Metro Wines Blog - Metro Wines Asheville

WSET "Live" Classes

Tuesday, 02 July 2024 08:33

News Release: Tuesday, July, 2nd, 2024
About: WSET "Live" Classes

Metro wines is again collaborating with Melanie Webber, Certified Wine Instructor, to present WSET classes at Quench!, our new Wine Bistro and location for The Asheville School of Wine in Reynolds Village, Woodfin.

Melanie Webber is a certified wine instructor, sommelier, writer and communications expert who helps wine industry professionals achieve their wine certifications and wine lovers deepen their appreciation and understanding of wine. At the core of everything Melanie does is her passion to make it fun to learn how to taste, assess and enjoy wine. She holds the globally-recognized Diploma in Wine & Spirits from WSET as well as the French Wine Scholar and Spanish Wine Scholar certifications from the Wine Scholar Guild and is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust to teach WSET Level 1, 2 and 3 Awards in Wine.

Melanie’s MWWine School is an approved program provider of WSET and Spanish/French Wine Scholar courses in Asheville, North Carolina and SLO County, California. She has taught WSET courses since 2018, helping hundreds of industry professionals and wine lovers achieve their certifications. She is also an adjunct wine studies professor at College of the Canyons. Melanie has traveled extensively to wine regions around the world gathering material for classes as well for her articles for her blog, BottlePoet, and for a variety of other outlets. Melanie’s article “The Wine Student” was shortlisted in the 2023 Jancis Robinson Wine Writing competition and is published at JancisRobinson.com.

"I am excited to offer a VIP discount for Hospitality and Wine Industry Trade and MWWS Alumni for all courses this summer in Asheville. Use code ASHEVIP to receive 10% off all course registrations. We are also pleased to offer payment options through Afterpay," says Melanie Webber. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Asheville Course Schedule at a Glance:

* WSET Level 1 Award in Wines August 4
One day class & exam

A beginner level introduction to wine, all in one day, suitable for those starting a wine career or pursuing an interest in wine. You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings, as well as learning wine service and etiquette. Tasting of 10 wines from around the world.

* WSET Level 2 Award in Wines August 5, 6 & 12
Three day class & exam

For individuals seeking a core understanding of a wide range of wines, this qualification explores the major grape varieties of the world and the regions in which they are grown. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence. The course includes tastings of over 35 wines.

WSET 3 Fall - Note from Melanie Webber:

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is one of the industry's most respected credentials, and, as such, it is a serious and challenging course that demands commitment – over 50 hours of private study is recommended. Please be sure to review the candidate specification before registering. Your work outside class hours is as important, if not more so, than your time in class. Successful candidates in my previous classes have formed tasting and study groups and practiced writing answers for the theory portion of the exam. The exam consists of a blind tasting exam and a theory exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and essay questions. The good news is that everything you need to know for the theory part is in your book, so if you know your book and are able to apply knowledge you should be fine. Students tend to be the most nervous about the blind tasting exam, but most students pass that, it is the theory exam that provides the biggest challenges. "I make sure to space classes out so you have ample study time between sessions, provide homework with sample exam questions, and we taste all wines blind and I put you through many mock blind tasting exams."

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* WSG Spanish Wine Essentials August 11 & 13
Two day class & exam

WINE SCHOLAR GUILD SPANISH WINE ESSENTIALS
Fast-track your understanding into the intricate world of Spanish wine!

Whether a wine professional, inquisitive wine enthusiast or energetic epicurean looking to enhance your experiences through food and wine; WSG Essentials provide students with a solid foundation on the wines of Spain. In addition to 14 hours of classroom instruction and tasting of over 25 Spanish wines, the course includes a detailed and comprehensive 95-page course book rich with photographs, maps, illustrations and infographics to optimize learning and one-year access to WSG’s e-learning platform including online support modules and interactive activities related to your course

Not just an introductory course, WSG Essentials are a launchpad to the highly respected WSG Wine Scholar® certifications, the vibrant WSG Community and the first step towards wine mastery. Essentials are the perfect course to ignite a lifetime of learning and passion for wine.

Class Dates: Sun/Tues, August 11th/13th, 2024
Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Exam Date: Tuesday, August 13th
Deadline to register: July 28th, 2024
Location: Asheville School of Wines Reynolds Village
Educator: Melanie Webber, DipWSET, FWS, SWS
Cost: $595

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Register for All Classes HERE:

https://www.melaniewebberwine.com/coursebooking
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Stand by for More Classes:

Stay tuned for dates in the fall for WSET L3 and French Wine Essentials! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Contact for Metro Wines: Kristen Calloway

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

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Sicilian Love Stories: Book Signing

Tuesday, 18 June 2024 14:41

Ciao Asheville Presents

** BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND **

Sicilian Love Stories: A DiGiovanni Family History Sequel
Tuesday, July 16, 5:30-6:30pm, Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street

Can genuine love and romance spring from kidnapping, vendetta and the travails of difficult trans-Atlantic immigration to America?
Sicilian Love Stories: A DiGiovanni Family History Sequel answers that question with a resounding “Yes!”

