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All classes start at 7:00 PM and last until approximately
8:30 PM. We have two different locations and each class has its location
listed.
- The Tasting Room
- 72 East 1st Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues. Closest Subway is
F Train, 2nd Avenue stop.
- The Midtown Executive Club
- 40 West 45th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues. Closest Subway is
F Train, 42nd Street stop.
* Class registrations
can be canceled for a full refund *
up to ten days prior to the event.
Introduction Classes
The following is a listing of upcoming Introduction
class offerings.
All classes will have food to accompany the wines.
The listed cost for each course includes wine, support materials, and food.
Introduction to Wine
Dates:See listings below
Price: $285 (for the entire course)
This class will give you a fundamental understanding of not only different
grapes and regions, but also of different production methods and how people
greatly affect wines from all over the globe. This course teaches you
to understand what makes each wine unique and will enable you to understand
wine better so you can confidently shop for wine and order wine in a restaurant
and learn to discover new grapes and regions for the rest of your life.
We also focus on food and wine pairing. Each class will have regional
cheeses, cured meats, pates, or something else we prepare that is designed
to complement the wines served. On average we serve ten wines per class.
Learning about wine is a life long endeavor and this class aims to give
you the tools to start that journey. We will cover wines from all over
the world and you will begin to discover what you like and don’t
like, and more importantly, why. In addition, we will explore how to find
wines of good value and we will analyze the trends in the wine styles
of today and discuss the influence of the media and politics in the wine
industry.
If you need to miss one or two classes you can make them up the next
time the course is offered. The intro class is offered every month.
Introduction to Wine (August)
Dates: August 6, 13, 20, 27
Location: Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $285 (for the entire course)
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Introduction to Wine (September)
Dates: September 18, 25, October 2, 9
Location: Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $285 (for the entire course)
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Introduction to Wine (October)
Dates: October 22, 29, November 5, 12
Location: Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $285 (for the entire course)
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Single Session Classes
All classes will have food to accompany the wines.
The listed cost for each course includes wine, support materials, and food.
Barolo & Barbaresco
Dates: October 27th
Location: The Tasting Room
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $130
The wines of Barolo and Barbaresco are some of the densest, deepest,
most intriguing wines in the world. What defines them are their unique
climate and soil that are home to the Nebbiolo grape. This is a very finicky
grape that has shown almost zero success when planted outside its home
in Piedmont, Italy. This is a brilliant example of how one specific grape
works in perfect unison with its environment to create a wine that is
singular and unique - there is nothing in the world like it. These wines
need time to age and soften, yet when they come around they show flavors
of smoke, earth, mineral, flowers, leather and so much more. We will compare
and contrast these two sub-regions within Piedmont and taste wines from
great producers such as Angelo Gaja, Conterno, and Marchesi di Gresy.
We will also taste examples of Nebbiolo grown in less prestigious zones
within Piedmont to see how they stack up. This class will feature the
very best of Barolo & Barbaresco.
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Exploring Cabernet Sauvignon
Dates: September 10
Location: Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $85
I have done classes before focuing on one specific grape. I recently
held a class on Syrah and while the wines were all very good in their
way, the greatest part of the class was seeing how different all the wines
were depending on their provenance. We will do the same with Cabernet
Sauvignon, one of the greatest grapes of the world. It provides the foundation
of many of the top wines from Bordeaux and it is responsible for many
of the Napa Valley’s most prestigious and expensive wines. In addition
to these benchmarks, it also manifests itslef in the wines of Australia,
South America, and many other parts of the world from South Africa to
our own New York State. This grape is known for its frim tannins and its
dense spicy flavors of green and black pepper, black currant, and even
lead pencil. We will be sure to taste one first growth from Bordeaux such
as Chateau Mouton-Rothschild or Chateau Margaux.
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Cult Wines of Spain &
Portugal
Date: October 23
Location: The Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $140
Napa, Bordeaux, and Australia are not the only countries with cult wines.
Spain and Portugal have a very rich history of wine production and they
collectively have some of the very best vineyards in the world. Most importantly,
these wines have a personality that sets them apart from the other “greats”
of the world. Some are made with Spain’s very own Tempranillo grape
while others in Portugal are made with varietals such as Touriga Nacional,
Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Barroca. Yes,
perhaps you have never heard of these grapes but the wines speak for themselves.
