What Wine with Spam, Deborah?

Posted by Keith Wallace on Sep 9, 2012 in News | 0 comments

When the Wine School’s website was www.winelust.com we got alot of spam. It was a great url, but having lust in the name meant we got lots of rather interesting offers in our inboxes. We built in some serious server-level spam filters and programs, based on the opensource & amazing Spamassasin.

That was years ago, and have enjoyed a rather spam-free environment for years. Until a month ago. Spams we are getting now range in the hundreds daily (and those are just the ones that are getting through, so the real number is probably closer to two or three thousand daily). (more…)

Once Upon a Cookie

Posted by Keith Wallace on Apr 24, 2011 in News, Philly | 1 comment

On a recent NPR program featuring Nigella Lawson, Ms. Lawson said that food gifts are her favorite gifts – both to give and to receive.  She went on to speak about how sharing food with friends and family around the holidays – in the form of a gift – was a much bigger tradition in the olden days than it is now.

Which brings me to Tracy Brown.  Tracy is a chocolate chip cookie baking extraordinaire (and a fellow Wine Schooler!) who makes scrumptious chocolate chip cookies to order.  Her cookies are baked with the finest of ingredients, packaged beautifully, and, most important, taste amazing!

Go to Once Upon a Cookie and place your order today.  ‘ Tis the season to treat a friend, a boss, a spouse, or yourself with a scrumptious chocolate chip cookie.

Yum!

The Big Red Smackdown

Posted by Alana Zerbe on Apr 9, 2011 in News, Philly | 0 comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Wine School of Philadelphia

The Big Red Smackdown at The Wine School

In honor of Vince McMahon and the WWE

Philadelphia, PA. Outgunned perhaps, but not outwitted, The Wine School of Philadelphia’s very own Keith Wallace laid down the gauntlet last week when he challenged Vince McMahon and Chris Jerico to a Sommelier Smackdown challenge. The whole thing started when McMahon issued a cease and desist ordering the school to stop using what [he claims] is his trademark word: “smackdown”.

Wallace has not yet heard from either McMahon or the WWE’s lawyers. Nonetheless, he’s organized The Big Red Smackdown to take place Saturday, November 28, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at The Wine School of Philadelphia.

“The LA Times, Wine Business News, the Inquirer, all ran with this story,” says Wallace. “But imagine my surprise when no less than a dozen pro wrestling online news sources picked up the story, a number of them making it the story of the day.”

“And I always imagined these big lugs knocking back cans upon cans of light beer.”

So, in honor of these (presumed) wine-appreciating wrestlers, and because it’ll be darn fun, Wallace organized the Big Red Smackdown. This particular match will feature reds coming from the school’s top instructors’ cellars.

That’s right, Keith Wallace, Brian Freedman, Frank Cipparone, and Collin Flatt, will be pouring and arguing the merits of their favorite reds. And the first folks to snatch up these tickets are in for one delicious and rumbling good time.

To order tickets, go to www.vinology.com

The Big Red Smackdown takes place Saturday, November 28, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

To speak with Keith Wallace, please call 800-817-7351, ext. 33, or email keith@vinology.com.

Happy Valentines from The Wine School

Posted by Keith Wallace on Mar 29, 2011 in News, Philly | 0 comments

photo by Elliott Erwitt

Phoodie.com Editor Joins Wine School Team

Posted by Keith Wallace on Mar 6, 2011 in News, Philly | 0 comments

One of the better known food and beverage bloggers in Philadelphia is now the newest member of the Wine School team. “Collin Flatt is going to be a great asset to the school,” says owner and founder Keith Wallace. “I hire only the best wine instructors available, and Collin has proven to me he has what it takes to play in the big leagues.”

Like many Fine Arts majors before him, Collin’s food and wine career was originally nothing more than a few gigs as a bartender. However, he pulled off the impossible. After several years in Rome and New York, he returned to Philadelphia as an industry insider. “This is my calling. I suck at everything else,” quips Collin.

Along with teaching at the Wine School, Collin will remain a notorious figure in Philly’s culinary scene. Along with his well-known work as the editor of Phoodie.com, he will continue in some less boisterous ventures. These include his work as a trusted broker in the fine wine auction market, and as a consulting sommelier. Most recently, he has teamed up with legendary chef David Ansill to redevelop the menus at Ladder 15.

Collin is the third well-known food and wine writer to join the staff of the Wine School. He follows in the footsteps of Brian Freedman and David Snyder. At one point, all three were students of the Wine School. “I am not sure if its a chicken-or-egg thing, but our Foundation program is a breeding ground for creative foodies. Go figure,” says Keith. “It sure helps that I don’t have to look far to find top-notch staffers.”

Come join us at the Wine School of Philadelphia this spring and give a warm welcome to our newest authority on fine food and wine, Collin Flatt!

To set up a time to speak to Collin Flatt, please contact the Wine School at 1-800-817-7351, ext. 33, or email press@vinology.com.