.
Welcome to SWE’s 44th Annual Conference, and our first-ever conference to be held online! This conference is offered free-of-charge to members of the Society of Wine Educators, but space is limited. Conference attendees are welcome to attend any or all of the individual sessions. To register, please contact Danielle LaRosa, SWE’s Meetings and Events Coordinator at dlarosa@societyofwineeducators.org.
We have several days of conference programming for you consisting of live, interactive webinars created by our highest-rated and most accomplished conference presenters. Be sure and read over each of the session abstracts in advance, as many of them include suggested wines to accompany the sessions. These wines may be purchased locally and tasted along with the live webinars. Keep in mind, however, that these webinars will be fun and meaningful whether you choose to taste-along or not.
- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12: 5:00 pm central time
- Opening Session/SWE General Meeting with Shields T. Hood and Jane Nickles: Join Shields T. Hood (SWE’s General Manager) and Jane Nickles (SWE’s Director of Education and Certification) for an introduction to our 44th Annual Conference as well as an update on SWE’s products, programs, and initiatives. Bring your questions, and a glass of wine!
- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12: 7:00 pm central time
-
Alan Tardi
Effervescence: The Wild, Wacky, Wonderful World of Sparkling Wine, presented by Alan Tardi: This session will take a global look at the nature of sparkling wine, as well as its origin and evolution from earliest beginnings to the present day, through its most significant protagonists—the key categories of sparkling wine. Below is a list of the types of wines that will be featured. As this presentation will be both comprehensive and comparative, it is highly recommended that participants get at least two of these wines to taste and compare. It is even more highly recommended that SWE members acquire a bottle of each. They will not go to waste!
- Suggested Taste-along wines (optional): Suggested wines – Effervescence – Alan Tardi
- Speaker Bio: Alan Tardi first got interested in wine while working as a cook and chef in some of New York City’s finest restaurants and it blossomed into a passion when he opened his own restaurant in Manhattan in 2001. He soon started writing for Wine & Spirits Magazine and went on to write for numerous other publications including The New York Times, Sommelier Journal, and Wine Spectator. In 2003 Alan moved to the village of Castiglione Falletto in Italy where he worked extensively in the surrounding vineyards and wineries and managed the town’s Cantina Comunale. His first book “Romancing the Vine: Life, Love and Transformation in the Vineyards of Barolo” won a James Beard Award for Best Wine Book of 2006. His second book “Champagne, Uncorked: The House of Krug and Timeless Allure of the World’s Most Celebrated Drink” (2016) received a Gourmand Best in the World Award. Alan holds a CSW from the Society of Wine Educators, IWS and Champagne Master certificates from the Wine Scholar Guild and is currently pursuing WSET Advanced Level 3 Award.
-
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 13: 10:00 am central time
-
Lucia Volk
Pyramid Schemes: Germany’s VDP and Austria’s Vinea Wachau explained, presented by Lucia Volk, PhD, CWE: Some of Germany’s and Austria’s high-end producers form part of the prestigious growers’ associations, the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP) and Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus (Vinea Wachau), respectively. As members of these associations, they promote their wines in distinct quality tiers that are presented to the consumers in the shape of pyramids. Known as ladder branding in the marketing world, these “pyramid schemes” differ significantly from the quality designations followed by winemakers in the rest of both countries. This session will explain the origins of the two growers’ associations, as well as the rules and regulations that define the style of wine in each of the tiers.
- Speaker Bio: Lucia Volk, CWE, runs a wine education business in the Bay Area called Mindful Vine, catering to private and corporate clients. She also holds a PhD in cultural anthropology and teaches on globalization and wine at San Francisco State University. In 2017, she received SWE’s Banfi Award for the highest overall score in that year’s CWE exam. For the past four years, she has lectured and blogged for SWE on a variety of topics. A German native from an extended wine-producing family, she enjoys demystifying complicated labels and regulations to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of Central European wines.
