WINES OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA
with Scott Rosenbaum
Tuesday, May 11
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Though Vino’s expansion has allowed us to provide you with global grasp of the world’s wines, we haven’t forgotten our Italian roots! Italian Wine 101 continues to be your favorite class: if you’re one of the many people confused by Italian wine there’s no better place to start making sense of it all. Featured twice times this Spring, this introductory tasting seminar will break down Italy’s complex appellation system, myriad grape varieties, diverse regional winemaking styles. Lucky participants will be treated to an exclusive tasting representing the spectacular variety of Italy’s wines. And remember, if you miss out this time, we’ll be hosting Italian Wine 101 again on June 8!

ITALIAN WINE 101
with William “Lucky” Lee
Wednesday, May 5
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information and reservations please contact 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Charles de Gaulle once asked, “How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?” It’s even more difficult to wrap one’s head around the country’s various wines (of which there are over 300 distinct appellations). This class introduces some of France’s best known exports: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Participants will taste representations of these grapes as they manifest themselves in some of their finest growing regions. Participants will learn about basic winemaking techniques, French wine laws and appellations including: Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, and the Loire and Rhone Valleys.

FRENCH WINES IN A NUTSHELL
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
Tuesday, April 27
$45

For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Vino’s wine classes return in April with a fresh schedule for Spring! Our wines have gone international and so have our classes: this semester’s tasting seminars are a reflection of our expanding selection of world-class wines and spirits from around the globe. In addition, this term’s classes will be held on alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays, giving everyone a chance to attend! Sign-up today!

Wednesday, April 21
THE WINES OF TUSCANY
with Jim Hutchinson, DWS
$65
No region evokes the magic of Italy more than Tuscany: its rolling hills, picturesque towns and stunning artistic heritage have attracted visitors for centuries. So familiar is the region — and its wines — that in recent years wine enthusiasts in this country have begun to pass up a Brunello or a Vino Nobile in favor of something new. While we strongly promote the discovery of Italy’s lesser-known wines, at Vino we are quick to recognize there is much more to Tuscan wine than a straw Chianti flask on a checkered tablecloth. From the famous Sangiovese-based appellations to the law-bending Super Tuscans, Tuscany is home to some of the world’s finest wines. Taste some of our favorites!

Tuesday, April 27
FRENCH WINES IN A NUTSHELL
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
$45
Charles de Gaulle once asked, ”How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?“ It’s even more difficult to wrap one’s head around the country’s various wines (of which there are over 300 distinct appellations). This class introduces some of France’s best known exports: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Participants will taste representations of these grapes as they manifest themselves in some of their finest growing regions. Participants will learn about basic winemaking techniques, French wine laws and appellations including: Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, and the Loire and Rhone Valleys.

Wednesday, May 5
ITALIAN WINE 101
with William “Lucky” Lee
$45
Many Vino customers often confess confusion when attempting to fathom Italy’s vast mosaic of appellations, myriad grape varieties, and countless winemaking styles. While we admit that getting to grips with Italian wine can be a daunting task, there’s no better place to start making sense of it all than at our hugely popular class. Featured three times this term, this introductory seminar will help unravel some of the mystery surrounding Italian wine, in the process hopefully answering some of those questions that continue to boggle the minds of so many wine novices. Participants will be treated to an exclusive tasting representing the incredible diversity of Italy’s wines. Whether you’re an Italian wine novice or a veteran of vino, consider this class your springboard from which to dive deeper into Italian wine’s many hidden depths, while broadening your knowledge of this richly entertaining and endlessly rewarding subject.

Tuesday, May 11
THE IBERIAN PENINSULA: The Wines of Spain & Portugal
with William “Lucky” Lee
$45
Spain makes more than Rioja and Portugal makes more than Port. Come and learn about why these countries produce some of the finest wine values in the world. Explore Spain’s wonderful whites and Portugal’s dry reds. Taste Albariño and discover Green Spain, visit Jumilla and quaff Monastrell, and find our about Portugal’s indigenous varieties while downing Dão.

Wednesday, May 19
OLD WORLD VS. NEW WORLD
with William “Lucky” Lee
$55
The joust is on! Maybe… You’ll no doubt have heard these phrases used to describe winemaking styles, but what do they really mean? Join us for an intriguing look at what differentiates “Old World” from “New World” wines, separating them into these two camps. We will taste selections from some of the world’s top winemaking regions to form a clearer understanding of how terroir and technique can affect the “profile” of a wine. We will also take an in-depth look at how different treatments to the same grape variety can yield wines of wildly differing attributes. California Merlot and Saint-Émilion? Australian Shiraz vs. Northern Rhône? Taste and decide which side of the winemaking divide these wines lay!

