The Wine Society of Texas Announces Scholarship Grant Program Awards totaling $5,000 for assistance in education and promotion of the Texas Wine Industry.

Midland, Texas (25 October 2011) - The Wine Society of Texas (WST), a 501c3 non-profit educational organization, announced that it is awarding grants totaling $5,000 in support of ten individuals from around the State.   

This scholarship assistance program is consistent with the founding ideas of WST and its continued mission to enhance the appreciation of wines, foster the knowledge of enology and viticulture, support charitable activities, and educate wine consumers throughout the State of Texas.  The funding for the WST Scholarship program is provided from charitable donations, local WST Chapter fund raising events, and annual statewide wine events/competitions. 

This is the tenth consecutive year that the WST has provided grant assistance through the Scholarship Grant Program providing over $30,000 in total.  “The Wine Society of Texas is pleased to continue its long tradition of providing meaningful scholarships to worthy individuals.  This is our way of “going local” to support Texas talent and invest in the future of the Texas wine industry.” said Ms. Elizabeth Lutton, State President of the WST. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING NAMES OF THIS YEARS RECIPIENTS GO TO OUR [SCHOLARSHIP PAGE]

President's Column - Simple Pleasures

Right now, in most of our Texas cities, we are broiling with 90 degree plus heat. Summer vacations away from the heat seem to be a distant dream for some of us, who are locked into "staycation" mode because of bad economic circumstances. However, there are always a few simple pleasures in our lives which help us to endure, even in hot, tough times. These simple pleasures don’t cost a lot of money, but lead to great satisfaction. In the summer, three of my simple pleasures are my gas grill, fresh vegetables from the local farmer’s market and cool, aromatic white wines, such has Viognier and Riesling. Some new grapes which are also starting to appear along these lines include Albarino, primarily from Spain and Torrontes, from Argentina. Normally, a red wine drinker, I gravitate toward white wine during the summer when the temperature in Texas tops 80 degrees. All of these wines go well with lightly grilled fish and chicken. Recently, I discovered that some of my favorite grocery stores have a turkey version of bacon wrapped filet mignon, which pairs well with white wine and tastes wonderful on the grill.

Even though many of us are enjoying turkey mignon instead of steak nowadays, we don't have to give up the wine events that we love. It is a myth that wine events have to be expensive. All of our Wine Society of Texas local chapters work hard to put on affordable, yet high quality wine events. Therefore, support your local chapter by attending its latest event.

For those of you in the "staycation" mode, it is not difficult to locate a Texas winery or tasting room near you.  A weekend or even a day among the vines or in the atmosphere of a tasting room is one of the great affordable pleasures that anyone can have for a small tasting fee.  So support your local Texas wineries, which are presently struggling with the usual threat of intense heat, plus the additional threat of the economic downturn.

However, for those who are not in "staycation" mode, the Wine Society has a great opportunity for you. As you may know, the Wine Society always features wonderful wine travel. In the past, the group has gone to Tuscany Italy, Australia/New Zealand, Oregon, Napa/ Sonoma, and the Texas Hill Country (twice). On September 26 - October 1, the group will go on a Paso Robles wine tour to California, to some of the best wineries in the area, which features "Rhone style" wines with a California touch. We have 6 more spaces available at this time. Contact Lori Parker with the DFW Chapter if you are interested. She has also posted information on the website under Upcoming Events.  Lori's e-mail is lap76107@gmail.com if you need more information. Come join us for a great time of fun, friendship and a little bit of wine education!

Whatever way to escape and beat the heat that we chose this year, let us enjoy the simple pleasures of this life and be thankful for what we have. Wine and friendship go a long way toward enriching the quality of our lives, regardless of our circumstances.

- Elizabeth Lutton, President, Wine Society of Texas