Wine Appreciation Class

At the Art Foundry Gallery

Begins: May 13, 2008

Wine merchant Donal Smith

will again offer his popular Wine Appreciation Class (formerly offered through the Learning Exchange).We encourage anyone with an enthusiasm for wine education to attend.

This class requires a minimum enrollment of 25 students.

 

Course: “INTRODUCTION TO WINE TASTING AND APPRECIATION”

 

 

For Reservations please contact Donal Smith at 916 203-4641 or donalswines@yahoo.com

When: Next Class – May 13, May 20 and May 27th

Where: The Art Foundry Gallery, 1021 R St. Sacramento next door to the Fox & Goose at 10th & R st. Time/Tariff: Class begins 7:30 PM – Class Fee - $85 + ($5 materials fee at the door)

Send class fee to the following address: Corti Bros., Attn: Donal Smith/Wine Dept., 5810 Folsom Blvd. Sacto. 95819

SELECTED WINES FROM CALIFORNIA AND AROUND THE WORLD will be tasted and discussed in this fun, informative three-week course. This beginning level class will give you an opportunity to learn how to enjoy wines to their fullest by participating in the following activities:

• TASTING WINE in a step-by step format that can help maximize “appreciation”
• Understanding by developing confidence in your own sensory perception.
• IDENTIFYING MAJOR GRAPE VARIETALS and discussing their most notable traits.
• LEARNING HOW TO USE THE DAVIS SCALE – This is the wine evaluation chart used at all Corti Brothers’ wine tasting and dinners (given throughout the year).
• BUYING WINES – Learning how to make the “right” decisions at the “right” price. We’ll suggest what wines you should drink vs. wines to “lay down.”
• DISCUSSING IMPORTANT WINE GROWING REGIONS and the significance of their ‘Terroir’ (a French term for the total natural environment of any viticulture site) in Europe and California.
• OPENING & DECANTING BOTTLES – Demonstrating various cork pullers and learning how to properly decant bottles and read (decipher) both foreign and domestic wine labels.
• SUGGESTED PAIRINGS – of wine and food that consistently work together.
• LEARNING HOW WINE IS MADE – A special winemaker guest will lead the discussion, which will include the tasting of select barrel samples as well as bottle-finished wines. Plus: A wine-trade guest appearance (with wine) Class #2.

Tasting Delicious Hors d’Oeuvres – Note: Wine & Food Pairings served at all sessions.