite, where you could find all the left-over bottles of the day. 




Friday, October 28

7:30 am - 8:45 am Sparkling Wine Breakfast Sponsored by Treveri Cellars 







8:45 am – 6:00 pm Exhibits Open
 

One of the about 15 booths was Annette Schiller's ombiasyPR & WineTours booth, where Annette presented her 7 tours to Germany (East, South, North), Austria and France (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhone).

See here for Annette`s tours this year: Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29


8:45 am – 6:00 pm AWSEF Silent Auction Open 

8:30 am – 12:00 pm Wine Judge Certification Program Exam- Year 3 and Re-certification Only

9:00 am – 10:15 am Sessions A 

Session A-6: The End of the Grosslage Presented by Annette Schiller, with Kirk Wille of Loosen Bros. USA

Title: The End of the “Großlage”in Germany 

Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, ombiasy PR & Wine Tours 

Abstract: Did you ever complain about the difficulty to understand the label of a bottle of German wine? Those days are finally over since, on January 27, 2021, the German parliament passed a new German wine law. The most important point of the new wine law is that a new hierarchy to determine the quality of the wine was introduced. The emphasis shifted from the sugar level of grapes at point of harvest as quality measure to the wine’s geographic origin and how narrowly it is defined. This concept follows the “terroir” principle, well-known from the classification in Burgundy. 

Ernie Loosen`s Loosen Bros. USA import company sponsored the wines. Kirk Wille, General Manager of Loosen Bros. USA was present at the event.














11:00 am – 12:15 pm Sessions B 

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Luncheon & Business Meeting Sponsored by Browne Family Vineyards 







2:15 pm – 3:30 pm Sessions C

4:15 pm – 5:30 pm Sessions D

5:45 pm – 6:45 pm Amateur Wine Competition Awards

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Showcase of Wines 

Table 17: VDP - German Wines Sponsored by Loosen Bros. USA 

Annette and I had a table at the Showcase of Wines where we poured German premium wines. The wines were sponsored by Loosen Bros. USA. Kirk Will, the General Manager of Loosne Bros. USA brought 6 wines to the tasting.












Other Tables

The other tables were from all over the world, with a dozen or so winemakers from Woodinville, Washington State, covering the tables in the center of the hall.












10:00 pm – 12:00 am Hospitality Suite Open 






Saturday, October 29

7:30 am – 8:45 am Breakfast & AWSEF Annual Meeting 




8:45 am – 4:00 pm Exhibits Open 



9:00 am – 10:15 am Sessions E 

11:00 am – 12:15 pm Sessions F 

Session F-5: Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine 

Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, ombiasy PR & Wine Tours 

Abstract: Most wine regions have strict regulations with regard to acidity levels, residual sugar, alcohol levels, and in particular, desired tasting profiles of the finished wine. The resulting certification is without doubt a very important orientation instrument for the consumer. There are more and more wine artists around the globe who have the passion to create a wine in freedom, independent of agricultural industry aids and recommendations from a laboratory. During this seminar we will taste six wines from world-famous winemakers who produce wines with an unmistakable taste showcasing the importance and possibilities of rediscovered methods for people and the environment.

The wines were sponsored by ombiasy WineTours.














12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Awards Luncheon Sponsored by Lodi Wines








2:45 pm – 4:00 pm Sessions G 

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Now, you will be the Judge 

An introduction to rating wines.



7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Grand Banquet 

There were excellent wines on the table, but traditionally participants bring also a special bottle from their cellar to share with other participants. 

Annette and I brought a 1986 Weingut Kerpen, Riesling, Auslese, Magnum to the dinner. 



 





Allen Shoup of Long Shadows, Wahington State, was the Guest of Honour. But he could not attend and Gilles Nicault, who has served as director of winemaking and viticulture since Long Shadows' inception, represented him. 

We met Gilles a couple of years ago, when he showed us the winery and the wines. See: Visiting Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla, Washington State - Where Armin Diel’s Poet’s Leap Riesling is Made, USA

Long Shadows brings seven highly acclaimed vintners from the major wine regions of the world to Washington State, each an owner-partner in a unique winery dedicated to producing Columbia Valley wines that showcase the best of this growing region.

Founded in 2003, Long Shadows is the brainchild of Washington wine luminary Allen Shoup. As president and CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle and its affiliated wineries, Allen spent 20 years building the reputation of the growing region, in part by forging winemaking partnerships that brought Italy's Piero Antinori and Germany's Dr. Ernst Loosen to the Columbia Valley. 

After leaving Ste. Michelle in 2000, Allen's commitment to advancing the Columbia Valley remained undaunted. He spent the next three years developing Long Shadows, a proposition that was as simple as it was complex: recruit a cadre of the finest winemakers in the world; give each vintner access to Washington State's best grapes; and outfit a winery to accommodate a diverse group of winemakers' exacting cellar specifications.

With the vision in place, Allen began by introducing a dream team of celebrated vintners to the vines and wines of the growing region. The idea quickly sold itself; and from the beginning, the wines have enjoyed critical acclaim that has continued to grow, vintage after vintage. In addition to the wines, Long Shadows collectively has won numerous awards, including recognition as Food & Wine magazine's "Winery of the Year."
 





 
 
Annette and I were sitting at Table 4 with the incoming President, William Stefan from Virginia, and the incoming Vice-President, Eric Feldhake from New Jersey.
























10:00 pm – 12:00 am Music, Dancing and Hospitality Suite Open







Post-Conference

Annette and I stayed on for another day and visited Seattle. We went to the Pike market, had lunch at Elliot`s Oyster House, and an after-lunch drink at the Tasting Room.












Bye-bye

See You in St. Louis Next Year


Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Annette Schiller`s 3 Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey: Sparkling Wines, Austria, Bordeaux

All Sorts of Sparklers: How do the Bubbles get into that Bottle? - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

The Wines of Austria - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the  2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

Good Value Bordeaux Wines: Discover the Petits Châteaux - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the  2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City 

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2018 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in 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 Viticulture - 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

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)

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

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Upcoming: American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference on October 31 to November 3, 2019, at St. Pete Beach in Florida, with 2 Events by Annette Schiller on "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?", USA

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France vv


No comments:

Post a Comment