As our seasons migrate from light-hearted Summer to more serious Autumn – I thought the seasonal change warranted a slightly more serious approach to our tasting programs.   While my wine-enthusiast friends in www.off-the-grid.ws and Grapenuts will surely let me know if I am wrong, I have gone ahead and scheduled three ‘more serious’ tastings.    What I mean by this is that, instead of putting together the best possible wine combinations for a given menu, loosely tied together by theme – for these tastings I chose the wines first, and the meal is added to the wines by the amazingly flexible and understanding Owner/Chef Kate Romane (www.e2pgh.com).

Bordeaux is our first target – because anyone interested in learning something about wine and their own palate would surely include Bordeaux on their short-list.  

Here’s our program for Wednesday October 2nd (some seats still available at: http://www.off-the-grid.ws/2013/10/02/bordeaux/)

6:30 p.m. – Sparkler and Apps – a sparkler is a great way to start the evening and ‘wake up’ the palate.

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and tasting of four Bordeaux

Chateau Bellevue Entre-deux-Mers blanc 2011 – Made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this wine has some of the grassy characteristics associated with Sauvignon Blanc from the rest of the world, but the Semillon softens the acids and rounds out the flavors with extra weight/texture.

Chateau Roquebrune Lalande de Pomerol Cuvee Reine 2009 – From the region just outside uber-famous Pomerol, this Lalande de Pomeral red is (like most from the Right Bank region) Merlot-driven and is expected to have a fleshy texture with juicy red fruits and blueberry notes.

Les Fiefs de Lagrange St Julien 2009 – Representing Bordeaux’s Left Bank is this St Julien gem from Chateau Lagrange (which is a classified “Third Growth” in 1855 Classification of Grand Crus) – This red is 80% Cabernet and can be expected to live a long time – showing dark/black fruits and strong structure.

Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2010 – Blended from 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, this ‘Right Bank’ red hails from Grand Cru vineyards of Saint Emilion, arguably the most famous region of Bordeaux’s Right Bank – should be a great representative of the blend and type!

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane so that we can taste the wines with food

Next up on October 30: Exploration of the Rhone Region from regions including Chateaunuef du Pape and producers like J. L. Chave!   November 20: New World Favorites