2012 Seminars and Guided Tastings

(Grand Tasting VIP Ticket or Grand TastingVIP Deluxe Ticket Required)

	The Evolution Of Hungarian Wines! By Nimród Kovács 4:30 to 5:15pm Great grapes are the foundation of great wine. While seemingly intuitive, it is imperative to wine quality that grapes be grown where the land is best suited for the needs of that particular varietal. At Kovács Nimród Winery a combination of tried and true ’old country’ methods are used, combined with more modern viticultural techniques currently practiced in California and around the world. Furthermore Kovács Nimród Winery started to use eco-friendly and ’green’ cultivation and production techniques in an effort to be kind to the earth and to maintain sustainable farming methods. Kovacs Nimrod Winery was fortunate to aquire 10 hectares in the region’s finest vineyard, located atop the city’s “sacred hill”, Nagy Eged. This area has unique soil characteristics that are comprable to Burgundy and Northen Rhone and allow variatals such as Furmint, Kekfrankos, Syrah and Pinot Noir to thrive. Kovács Nimród Winery,aside from producing Furmint and Chardonnay mainly focuses on red varietals such as Kékfrankos (Blaufrankisch), Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In carefully selecting which varietals the winery will use, the objective is to create wines that represent the best aspects of the region as well as hold their own in a very competitive international market. The grapes used are harvested by hand and processed promptly in order to maximize juice quality. At Kovács Nimród Winery this is an art of passion, where taking the extra time and being selective has led to amazing wines that Nimród is proud to call his own. Mr.Kovács will guide you through a tasting of his latest vintages of Hungarian wines. Cost: Free to VIP
	Belgian Beer 101 By Michael Kelley 5:30-6:15pm Michael Kelley, High End Manager, Northwest for Anheuser-Busch has a passion for beer history as well as beer and food pairings. He is the product knowledge expert for the greater Northwest. During his college years at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, he took every Zythology (Study of Beer) and Oenology (Study of Wine) course offered. Join Beer Sommelier, Michael Kelley in an exploration of cheese and beer. During the course of the seminar you will discuss and engage different pairings of cheese and Belgian Beers from the Stella Artois family. You will also learn the importance of proper glassware and pouring techniques. Includes cheese and chocolate pairings. Beers Pouring- Stella Artois Hoegaarden Leffe Leffe Brune COST: Free to VIP
	Riedel Vinum XL Glass Tasting Discover why Riedel glasses vastly improve your wine tasting experience. This guided tasting will be conducted by Riedel's regional expert Doug Reed. 6:45-7:30pm Riedel's Vinum XL Series, with their taller stems and generous bowls stand proudly between Riedel's ever popular Vinum series and top of the line Sommeliers series, both in size and price point. This Riedel Vinum XL wine tasting set is comprised of four assorted stems ( 1 each Cabernet, Montrachet, Pinot Noir, and Riesling Grand Cru). Renowned Austrian glassmaker Riedel designs the shape of each glass to most fully enhance the appreciation of the wine within. This tasting set of four Vinum XL glasses makes a fabulous gift, starter set or a great addition to the existing collection for the serious wine drinker. Lead crystal, machine-made. All Riedel glasses are dishwasher safe. All attendees get to take home their very own set ($135 value) of 4 glasses! COST: Free to VIP Deluxe Ticket Holders $50 for VIP Ticket Holders
	Wines of Provence Marrenon Wines Guided Tasting by Anne-Marie Garcia 8:00-8:45pm Discover a rich experience of unique pleasures by nature: Harmony, balance and human values. All, expressed in Marrenon, Luberon and Ventoux Wines Located at the Southern Rhône valley and in the heart of Provence, Marrenon is 9 wineries, 1200 winegrowers, and 19,000 acres of vines: The best kept jewel. This strong heritage since 1965 and drive to excellence gave Marrenon a privileged access to the best vineyards in Luberon and Ventoux and the opportunity to create a unique and well balanced wine portfolio. Come and discover Marrenon, Pleasure by nature. COST: Free to VIP