Chicago Wine-Just Grapes

First Wednesday Tasting
THEME: Old World vs. New World (Side by Side Tasting)
DATE: September 7, 2005
TIME: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
COST: Regular Price $25 or Savvy Sipper Members $20

The most common denominator for most wine enthusiasts is the grape type they prefer, but not all grapes are created equal. Just as the same type of fish from two different oceans in the hands of two different chefs can taste completely different, the same grape from two different growing conditions made by two different winemakers can taste very different. Join us for our next “First Wednesdays” to taste 2 examples of 12 different grapes to experience first hand the effects of winemaking and growing condition in the New World (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States) vs. the Old World (France, Italy, Spain). Each person will receive 2 glasses and get the opportunity to compare side by side the same grape made by two different winemakers and grown in two different growing conditions.

“Terroir” is the term the French have coined to describe the complete environment that surrounds the grape, including soil, climate, exposure, and location which in turn effects the wine in your glass. Old World wine making embraces this theory and attempts to make wine in a style that is more subtle and emphasizes “terroir”. Old World winemaking believes that wine is simply the canvas used to express the environment it comes from (“Sense of Place”). New World wine making embraces modern technology and big flavor. New world winemaking is much more hands on and the winemakers are willing to doing whatever it takes to make a good wine.