2008 Wine Education Series
The Rex Hill Wine Education Series explores the diversity of world wines. This is a structured course that will prepare Industry professionals for a variety of related examinations and credentialing, while those that just enjoy and want to learn more about wine will be offered the chance to explore the major wine producing regions from around the world.
Twenty classes offered in four sections will cover a different specific wine region and include a tasting of 6-10 wines. Enrollment is available in three ways: the entire course, by section, or by individual classes (depending on the space).
Presenting the classes will be Rick Toyota, Wine Educator for A to Z Wineworks and the Rex Hill Vineyards & Winery. Rick has successfully trained a number of wine professionals through this Wine Education Series in California for their first and second level examinations and credentialing with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Society of Wine Educators and the WSET.
Introduction Class
January 21st
Introduction - Varietals and Wine Evaluation
What is wine? This introductory course will help answer this question and provide students with a better understanding of the different styles available - from still, fortified and sparkling wines. Emphasis will be on the main varietals found in the major wine growing regions around the world. Tasting exercise will focus on a universal tasting and evaluation criteria.
Program One - The Vitner's Art and the Key Wine Regions of North America
Viticulture and Vinification
This class will present an overview of the winemaking process from vineyard to the bottle. Discussion of the rules and laws that govern wine production in the United States and the significance of American Viticultural Areas will also be examined. Tasting exercise will be a review of the wine evaluation process with a cross section of wines from North America.
California - Part 1: History/North Coast
Discussion on the California wine industry covering the history of grapes in the state, and understanding the key wine growing regions of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties.
California - Part 2: Central Coast/Sierra Foothills
Examination of the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Mountain AVAs of the Central Coast as well as the Lodi and Sierra Foothill regions.
Oregon
Our own backyard! Learn about the development of the Oregon wine industry and the fundamental differences between the Willamette Valley in the north and the Rogue and Umpqua Valleys in the south.
Washington/Idaho/British Columbia
Along with the Oregon, the rest of the Pacific Northwest is the future of the North American wine industry. Learn about the diversity of the Pacific Northwest wine growing regions and why the vintners of the region are taking on California in quality and international reputation.
Program Two - The Wines of France
France - Bordeaux
Did you know that the British once controlled the Bordeaux region and influenced the style of wine that is still made in the region today? Learn about the history of this premier wine growing region and the rules that are in place to keep the quality high and prices even higher!
France - Burgundy/Chablis/Beaujolais
Burgundy is Oregon's sister wine region with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being the primary wines produced. Learn about the classification system for this region, as well as what makes classic Burgundies the standard around the world for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tasting will include wines from various regions and classifications of Burgundy, as well as Gamay from Beaujolais.
France - Rhone/Southern France
Wine writer and critic, Robert Parker wrote that the Rhone Valley was producing some of the best wines in both quality and affordability. Unfortunately, with this pronouncement, the latter has become more difficult to come by. Learn how Popes and peasants alike have influenced the wines of the region. In addition, we will discuss some of the up and coming wine regions of Southern France such as Provence, Languedoc and Roussillon.
France - Champagne
Many myths surround the development of Champagne. Learn the truth about its origins and the people involved in the evolution of this celebrated wine. Not all sparkling wines are Champagnes!
France - Alsace/Loire
The Alsace is a very specialized wine region producing some of the best Rieslings, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminers in the world. With its twin heritage of both France and Germany, this region has a unique melding of both winemaking cultures. In contrast, the Loire is one of the most diverse wine regions with nearly every major varietal and wine style being produced somewhere within its boundaries. Learn how these two wine regions contribute to the overall reputation of the wines of France.
Program Three - Other Great Wine Regions of Europe
Italy - Northern Regions
Italians embraces wine as not only part of a meal, but as a part of life itself. Italy makes wines from over 900 different varietals. Out of necessity, we will concentrate on only a handful of the major Italian grapes. This class will concentrate on the major wine regions of Northern Italy and the diversity of wines found there - from light, fruity and effervescent wines like Moscato di Asti, to big, heavy, tannic reds like Barberesco.
