The Cellar: Great Tasting This Sunday

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalWorcester Wine Writer

At this Sunday’s tasting at the Providence Wine Academy participants will be sampling 11 outstanding wines as they explore the various expressions of Pinot Gris, Gamay and Merlot. If you have yet to attend a tasting at the Academy, this is your chance.

Among the wines sampled will be the highly rated 2010 Chateau Teyssier Grand Cru from Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion. This iconic $35ish wine is arguably one of the best values in all of the Right Bank. Those of you who invest in Bordeaux (for business or pleasure) will know that futures from the highly rated 2014 vintage have recently become available. After a few sluggish years (2011-2013) a warm and dry finish to the 2014 growing season has resulted in the most highly rated vintage since 2010. While still young the 2010 is drinking really well - don’t miss this unique opportunity taste it alongside other great Merlot-based wines.

Another fantastic wine which participants will be sampling is the extremely limited 2011 Gamay-based Macon-Cruzille from the 16 acre Domaine des Vignes du Maynes. This tiny Domaine is located in southern Burgundy and was originally planted by the Benedictines of the Abbey of Cluny around 900 AD. In 1954 the Estate was purchased by the Guillot family, who runs the Estate to this day. If you think Gamay’s only characteristics are expressed through the light and fruit-forward Beaujolais Nouveau, think again. at the tasting participants will taste a sparkling Gamay, as well as an aged Cru-Beaujolais.

This Sunday’s tasting is a blind comparative tasting which will feature 3-4 examples of each varietal: a ‘new world’ and an ‘old world’ example, as well as an example from a region that might surprise you. Come and guess which one is which. The tasting starts at 7:00pm and will be held at the Red Fez restaurant located at 49 Peck St. in downtown Providence. $35/Ticket.

Cheers

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him [email protected] with any wine-related questions or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy. The next tasting is Sunday, May 31st during which participants will be exploring the grape varieties Pinot Gris, Gamay and Merlot.

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