Local Wine Events

Event ID #401024

Event Details

Tags:   Wine   Educational   Light Appetizers  

Red World Tour

 

A six-class exploratory “compare & contrast” series, ideal for those who have completed the Intro to Wine Series, or have an equivalent level of wine knowledge.

 

In this series, we will delve into the world of red wine to determine if “terroir” plays a significant role.  You will gain a better understanding of why the same grape variety, grown in multiple regions, will have similar characteristics yet achieve its own unique “personality” in the finished wine. Production methods, geography, food and traditions of the areas will be covered. We will taste some exceptional vino, so prepare your palate for a global adventure!

 

Tour 301 Key Grapes: Gamay & Pinot Noir

Regions Explored: California, France, Oregon, New Zealand

Monday, February 6 from 6:30-8:30 at Sbicca

(also offered on Tuesday, April 17 from 6:00-8:00 at Paon)

You will learn about France’s vibrant Beaujolais and see how it measures up to Pinot Noir from around the globe.  You will also come to understand why, perhaps more than any other varietal, Pinot Noir is able to capture and reflect the unique characteristics of its individual site.

9 red wines will be tasted

 

Tour 302 Key Grapes/Blends: Cab, Carmenère, Merlot & “Bordeaux” Blends

Regions Explored: Australia, California, Chile, France and Washington

Monday, February 13 from 6:30-8:30 at Sbicca

(also offered on Tuesday, April 24 from 6:00-8:00 at Paon)

We’ll match up single varietal Cab and Merlot and become skilled at distinguishing “old world” from “new” and note what really makes a wine cellar-worthy. We will then appreciate the comparable qualities of the blends Meritage and Bordeaux.

10 red wines will be tasted

 

Tour 303 Key Grapes/Blends: Grenache, Syrah & “Rhône” Blends

Regions Explored: Australia, California, Chile, France, Spain & South Africa

Monday, February 20 from 6:30-8:30 at Sbicca

(also offered on Tuesday, May 1 from 6:00-8:00 at Paon)

We’ll start the class with a side-by-side tasting of an “old bush vine” Grenache from Australia and a Spanish Garnacha.  Next, we’ll match up Syrah/Shiraz from France’s Northern Rhône, California, Australia, Chile and South Africa to ascertain their similarities and differences.  The class finale will include a tasting of three “Rhône” blends: “old world” France vs. “new world” California.

10 red wines will be tasted

 

Tour 304 Key Grapes: Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional…

Regions Explored: France, Portugal, South Africa, Spain

Monday, February 27 from 6:30-8:30 at Sbicca

(also offered on Tuesday, May 8 from 6:00-8:00 at Paon)

Aside from Grenache, this is a “one of its kind” class.  We’ll be learning about a few red grapes that are rarely found growing in this part of the world.  The first uncommon red grape will be Pinotage - a variety unique to South Africa.  Then we’re off to the Spanish regions of Rioja, Ribera Del Duero and Priorat to discover wines based on Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, etc.  We will then head west to Portugal to learn what makes their reds, which are made from a variety of indigenous grapes unique in the world of wine.  This will be an interesting adventure for those of you with an inquisitive palate.

10 red wines will be tasted

 

Tour 305 Key Grapes: Barbera, Corvina, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese….

Regions Explored: Central & North Italy

Monday, March 5 from 6:30-8:30 at Sbicca

(also offered on Tuesday, May 15 from 6:00-8:00 at Paon)

How much do you know about the Italian red wines Amarone, Barbaresco, Barolo, Brunello, Chianti, Super Tuscan or Valpolicella?  Unlike most countries, where grapes can be cultivated only in select regions, vineyards thrive virtually everywhere in Italy. We will begin the tour in Tuscany, the heart of central Italy and growing center for the country's most recognizable reds.  From Tuscany we will journey northwest into Piedmont, home of Italy’s second most planted grape – Barbera - and the renowned wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. The class will conclude in northeast Italy with the wines of Veneto: Valpolicella and the eminent Amarone.  

9 red wines will be tasted

 

Tour 306 Key Grapes:  Aglianico, Malbec, Nero d’Avola, Primitivo, Tannat, & Zinfandel

Regions Explored: Argentina, California, France, South Italy

Monday, March 12 from 6:30-8:30 at Sbicca

(also offered on Tuesday, May 22 from 6:00-8:00 at Paon)

Would you like to learn more about California’s red Zinfandel and its link to Italy’s Primitivo? Would you be interested to find out how Malbec - Argentina’s signature varietal - measures up to France’s Cahors (also based on the Malbec grape)?  In this class, you will be introduced to a diverse selection of “not so familiar” grape varieties and their respective growing regions that hopefully will surprise and delight your taste buds! 

9 red wines will be tasted

 

Additionally You Get …

Ample tasting of wines

Bottled water, cheese, fruit, bread and other accompaniments tailored to each class to enhance the tasting experience

Informative hand-out

 

Bring your desire to learn, enthusiasm for tasting, and prepare to have a fantastic experience!

 

Cheers, Salud, Santé, Cin Cin

 

‘M’

 

Michele Graber

'M' Wine Education & Consulting

858.442.2749

mwine@att.net

www.mwineeducation.com

www.facebook.com/M.Wine.Education