-
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 13: 12:00 noon central time
-
Gary Twining, CWE
precisely BORDEAUX: Teaching One of the Classic Fine Wine Regions, presented by Gary L. Twining, CWE: Bordeaux is the world’s largest fine wine region. It offers classic wines with great longevity and the ability for its top wines to gain extreme complexity with bottle age. Information covered in this seminar will include basics on the history, climate, soil, grapes, winemaking techniques, and laws of the region—as well as the typical flavors and styles of Bordeaux wines. This session promises to be a thorough study in this very vital wine region that will offer you important knowledge to pass on to your students.
- Suggested Taste-along wines (optional): Suggested wines – precisely Bordeaux – Gary Twining
- Speaker Bio: Gary’s first career was as a professional musician, with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on the road, with various performers at the Cleveland, Ohio Palace, Hanna and Front Row Theatres and in the main showrooms in Las Vegas. He found another passion in fine wine and ended up lecturing on the subject at UNLV before coming back to his native Ohio to start in the wholesale wine industry in 1984. As a Certified Wine Educator, Spanish Wine Educator, and member of the Society of Wine Educators, Gary has lectured at the SWE national conferences, seven years at Ohio State University for the Creative Activities Program, Tri C Hospitality Department, The American Wine School, Loretta Paganini, Laurel Run Cooking School, Lorain County Community College Culinary Program, the Fabulous Food Show and various other wine education programs. Gary retired at the end of August 2018 from his fourteen year position as the Director of Sales, Northeastern Ohio, for Cutting Edge Selections, a fine wine wholesaler. He is still an active wine educator and writes on wine for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and the Wine Buzz.
-
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 13: 2:00 pm central time
-
David Glancy, CWE, MS
SLO Coast to Paso: 2 Sides of the Heart of the Central Coast, presented by David Glancy, MS, CWE: The drive from Cambria to Paso Robles and Morro Bay to Paso Robles—both scenically stunning—provide a glimpse into the diversity of the climate and terrain of the San Luis Obispo County wine regions. Learn about the pending San Luis Obispo Coast/SLO Coast AVA (on the docket now, with the potential of being finalized prior to the 2020 SWE Virtual Conference). Learn about classic and emerging grapes and styles from the coolest to warmest portions of the county and get the perspective of producers with vineyards in both. Afterall, how many regions range from 1 to 4 on the Winkler-Amerine Heat Summation Scale?
- Suggested Taste-along wines (optional): TBA
- Speaker Bio: David Glancy founded the San Francisco Wine School in 2011 to create the ideal educational setting from the ground up. He is one of only twelve people in the world to hold both the revered Master Sommelier diploma and Certified Wine Educator credential. A certified French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Professional, and Certified Specialist of Spirits, Glancy has earned the credential for every program he teaches, and more. In 2012 he created the California Wine Appellation Specialist program and credential to fill a glaring void in the educational market. Previously, he managed restaurants in the Bay Area and abroad, taught wine and business management at Le Cordon Bleu’s California Culinary Academy, conceived and launched the Sommelier Program at the former Professional Culinary Institute, served on the editorial board of Sommelier Journal and was a 3-term member on the board of directors for the Society of Wine Educators. Currently he is on the advisory board for SommCon and the American Institute of Wine & Food.
-
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 13: 4:00 pm central time
-
Jim Clarke
Chenin Blanc and South African Terroir, presented by Jim Clarke: Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s most planted grape; the country has more of the variety planted than the rest of the world combined. With its diversity of climates, the South Africa’s Chenin comes in an array of styles. Much of that variety derives from the local terroir; wines from the Swartland, Stellenbosch, or Walker Bay can be quite distinct from each other. Wines of South Africa’s Marketing Manager Jim Clarke, a wine writer and former sommelier, will lead a presentation featuring the diversity of South African Chenin Blancs, familiarizing you with Chenin’s various homes around the Cape and how those different origins are reflected in the glass. You are encouraged to purchase a few examples of South African Chenin Blanc if you would like to taste-along with Jim’s webinar.