Retired judge and author Jay Wilkinson is back to share four romantic sagas from his book A Lie Will Suffice in the expanded sequel to his entertaining and culturally educational presentation given last November at Metro Wines. If you missed Jay then, make sure you don't miss this dynamic speaker on his summer speaking tour!

Jay’s family had strong links to organized crime and all the drama that goes with it: Atlantic Ocean crossings, murder, extortion, vendetta, bootlegging, labor influence on the New Orleans banana docks, two criminal trials, and a secret interment in the family burial vault. Jay will focus on the unique love stories from his family history that ultimately shaped the complex, but ultimately triumphant DiGiovanni-Guinta family history.

$15 (plus tax) Includes a glass of white or red Sicilian wine and snacks.

Jay's book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Payment by cash, check or Venmo only.

Please call Metro Wines at (828) 575-9525 or register online here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/july-16-sicilian-love-stories-a-digiovanni-family.html
to reserve your seat. Seating is limited to 20 people.

Note for attendees: Please park at the back of the parking lot at Metro Wines for this event.

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Updated Menu For Midsummer Dinner at Blackbird

Saturday, 15 June 2024 15:04

Monday, June 24th at 6:30pm

$125 (non-inclusive of tax and gratuity)

The evening begins with at 6:30pm with a Bubbly Welcome Pour and will then continue with 6 courses, dessert, and curated wine pairings.

Preliminary Menu ** menu subject to change based on seasonal vagaries and availability

**Bubbly Welcome Pour

Course 1: Green Tomato Gazpacho - By.Ott Rose, Provence

Course 2: Peach & Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Pansy - Van Ardi Kangun, Armenia

Course 3: Scallop Au Gratin, Red Pepper Coulis, Pickled Mustard Seed - Massican Gemina, St Helena

Palate Cleanser: Lemon Basil Sorbet

Course 4: Beet Cured Salmon, New Potatoes, Beurre Blanc - Neyers Sage Canyon Red, Napa

Course 5: Lamb Crepinette and accompaniments - Tenuta Polvaro Nero, Veneto

Course 6: Steak & Watermelon, Pine Nuts - Miguel Torres Old Vine Carignan, Maule/Chile

Course 7: Strawberry Shortcake, Honey & Nut Crumble - Cuvee Francoise Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose, Languedoc-Roussillon

**please advise at time of reservation in regards to allergies or dietary restrictions

ALL RESERVATIONS THROUGH OPEN TABLE LINK:

https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=54910&restref=54910&experienceId=311122&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

Wines will be available to order and available the same week through Metro Wines. Any questions please emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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MetroWines "Sell Out Challenge"

Saturday, 15 June 2024 13:30

News Release: Monday, June16th, 2024

About: Can the Sales Representative Sell All Their Wines at the Tasting?

The challenge is on! Join us on Wednesday, July 10th from 4 to 6pm at MetroWines on Charlotte Street as Winebow Sales Representative Chris Curtis takes the challenge to sell all the wines he brought for the tasting. The Tasting is "at the bar" and "on the house."

"The way I see it," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines, "Chris needs to bring the best bottles for the price that he has to offer. We are a tough crowd."

There will be a ref and there are rules! No ringers. Samples don't count. No promises. No deals. No overtime. Chris can pick the music. Otherwise: game on.

"If successful, Chris will be featured in our Sunday Newsletter, The Public Palate, on our FB page, Blog and the home page of our website," says Gina Trippi.

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Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Andy's SOMM-er Vacation to Italy

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 14:34

News Release: June 12th, 2004

About: Andy's SOMM-er Vacation

Join Ciao Asheville and Andy Hale as he hosts a presentation on his one week trip for wine professionals to Italy on Thursday, July 18th from 5:30 to 6:30 @MetroWines on Charlotte Street. The cost for the evening, including wine, is $35 (plus tax).

This trip, which Andy survived! is often called "The Murder March" because it, although gorgeous and tasty, IS an intensive immersion into Italian wine from the land to the wineries to the food pairings.

Andy has hard facts, legends, true stories and pictures. Together with this vicarious trip through Italy, we will pour wine from the wineries that hosted Andy including (I am not making this up!) the "make out" wine of Puglia! The hour presentation is told as only Andy can!!

To give you an idea of the fun that awaits, read Anyd's Journal on MetroWines Blog here:

https://metrowinesasheville.com/blog

Wheels UP! Call (828) 575-9525 to reserve your seat

or go online here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/events/

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Contact for MetroWines; Gina Trippi

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

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wine blog

Andy's Final Journal Entry From Italy

Sunday, 09 June 2024 08:35

BuonViaggio Italy! Andy's Final Journal Entry!
On the Road to Barbaresco!

My last full day in Italy started with a groan. I got some sleep, nearly 7 hours, but it didn’t seem to be enough for my sleep deprived, alcohol soaked body. It seemed like getting almost 8 hours of sleep was enough to remind my body of what it was needing, but not enough to give it what it required. All day I was distracted, my mind wandered. I was hitting a wall. After numerous cappuccinos (it was before 11:00 so it was ok, according to Dominico), I was resembling a normal human being again. We boarded the bus and headed for Barbaresco.