Tuesday, May 25
SIX GRAPE VARIETIES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
with Jim Hutchinson
$45
Cesanese, Monastrell, Teroldego, Falanghina. If you’ve never heard of these grape varieties don’t despair, until a few years ago nobody knew Malbec either. Join us at Vino for an evening of exploration. We will taste wines made from six grapes of which you may know very little. Who knows? You may stumble onto the ground floor of the next big thing.

Wednesday, June 2
PAIRING FOOD & WINE
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
$55
We’ve all heard the ”white wine with fish, red wine with meat“ dictum, but there’s so much more to pairing wine and food. This hands-on practical places each participant in a taste lab where we’ll be experimenting with various wine styles and food types. If you’re curious why some reds work with spicy food, what salt does to tannin, what foods are impossible to pair and what to drink with dessert, this class is for you.

Tuesday, June 8
ITALIAN WINE 101
with William “Lucky” Lee
$45
The second edition of our introductory Italian wine tasting seminar.

Wednesday, June 16
BLIND TASTING
with Jim Hutchinson, DWS
$55
Within the professional wine world, a blind tasting is seen by many as the ultimate test of a wine’s worthiness. External information, such as the cork, labels, price, even the bottle’s shape — factors which may sway a taster’s judgment — are hidden, leaving us with the purest sensory tasting experience. While a useful technique for creating a more honest comparison, a blind tasting is also a fascinating revelation as to the extent in which context and preconceptions can affect our perception of wine.

Tuesday, June 22
AN INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIC COCKTAILS
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
$45
The cocktail renaissance is upon us. Prohibition-style speakeasies are all the rage as are bartenders who make their own bitters, but you don’t need a password or a degree in chemistry to mix up some of the classics. In this two hour seminar, Scott Rosenbaum will recount some of the history behind such hallmarks as the Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri, and Sidecar. He’ll then shake ’em up as he discusses the finer points regarding the importance of fresh juice, good ice, and proper barware. Participants will have a chance to mix their favorite cocktail of the evening, flame orange peels and discover what should be shaken and what should be stirred.

Wednesday, June 30
WINES OF THE AMERICAS
with William “Lucky” Lee
$45
There has never been a better time to be enjoying high quality wines from “our side of the pond”. As Europe migrated westward, so did their grape varieties and traditions, morphing into wines that began to reflect the distinct character of their new home. In “Wines of the Americas’, we will taste and discuss selections spanning both continents, picking out some of the regional flavors and practices that distinguish these wines from their European counterparts. Whether it’s lush California Pinot Noir, zesty Chilean Sauvignon Blanc or robust Malbec from Mendoza, one will find an ever-increasing array of fine wines spread throughout the wine growing regions of the Americas. For those of you who fancy a whirlwind western wine tour this class is a no brainer.

All classes start at 6:30pm and last approximately two hours. For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

ON THE A16: NAPLES TO BARI
Wednesday, March 3
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Vino’s Winter 2010 classes continue next Tuesday with a Master Class featuring a very special guest! Winemaker Mario Andrion of the acclaimed Barolo estate Castello di Verduno will be at Vino on February 23 to guide a tasting of his wines and to talk about his experiences as an enologist in one of the world’s most important appellations.

At 34 years old, Mario (above) represents a new generation of Langhe winemakers who resist the rigid traditional/modern categorization that has dogged Barolo and Barbaresco for decades. Like many of his contemporaries, he is willing to use advances in viticulture and vinification to produce wines that vibrantly express varietal character and reflect the top quality of the estate’s vineyard sites while requiring minimal technical intervention.

After obtaining a degree in enology and viticulture from the University of Turin, Mario spent a year in Oregon before landing a job at the Castello di Verduno in 2000. He assisted Castello co-owner Franco Bianco before taking over the cellar in 2005. Mario was awarded the Tre Bicchieri award from Gambero Rosso for his 2004 Barbaresco Rabaja.

Class participants will taste some of Castello di Verduno’s most representative wines, including Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba, Verduno Pelaverga, Barbaresco, Barbaresco Rabaja and Barolo Massara.