Italy - Central and Southern Regions
The warmer, Mediterranean climate of Tuscany and Southern Italy produce a diverse selection of red and white wines. Chianti may be the best known, but the southern regions still offer some of the best wine deals in both quality and pricing. In addition, Sicily produces one of the forgotten fortified wines, Marsala, which is much more than just a cooking wine.
Germany - Classifications
The Rhine River is the key to the ability of Germany to produce wines. Most of the major wine regions of Germany are along its bank and tributaries. Here, Riesling is King. Considered the "original" noble grape, the cool and challenging climate produce some of the finest examples of this varietal. In addition, the German classification system not only included regions, but emphasizes levels of ripeness. Learn the difference between a Spatlese and a Trockenbeerenauslese!
Spain - Still Wines and Sherries
From Roman times, to modern times, Spain has been a quality wine region, offering consumers a diversity of familiar varietals, as well as some uniquely Spanish ones like Tempranillo. In addition, coming close to becoming a lost and forgotten wine in the 1980's and 90's, Sherry has found a resurgence and following for both its dry and sweet styles.
Portugal - Still Wines, Ports and Madeiras
Situated as a major "port o call" during the Age of Discovery, Portugal's wine industry has been influenced by its maritime heritage. The fortified wines of Oporto (ports) and the island of Madeira came about as a way to supply sailors with a wine that would survive the sea voyages of the time. Today, the still wines of the region have been given equal notice for their quality and food friendly style.
Program Four - Other New World Wine Regions and Wine Service
Argentina and Chile
South America has a long history of winemaking. Spanish missionaries brought some of the regions local grapes to California during the migration of the Catholic Church in the New World. Many of the older vineyards in the region were developed from cuttings of French varietals that predate the Phylloxera epidemic of the mid-1800s that destroyed most of the parent vines in France. Today, Argentina and Chile are the two best known wine producers in South America. Separated by the Andes Mountains; this geological barrier is the key to the differences in the wines produced in both countries.
Australia
In a few short decades, Australia has become one of the major wine producers in the world. With a joint effort between the wine industry and government, the Australian wine industry now dominates many categories of wine sales in the United States. From inexpensive, everyday bottlings, to high-end, collectable wines, Australia has taken a lesson from the major wine regions of Europe and America producing a diversity of varietals and styles found on both continents.
May 26th
Off for Memorial Day
South Africa and New Zealand
There are many contrasts between the South African and New Zealand wine industries. South Africa is the oldest New World region. In fact, many South African winemakers consider themselves "Old World". New Zealand, on the other hand, is one of the youngest New World wine regions, with many of the vineyards and wineries only having been planned and built in the last few decades. Despite the difference in age, both regions are beneficiaries of the globalization of the wine industry and the wealth of information and resources available to the new winemakers that are changing the face of both wine regions.
Wine Service
Proper wine service is a benefit to both the look and flavors of the wine. Decanting, proper glassware and which tools are used to open different aged bottles or closures will be discussed. In addition, we will examine some of the faults in both packaging and winemaking that contribute to issues in wine presentation. Winemakers and vintners spend so much time creating this wonderful work of art in a bottle, the very least we can do is to present them in their best light!
Class Information
Classes will start at 6:30 p.m. and will end by 9:00 p.m. at the Rex Hill Vineyards & Winery located at 30835 N. Hwy. 99W in Newberg Oregon, 97132. The first half of the class will consist of lecture and discussion and the second half will be a blind tasting and evaluation of wines from the regions being studied. All participants will be trained as wine professionals and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. This is not a drinking event and professional tasting practices will apply. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or colognes to class, or as this will interfere with wine evaluations. Your understanding and acceptance of these requests is appreciated.
For further information and to reserve your classes, please contact Rick Toyota at Rex Hill Winery, (503) 538-0666.