Napoleon in Philly

Posted by Keith Wallace on Jul 11, 2012 in News | 0 comments

Wines of Napoleon Featured in Philadelphia

If you were the ruler of the known universe, what would you drink? On July 20th, Frank Cipparone of the Wine School of Philadelphia will answer that question. A two-hour tour de force of wine history and tasting, “Napoleon’s Bottle” is unique class held only once a year at the school.

 “Clearly, the pleasures wines afford are transitory – but so are those of the ballet, or of a musical performance. Wine is inspiring and adds greatly to the joy of living.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

As Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte ruled over almost every wine growing country in Europe, including France, Italy, Spain, and Germany.  Have no doubt, he was also a great lover of the fermented grape. Along with the class, the audience will be sampling the wine styles that Napoleon loved and admired; including a taste of the very last wine he ever drank.

“Nothing makes the future look so rosy as to contemplate it through a glass of wine.”  – Napoleon Bonaparte

The class is held on Friday, July 20th from 7:30pm – 9:30pm in the Bacchus Classroom at the Wine School of Philadelphia. The School is located at 127 S 22nd Street in Philadelphia’s post Rittenhouse neighborhood.

Tickets should be purchased prior to the class, and can be obtained online at www.vinology.com. Cost of the class is $54.98 which includes a tasting of at least seven wines.

“I drink champagne when I win, to celebrate . . . and I drink champagne when I lose, to console myself.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

Get Drunk, Be Healthy

Posted by Keith Wallace on May 31, 2012 in News | 0 comments

New Study Pinpoints Health Benefits of Red Wine

Over the past few years, a handful of studies have been published drawing a link to drinking red wine and decreased morbidity rates. The organic compound cited in all studies was reservatrol.

“Reservatrol is a type of polyphenol that is found in the skin of wine grapes.” says Frank Cipparone  of the Wine School of Philadelphia. “These are the compounds that give red wine its color and many of its flavors.”

The plant compound seems to promote general health and prolong life, and is credited with combating cancer, obesity, and aging. This makes sense, since almost every study has shown that wine drinkers typically live longer than anyone else.  However, up until recently, how Reservatrol accomplished these feats was a mystery.

A new study published in  the scientific journal Cell Metabolism has revealed the inner workings of this compound. According to the researchers, Resveratrol positively increased the activity of mitochondria, which in turn bolstered cell energy. A specific gene, SIRT1, has been pin-pointed as the likely actor in this process.

The goal is to develop drugs that mimic the effect of reservatrol, since the current dosage in studies (with mice) is the equivalent of over 100 glasses of wine a day. A little much, even for folks like us.

Via the Daily Mail.

The Wine School’s Premiere Wine Show in Atlantic City

Posted by Keith Wallace on Jan 8, 2011 in News | 1 comment

All I can say, folks is that WE ROCK!

After months of preparation, we debuted our very first super-humongous-extra-special-deluxe wine show.  By all accounts, it was a huge success. Which is good, because I would have been extra-grumpy for MONTHS if it had tanked.

From October 17 – 19, thousands of wine lovers visited our very own wine trade show in lovely (cough, cough) Atlantic City. A few well-connected friends pointed out that our event was better-attended than a similar event held during Philly Mag’s “Philly Wine Week 2008“.

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Feudi di San Gregorio 2007 Greco di Tufo

Posted by Keith Wallace on Jan 5, 2011 in Wine Reviews | 0 comments

Anyone who has ever taken one of Frank Cipparone’s classes on Italian wines knows his love of obscure, less-familiar bottlings. And long ago it became clear that, in matters of all things Italian and unfamiliar, it’s best to follow his lead. Take this wine, for example–he’s been extolling its virtues for years now, and with good reason.

A Good Wine Makes for a Better Read

Posted by Alana Zerbe on Jan 3, 2011 in News | 0 comments

Fall is finally here – that time of year to get cozy on the sofa under a nice burning lamp, a lovely bottle of wine, and a terrific read. For those of you following Frank Cipparone’s Italian Picks, a great novel to dive into while drinking the Ornello Molon Raboso 2003; the Cristina Ascheri Langhe Arneis, 2006; or the Casa Librandi Ciro “Duca di San Felice” Riserva 2003; is Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Highsmith’s protagonist is the very sordid yet very likeable Tom Ripley, and as Highsmith takes her reader on a journey through his twisted mind, she also takes them through the heart and twisted countryside of Italy. (more…)