Shiraz Classes
This past week, I taught a couple of classes on pairing Shiraz and BBQ at several Wine Styles locations in the Chicago area. Our own class in the city was cancelled, as only two people registered....again. It really appears we should have started with the Italian class - we have our minimum attendance already and the class is this Thursday.
We tasted the following wines:
Cono Sur Syrah , Colchagua Valley, Chile
Pillar Box, Henrys Drive Vignerons, Southern Australia
Nine Stone, McClaren Vale Hilltops, Southeastern Australia
Red Right Hand, Vinecous Vineyard, McClaren Vale, Southeastern Australia
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier, Western Central Victoria, Australia
Luchador Shiraz 2007, R Winery, Barossa Valley, Southern Australia
Plantagenet Hazard Hill 2006, Mt. Baker, Western Australia
Taz Goat Rock Syrah 2006, Goat Rock Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley, California
Kay Brothers Hillside 2004, McLaren Vale, SE Australia
I have reviews, if anyone is curious. I met some interesting people and tried some great wines. Darren gifted me a bottle of the Kay Brothers, a big, spicy Shiraz. I also enjoyed the Luchador for it's uniquely minty - yes, minty - notes.
I tried to give participants an idea of how wines change when pairing the with various flavors. We served chicken and pork with 5 various sauces, ranging from spicy to sweet. It was next to impossible to pair the Taz with anything but the basic BBQ sauce. This is a wine that REQUIRES a straightforward steak or a slice of chocolate flourless cake. If anyone wants to know which Shiraz goes with honey BBQ as opposed to sweet and spicy, I'm your girl.
We talked a bit about decanting and how to cook with wine.
Coming up this week: Italian Night: Italian food and wine. We will be tasting 4 different Italian wines and experimenting with sauces and other Italian fare. If you are in the Chicago area or Northern suburbs Thursday or Friday, July 30th or 31st, contact me for times, locations, and general information. Tickets vary in price from $15 to $35, depending on the location. If you are interested but can't make it this week, let me know. If we have five or more interested people, we can set up an alternated date and time for the same class.
We tasted the following wines:
Cono Sur Syrah , Colchagua Valley, Chile
Pillar Box, Henrys Drive Vignerons, Southern Australia
Nine Stone, McClaren Vale Hilltops, Southeastern Australia
Red Right Hand, Vinecous Vineyard, McClaren Vale, Southeastern Australia
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier, Western Central Victoria, Australia
Luchador Shiraz 2007, R Winery, Barossa Valley, Southern Australia
Plantagenet Hazard Hill 2006, Mt. Baker, Western Australia
Taz Goat Rock Syrah 2006, Goat Rock Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley, California
Kay Brothers Hillside 2004, McLaren Vale, SE Australia
I have reviews, if anyone is curious. I met some interesting people and tried some great wines. Darren gifted me a bottle of the Kay Brothers, a big, spicy Shiraz. I also enjoyed the Luchador for it's uniquely minty - yes, minty - notes.
I tried to give participants an idea of how wines change when pairing the with various flavors. We served chicken and pork with 5 various sauces, ranging from spicy to sweet. It was next to impossible to pair the Taz with anything but the basic BBQ sauce. This is a wine that REQUIRES a straightforward steak or a slice of chocolate flourless cake. If anyone wants to know which Shiraz goes with honey BBQ as opposed to sweet and spicy, I'm your girl.
We talked a bit about decanting and how to cook with wine.
Coming up this week: Italian Night: Italian food and wine. We will be tasting 4 different Italian wines and experimenting with sauces and other Italian fare. If you are in the Chicago area or Northern suburbs Thursday or Friday, July 30th or 31st, contact me for times, locations, and general information. Tickets vary in price from $15 to $35, depending on the location. If you are interested but can't make it this week, let me know. If we have five or more interested people, we can set up an alternated date and time for the same class.