Pop the Cork!
2025-12-18 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Sakartvelo Restaurant, 705 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Celebrate the holidays with a curated tasting of sparkling wines from around the world! This time I will be pouring wines that are made in the traditional (i.e., Champagne) method.
A spectrum of wines from different regions of the world that have excelled in making sparkling wines similar to the ones that are made in Champagne, France.
Taste and savor some unique wines:
👉    Cava Reserva (Cava de Guarda Superior)
👉     Sparkling wine that is a blend of Moscato and Trebbiano
👉    A crémant from Aligote & Gamay grapes
👉    Taste the first Franciacorta that revolutionized the sparkling world
👉    A South African Rose made from its flagship grape, Pinotage
👉    Grand Cru Champagne from 35 lieux-dits that has 30 – 40% reserve wines!

Whether you’re a connoisseur or just love a good fizz, come pop bottles and toast to celebrate your achievements in 2025 as well as join us in the optimism for a wonderful 2026.
Date/Time: 18th December, 2025; 6:30 pm
Place: Sakartvelo Restaurant
Tickets: $70 per person (all inclusive!)
Buy your tickets here:
As usual, there will be an assortment of Georgian Hors d’oeuvres from Sakartvelo including a couple of new dishes.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Big, Bold Reds!
2026-01-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Sakartvelo Restaurant, 705 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Baby its cold outside!

So, let’s get together and enjoy some bog, bold red wines!
While you enjoy each sip of the following wines, I will take you through the stories of each one: the country, the grapes, the history and most importantly, why I chose the wine(s).
👉 Zinfandel
👉 Petite Sirah
👉 Valpolicella Ripasso
👉 Alentejo Red Blend – indigenous red grapes of Portugal
👉 New world Bordeaux style blend
👉 Bordeaux (duh!)
As promised, we have a whole new menu of hors d’oeuvres from our friend David at Sakartvelo Restaurant
Let’s take a sneak peak at them:

Please note the pricing below to reserve your spot (all inclusive):
Venmo: @Arindam-Basu ($65 per person)
Zelle: 267-258-3118 ($65 per person)
You can also purchase tickets through the website via the following link:
https://perfectpourexperience.com/product/big-bold-reds/ ‎
Hope to see you there!
Cheers!
Arindam

Ghvino Forum 2026, March 11 - 12
2026-03-11 12:30 - 2026-03-12 21:00 | PA
Ninth Ghvino Forum
Bringing Together the Science and Business of Wine
The Ghvino Forum celebrates 8,000 years of living wine culture in Georgia—where the origins of wine, the uninterrupted qvevri winemaking tradition, and unique varietal distinctiveness have evolved into the elegance of modern-day winemaking. “Ghvino,” “ღvino,” or “ღვინო” is the Georgian word for “wine” and is widely believed to be the origin of the term itself.
The Ghvino Forum was initiated in 2018 by the America–Georgia Business Council to advance understanding of the origins of vine and wine culture and to explore the intersection of history, geography, economics, and the business of wine in Georgia and beyond.
“The interconnected natural and cultural development in Georgia produced unique achievements, including, among others, the domestication of wild grape varietals and the production of the first wines in human history,” says Professor David Lordkipanidze, Head of the National Museum of Georgia and co-author of the publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences presenting archaeological evidence of Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition.
The lead author of that article was the late Professor Patrick McGovern of the University of Pennsylvania Museum (Penn Museum). Professor McGovern passed away last year, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of scientific research and publications. His role in demonstrating the 8,000-year history of Georgian winemaking is difficult to overestimate.
“The 9th Ghvino Forum will take place on March 11–12 in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to an industry wine seminar and consumer tasting events, the centerpiece of Ghvino Forum 2026 will be a conference at the Penn Museum on March 12. At the conference, we will celebrate the life and legacy of the world’s most prominent wine and alcohol historian and scientist, a great friend of Georgia, Professor Patrick McGovern. Friends and colleagues will remember him and discuss his scientific achievements, including his contribution to shaping the story of the origin of wine,” says Mamuka Tsereteli, Founder of the Ghvino Forum and President of the America–Georgia Business Council.
In addition, the Ghvino Forum will traditionally address the development of the Georgian wine industry, its varietal diversity, and its unique winemaking methods. Georgian amber wines—produced from white grape varietals in clay vessels called qvevri, with extended skin contact during and after fermentation—are contributing to the formation of a new wine category in the U.S. market: amber wines.
Ghvino Forum 2026 Activities Include
👉 Seminar and tasting for the trade and media representatives
Where: Rex at the Royal, 1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
When: March 11, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Registration: Eventbrite Link
👉 Dinner for conference speakers and invited guests (By invitation only!)
Where: Restaurant Sakartvelo, 705 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
When: March 11, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Conference
👉 History, Geography, Economy, and Politics of Wines in Georgia and Beyond
Celebrating Life and Legacy of Professor Patrick McGovern
Where: Widener Lecture Hall, Penn Museum, 3260 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: March 12, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration: Please register here
👉 Many Colors of Georgian Wines: White, Amber, Red and Black
Georgian Food and Wine Festival
Where: Restaurant Kinto, 1144 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
When: March 12, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Registration: Please register here

Ghvino Forum 2026 Conference Agenda

Bordeaux 2017 Classified Growths: Exclusive wine pairing dinner at the Fond - SOLD OUT!!
2026-03-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Fond, 21 N Providence Road, Wallingford, PA, 19086, United States
Bordeaux 2017 Vintage – Wine Pairing Dinner
We are hosting an exclusive, one-time wine-pairing dinner that promises to be a memorable gastronomic experience. The evening will feature uniquely crafted dishes; each paired with exceptional wines from the Classified Growths of the Bordeaux 2017 vintage.
The highlights:

4 courses expertly paired with 7 wines, with a Crémant de Bordeaux served as the welcome wine.
Wine Pairings: Each of the main courses will be accompanied by two wines, each from a different Classified Growth of Bordeaux.
Full details of both the menu and the selected wines are provided below.

Event Details:
Day/Date: Tuesday, March 17th 2026
Place: Fond
Time: 6:30 PM
Price: $200 per person (Tax & Gratuity are NOT included)
Seats are extremely limited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Reserve your seats as soon as possible by clicking on the following link:
Bordeaux Wine Pairing Dinner at Fond

Wine & Cheese Class at Philly Cheese School - SOLD OUT!!
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Private: Philly Cheese School, 701 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, United States
Join Julia and myself for a guided tasting class featuring four expertly selected wines, each paired with a stunning cheese to enhance its flavors. We will share insights on flavor profiles, pairing principles, and the stories behind each selection.
Date/Time: March 26th; 6:00 pm
Price: $75.00 per person (all inclusive)
Place: Philly Cheese School

Wine & Cheese Class at Philly Cheese School - SOLD OUT!!
2026-04-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Private: Philly Cheese School, 701 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, United States
Join Julia and myself for a guided tasting class featuring four expertly selected wines, each paired with a stunning cheese to enhance its flavors. We will share insights on flavor profiles, pairing principles, and the stories behind each selection.
Date/Time: April 9th; 6:00 pm
Price: $75.00 per person (all inclusive)
Place: Philly Cheese School
Purchase your tickets here
