We had a great turnout at the third gathering in the monthly series of wine classes at the Club on Thursday, March 15. Crisp and dry humor abounded as we learned about the difference between sweet and dry wines as well as crisp and not-so-crisp. To demonstrate these styles, we tried a 2005 Kendall-Jackson Riesling from Napa Valley (dry), a 2004 German late harvest Riesling called Twisted River (sweet, and the winner of the name contest so far), a 2005 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (crisp) and a 2003 Kunde Estate Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma (less crisp). Once again, we could clearly taste the differences in styles.

At our April 19 class, we’ll taste for the major styles of oaky and tannic. So once again, we’ll taste four wines – a chardonnay from Burgundy (not oaky), a chardonnay from California or Australia (oaky), a pinot noir from California or Oregon (less tannic) and a California cabernet sauvignon (more tannic). As you know, the class follows the tasting course laid out in Andrea Immer Robinson’s revised and updated edition of Great Wines Made Simple. To prepare for the next class, please be sure to read or reread Chapter Two of the book, concentrating on the tasting notes on pages 46 and 47. We have a copy on loan at the Club Bar if you don’t have a copy of your own. It’s informative and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

We’ll get started with the tasting at about 7:00 p.m. We all usually stay for dinner and have a little more wine, of course.

It’s never too late to join the fun (and we do have fun, especially after tasting and retasting four wines!). Classes are $10 per person per class – a real bargain considering the amount of wine you may try.

Hope to see you on April 19!

Suzy Marquard