Sommelier, Connoisseur & Enthusiasts Tastings
Tastings are all about the wine. Swirl, sniff and sip with participating vintners, learn about wine and winemaking and taste a wide selection of wines representing an array of grape varieties. Outstanding unique tastings are a signature of the biennial Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend. The 2010 Sommelier Tasting is an Almost Perfect Tasting, featuring 10 wines that have achieved near perfection (98-100 points) by the country’s leading wine critics, including Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World, and Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and America’s eighth Master of Wine.
The Connoisseur & Enthusiast Tastings will feature national superstars and celebrity guest. Tastings will be one of a kind, covering various wine regions, grape varieties and good old winemaking stories.
Sommelier Tasting: Almost Perfect! Sponsored by Dr. Rocco Tritico.
The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, Friday, April 23 3:00 $325.00
Kevin Zraly, author Windows on the World will lead you through 10 wines that have received 98+ points from the leading wine critics, such as (subject to change):
2007 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2006 Colgin IX Proprietary Red
2007 Brewer Clifton Cargasacchi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, CA
2005 El Pison, Rioja
2005 Aalto PS, Ribera del Duero
2005 Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes Velles, Priorat
Connoisseur Tasting I: Burgundy – The Great Pretenders, sponsored by Colin and Ruth Shaw
The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, Saturday, April 24 10:00 $250.00
Taste ten Burgundies that are even BETTER than their already lofty Premier Cru status would make you think. Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, Dick Ward of Saintsbury Vineyards and Laurent Drouhin will guide you through this tasting of the undercover Grand Crus. Don’t miss the chance to taste these wine and learn about their growing regions. (Wines subject to change.)
2002 Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St. Jacques
2007 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses
2004 Arnoux Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots
2006 de Montille Pommard Les Rugiens
2007 Drouhin Meursault les Perrieres
1996 Chevillon Nuits St. Georges Les Vaucrains
1998 Gouges Nuits St. Georges Les St. Georges
1998 Meo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanee Les Brulees
2000 Cathiard Vosne-Romanee Aux Malconsorts
2002 Pousse D'Or Volnay Caillerets Clos des Soixante Ouvrees
Connoisseur Tasting II: The Great Vintage-2007 Rhone sponsored by Colin & Ruth Shaw.
The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, Saturday, April 24 2:00 $150.00
Kevin Zraly moderates this rare opportunity to taste Robert Parker’s most highly rated Southern Rhone vintage ever. The ten wines tasted will include several Chateauneuf-du-Papes such as (subject to change):
2007 Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
2007 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2007 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2007 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee les Gallimardes
2007 Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac
2007 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2007 Domaine De La Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2007 Les Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Chante le Merle Vielles Vignes
2007 Domaine Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Prestige
Enthusiast Tasting I: Pinot Noir -The Heart Breaker
The Ritz Carlton Charlotte, Saturday, April 24 10:00 $75.00
Oregon, California, Burgundy?? Oh my-Why does this cantankerous, difficult to grow, sensitive varietal inspire some of the greatest winemakers in the world? Find out from the legends and the innovators themselves, Laurent Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, Laurent Montalieu & Danielle Andrus Montalieu of Solena Estates, Ken Wright of Ken Wright Cellars, Walter Schug of Schug Carneros Estate & Mark Ray of Perception Wines – as they guide you through a tasting of their wines and share their inspiration.
Enthusiast Tasting II: The Winemakers Tales-Stories from the Cellar
Lunch with Robert Foley of Robert Foley Vineyards and Dick Ward of Saintsbury VIneyards, The Ritz Carlton Charlotte, Saturday, April 24 1:00 $150.00
Robert Foley and Dick Ward both graduated from UC Davis in the latter part of the 1970’s – wouldn’t you love to hear the stories they have to tell about all their time in the wine business since? We jumped at the chance to sign them up. Come taste some wine with them in this informal session and enjoy the stories.
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