Consumer Seminar Schedule

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Saturday, February 16, 2013 - Seminar Descriptions

11:00AM- 12:00PM
‘Celebrate 40 Years of Winemaking with Joseph Phelps Vineyards’
For the last 40 years, Joseph Phelps Vineyards has crafted top class wines in the Napa Valley.  29 of 34 vintages of their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, Insignia, have been rated 90 points or more by various wine publications and Robert Parker’s average score between 1990 and 2007 was 94.5 points. Elizabeth Neuman, granddaughter of the founder, leads you through an exciting tasting of Phelp’s wines from both their Napa estate and their new Freestone property on the cool Sonoma Coast. First the 2009 Chardonnay and 2009 Pinot Noir from Freestone will be presented followed by 2009 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Insignia, and 2008 Insignia. Three wines selected from the Phelp’s wine library will round out the tasting. Price: $50.00

11:00AM – 12:00PM
Exploring Port and Madeira with Bartholomew Broadbent, Oporto and Madeira Expert
Based in San Francisco, Broadbent is the U.S. importer for numerous high-quality family owned wineries from around the world. Having set up the U.S. distribution arm of the Symington family’s Port and Madeira production, Broadbent left to start his own firm which focuses on the wines produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley and those of the beautifully craggy island of Madeira. He is the Founder and CEO of Broadbent Selections.  Considered a witty, informative lecturer and great advocate for these wines, we are fortunate to have Bart lead a tasting of seven exciting wines to include Ferreira 20 Year Tawny and Ferreira 2000 vintage Port and Broadbent Selection Rainwater and 10 year old Malmsey Madeira. Don’t miss this unique tasting of sometimes overlooked but nonetheless superlative wines. Price: $35.00

11:30AM-12:30PM
Wine 101: Taste Like a Pro with Wine Spectator’s Director of Education, Gloria Maroti Frazee
In this seminar, you will not learn to juggle corks nor saber Champagne bottles. You will build the wine appreciation framework required for a lifetime of vinous adventure. (If that sounds too serious – think of it as just smooshed grapes!) As you taste a bounty of wine from around the world, you'll learn the tasting techniques used by pros, explore important grapes, identify key wine styles and determine your own wine preferences. Wine Spectator's Director of Education, Gloria Maroti Frazee, will attempt to cover most everything you’ve always wanted to know about wine, but were afraid to ask... including the key buzzwords for describing wine, how your senses interpret wine, the difference between everyday and special-occasion bottles, stemware, decanting and storage as well as tips for saving leftover wine, food pairing and ordering wine in a restaurant. Whether you're a beginner or experienced wine drinker, you’ll have fun, learn a lot, and take home handouts that you can use to share tastings with friends. Bring your best questions. Price: $30.00

12:00PM-1:00PM
ITALIAN CHEESE'S "X"- FACTOR!: Gourmet Italian Cheese & Wine Exploration with New York's beloved Italian Cheese Guru - Lou Di Palo presented by Agriform in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission.
Join Italian Cheese Guru, Lou Di Palo, for a memorable wine and cheese pairing experience. Lou will discuss Italian Cheese's "X" factor and how typicity, provenance and maturation regimes contribute to the irresistible taste of DOP cheeses like Agriform's Grana Padano, Piave, Asiago, Valtellina Casera and more!

Leave with hands on cheese tasting and wine pairing experience and a treasure trove of helpful hints that will make entertaining friends and family a breeze in both formal and informal settings!

Sponsored by Agriform in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission.  Price: $35.00
      

12:00PM-1:00PM
Oregon Pinot Noir: Vintage…Place…Personality
Modern winemaking in the Willamette Valley dates back 40 years with the genius of three UC Davis refugees who believed that Oregon was an ideal place to grow cool-climate varieties. Between 1965 and 1968, David Lett, Charles Coury, and Dick Erath separately forged their way to the north Willamette Valley despite negative rumblings from their Davis cohorts who told them it was impossible to grow wine grapes in Oregon. They were the first in Oregon to plant Pinot Noir.

