Wine Appreciation Course

Wine Appreciation Course

Now in our 34rd year.   67th Semester.                            

         
        ill           larkBill Clark
                                       

  • Located in Yardley, Bucks County, PA.
  • I have instructed over 2,750 students, sampled over 25,000 wines and toured over 260 wineries and vineyards in 13 countries.
  • After teaching the wine class for 30 years for Neshaminy Adult Education, Inc., they have gone out of business. The class however has continued, at a new location with a few changes. I am pleased to announce that the class is now in it's fourth year, with the Pennsbury Community School presented by the Pennsbury School District.
  • Nine week course, (Plus Optional Champagne Party) covering winemaking, label language; a mastery of the presentation and serving of wines; and judging for appearance, aroma, bouquet and taste. The class will learn how to choose and store wines. New this semester, more emphasis on food and wine pairing. Also decanting wines, Port tongs, Vintage Port and of course more Sabrage.
  • The class will be tasting wines from the major wine areas of France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and USA. (Wines to change every semester.) Blind tastings and much more.

                                    (My You Tube interview on the PLCB 18%, Johnstown Flood Tax)

                                                      My interview with Kate Fratti, in the Bucks County Courier Times.

                                         

  • The Easy way to Register for Spring 2010 semester.    
  • Go to the registration website. Then just log in. Enrollment now Open.  
  • You may pay on line with: or mail in a check.
  • To register for other Pennsbury courses, go here, then click on Community School Registration.

        * For more information contact Pennsbury Community School or myself at:

  • Spring, 2010, registration now open.
  • You MUST be 21 years of age to attend wine course and provide ID if requested.
  • Spring semester classes begin on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010
  • Register on the First Night of Class, only with the instructors permission. - IF THE CLASS HAS NOT BEEN FILLED
  • Bring a (clear) wine glass starting the first night.
  • Classes are from 8pm to 10pm.
  • Approx. Cost $85 administrative fee, plus $85 materials fee.
  • Checks for the administrative fee made out to: Pennsbury Community School, checks for materials fee made out to: Bill Clark.
  • Fee must accompany registration. Registrations will be accepted in the order received on a first come, first served basis.
  • No receipts are mailed. You are automatically enrolled unless you are notified otherwise.
  • Fees are non-refundable and applicable to the current semester only.
  • Guests may be permitted only with prior permission and after guest fee has been paid. Guest fees are not refundable.
  • Students must bring wine glasses with them to all classes.
  • Please silence cell phones during class. Take your calls and your texting outside.
  • No soliciting in class or outside of building.
  • Unfortunately, starting this semester we will be responsible for setting up, breaking down and storing chairs and tables.
  • I would appreciate all the help we can get.
  • All students will receive several corkscrews, confiscated by the "TSA" at an airport.
  • All new wine related prizes, to be awarded to students. Preview Prizes for Fall 2010.
  • Location.
  • All classes will be held at the "Yardley/Makefield Fire Company", Woodside Company, 664 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA 19067. (Stony Hill Rd. & Heacock Rd. - across from McCaffrey's Supermarket)   See Yahoo Map for location and directions.

  • Spring 2010 Schedule: Feb.24th, March 3rd, (bye week,) 17th, 24th, April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. Champagne Night - May 5th.

                        Course Syllabus for Spring 2010

  • 1st Night - Introduction, explain and collect materials fee, Wine and tasting terminology.
  • 1st Night - The wines of Loire Valley Featuring a 27 yr. old Botrytis Chenin Blanc dessert wine. Valued at $125.
  • 2nd Night - The Wines of Bordeaux -
  • 3rd Night - The Wines of the Rhone
  • 4th Night - The Wines of Spain and Portugal (Demonstration of the use of Port Tongs + Decanting Wines) Example on You Tube.
  • 5th Night - The Wines of Italy -
  • 6th Night - The Wines of South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay)
  • 7th Night - The Wines of Australia and New Zealand
  • 8th Night - The Wines of California & Northwest - Special Wine 1985 Groth (Napa), value $280.
  • 9th Night - Blind Tasting (All wines tasted in earlier classes. Now tasted blind.)First time ever. All white wines.
  • 10th Night - Optional Champagne Tasting - Once again, we will feature "Sabrage".   The art of sabering on You Tube.

  • CLASS MEMBERS - E-Mail me anytime with your wine questions. I will try to respond ASAP.

  • Wines for the semester are now listed here. (Will list as I purchase.)

  • Pictures of the wines are here.

    Don't miss Upcoming Events.

