Wine Classes held in ProvidencePlease note: The price for each activity is in addition to your room charges. Our room rates are available in our Room Rate Chart. |
Classes are held on Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 PM (Class sizes are limited.) The course list for 2009 is currently being finalized, but previouos topics have included the following subjects: California This class will explore how "terroir" influences wine styles as we journey through the warm regions of Napa, Sonoma & the Sierra Foothills. These wines are dramatically different from those of such cooler areas as Mendocino, Santa Barbara & Monterey. The West Coast Compare superb wines from the different regions in California, Washington and Oregon. Red selections include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel. Featured white varietals will be Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Seafood Friendly Wines We will sample wines from around the world that work perfectly with seafood. Closer to home, taste local wines that always highlight the catch of the day. Our red wine selections will demonstrate that the old rule "white wines with fish" misses the boat when it comes to sound advice. The Lands Down Under: Australia and New Zealand We will focus on the grape types that are making these regions very popular in the U.S., including Australian Shiraz, Chardonnay and Riesling and New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Old World vs. New World We will select the European(Old World) countries against some of their New World counterparts. Compare and contrast the climate, soil, grape growing and winemaking techniques. Summer Wines With warmer weather now upon us, we move to summer sipping wines that are easy to enjoy with lighter dishes. Sample wines that are not well known to most of us, such as Albarino from Spain, Torrontes from Argentina and Gruner Veltliner from Austria. Expose your taste buds to dry rose, long fashionable in the resorts of France and now offered by more than 80 California wineries. Spain, Chile & Argentina Ideal climate and no history of vine disease make these rare places in the wine world. We will taste Chile's carmenere and Argentina's malbec wines, well suited to their meat dishes. Italy Our palates are challenged as we taste a wide range of wines. These include crisp whites of the norht, fruity barberas, sangiovese from chianti & the powerful barolos/barbarescos made from nebbiolo. We will conclude the evening on a sweet note, with a sparkling prosecco & a luscious dessert wine. France Our tasting begins with the bracing acidity of the real Chablis, followed by a fabulous sauvignon blanc from Graves & the rich chardonnay of Pouilly Fuisse. The timing is perfect for sampling the 2003 wintage of cru Beaujolais, the best in history. No jouney through France is complete without the sublime pinot noir from Cote de Nuits. We will enjoy a second growth cabernet or merlot from the Medoc/Pomerol/St. Emilion regions, which are still affordable. Our tour de France will end on a high note with a fabulous dessert wine from Sauterne. PAST CLASS TOPICS...AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE. Washington State - This class zeroes in on the superb merlots and syrahs that rival California and often surpass them for value. -Germany & Austria - Taste world class riesling, gewurztraminer and gruner veltliner. These versatile food wines range from bone dry to late harvest desserts. If you believe that Blue Nun is a representative of German wines, you need to attend this class. - Washington State Look out California, here we come! - This class zeroes in on the superb merlots and syrahs that rival California and often surpass them for value. - Spain - Some of the most exciting and affordable wines in the world are coming from this country. We will enjoy sparkling wine, crisp whites from the albarino grape & earthy reds made from the temprañillo & garnacha. All of these wines are perfectly suited to the native cuisine and combine for a do not miss class. Portugal - We will enjoy the distinctive white wines like vinho verde, sprity & perfect with the salty seafood of this country. The earthy reds are also unique, made from grapes such as touriga nacional. The class will conclude with fortified wines like madeira, which was used to toast our Declaration of Independence, & of course ports. - South Africa Diamonds in a bottle - The end of apartheid has opened the world to this country's 300 year old wine tradition. It has made great strides in the past decade with chenin blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and pinotage. Valentine's Day Preview Wines that say "I Love You" Do you know what wine selections really enhance this romantic holiday? Taste wines especially selected for Valentine's Day, include sparkling wines, dry rose's and dessert wines. Learn about each of these different wine styles and how they pair beautifully with food. - Central and Southeastern Europe - We will focus on Hungary, Bulgaria and Greece, which feature grapes not found elsewhere. Singular in character, these wines are unforgettable. |