In just 40 years Oregon has evolved into a world-class wine growing state with 15 approved winegrowing regions, and more than 300 wineries producing wine from 72 grape varieties. As a wine region Oregon will continue to grow and evolve, but it will always be a place where small, handcrafted wines reign, where collaboration and community are key. 

Join us for an interactive tasting with Oregon winemaker from Anne Amie Vineyards, Thomas Houseman to explore the influences that come into play when growing and producing Oregon Pinot Noir.  This will be a 2-part seminar.  In part 1, you will have a chance to taste two separate vintages of Pinot Noir from three different wineries, Anne Amie Vineyards, Sass Winery and Dobbes Family Estates.  In part 2, we will feature same vintage Pinot Noir from several other Oregon wineries, including Montinore, Chehalem and Elk Cove.

2009 Anne Amie Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2011 Chehalem 2011 Three Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley +
2010 Anne Amie Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2009 Dobbes 2009 Pinot Noir ‘Grand Assemblage’, Willamette Valley
2009 Sass 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2010 Dobbes 2010 Pinot Noir ‘Grand Assemblage’, Willamette Valley
2011 Anne Amie ‘Cuvee A’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
2010 Sass 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2011 R. Stuart ‘Autograph’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
2011 Montinore Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
2011 Elk Cove Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Price $30.00

12:00PM-1:00PM
Two Distinct Wineries, One Family: Wines from Two Continents with Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo
Although they hail from two different family wineries,  Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo were united in love through their passion for wine. With a shared enthusiasm for the best of the wine world, each is committed to crafting fine wines with a family approach. They’ll share their favorite wines from their family collections: Gina will share her award-winning, limited production Gallo Signature Series wines from Napa Valley, Russian River Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands as well as her family’s Estate Wines from Sonoma County. Jean-Charles will share wines from his family’s historical estates in Burgundy and California, including Domaine de la Vougeraie, Buena Vista Winery DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma County, and Raymond Vineyards in the Napa Valley. Price: $35.00

Gina Gallo’s Portfolio Of Wine To Be Tasted:
Gallo Signature Series Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2010 ($25.) 90 points Robert Parker
Gallo Signature Series Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2010 ($37.)
Gallo Signature Series Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($42.)
Gallo Family Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2007 ($50.) 92 points Robert Parker
Gallo Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($95.) 93+ points Robert Parker

Jean-Charles Boisset’s Portfolio Of Wine To Be Tasted:
Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay 2009 ($21.) 90 points wine Enthusiast
Domaine de la Vougeraie Vougeot 1er Cru Clos Blanc de Vougeot 2009 ($120.)
DeLoach Vineyards OFS Pinot Noir 2009 ($45.) 91 points Wine Spectator
Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2010 ($20.)
Raymond Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet 2009 ($40.)

12:30PM-1:30PM
Spain: The Best Values in the World! 
Today, Spain is producing some of the most remarkably varied and complex wines in the world. The country's nearly 70 distinct regions are distinguished by their high altitude vineyards and dry climates. The vineyards are planted with more than 400 indigenous varieties and some of the world's oldest vines. And the country is regularly cited for providing amazing value. In this seminar you will discover why Spain is widely considered the most rewarding wine producing country in the world. Let Patrick Mata, co-owner and founder of Ole Imports who was selected 'Wine Personality of the Year' by Robert Parker and also proclaimed by Food & Wine magazine as 'one of the 35 most fearsome talents in wine in the US' taste you through the wines of this remarkable country. From the Cavas of the Penedes, to the amazing whites of Galicia and the ethereal Mencia of Bierzo, to the Garnacha wines of the Terra Alta, down to the Mediterranean to the wines of Priorat and the Monastrell of Yecla, and on to the classic wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Patrick is a driving force in today’s ‘New Spain’  Do not miss this opportunity! Price: $35.00