- Suggested Taste-along wines (optional): Suggested wines – Chenin Blanc and South African Terroir – Jim Clarke
- Speaker Bio: Jim Clarke writes about wine, beer, and spirits for a number of publications both trade and consumer; his work has appeared in NPR.com, NBCnews.com, the San Francisco Chronicle, and elsewhere. Jim is a trained sommelier and was formerly the wine director at Megu New York for five years and then the Armani Ristorante for two. In addition to his writing Jim is also the U.S. Marketing Manager for Wines of South Africa (WOSA USA), a levy-supported organization devoted to promoting South African wine exports. Jim is in-demand as a speaker at wine events around the world and for many years has been one of the best-received speakers at SWE’s Annual Conferences.
-
- FRIDAY, AUGUST 14: 10:00 am central time
-
Annie Edgerton
Not Yo’ Momma’s White Zin & Passing Provence: The BEST and the REST of Rosé, presented by Annie Edgerton, DipWSET, CS, CSW, CSS: Rosé is truly the best of both worlds; it is a red wine in a white wine’s body. So why does it get such short shrift, thought of as sweet and blah or only pushed for a summertime marketing campaign? Winemakers truly are the craftsmen (and -women) when it comes to rosé; every moment of maceration counts, blending and aging decisions are delicate, plus types of yeast, time on lees, filtering – all matter big time when you go rosé. We’ll look at a series of rosés from around the globe and many from grapes you might not expect, and savor the delicious boundaries these wines are pushing. Let’s jump in together and DRINK the PINK!”
- Suggested Taste-along wines (optional): Suggested wines -The Best and the Rest of Rose – Annie Edgerton
- Speaker Bio: Annie Edgerton has been working in the wine industry since before she was legally able to drink! She holds the WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits, is a Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers,) is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits (Society of Wine Educators,) and she is a candidate for membership in the Appraisers Association of America. This year she is also applying for the Institute of Masters of Wine, so please cross your fingers for her. Annie primarily works alongside her father, William H. Edgerton, at Edgerton Wine Appraisals & Consultation, where they tackle insurance claims, counterfeit wine investigation, and value collections for estate and tax purposes. She is also the Wine Minx® and is the host of “Wine Minx: UNCORKED!” and “Broadway Buzzed” on YouTube, and the livestream “Day Drinking with the Wine Minx.” She writes the blog wineminx.blogspot.com and she is active on social media @wineminxannie (IG/twt) and “Wine Minx” on FB. For more information: wineminxannie.com.
-
- FRIDAY, AUGUST 14: 12:00 noon central time
-
Carrie Kalscheuer, CWE
Beyond the Willamette: Exploring Oregon’s Other Dynamic Regions, presented by Carrie Kalscheuer, CWE: The Willamette Valley is home to roughly 70% of all wine production in Oregon. However, the dynamic regions outside of this well-known AVA deserve interest and attention. In this seminar, we’ll explore the exciting small-production regions of western Oregon, from the unique climate of the Columbia River Gorge to the topographical diversity of the Rogue Valley, tasting from some of the most innovative producers as we go.
- Suggested Taste-along wines (optional): Suggested wines – Beyond the Willamette – Carrie Kalscheuer
- Speaker Bio: Carrie transitioned from the restaurant industry in 2010 to start a career in Oregon’s thriving wine country, where she currently works as Director of Sales & Education at A to Z Wineworks/REX HILL. In addition to a degree in Philosophy, Carrie possesses multiple wine certifications, including Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the Level 3, Advanced Certification with Distinction through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. In addition to her responsibilities at the winery, Carrie teaches the WSET Level 2 course through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and delivers presentations on Oregon wine at trade events internationally. Carrie also sits on several committees and boards throughout the Valley, including the Willamette Valley Wineries Association Board, the Oregon Pinot Camp Steering Committee, the Oregon Wine Board Education Committee and the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers Association Board.
