Wine Classes


500X300_66281863_MEDIUMAn Introduction to the Wines of Europe

For centuries Europe was the center of wine-making. Many of the world’s finest wines still come from there—from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Austria. This introductory tasting will show you prime examples of some of the world’s greatest wines, including a Sauvignon Blanc from France’s Loire Valley, and Riesling from one of Germany’s great estates, a white Chardonnay-based wine from Meursault or Chassagne Montrachet in France’s Burgundy region, a Rioja from Spain’s most famous wine region, a Brunello di Montalcino from the fabulous Sangiovese grapes in Tuscany, and a Bordeaux from a great estate in the world’s most famous wine region.

Bordeaux Basics

Are you interested in wines from Bordeaux but don’t know where to start? This is a unique seminar for those wishing to demystify this region and get familiar with the different styles produced.

  • Learn the classifications, the taste profiles and the price variations for the different regions in one of the greatest wine regions of the world…Bordeaux!
  • Discover the wines of one of the most famous and celebrated regions in the wine world.
  • This seminar explores the grape varieties, growths and classifications, history and soils of this unique area that the ancient Romans called Terra Burdigala.
  • Several wines from the varying communes of Bordeaux will be tasted with insight into what has made these wines the benchmark of quality for centuries.

Become a Rhône Ranger—Wines of the Rhône Valley

This region, located in the southeastern portion of France, is in fact where the appellation of origin system was born with the introduction of quality regulations in Chateauneuf-du- Pape in 1923.

  • Discover The Rhône white varietals: Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, and their terroir.
  • Discover the Rhône reds: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
  • Learn about whata makes the most famous Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape so wonderful.

Several wines will be tasted from the various regions of the Rhône Valley with a discussion of the styles attributed to each.

The Many Levels of Burgundy

With 1000 years of history, the wines of Burgundy are the best known in the world.

  • Discover the wines of Burgundy: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay, and Aligoté—and the high number of Appellation d’orginine contrôlées (AOCs) more than any other region.
  • What makes a Burgundy a Burgundy?
  • Why is it seen as the most terroir-conscious of the French wine regions?

We will review the six major districts of Burgunday, discuss and taste wine from each.

Basic Vino Italiano

This basic overview class focuses on some of the most recognizable regions of Italy and some not so familiar to the consumer. A discussion Italy’s three thousand years of wine making history and wine laws will provide a better understanding of this country’s contribution to the history of wine.

Discover Italy’s twenty different wine regions that are home to more than two thousand different native varietals, including some of the truly Italian grapes: Greco, Fiano, Trebbiano, Aglianico, Nebbiolo, Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes and why Italy offers the wine drinker a vast array of styles and price points to consider.

We will be sampling several wines to demonstrate the vast variety of all that is Italy.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Do you know the difference between a Chianti and a Chianti Classico?

The rolling hills of  Tuscany not only provide some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, but some of its greatest wines as well: regal Brunello di Montalcino, brilliant modern Chianti, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, and the darling of international wine circles—the Super-Tuscans.  Plus the crisp, floral dry white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and Vin Santo, the extraordinary holy dessert wine.

  • What’s all the rave about Super Tuscans
  • Why are some wines labeled IGT instead of DOCG?
  • We will discover the great grapes of Tuscany and the Tuscan wine styles
  • Learn to read the label of what is probably Italy’s most famous wine region.

In this session we will be sampling the wines of Tuscany.

Exploring Spain

The quality of Spanish wines has zoomed in recent years. Once known only for Rioja, Spain is now producing wine that competes with the world’s best. Spanish wine is hot now, because the quality vs. price ratio is extremely favorable for consumers. This tasting includes Cava, Spain’s wonderful sparkling wine, Albariño, the exceptionally food-friendly white, and reds from Rioja, the Penedes, Ribera del Duero, Priorato and Toro.
Although Spanish wines have been around for years, they’ve just recently become the wine connoisseurs wine of choice.

  • Discover why the interest in the Spanish wine market has exploded in recent years with great quality, matched with great pricing.
  • Learn about the great regions of Spain, and their signature styles.
  • Explore the up-and-coming regions that helped shape the rebirth of the Spanish wine trade and excited the pros.

Taste through several different Spanish wine regions from various Denominación de Origén (DO) and Denominación de Origén Calificada (DOCa) to emphasize this country’s history, wine styles and future potential of these old but new wines.

German or French? The Wines of Alsace

With the Vosges mountains and the rest of France to the west, and the Rhine and then Germany to the east, Alsace really is a mini-kingdom to itself, which has absorbed aspects from both French and German cultures.

  • This region offers a broad range of truly be wonderful, delicious, well-structured, food friendly white wines covering all price ranges and style.
  • Discussions will include the famous Riesling, more commonly associated with the vineyards of Germany, as well as the Pinot Noir, the red grape of Burgundy.
  • Learn about Alsace’s less famous grapes: Tokay-Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat and Pinot Blanc.

Several wines will be tasted from Alsace with a discussion of the styles attributed to each.

Wine Exploration:

This intermediate to advanced series of courses is designed to broaden the wine enthusiast’s knowledge with structured wine tasting together with experienced instruction. The courses delve into all the major grape varietals of wine, regions and terroir around the globe – plus the culture, cuisine, geography, history, and characteristics that bring the world of wine to life!