Our love affair with Summer is over. The reality of blazing temperatures and thunderstorms has us contemplating the Fall and with it our upcoming schedule of classes. At Vino, we offer a wide variety of single-session seminars for the novice and connoisseur alike. We keep our class size small, topics engaging, and wine and spirits fun. So gear up for going back to school — this time you’re allowed to drink on campus. For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.
WINE 101
with William Leonard-Lee
Wednesday, September 1
$45
This term’s classes are a reflection of our new international outlook, none more so than Wine 101, a global introduction to wine and winemaking. Vino’s William Leonard-Lee will attempt to unravel much of the mystery surrounding wine, revealing secrets of the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle, and offering tips on selecting, storing and serving wine. Participants will take a whirlwind tour of some of the world’s celebrated wine-producing regions, tasting some fine examples of the local product along the way. There’s no better place to start making sense of one of everday life’s greatest pleasures.
THE WINES OF ITALY
with Jim Hutchinson, DWS
Tuesday, September 7
$45
Before Vino’s international expansion earlier this year, we spent the best part of a decade dealing in Italian wine. All that tasting and talking (and tasting some more) had to pay off in the end: the result is The Wines of Italy! Hosted by Vino’s resident Italian wine maven Jim Hutchinson, this intrepid tour of the peninsula will take in Italy’s vast mosaic of appellations, countless grape varieties, and myriad countless winemaking styles. Participants will be treated to an exclusive tasting representative of Italian wine’s remarkable quality and diversity, and learn more about the ever-shifting landscape of Italy’s richly entertaining winemaking culture.
FRENCH WINES IN A NUTSHELL
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
Wednesday, September 15
$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.
WINES OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
Tuesday, September 21
$45
Spain makes more than Rioja and there’s more to Portugal than Port. Wines of the Iberian Peninsula gives you the chance to learn 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 out about Portugal’s indigenous varieties while downing Dão.
CLASSIC COCKTAILS
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
Tuesday, September 28
$45
The cocktail renaissance is upon us. New York has seen a surge in Prohibition-era speakeasies and bartenders who concoct their own signature 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, Vino’s spirits specialist Scott Rosenbaum will recount the colorful 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. Prepare to be shaken and stirred!
WINE 101
with William Leonard-Lee
Tuesday, October 5
$45
Another chance to take part in our introductory wine class!
PAIRING FOOD & WINE
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
Wednesday, October 13
$55
We’ve all heard the “white wine with fish, red wine with meat” dictum – if only it were that simple! In today’s society we are faced with a limitless options for pairing food and wine it’s sometimes hard to know where to begin. 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.
THE CLASSICS
with Jim Hutchinson, DWS
Wednesday, October 27
$65
You’ve undoubtedly heard of them, and you’ve probably drunk them, but what do you really know about them? Let Jim Hutchinson take you on a top-class tasting tour of the world’s classic wines. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Mosel Riesling, Chianti, Barolo, Californian Cabernet… these essentially amount to wine’s Greatest Hits. Discover what makes these wines so renowned and why they so consistently top the charts.
WINES OF THE AMERICAS
with William Leonard-Lee
Tuesday, November 2
$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. William Leonard-Lee 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 whistle-stop 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 info@vinosite.com.