12:30PM-1:30PM
Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vertical (Including the Magnificent 1990) with Family Member Marc Perrin
Join us for a very special opportunity to taste a vertical of Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, considered by many to be the greatest producer of Chateauneuf-du-Pape! The engaging Marc Perrin will act as our guide as we taste the 2008, 2005, 2001, 2000 vintages, finishing with the show-stopping 1990. If you haven’t had the chance to experience these wines with bottle age, this could be the wine drinking event of your life. Robert Parker, Jr. said of aged Beaucastel…’the results are stunning. The red wine is usually a black/ruby or purple color, loaded with layers of fruit, tannins, and a multitude of fascinating scents and aromas...age, usually a minimum of six to ten years, brings forth its majestic richness and compelling array of aromas.’ This seminar will be one of the first to sell out! Price: $65.00

12:30PM-1:30PM
Barbaresco: Featuring Eight Crus from the Highly Respected Produttori del Barbaresco 
The Wine Advocate states ‘….the Produttori del Barbaresco have long made delicious, ageworthy Barbaresco but in the last few years the overall level of quality and consistency has gone up several notches.’

The Produttori del Barbaresco is that rare thing: a cooperative winery producing wines which stand with the region’s best. Founded in 1894, the members concentrate their efforts solely on Nebbiolo, the most noble of Piemontese varietals.  In the best years, the Produttori produce nine separate cru bottlings of Barbaresco. Each wine is not only an outstanding wine but also a unique expression of the soils and microclimate of these slopes.  Join Aldo Vacca, Director of the Produttori, for this tasting of Barbaresco from the well-regarded vintage 2007 including: Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Moccagatta, Ovello, Paje, Pora, and Rio Sordo.

If you are a lover of the wines of Piemonte, you won’t want to miss this seminar.  Price: $45.00

2:00PM-3:00PM
Getting to Know Russian River Valley with Merry Edwards, Winemaker & Owner, Merry Edwards Winery
Take a private tour through the famous Russian River Valley and out to the Sonoma Coast with the Queen of Pinot: Merry Edwards. Taste each wine from the vineyards she works with: Georganne, Flax, Olivet Lane, Klopp Ranch, Coopersmith and Meredith Estate from the highly acclaimed 2009 vintage. Learn how the terroir and microclimate of these unique sites influence the personality of each wine.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, Merry is one of California’s first women winemakers ― a true pioneer in her field. In 1997, she founded Merry Edwards Winery in the region that was to become the epicenter of Pinot Noir in America. She and her husband, Ken Coopersmith, now manage six estate properties to grow both Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc near the winery in Sebastopol, California. Price: $35.00

2:00PM-3:00PM
Ribera del Duero: No Place for the Timid
The Ribera del Duero appellation in north central Spain has been producing wine for several thousand years. Perfectly suited for the Tempranillo grape, the region produces aromatic reds of elegance and depth with balanced acidity. In testament to the quality of its winemaking, Ribera del Duero was recognized as a Denomanacion de Origen (D.O.) 1982, and today represents over 250 of Spain’s finest wine producers. Join Sommelier and Spanish wine advocate, Roger Kugler as he gives an overview of the history, geography and the challenging growing climate of Ribera, accompanied by a tasting of select wines from the region. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to sample the best red wines of Spain! Price: $25.00

2:30PM-4:00PM
Experience Affordable, Age-Worthy Bordeaux: A Vertical of the Right Bank (Margaux Appellation) vs. the Left Bank (St. Emilion Appellation) Conducted by Jean-Christophe Calvet, President and Owner of Aquitaine Wine Co.
Join us for a fascinating exploration of delicious, age worthy Bordeaux that doesn’t break the bank!  We will be tasting the 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2001 and 1999 vintages of Chateau Mongravey, Margaux (the 2009 vintage was rated 90-93 points by the Wine Spectator) and the 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 1965 vintages of Chateau Coutet, St. Emilion Grand Cru (located just 200 yards from famous Chateau L’Angelus). Our guide will be Jean-Christophe Calvet, the President and Owner of the Aquitaine Wine Co. who has been responsible for distributing these wines for years and is intimately familiar with them. Price: $35.00 

