Catalogue
Below is a list of my favorite classes to teach, all of which can fit into either a Social Event or Deep-dive format.
Regions of Italy
Steeped in ancient history, the world of Italian wine is vast and complex. From the cool dry alpine whites of the north, to the earthy volcanic reds of the south, Italy produces an array of fun and unique wines from hundreds of native grapes. In this whirlwind tour we discover Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Campania, Friuli, Alto Adige, and the Veneto.
Sparkling Wines Around the World
It all began in northern France, where Benedictine monks toiled away for generations, in both vineyard and cellar, to create the sparkling elixir we all love today. In this fun tasting, we travel to Spain, Italy, Germany, US, Hungary and France to discover value sparklers from both historic families and the upstarts!
Learn Langhe
Located along the northwestern corner of Italy is the Langhe region of Piemonte, home to the majestic wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Dive a little deeper, and a whole world of everyday whites and reds are at your disposal. In this tasting, participants will discover the everyday gems Barbera, Dolcetto and Freisa alongside notable wines from Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, and Dogliani.
Native Grapes
Italy is home to more native grape cultivars than any other winemaking country in the world! When the Phoenicians arrived prior to the Romans in 7th Century BC, they dubbed the area 'Enotria' or 'land of the vine' for its incredible varietal diversity from region to region. In this tasting, I will introduce a collection of exciting native cultivars from across the boot, showcasing both the obscure grapes alongside the mainstays who have enduring throughout Italy’s tumultuous history.
Tour France
From the Abby’s of Burgundy to the manicured estates of Bordeaux, generations of vignerons have inspired countless winemakers across the world to follow in their footsteps. In this class, we take a tour through France’s benchmark wine regions of Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Rhone and Provence, to discover France’s viticultural history.
Portraits of Pinot
From Burgundy to New Zealand to the breezy coast of central California, this prodigious grape is among the most popular in the world. In this fun blind-tasting, participants will travel around the world to discover Pinot's from the US, South America, New Zealand, Germany and its birthplace in France.
Rhone Retro
Home to a range of wines forged by its rugged topography, climate and soils, the Rhone Valley is an intense place for viticulture. In this tasting, we journey from Lyon to Avignon to discover the history, climate and the ancient culture of winemaking in Condrieu, St Joseph, Côte Rôtie, Tavel, Crozes-Hermitage, Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape!
Donne del Vino Italiano
There are producers who work alone in obscurity, straining the boundaries of established winemaking to elevate their region’s identity. It is astounding to learn in the depths of a patriarchal society, where women are expected to take care of the home and family, there are those who persevered despite those hardships. In this very special tasting, I will delve into the stories of 7 female winemakers from Piemonte, Veneto, Trentino, Tuscany and Basilicata who have broken that patriarchal mold.
Northern Spain
Covering much of the Iberian Peninsula, from the French Pyrenees to the Andalucian coast, Spain is a country chock full of intense and expressive wines. In this class, we focus exclusively on the northerly appellations, stretching from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, covering Galacia, Bierzo, Ribera del Duero, Basque, Rioja, and the Mediterranean coast.
Old World vs New World
What does it mean for a wine to be from the Old World or New World? The answer and subsequent process of discovery, is a doorway into the fundamental aspects to understanding wine. This Wine 101 class will tackle the building blocks of tasting through the lens of this important distinction.
Garden of the Loire
Known for its eclectic range of styles, the Loire is a restaurant sommeliers secret weapon. From the Atlantic to edges of Burgundy, the hills and valley's of the Loire offers a range of interesting wines to discover. In this tasting, we make our way through Muscadet, Sancerre, Vouvray, Savennieres, Borgeuil and Chinon, to discover a rich history of winemaking and innovation.
Toscana
Tuscany looms large in Italy with its storied history of craftsmanship, architecture and culture. Beneath such deep history and prestige, like a strong undercurrent, is a steady stream of quality wines coming from every corner of the region. In this tasting, we dive into Chianti Classico, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Grosseto and the IGT Toscana movement. Participants will gain an understanding of geography, soil, grapes and winemakers who changed Italian wine forever.