I’m back. Back from Bordeaux (to taste the surprising 2013 vintage), back from being ill, back to blogging, and back to teaching about wine. Coming right up, I have a four week Bordeaux Master Class at l’Alliance Francaise. Here are the details:
The Wine School at l’Alliance Française presents
A BORDEAUX MASTER CLASS
Beginning on Monday, April 14, 2014
Please join Spec’s fine wine buyer Bear Dalton for this four-week in-depth look at the wines of Bordeaux. We will examine the intricacies and differences to be found in an area with over 50 sub-appellations and over 8,000 producers. It is appropriate both for those developing their interest in Bordeaux and as a refresher for those who want to organize their tasting and thinking about or better understand Bordeaux. We will discuss appellation, terroir, tradition, style, and technique. The wines tasted will be served in Riedel Degustazione stemware. A selection of cheeses and bread will be offered during each class.
Week 1 (4/14/14): “The Last Stuff you Think About When You Think About Bordeaux”
Bordeaux Sparkling, Bordeaux Blanc, Pink Bordeaux, and Basic Bordeaux Rouge. The Bordeaux Cotes. 12 wines will be tasting including a treat that will foreshadow Week 4. (Trocard Cremant de Bordeaux NV, Ch. Penin Bordeaux Blanc 2012, Ch. Martinon Entre Deux Mers 2012, Ch. Charmes Godard, Cotes de Francs 2009, Ch. Penin Bordeaux Clairet 2012, Ch. Penin Tradition Bordeaux 2011, Demoiselles Falfas Cotes De Bourg 2011, Ch. Cantinot Cotes De Blaye 1er Cru 2009, Ch. Puygueraud Bordeaux Cotes De Francs 2010, Ch. Grand Village Bordeaux Superieur 2010, Ch. Grand Peyruchet Loupiac 2008 – plus the treat)
Week 2 (4/21/14): South of Town: The Origin of Bordeaux (or “The Other Left Bank”)
Graves, Pessac Leognan, and Sauternes. (Ch. d’Archambeau Graves Blanc 2012, Ch. Carbonnieux Pessac Leognan Blanc 2011, Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan Blanc 2011, Ch. d’Archambeau Graves Rouge 2009, Ch. Haut Vigneau Pessac Leognan 2010, Ch. Carbonnieux Rouge Pessac Leognan 2011, Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan Rouge 2008, Ch. Haut Bailly Pessac Leognan Rouge 2011, Ch. Haut Mayne Graves Superieures Demi Sec 2010, Haut Charmes Sauternes 6/cs 2009, Ch. De Fargues Sauternes 2002
Week 3 (4/28/14): The Right Bank
Fronsac, Castillon, the Satellites, St. Emilion, and Pomerol (Ch. La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2001, Ch. Vieux Ch. St Andre Montagne St Emilion 2010, Ch. Laborde Cuvee 1628 Lalande De Pomerol 2008, Ch. Ampelia Cotes De Castillon 2011, Ch. D’aiguilhe Cotes De Castillon 2009, Ch. Laplagnotte Bellvue St Emilion 2010, Ch. Grand Corbin Despagne St Emilion 2009, Ch. La Confession St Emilion 2004, Ch. Larcis Ducasse St Emilion 2011, Ch. La Croix St Georges Pomerol 2010, Ch. Clinet Pomerol 2011
Week 4 (5/05/14): The Left Bank (the Medoc)
The Medoc and all its appellations. (Ch. Tour St Bonnet Medoc 2010, Ch. Pontoise Cabarrus Haut Medoc 2010, Les Brulieres De Beychevelle 2009, Ch. Senejac Haut Medoc 2010, Ch. Fourcas Borie Listrac 2008, Ch. Brane Cantenac Margaux 2011, Ch. Beau-Site St Estephe 2010, Amiral de Beychevelle 2009 and Ch. Beychevelle St Julien 2009, Ch. Lacoste Borie Pauillac 2009 and Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac 2009)
This four-week Bordeaux Master Class will cost $250 total per person cash ($263.16 regular) for all four sessions. The course will meet at 7pm on Mondays April 14, 21, 28, and May 5 of 2014. To reserve your spot for this four-week class, please contact Marlo Ammons at 832-660-0250 or MarloAmmons@specsonline.com. All sessions of this class will be held at l’Alliance Française, the French cultural center in Houston. Located at 427 Lovett Blvd., l’Alliance is on the southeast corner of Lovett and Whitney (one block south of Westheimer and two blocks east of Montrose)
With over 35 years in the wine business and 30 years experience teaching about wine, Spec’s Bear Dalton is one of the top wine authorities in Texas. He is certified by the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) as an “International Bordeaux Educator.” Over the last 18 years, he has visited Bordeaux 27 times (spending over 35 weeks there) to taste and learn about the wines of Bordeaux. Bear knows Bordeaux.
