Napa Wine-WineSpirit presents: Shaping Taste and Tasting Shape: How our tastes are shaped by molecules, gustatory experience, pleasure, memory and expectation.

With Sondra Barrett, PhD and Tim Hanni, MW, CWE

Through exquisite microphotography of wine, food and molecules, coupled with our unique sensory experiences, we explore wine from both a deeply personal and scientific perspective.  Join scientist- photographer Sondra Barrett and wine renegade and expert Tim Hanni, innovator of the Budometer and Vignon, in this provocative exploration. Come play "taste a shape" and discover your taste sensitivities.  See photographs taken through the microscope of the chemicals associated with our five tastes.  See the interesting patterns that emerge.  Tim Hanni, Master of Wine, chef and innovator of the "progressive wine list" claims that our like or dislike of coffee, salted foods, and other things, tells a lot about our taste sensitivity, which  influences our wine preferences.  You will check out his Budometer questionnaire to learn more.

About Our Presenters:

Sondra Barrett earned a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and while on the faculty at the University of California Medical School inadvertently ventured into the world of wine more than 25 years ago. From medical science to photographing the inner beauty of wine and food she conveys enthusiasm for a new science that embraces art, wonder and the senses. Her photographs through the microscope have won awards and have appeared in numerous publications and venues including The World of Fine Wine Magazine, Scientific American, Wine News, Alles Uber Wein, and the Napa Valley Museum. An educator, author, and photographer, Barrett shares her passion and knowledge about living well in lectures, courses, exhibits, and tastings. Her first book The Soul of Wine will be out in 2008.

Tim Hanni is a professionally trained chef, one of the first two Americans to earn the title Master of Wine and is a Certified Wine Educator accredited by the Society of Wine Educators. He has been involved with a wine and food related businesses, education and research for over thirty-five years. Hanni’s unique perspective provides a modern and innovative approach to food and wine. His techniques for creating easy to use wine lists and retail wine programs are combined with tried and tested culinary philosophies on "balancing" food and wine flavors and are employed by thousands of restaurants and hotel outlets around the world.

To Reserve: call: 707-261-8716 or

Email: execdir@winespirit.org; or send a check to: WineSpirit, 855 Bordeaux Way, Suite100, Napa, CA 94558