3:00PM-4:00PM
Chateau Musar with Bartholomew Broadbent, U.S. Importer: Remarkable Wines from a Region Rich in History  
Lebanon’s spectacular Bekaa Valley has been home to the vine for 6,000 years and to this day is a major wine region. The Phoenician ancestors of the modern Lebanese introduced viticulture to Greece and Italy. The Bekaa remains the major wine region in the Middle East.  The Hochar family left France and planted their estate vineyards here in 1930. Since that time, they have earned a well-deserved international reputation for wine excellence. Winemaker, Serge Hochar was selected as Decanter magazine’s first ‘Man of the Year’ in 1984, which says a lot about his commitment to excellence. But nothing speaks louder than the quality of their wines. Along with more fascinating history than could ever be shoehorned into the space allotted here, U.S. importer, Bartholomew Broadbent leads a tasting of these truly excellent wines, to include 2004, 1999, and 1988 Chateau Musar red and 2005 and 1999 Chateau Musar white.  Price: $40.00

3:30PM-4:30PM
Giorgio Rivetti Presents La Spinetta’s Tuscan Project: Casanova della Spinetta
In the thirty-five years since the Rivetti family established La Spinetta, they have earned an international reputation for superb Piemontese wines. So why on earth would they want to dabble in the wines of Toscana? Giorgio Rivetti spoke out against the use of international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon in Tuscany, in the light of all the interesting clones of Sangiovese and other varietals indigeneous to the region. When a Tuscan vintner told him it may look easy to make wine solely of local grapes but it isn’t, Rivetti rose to the challenge. His family has since purchased 150 acres of Sangiovese, Colorino, Prugnolo Gentile and Vermentino in a somewhat cooler climate near Pisa and is producing superlative Tuscan wines using only varieties long associated with the region.

Join the talented Mister Rivetti to taste seven of his Tuscan wines including the flagship Sezzana IGT Sangiovese.  Price: $45.00

3:30PM-4:30PM
Bourbon Masters: Buffalo Trace’s Master Distiller, Harlen Davis Wheatley
The historic Buffalo Trace distillery in Franklin County Kentucky has won more awards for their Bourbon bottlings than any other distillery in the world. Operating continuously since the end of the civil war, only six men have served as head distiller. We are fortunate to have current Master Distiller, Harlen Davis Wheatley here to discuss his meticulous approach to Bourbon making.  Harlen and his predecessors have won an unprecedented seven ‘Distillery of the Year’ awards from various publications including the Malt Advocate and Whisky Magazine.

First, the basics of Bourbon production will be presented from ingredient selection to mash production to distilling and barrel aging. Then Harlen will share his insights on how attention to many small details make his Bourbon distinct from others. Of course you will taste several bottlings including: Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare and Blanton’s. Then Harlen will answer your questions about his art and the world of Bourbon.

Editor’s Note – Never Before Has Any One Distillery Earned The Top Two Honors!

Buffalo Trace Distillery has made history in the whiskey industry with not one, but two “Whiskey of the Year” Awards from esteemed whiskey reviewer Jim Murray. In the newly published 2013 Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible, the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named "2013 World Whiskey of the Year" and the William Larue Weller was named "Second Finest Whiskey in the World."  The coveted number one and two spots were the result of Jim Murray tasting over 4,500 whiskies, in route to publishing his annual Whisky Bible.  It is the first time in the book's ten year history that both the number one and two whiskies in the world have come from the United States, much less the same distillery.

