Added: 09/10/2005 |
Learn Everything About Wine With American Wine SocietyThe American Wine Society is a non-profit educational organization for people interested in learning more about all aspects and features of wine.
This consumer-oriented Society was organized in 1967, when America was rapidly developing its viticulture after the end of the Prohibition period. A group of some two hundred wine enthusiasts gathered then at Dr. Konstantin Frank's vineyard on Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, NY for the AWS' initial meeting. The American vineyards continued to expand very rapidly, and founders defined the appreciation of domestic wines and the production of wine by home winemakers as major purposes of the Society.
Today, the organization's focus is much broader. At present the Society has grown into a nation-wide organization of amateur grape growers, winemakers, and wine appreciators interested in learning more about the history, production, appreciation, and use of wines. The membership of the Society multiplied from the 200 to nearly 5,000.
There are more than 110 American Wine Society Chapters operating across the country. A chapter is a local community group of American Wine Society members that sponsor special programs, usually monthly, with a theme and educational courses integrated with wine tasting. Guests are welcome and novices have nothing to fear.
Chapters are self-supporting, so expect a nominal charge to attend a tasting, dinner, etc. Some chapters charge a yearly due, around $5 to $15, to cover mailing expenses. National dues must be paid before being eligible to join a local chapter. Chapter sizes vary from 10 to as many as 200 members.
Typical Chapter Events usually include different wine tastings (by countries, vertical tastings: e.g., Ravenswood Merlot 1990 to 1995, and other), wine cruises, amateur wine competitions, and many more educational themes. One can learn to pair food and wine, learn more about basic wine components and aromas.
If one would like to be a member of The Society, but a local chapter does not exist in their area, the American Wine Society will be glad to assist them in forming a chapter. American Wine Society furnishes an invaluable chapter manual, suggests meeting topics, and access to speakers, and reference material. Meetings can be formal or informal and held in members' homes or in other settings (e.g., restaurants, halls, and wineries).
The American Wine Society also publishes unique special bulletins and manuals for grape growers, winemakers, and wine appreciators. All members receive all AWS publications without additional charge.
Each year the Society hosts a three-day conference at which an amateur and commercial wine competition is held along with 2 days of educational seminars.
The American Wine Society sponsors trips to some of the finest winegrowing regions in the country. AWS members traveled to Oregon and Santa Barbara, CA, for 3 days of celebration and education, hosted by the areas' premier winemakers, grape growers, and chefs.
On the AWS official web-site one can find exhaustive information about wine education, wine appreciation, AWS chapter and membership information, wine competition results, or links to wine industry information.
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