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2011 Seminars and Guided Tastings
(Requires a Grand TastingTicket)
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Cheese 101 Class & Book Signing
By Liz Thorpe, Vice President of Murray's Cheese, Author of The Cheese Chronicles
2:00 to 3:00pm
Liz began working the counter at Murray's
Cheese in 2002 after graduating from Yale University and working in a "normal" job for a couple of years. Soon she was managing and expanding Murray's wholesale business and
designing cheese menus for the country's best restaurants. As Vice President, Liz oversees Murray's wholesale, education, mail order and
marketing programs. Additionally, she is the project manager for Murray's partnership with Kroger supermarkets; together, the companies are opening 50 Murray's cheese shops in Kroger stores nationwide. Liz co-authored The
Murray's Cheese Handbook, and in 2009 she published The Cheese Chronicles (Ecco), a celebrated book that gives an insider's look into the making of cheese in America.
Limited to 60 guests
COST $40 Order here
(includes signed book)
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Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Vertical Tasting-An Evolution!"
By Chris Avery, Sales Director, Jordan Winery
3:00 to 4:00pm
At 600 feet above sea level, the rolling hillside vineyards of our Alexander Valley estate are steep enough to gently stress the vines, screating intensity of flavor in the grapes. Foggy mornings and cool nights moderate the warm climate, extending the growing season well into October when the fruit is harvested at optimal maturity.
The Jordan estate is comprised of three sites — one expansive parcel of rolling hills behind the winery and two smaller, valley floor parcels below the winery — totaling more than 1,500 acres with 223 acres of Bordeaux varieties under vine, divided into 32 individual blocks. There are 158 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 44 acres of Merlot and 21 acres of Petit Verdot. Vines were planted primarily in 1996 with additional Petit Verdot planted in 2005. As stewards of an estate with three-quarters of its acreage dedicated to natural habitat
This seminar will highlight a rare vertical tasting of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon. Reserve soon as this seminar will be a sell-out!
Limited to 60 guests
COST $40 Order here |
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The Evolution Of Hungarian Wines!
By Nimród Kovács
5:00 to 6:00pm
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: $30 Order here |
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Grand Cru...Beer???
By Keith Villa, Brewmaster of Blue Moon Brewing
6:00 to 7:00pm
The term Grand Cru literally means "great growth" and conjures up images of the best wine that a vintner can offer. However, other food and drink can also utilize the term Grand Cru, including beer. A Grand Cru beer can be described as a bigger, bolder, stronger version that is brewed for a special occasion. The history of Grand Cru beers will be presented, along with a tasting of a new Grand Cru offering from Blue Moon.
Meet the brewmaster and mastermind behind Blue Moon Brewing. Keith is also a big wine enthusiast.
Limited to 60 guests
COST $30 Order here |
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Moscato, Surrender to the Sweet
By Andrew Quady, “The Muscat King”*
7:00 to 8:00pm
Moscato is topping the charts and coming to the main stage. Sweet wines are back with a vengeance and ready to rumble. Find out the difference between “Muscat” and “Moscato”. Sample “Moscatos” from California, Italy and France. Learn from Andrew Quady, a.k.a. “The Muscat King”* and get juiced about sweet wine!
Since 1975 “Keeping it Sweet” has been the raison d’etre of Quady Winery. Located in the warm central valley of California where the growing conditions are well suited to ripening Muscat grapes, Andrew and Laurel Quady and the Quady crew focus on crafting refreshingly sweet wines.
Andrew will be joined by Bob and Kelly Yepello, owners of Yepello Chocolates, who have crafted the perfect chocolate and moscato accompaniments for your tasting pleasure. Yepello, from Steamboat Springs, use only the finest locally grown (whenever possible) ingredients in their chocolates and confections. Sip moscatos and savor chocolates – ahhhh bliss!!
*”The Muscat King” title from the English wine writer Neville Blech and the California wine
writer Rich Hinkle.
Limited to 60 guests
COST $30 Order here |
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