    See Tasting Archives To review past class tasting notes.   Plus tasting notes from the past twelve semesters.

    For Vintage Charts, Wine Laws, Wine Maps, Wine Magazines and other useful wine information.

    Please e-mail me if any of these links are down.

    Wine class history. In the past our classes have been held at: Carl Sandburg Middle School, Parkland Fire house, Bolton Mansion, Hulmeville Fire House, Langhorne American Legion, Wild Violets Tea Garden Cafe and finally Yardley Makefield Fire Company.

    To see a new wine class tradition, click the icon.

  • Get the latest Google Wine News
  • Check out The Internet Wine Guide.
  • Check out the latest wine videos on Wine Taste TV.
  • Also The Winery Channel TV.
  • Test your wine knowledge with these short quizzes.
  • How to taste wine Page.
  • Wine Tasting Sheet
  • Some interesting wine facts and quotes here.

  • Yes you can get wine shipped to your house. Read the 2005 Supreme Court Ruling.

  • Free The Grapes is a national, grassroots coalition of consumers, wineries and retailers who seek to remove restrictions in states that still prohibit consumers from purchasing wines directly from wineries and retailers.
  • Protect Place is a group trying to keep place names like "Napa" and "Champagne" from being missused and protecting consumers. In recent months the "TTB" has implemented policies that protect brand interests over those of wine regions or, more importantly consumers.

                                                                                      Class Pictures Below

    Fall '04     Fall '05     Spring '06     Fall '06     Spring '07     Fall '07       Spring '08     Fall '08     Spring'09   Fall '09

  • 2010 Preview of the great spanish wine tasting.
  • 2009 Barolo Tasting.
  • 2009 Dry Creek, Mini Tasting
  • 2009 Bastille Day Celebration
  • 2009 A Blind Pinot Noir Tasting
  • 2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tasting
  • 2009 Red Carpet Dinner
  • 2009 (2003) Bordeaux Horizontal Tasting
  • 2008 (1997) Italian Horizontal Tasting                 2010 Mexican Riviera & Temecula Tour
  • 2008 Bastille Day Celebration                               2009 Eastern Mediterranean Tour   Large may take time loading.
  • 2008 Turley Wine Cellars Tasting.                       2008, Sideways Wine Tour , Santa Barbara
  • 2008, Oldies Great Cab. Sauv. Tasting                 2007,Spain & Portugal Tour Large, may take time loading.
  • 2007, Dehlinger Vertical Tasting                         2006 winetour in France.
  • 2007,Bastille Day Celebration                             2005 winetour in California.
  • 2007,Burgess Vertical Cab. Tasting                     2005 winetour in Avellino, Campania Italy.
  • 2006 Bastille Day Celebration
  • 2003Steltzner "Melchoir" Tasting.
  • 2001Sterling Vineyards, Vertical Tasting

    Wine Shopping? Try Total Wine Cherry Hill, NJ Save the sales tax. Total Wine Claymont, DE

  • It's still not to late to buy your 2008 Bordeaux Futures.
  • ShopRite Liquors, 3161 Quakerbridge Rd., Mercerville, NJ Laurenti Wines
  • Glendale Liquors, 4040 Quakerbridge Rd., A good stop for value but no website.
  • Also this company ships to PA Select Wines LLC, of NY
  • I have dealt with Hooked on Wine for years. Wine shipped right to your door.
  • This California company has reasonable prices and ships to PA Brix 26
  • And here Wine Express
  • Good prices but Wine Library, located in Springfield, only delivers to N.J..
  • If you feel you really must. PLCB's Chairmans Selection
  • For gourmet domestic and imported wines, shipped to your door, check out Bounty Hunter.
  • Our Class is now listed on The Wine Hub.(Takes time to load, scroll down.)
  • Need some cheese to go with that wine? The best in the Italian market or delivered at home. DiBruno Bros.
  • To check the current price of a wine, try the Wine-Searcher logo.
  • Looking for a BYO restaurant?
  • A spinoff of our Wine class is the Bucks County Dining Club. Click on history, etc.. (A closed club - not taking new members.)
  • For everything else.

  • This pages Web Counter count says you are visitor number
  • For all your homebrewing and winemaking supplies, visit my friend Jason's homepage Keystone Homebrew.

    *Interested in arranging a private tasting for your group?

    CheersCheers, Alla Salute, A Votre Sante, Prosit!

        "I forget the name of the place; I forget the name of the girl; but the wine.....was a Chambertin"       Hilaire Belloc

                   

    b