Price: $40.00

3:30PM-4:30PM
Mr. Chateauneuf-du-Pape: Alain Junguenet and Co.
Importers Alain and John Junguenet have compiled another group of All-Star winemakers from Châteauneuf-du-Pape for this year's Boston Wine Expo and they will be bringing some of their top wines from the outstanding 2010 vintage to share with you during this one-of-a-kind seminar. The critics have been raving about the 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape vintage all year long and this is your chance to walk through 10 top cuvées with 'Messieurs Châteauneuf-du-Pape!' The production of these wines is extremely limited, as is the space available for this seminar so reserve your seats today!

The wines to be tasted include:
Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Cuvée de Mon Aïeul' 2010
Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Cuvée Chante le Merle' 2010
Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Les Petits Pieds d'Armand' 2010
Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Reserve' 2010
Domaine de la Côte de l'Ange Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Vieilles Vignes' 2010
Mas de Boislauzon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Cuvée du Quet' 2010
Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Château Sixtine' 2010
Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Feminessance' 2010
Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Hautes Brusquières' 2010
Domaine Moulin-Tacussel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Hommage à Henry-Tacussel' 2010

Price: $45.00

3:30PM-4:30PM
‘Cool’ Sonoma County Wines
Discover the unique qualities of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produced in the cooler regions of Sonoma.  Learn about the climate, soils, and vineyard sites that make Sonoma County ideal for growing these varietals and which make the area one of today’s hottest wine regions for cool climate wine.  Sonoma is blessed with three cool regions: the Russian River Valley, the Sonoma Coast , and los Carneros.  In this seminar you will taste Pinot Noir from these regions and learn about their distinctive attributes. Outstanding wines from DeLoach, MacRostie, Martinelli, and Inman Family Winery, and more will be included. Join several ‘cool’ Sonoma County winemakers and Honore Comfort, SCV Executive Director, for an informative and insight-filled presentation and tasting. Price: $25.00

4:00PM-5:00PM
Experience the Wonderful World of Oporto, featuring Port from Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and Croft, Including one Perfect Port: the 100 Point 1994 Vintage Fonseca Oporto
The Fladgate Partnership is comprised of three historic and highly regarded Port houses: Fonseca, Croft and the Port house that sounds like a law firm: Taylor, Fladgate and Yeatman. Each of these wineries crafts a variety of Port wine styles with admirable attention to quality. Robert Bower, the eighth generation Yeatman family member to be involved in the Port industry, leads this seminar. He will present the rich history and distinctive approach to production of each house. Then Robert conducts a tasting of ten of the group’s wines representing all of the region’s distinctive styles. Amongst the highlights:  the complex Taylor, Fladgate twenty year old Tawny, Fonseca 2001 Quinta do Panascal and 1998 Taylor, Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas and Croft 2009 vintage. The tasting finishes on the very highest note: the exquisite 1994 Fonseca vintage Port, a Wine Spectator 100 point ‘Wine of the Year’. Price: $55.00

4:30PM- 5:30PM
A Rare Opportunity to Taste Some of Scotland’s Finest Malt Whisky from Gordon & MacPhail - Back by Popular Demand with an All-New Selection of Malt Whisky!
Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail is the world's leading Malt Whisky specialist, offering more than 450 presentations of own-bottled single malts, aged from 5 to 70 years. The firm stocks more than 700 unique whiskies aging in 18,000 casks. Gordon & MacPhail's expert tasters select new whisky from Scotland's leading distilleries. They then mature it in their specially selected casks and bottle when they consider the whisky to be at its best.  Gordon and MacPhail stocks constitute the largest range of whiskies in the world.

Join us as we discuss how Scotland’s climate and geography influences aromatics and flavor. And with more than 500 years of distilling history, there will be more than a few stories that bring this fascinating subject to life. Whiskies from Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside, Orkney and Islay will be sampled as well as those of a few distilleries since closed. A special rare bottling from 1970 will cap the event. The tasting will be led by Matt Chivian, Keeper of the Quaich and Gordon & MacPhail National Brand Ambassador, Chris Riesbeck.   Price: $45.00