When I was learning about wine, I thought that Barbaresco was sort of like “Diet Barolo,” useful for when you feel like drinking Barolo, but you don’t have the money for it and you want something cheaper. This is not the case at all! Barbaresco is a small commune to the Northeast of Barolo, also growing high quality Nebbiolo there. Barolo is known as the “King of Nebbiolo” and Barbaresco is the “Queen.” Compared to the Barolo, the Nebbiolo here tends to be slightly more delicate, elegant and pretty, but still retaining that core of leathery tannin that characterizes Nebbiolo. It took me a while to realize this about myself, but I like Barbaresco better than Barolo. I realize that is a controversial statement. Barbaresco is like a ballet dancer or an Olympic Gymnast; lithe, elegant and beautiful but with a power and strength that you wouldn’t expect from such a thin, elegant creature.

We drove to Marchesi di Gresy, one of the most iconic and old wineries in Barbaresco. They actually own all of the sub appelation Martinenga, making them a Monopole, which is very rare and special. We were met by the youngest generation of owners, a brother and sister, who took us on a tour of the winery, and then tasted us on their wines.

As predicted, the wines here were excellent! For whites, they showed us a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay from Langhe, which were elegant and mineral driven. I was reminded of Sancerre and Burgundy. We then tasted the Dolcetto, Barbera and several different Barbarescos. All were lovely, the Martinenga Barbaresco was one of the best I have ever had.

After the tasting, we were allowed to walk through the steep, hillside vineyards. I was impressed by the white, chalky soil throughout the vineyard. No wonder these wines had such excellent minerality! After our walk, we had a leisurely lunch until about 4:00 in the afternoon, and then headed to the ancient Medieval town of Alba for some shopping and, believe it or not, dinner and more wine. We arrived at the hotel in Milan around midnight again.

As I am writing this, I am sitting in the Milan airport waiting for my flight back to the USA. I got about 5 hours of sleep and I’m actually glad to not be tasting wine today. Yes, you can actually have too much of a good thing. Before I left the USA, I joked that this trip might be similar to when you catch your kid with a bag of pot in their bedroom and force them to smoke all of it as punishment. Except in this case, instead of pot, it’s Italian wine. Fortunately, I haven’t lost my taste for Italian wine, although I may take most of the day off from drinking today and dry out a little. I feel certain that tomorrow will see me uncorking a bottle of Chianti or Nebbiolo again.

This trip has been something I will think about for the rest of my life. I learned so much, and being able to set foot in the actual vineyards of these famous wineries was an almost religious experience for me. I made a lot of new friends from around the country; brilliant, funny and extremely knowledgeable about wine. It was fun to be able to make some really nerdy statements about wine like, “this reminds me of older vintage Madiran” or “this wine drinks like a St. Joseph, but this other wine is more like a Cote Rotie” and have a room full of people know exactly what I was talking about! I sincerely hope we are able to stay in touch and that our paths will cross again one day.

For now I’m looking forward to getting back home and sharing my adventures with all of you, after about 36 hours or so of sleep! Arrivederci a tutti!

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Bastille Day 2024

Saturday, 08 June 2024 12:59

By Claude Monet

SOLD OUT!

News Release: Saturday, June 8th, 2024

About: Bastille Day with Asheville Sister Cities & MetroWines

The Asheville Sister Cities Saumur Committee will host its annual Bastille Day Celebration and Fundraiser from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday July 14, 2024 at Metro Wines latest venture, Quench! located in Reynolds Village in Woodfin.

"This year is special for us @MetroWines in celebrating "a revolution in thinking" on Bastille Day. The Saumur Committee for the Asheville Sister Cities was our first partner, showing their faith in a small wine store, when we opened on Charlotte Street in 2013 and we have been amis since then," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "And now, we open Quench! in Reynolds Village in Woodfin. So many said not to open a restaurant there. They said no one knows where it is! They said no one will come! We say if we build it, and we did! you will come. So, in the spirit of "a revolution in thinking" and friendship, join us on Bastille Day at Quench!

And this year, the Saumur Committee says you will not want to miss a special art auction with original ceramics and other objets d'art. There will also be an exciting Saumur-themed raffle prize, generously donated by recent UNCA graduate in French and local artist Adrien Meierovitch.

There will be hors d’oeuvres (Charcuterie, fromage, crudités, fruits de mer) provided by Quench! Chef Sam Etheridge, paired by MetroWines with wines from Saumur, France in the Loire Valley.

Tickets are $46 for ASCI members and $55 for non-members plus NC sales tax. tickets are Limited. Act NOW! All proceeds will support ASCI programming and Saumur Committee projects, including the upcoming educational career-development exchange. To kick off the program, Saumur student Camille Hudon, recent graduate of the tourism program in Saumur, will be our guest of honor.

Go HERE for tickets:

https://ashevillesistercities.org/event/2024-bastille-day/

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Contact for MetroWines - Gina Trippi

cell (8280 273-5348

Contact for Quench! - John Kerr

cell: (828) 200-6504

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Tagged under

wine blog