MASTER CLASS
with Mario Andrion of Castello di Verduno
Tuesday, February 23
6:30-8:30pm
$50

For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Grapevines have been cultivated in Italy for thousands of years, but today the country’s wine industry is stronger than ever. In 2008 Italy produced six billion liters of vino, approximately one fifth of the world’s production. Much of this is exported, yet Italians still rank as the biggest consumers of wine in the world (59 liters per capita). With over 450 legally-designated winemaking appellations and some 350 government-authorized grape varieties (plus hundreds more documented), it’s no surprise Italian wine can be an overwhelming subject for the uninitiated.

Hosted by Vino’s William Lee, this introductory seminar will help unravel some of the complexities of the Italian wine system, and dispel much of the mystery surrounding what is for Italians simply part of everyday life. For this fun and lively class, participants will be treated to an exclusive tasting representing the impressive quality and incredible diversity of Italy’s wines. Italian Wine 101 is the best place to start making sense of Italy’s vast mosaic of appellations, myriad grape varieties, and countless winemaking styles.

ITALIAN WINE 101
with William Lee
Wednesday, February 17
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Vino’s Winter wine classes continue next Wednesday with a very special edition of Wines of Tuscany, presented in association with Vino 2010, and featuring honored guest representatives from two of our favorite Tuscan wineries: Giovanni Busi of Travignoli and Fabrizio Benedetti of Casa Emma.

Perhaps no region evokes the magic of Italy more than Tuscany: its rolling hills, picturesque towns and stunning artistic heritage have attracted visitors for centuries. So familiar is the region, that many wine enthusiasts are often lulled into feeling they know all their is to know about Tuscany’s equally popular and world famous wines. But as this exclusive tasting class will demonstrate, there’s much more to Tuscan wine than a straw flask on a checkered tablecloth.

Now you have a rare opportunity to learn more about the finer details of Tuscan wine production, directly from those who know it best. The Travignoli estate in Chianti Rufina has been in the Busi family since the 17th century. Current owner Giovanni Busi (right), himself a former president of the Chianti Rufina consortium, will reveal some of the secrets which go into producing a world class wine.

One of the top producers of Chianti Classico, Casa Emma is also a leader in wine marketing and international relations. Fabrizio Benedetti (left) oversees the business aspect of the winery, and will explain the steps Casa Emma has taken to adapt to an ever-expanding market.

Taste wines from both producers and more in what promises to be a very special occasion at Vino!

WINES OF TUSCANY
Wednesday, February 3
6:30-8:30pm
$65

For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Organized by the Italian Trade Commission, Vino 2010 Italian Wine Week is the biggest Italian wine convention ever held outside of Italy, featuring events, panels and tastings throughout the city from February 2-6.

Famed the world over for its use in two of Italy’s most celebrated wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, young Nebbiolo is naturally high in tannins and thus at its best offers a remarkable potential for aging. Yet many forget that the variety actually goes far beyond these highly revered DOCGs, featuring in wines from some of Piedmont’s lesser-known winemaking zones, including Ghemme and Carema in the northern hills of the region. Though most closely associated with Piedmont, Nebbiolo is also cultivated in Lombardy where it’s known as Chiavennasca, and is the predominant variety in Valtellina.

A man who has worked the vines with his bare hands under Piedmont’s baking sun, few people know Nebbiolo like Jim Hutchinson, DWS (below: front row, far right). Join Jim tomorrow evening as as he guides you through this impressive exclusive tasting of some of his favorite expressions of this much-admired and unexpectedly diverse variety. Sign up now!

NEBBIOLO
with Jim Hutchinson, DWS
Wednesday, November 11
6:30-8:30pm
$65

For more information and reservations call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

By far our most popular class, Italian Wine 101 is offered twice this term, giving Vino’s most curious customers an extra chance to enjoy an introduction to some of Italy’s greatest grape varieties and wines.

Vino’s own William “Lucky” Lee will review Italy’s magnificent yet sometimes intimidating mosaic of local varieties and wine appellations, the two aspects which continue more often than not to boggle the minds of Italian wine novices. William will also explain the fascinating process of wine-making from grape to bottle, give pointers on storing, serving and ordering wine, and discuss wine’s important role in Italian daily life.

Featuring a carefully compiled tasting representing the supreme quality and vast diversity of Italian wine, this lively and entertaining seminar is ideal for those new to Vino and for experience enthusiasts alike. Sign up today!

ITALIAN WINE 101
with William Lee
Wednesday, November 4
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information and reservations call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.