We will explore these amazing regions as well as taste their less expensive
counterparts to see what you get for your money. Furthermore, I represent
the Spanish Trade Commission here in New York City in promoting the wines
of Rioja and through this I have access to some truly rare gems. The wines
tasted will be Vega Sicilia, Alvario Palacios L’Ermita Priorato,
Portugal’s Braca Velha, and many other greats.
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Wine 101 in One Night
Date: October 16
Location: The Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $90
I always offer an Introduction to Wine class every month that meets
for four sessions. Being New York City and all, I understand that it is
not always feasible to make a four session class. So owing to popular
demand, I am going to provide you with a fundamental understanding of
this amazing drink in one night filled with wine, food, and tons of information.
We will explore wine terminology, different styles, as well as the basics
of production. At a minimum, you will taste and recognize different wine
styles and you will leave this class with not only a better understanding
of what you like, but also why. We will taste over 15 wines in this class
and pair them with cheeses from the world over.
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South African Values
Date: October 14
Location: The Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $65
If you have ever had the opportunity to taste the wines of South Africa
than you know how great they can be. Moreover, they can be incredible
values. South Africa has been producing wines since the 1650’s,
yet they are finally reaching our shores. They have a unique maritime
influence along their coastline. These conditions produce wines with brilliant
acidity and amazing fruit flavors all at the same time. The two main regions,
Stellenbosch and Paarl, both turn out great wines yet understanding their
different climates can help in choosing which wines are deserving of your
dollars in the wine store. We will taste a number of Sauvignon Blancs
and Chenin Blancs, as well as some great Cabernet Sauvignons from the
warmer zones. Many of these wines are incomparable to other wines of the
world, if you are looking for something different you will experience
it in this class.
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Exploring California Zinfandel
Date: October 8
Location: The Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $70
One of California’s greatest contributions to the world of wine
is undeniably their Zinfandel wines. This grape can take many forms, yet
its apogee is reached in the form of full-bodied, sumptuous red wines.
I made Zinfandel for two years while working in Sonoma County and I am
thrilled to taste and talk about the history of this grape and all the
wonderful wines made from it. Zinfandel is grown all over the state, from
the southern reaches of Temecula and Santa Barbara all the way up to Mendocino
County in the North. While almost always full bodied, the resulting wines
can vary from soft and smoky to amazingly deep, rich, spicy, and fruity.
If you like your red wines dark, big, and meaty, then this class is a
must.
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The Most Unique (yet largely unheard
of) Wines in The World
Date: November 3
Location: The Tasting Room
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $80
Coulee de Serrant from France, Tokaji Aszu from Hungary, Vin Santo from
Italy, Gruner Veltliner from Austria. These are just a few of the wines
we will discuss in this class. These are some of the most distinguished
wines in the world yet they are largely unheard of. Reasons for this?
Lack of marketing, small production, as well as styles of wine that are
not aligned with today’s “international” style of wine.
The international style often calls for oak, over ripeness and a focus
on lots and lots of fruit. If you like restraint, balance, finesse, and
complexity, then this class is a great choice. In addition we will discuss
where to find thses wines and how to be on the lookout for more new and
exciting regions. If you often find yourself looking for something different
either for yourself or for a gift then you will find it here.
Register
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Chile & Argentina
Date: October 30
Location: The Midtown Executive Club
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $65
Some time back I held a class on South America. We explored Chile and
Argentina as well as other countries south of the border. The best wines,
however, were consistently the bottles from Chile & Argentina. They
have the most established industry of fine wine production and they continue
to create wines of such good value. Value can be an overused word, what
does it really mean in context here? Quite simply that the wines have
good concentration, are full of flavor, and show the qualities of their
respective soil, climate, and grape. This is all had for a fraction of
what one often finds in other parts of the globe. Chile and Argentina
are no strangers to wine production. They have been at it for hundreds
of years and now, equipped with the latest technology and investment from
abroad, they are and will continue to be one of the best places to look
for exciting wines at good prices. We will taste Cabernet Sauvignons,
Malbecs, Merlots, and some delicious whites as well.
Register
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