May 14, 2008

7:00 - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club
1630 West 15th Ave.
Vancouver

Speaker:
Mr. James Cluer,
Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), Educator and Consultant through Fine Vintage Ltd.

$44.00 per member
$55.00 per non-member
(includes wines and appetizers)

Book by May 12 to avoid disappointment.

Why shouldn't we celebrate the coming of spring and summer with a range of wonderful bottles of bubbles and white wines? Wines with bubbles are associated, for many people, with festivities and celebrations. With higher acidity, and more delicate flavour, it is said that sparkling wines can be paired with a much wider range of food than still wines.

As we sit on our patios this coming summer, we all like cool, refreshing white wines. Some whites, such as a crisp sauvignon blanc can make your mouth water and pairs wonderfully with seafood. A wooded chardonnay, crosses over into more full bodied wine territory and can handle grilled foods like steak. There is a white wine, and sparkling, that should fit any occasion.

Our speaker, James Cluer, is poised to become Canada's 2nd Master of Wine. During his 15 year career in the wine trade, James has worked with high profile winemakers and done vintages in Bordeaux, Australia and the Napa Valley. He has taught hundreds of people about wine, both privately through his wine school and with institutions such as UBC Continuing Studies and UBC Sauder School of Business. James has also written Wine Spectator award-winning wine lists for 5 star hotels and resorts. Come and be entertained and educated by James! Book now as this event should sell out quickly. James is a very popular speaker and we have never had a tasting of sparkling southern hemisphere wines before!

The wines we will be enjoying this evening will be:
Reception: Thompson Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2003 (Australia)

SPARKLING WHITES:
- Graham Beck Brut N/V (South Africa)
- Wyndham Estate Bin 222 Sparkling Chardonnay
- Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir

STILL WHITES:
- Babich Dry Riesling 2006 (New Zealand)
- O Fournier "Cafayate" Torrontes 2007 (Argentina)
- Anakena Viognier 2006 (Chile)
- Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay 2001 (Australia)
- Aresti "Rio Claro" Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2001 (Chile)


REMINDER: Your reservation is only confirmed when we receive your cheque in the mail, or credit card payment. No cheque or cash at the door.

To REGISTER via CREDIT CARD:
"Sparkling and White"


Please remember to Drive Safely after every tasting. You can use Keys_Please to take you home.


This is a perfume free event so we can all enjoy the wines.

Riesling is a white grape variety grown historically in Germany and Alsace, France. It is known as one of the noble varietals.

Riesling wines are often consumed when young, when they make a fruity and aromatic wine which may have aromas of green or other apples, grapefruit, peach, and honey and usually a crisp taste due to the high acidity. However, Riesling's naturally high acidity and range of flavours make it suitable for extended aging. Sweet Riesling wines, such as German Trockenbeerenauslese are especially suited for cellaring since the high sugar content provides for additional preservation.

Australia's Claire and Eden Valleys are becoming more well known for producing premium Rieslings. These tend to have bold citrus fruit flavours in youth that develop into toast, honey and petrol notes as the wine ages. The riesling wines are unoaked and usually dry in style.

We have been lucky to taste many excellent southern hemisphere rieslings, such as:
- Terra Barossa Riesling 2003 (Aus)
- Elderton Riesling (Aus)
- Framingham Riesling 2000 (NZ)
- Pegasus Bay Riesling 2004 (NZ)
- Omaka Springs Riesling (NZ)
- Stoneleigh Riesling 2004 (NZ)

2007 - 2008 Tasting Calendar

Wine About Town

Our Night of Reds and Chocolate was eagerly awaited and did not disappoint. We tried a great variety of big red wines, which were expertly paired with hot appetizers, then to top it off were paired wonderfully with chocolates donated by Rogers Chocolates. Click here to find out more about this event.