Gift Wines
We say it every year...wines are the easiest gift choice! No one has all the wines, old or new--NO ONE. $100 will allow you to give the wine enthusiasm 'starter pack' of good stemware, one decanter, and one nice bottle of wine. See what Jane has chosen as easy wine gifts for this season.

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NEW 2010 schedule into April. Download a schedule.

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Entertaining with Wine at the Holidays (8 seats remain)
Wednesday, December 9th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructor: Debbie Ruskin

Wine tastes better when shared. And there is no better time than to share good wines and good food with friends than during the warmth of the Holidays. Debbie Ruskin, aka "The Queen of Fluff", knows how to set the scene with the perfect wine, the perfect food, and ambience. Join us to pick up some excellent pointers! >>>> More Info

8 Wines Under $15 (NEW--4 seats remain)
Thursday, December 17th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructor: Michael Bryan

For wine lovers, the new "everynight wine" price has dropped from $20 to $15 for many of us in the slowed economy. No matter, there are tons of gems to be found at this price point. Join us and taste eight of them! >>>> More Info

Introduction to Wine, Level I (25% Booked)
Monday, January 11th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructors: Michael Bryan & others

Spiral-bound book & tasting guide, riveting interactive lectures, and six to twelve wines to taste per class. This course takes the wine curious and creates wine enthusiasts! >>>> More Info

For Beginners ONLY (50% Booked)
Wednesday, January 13th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructor: Michael Bryan

Sure you can drink it, but can you pair it? Can you speak it? Come to terms with it in a special tasting that helps you express yourself in the world of wines. Don't be left standing there holding the bottle--get more confidence and find more pleasure in every sip.

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Wines & Cheeses (50% Booked)
Wednesday, January 14th (AWS Wine Room in Roswell)
Instructor: Michael Bryan

Artisanal cheeses are no less labors of love than their wine counterparts. Location of pastureland, seasonality of milks, and aging all weigh heavily on the final taste experience. Join us for 8 pairings of wine & cheese. >>>> More Info

World of Reds--High End Edition (25% Booked)
Wednesday, January 20th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructors: P. Kelly Wheeler

World of Reds takes guests through eight (8) wines, all RED, spanning the globe. ALL WINES WILL BE AT LEAST $60/BOTTLE RETAIL. These classes are great for gaining familiarity with new wines, as well as understanding how wine styles and selections are impacted by region and climate. >>>> More Info

• How Times Have Changed--the French Host an American Wine Tasting!
  On March 24th, 2010, an American Wine Tasting will be held at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Paris, and although they already have quite a lot of California wineries who accepted to participate and pour their wines at the event, they are eager to accept entries from the other 46 states! How about that!
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• Go Undercover with a Michelin Guide Restaurant Inspector
  Conceived in France at the beginning of the last century, the Michelin guide today has editions in twenty-three countries and is one of the best-selling restaurant guides in the world. >> How it Works

Jane's Monthly Dozen: Gift Wines
by Jane Garvey

Gift wines ramble all over the budget parade. They may be modestly priced or hefty in cost. No matter, it's the spirit of the season that should direct our choices as we celebrate and toast our friends.

If the gift is for the boss, it would be well to know something about that person's wine tastes--starting with whether or not he or she drinks wine. It might seem brash to give a really expensive bottle of wine. Perhaps you don’t need that raise after all. On the other hand, if your favorite aunt (ahem) or uncle really enjoys wine, something expensive might be received with great delight. Provided the value for the dollar is there, it would be a fine way of acknowledging how much you regard this person. (Hope nephews and nieces are taking good notes out there.)

A gift of a box of well-chosen value selections for a young wine novice, a just-turned-21 student, for instance, who's on a budget could be very warmly received. This person would likely be pleased to know what the better less expensive wines might be. Equip a young man with a box full of well-priced charmers, and he could be the most popular guy for miles. No duds allowed.

In addition, the holiday season requires wines that we can use to entertain gatherings. Are you bringing wines to a large bash? Value choices are de rigueur then. But go beyond the norms, the expected and explore wines that may not be known to everyone at the event.

We've got a range of suggestions here, from $10 to approaching high double digits. All along that continuum, you’ll find wines to soothe the holiday spirit and satisfy the palate.