-
- FRIDAY, AUGUST 14: 2:00 pm central time
-
Roger Bohmrich, MW
Wine and a Changing Climate—Will the Terroir Model of Today Survive?” Presented by Roger C. Bohmrich, Master of Wine: It seems almost impossible to grasp climate change in its entirety. Both global temperatures and CO2 have increased, yet a changing climate involves so much more: rising sea levels and unpredictable, often violent weather. The debate among scientists revolves around what the future will look like, not what has already occurred. In this seminar, we will attempt to set out fundamental patterns and trends using scientifically grounded facts, not suppositions. There will be charts to visualize what has been happening along with first-hand accounts from vintners. All will be explained with easily understandable language. After establishing where the wine world is at present, we will consider “what if” scenarios: How soon will it be before Tempranillo replaces Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley? Will a Saint-Julien be based mainly on Touriga Nacional by mid-century? Will the 2059 vintage of Chambolle-Musigny be a GSM? Will England be the new Champagne? Will Mosel Riesling come from Scandinavia? Which vineyards and major urban markets for wine will be under water by the late 21st century?
- Speaker Bio: Roger has presented myriad themes at SWE Conferences in recent years including minerality, China and Riesling. He has enjoyed a fulfilling career in the wine trade and is currently an independent consultant, educator, writer and competition judge. He has worked for two national importers. Roger is one of the first U.S. Masters of Wine and led the formation of the Institute of Masters of Wine (No. America), where he served as its first President. He has appeared often as a speaker at wine festivals and conferences, and his articles and writing have been published in the Journal of Wine Research, Wine Business Monthly, Santé, Wines & Vines, and other publications. Roger has traveled extensively around the world of wine, and in recent years he has judged multiple competitions in the U.S., Argentina, Turkey, Portugal and China. He currently provides extensive content including essays/videos, vintage profiles and more for WineAuctionPrices.com. He is as well closely involved with consulting projects at Martin Sinkoff Associates (www.sinkoff.com). His own website is www.vintrinsic.com.
-
- FRIDAY, AUGUST 14: 4:00 pm central time
-
Sharron McCarthy, CSW
Piedmont and Tuscany, Comparison and Contrast presented by Sharron McCarthy, CSW: Piedmont, a panorama of dramatic peaks and sloping hills is the backdrop for the breathtaking beauty of Italy’s westernmost region. Piedmont, which literally translates as “foot of the mountain,” borders Switzerland to the north and France to the west. It is a confined region with an evident French background, a land of hearty wines and foods. It is home to prestigious wines such as Gavi, Dolcetto, Barbera and Barolo. From time immemorial, Tuscany, located on Italy’s geographic center and bounded by Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, the Marches, Umbria, Latium and, along the whole its western edge, the Tyrrhenian Sea, has been recognized as one of the country’s premier agricultural regions. It is, and for thousands of years has been, one of the leading winemaking regions of the Italian peninsula. The region’s enologic traditions date at least to the Etruscan period producing such treasured wines as Vermentino, Chianti Classico, Bolgheri Rosso and Brunello. Join us on a romp through the vineyards of these two extraordinary regions and taste, compare, contrast and share some stories of famed examples from each place.
- Suggested taste-along wines (optional): Suggested wines – Piedmont and Tuscany Compare and Contrast – Sharron McCarthy
- Handout: Piedmont vs Tuscany Backgrounder
- Handout: SWE PIEDMONT vs TUSCANY The Wines
- Speaker Bio: Sharron McCarthy, Director Emeritus and Past President of the U.S. Society of Wine Educators and former VP Wine Education at Banfi Vintners, is a wine industry legend. Affectionately known as “America’s First Lady of Wine Ed,” Sharron has played an instrumental role in introducing Americans from all walks of life to an appreciation for the fruit of the vine. In February 2015, Sharron was recognized by the Italian Trade Commission and the Italian Consul General of Italy for her efforts, service, and visionary approach toward Italian wines and her decades long efforts to promote Italian wines in the United States. Sharron was inducted into the Wines of Italy Hall of Fame to honor her as a goodwill ambassador for Italian wines and for her dedication to the country of Italy and to the Italian way of life. Other of Sharron’s many accolades include that she is a Sommelier, certified by the Sommelier Society of America (where she served on their board for a number of years) and has been honored by the American Wine Society with its prestigious Award of Merit. Sharron is a member of a number of organizations including New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, Women of the Vine and Spirits and La Chaine de Rotisseurs.
-
