We launched our Fall Wine School with the first class in our Intro Series: Tasting & Describing Wine. Mary Burnham is a freelance writer and author of Food and Wine Magazine’s Wine Guide.
Our Tasting & Describing Wine class focuses on blind tasting and interpreting our senses. We observe the smells, sensations, and flavors of the wine and draw conclusions as to grape varietal and place of origin. For beginners, it is a really helpful class in learning how to recognize certain characteristics and match them with a particular wine. Mary did a superb job of taking us through the components of the wine, from flavors to acidity to body to tannin, and helping the students determine the wine in each glass.
We enjoyed an interesting progression of white wines from zesty Champagne and Sauvignon Blanc to creamy Chardonnay and slightly-sweet Riesling. For reds we went from Pinot to Syrah with some typical favorites in between, ending with a 1992 Napa Cab. Thanks again to Mary for a great class and to the students who attended – we hope to see you again this fall! Let us know what you thought.
Wine List
1. Champagne Collet Brut Grand Art NV – Champagne, France
2. Maimai Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
3. Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2010 – (Chardonnay) Chablis, FR
4. Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay 2008 – Napa Valley, CA
5. Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2011 – Mosel Valley, GER
6. JK Carriere Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2002 – Willamette Valley, OR
7. Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga 2008 – (Sangiovese) Tuscany, Italy
8. Scherrer Vineyards Alexander Valley Zinfandel 2005 – Sonoma County, CA
9. Domaine George Vernay Cote Rotie La Blonde du Seigneur 2010 – Northern Rhone, FR
10. BV George de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 – Napa Valley, CA
– Melanie Solomon
