Dear Fellow Wine Lover:

It's no coincidence that wine consumption in the U.S. is at an all-time high, with nearly 700 million gallons of all categories and varieties of wine having been consumed last year. A decade-long trend of increased wine consumption has been fueled by a surge in wine tastings in communities throughout the country, and adults of all ages-in cities and in small communities like Marshall-are finding that wine is a convivial beverage that goes hand-in-hand with good food and good company.

		Tasters Guild International Resources Tasters Guild Application Form Tasters Guild Website

We like wine, and we know that you do, too. Perhaps we're not yet at the point where, like W.C. Fields, we wonder "What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?" but we do appreciate the wonderful diversity of wine and are always eager to learn more.

Which is why we're teaming up to form a Tasters Guild chapter here in Marshall.

Tasters Guild is an international organization dedicated to the education, appreciation and responsible use of wine and food. The organization was formed to bring wine and food tasting opportunities to consumers, and that's what we want to promote with a chapter here in Marshall.

There are wine clubs throughout south central Michigan, but none close by. We do, however, have a resource in Marshall that is unique: Schuler's Restaurant, and it seems the perfect place to conduct the type of events that Tasters Guild can offer.

We have seen an increased interest in wine right here in this community through the special wine dinners that Schuler's has sponsored in the past. Schuler's is willing to tie their future wine events into this type of wine appreciation club and will also give a special discount to Tasters Guild members.

Schuler's is offering its private dining space to host our gatherings, and its wine dinners will most likely be incorporated into our schedule, thereby making it easier to plan and carry out the Tasters Guild requirement of a minimum of four meetings per year, all of which are optional for Tasters Guild members to attend.

With the help of the national Tasters Guild office in Grand Rapids and Schuler's, Keith Kehlbeck has volunteered to lead a chapter here that we hope will attract like-minded aficionados from throughout Calhoun County area. We plan to have a lot of fun and to try some new things that haven't been attempted by other wine clubs in the area.

The cost of joining Tasters Guild for a couple or individual is $40 per year (if you join as a single member you are entitled to bring a guest to any event and receive the lower Tasters Guild price). For $40 you receive preferential pricing to the two Schuler wine dinners (spring and fall) plus two other tastings that would be conducted during the year. There are also significant discounts on purchases and services throughout the national network of wine and specialty food stores, wineries, restaurants and hotels (you are issued a membership card that identifies you when presented for discounts and a directory of the affiliates).

The Tasters Guild also plans tours and cruises where wine and food become a big part of the adventure. They publish a Tasters Guild Journal featuring articles about wine, recipes, tasting notes, and travel. A free subscription to the national publication, Quarterly Review of Wine, is also included. A great dividend is their wine and food compatibility guide that helps you match food to wine at home or when dining out.

Now is the time to fill out the application form that is included with this letter and mail it back to us at Schuler's Restaurant & Pub, 115 S. Eagle St., Marshall, MI 49068. That will assure you of being first on the list for Schuler's "Sideways" wine dinner this fall (this event is sold out), featuring Pinot Noir wine from the movie and scheduled for October 18 (space is limited). Other dates of interest are Wine 202 on Wed., Nov. 2, a tasting event on Tues., Feb. 7, and Schuler's spring wine dinner set for Tues., March 21, 2006.

Perhaps you've seen the old saying: "Here's to the corkscrew-a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship and the gate of pleasant folly."

We hope that you'll join us for a little of all of the above!

Sincerely,

Keith Kehlbeck
Executive Director
Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America

Hans Schuler
President and Chairman
Schuler's Restaurant