Tasting Themes

Below are example themes for the tastings. In addition to the themes listed below, we can accommodate any interest you have. This can be discussed during the consultation phone call. For specialty tastings I will need to have two weeks notice so that I can source the wines necessary. For the more popular tastings I will have the wines stored in my own cellar so that less lead time is necessary. These tastings are marked with a *.


Regional Tastings - These tastings focus on a specific wine region and compare the wines across that region.

Piedmont, The Essence of the Earth*
-Compare the wines of Piedmont, including the wines of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and Dolcetto

Tuscan Terroir*
-Explore the famous wine regions in Tuscany, including Brunello Di Montalcino, Bolgheri, Chianti and IGT Super Tuscan blends.

Tasting The Rhone Valley
-We will explore the Rhone valley from the elegant syrahs of the north to the robust grenaches of the south. Regions explored include, Cote Rotie, St Joseph, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage and Chateauneuf du pape.

California Cabernets
-Everyone loves a good cabernet and no where in the world does cabernet reach such a beautiful new world expression like California.

New York Wines
-Yes New York makes great wines! From Long Island to the Finger Lakes, merlot, cabernet franc, pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling all claim New York State as a home. Explore these wines and taste the great things happening in our back yard!

Southern Hemisphere Reds
-This tastings approaches one of the newest wine making regions in the world that is perenially known for its value. These are great wines to have on a weekday. Malbec, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Carmenere.

Comparative Tastings  - These tastings compare and contrast wines from all over the world based on a common theme

Summer Whites From Around the World
-There is nothing better in the summer than a nice chilled white wine. Riesling, chardonnay, chenin blanc and  Sauvignon Blanc are some of my favorites! This tasting shows some of the my favorite whites for the summer months.

Napa vs Bordeaux
-We take a look at cabernet and merlot from two of the most prestigous wine regions in the world and decide if the judgement of paris still holds true today!

Rhone Valley vs The Rhone Rangers
-The rhone varietals of grenache, syrah and mourvedre have found a new home in the emerging central coast wine region of California outside of Santa Barbara. In this tasting we compare the traditional wines of the Rhone valley with the new age wines of California.

Varietal Tastings - These tastings look at one wine varietal in depth.

The Sideways Pinot Noir Tour
-Explore Pinot Noir throughout the world, including wines from California, France, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and Oregon.

Nebbiolo In Depth*
-Compare the wines of Gattinara, Barbaresco and Barolo