Art de vivre

Educational Wine Tasting - January, February and March 2012

Educational French Wine Tasting Classes

January, February & March 2012 classes are SOLD OUT! Check back for the next series of classes to go on sale!!!

France is the template for the world’s wine makers for a good reason, French wine is first-class.  Great news for all local Francophiles, Alliance Française de Denver is proud to announce our next 3-part series of Educational French Wine Tasting Classes!  

Our classes are taught by local Certified Sommelier & Wine Consultant, Ashley Hausman.  Ashley is passionate about French wine and has traveled the regions of France to expand her love and knowledge of the best wines in the world.  Our classes are educational, fun and will teach you how to navigate the sometimes tricky wine aisles.  Classes are limited to a select number of students, so sign up today!

Thank you to Whole Foods Market in Cherry Creek for sponsoring our classes!

Introduction to French Wine 101- FULL!

Thursday, January 26th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to know a little more about French wine... but been slightly intimidated? You're not alone! The labels, the grapes, the French terminology (sur lie, assemblage, claret), classifications, and the importance of soil---it can all be a bit confusing. We want to remove that fear and start at the beginning: the glass. With the help of local Sommelier, writer and wine shop keeper Ashley Hausman, we will work through 6 major regions you should know if you want to begin your journey learning more about French wine and culture. It will begin with a simple introduction to tasting, then you will sip and contemplate wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire, the Rhone, Alsace and the Languedoc.

Introduction to the Rhone Valley- FULL!

Thursday, February 16, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
A region that is so immense, so diversified, that one class will hardly do it justice. The Rhone Valley has two distinct regions on the whole: northern Syrah-dominant wines and southern Grenache-driven wines. But that's just the surface. The Rhone is home to dozens of varietals and individual sub-regions, not to mention some sensational white wines as well. From the galet stones of the south to the granite slopes of the north, we want to introduce you to the terroir that gives these wines such personality and value. The Rhone harnesses an incredible wealth of wines that not only please your palate and wine cellar...they please the pocketbook too. Find out why this region has been climbing steadily on the radar of collectors around the world in the past few decades.

Introduction to the Loire Valley- FULL!

Thursday, March 15th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
The great river Loire flows for 700 miles, encompassing the Atlantic coastal region of Muscadet all the way inland to the heralded Sancerre and Poulliy Fume regions. In fact, the Loire has a remarkable 82 appellations of wine to consider. In this class, we will explore the most famous pockets of the Loire--a region that has one of the more grounded histories, as it was quickly recognized by Parisians for its high quality. We will likely try wines from Muscadet, Savennieres, Vouvray, Sancerre, Touraine and Puilly Fume. Bubbles, reds, whites and maybe even some roses are sure to be on the menu.