French Wine: From Bordeaux to Burgundy with Andres Medrano
Wine and France are inextricably entwined. A vibrant thread in the fabric of daily life and culture, wine has helped shape France's history, gastronomy, and urban landscape. This seminar, led by a sommelier, introduces the basics of French wines. Over a couple of glasses of wine, we will discuss the wine-making process and the evolution of wine in France, as well as food and wine pairings, current trends, and tasting techniques to help you continue your appreciation at home or abroad.
We'll begin with a discussion of France's 2,500-year history of wine production, which dates from Greek and Roman times.
Then, opening a bottle of your liking (we'll provide a list in advance), we'll learn about dégustation, the art of tasting, while exploring the history of wine in France. Showcasing the diverse styles of French wine, our guided virtual tasting will serve to calibrate our palates, teaching us how to evaluate wine using our senses of smell and taste.
We'll discover the basics of pairing wine with food, raising the concept of terroir, the dominant philosophy in wine and cuisine. We'll use this concept to explore how natural elements can affect the flavor of your wine.
We will take a closer look at the bottles to understand what’s inside. France was the first country in the world to classify its wines using AOPs. This system, dating from the 1930s, is still in use today and can be daunting to even the most seasoned wine expert. We will learn the ins and outs of this system, its initial purposes and structure, and how it has evolved today. While examining several types of bottles, we will be able to dissect a typical French wine label and see its quality level clearly, before even trying the wine.
We will discuss the following topics while tasting a glass of wine together:
- The most important wine regions of France and what makes them unique
- The grapes grown in each region, the soils, and styles of wine being made
- The most famous AOCs in each region
- The wine tasting technique for appreciation purposes
- Discerning wine flavors and aromas
- Food and wine pairing
- The art of reading French wine labels
- The current trends in French wine-making
- Tips on how to order wine at a restaurant and how to purchase wine
There will be time for questions at the end of this interactive seminar.
Led by Andres Medrano, an expert on French cuisine and oenology, this interactive seminar will introduce participants to the intricacies of French wine. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of this fascinating (and delicious) part of French history and culture.
Andrés has spent more than 14 years in Paris honing his culinary skills and knowledge. Starting in 2008 at the famous FERRANDI, L'école de cuisine et hôtelière, he learned the hard way the fine art of pastry and cuisine, apprenticing in noted Michelin-starred restaurants. Inspired by French cuisine, he then had the opportunity to study alongside European champion chef Olivier Boudot to discover the secrets of French bread-making at the international Cordon Bleu school. Discovering a more epicurean penchant, he then left to study for the globally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 qualification, the French Wine Scholar, and the Champagne Master-Level program with the highest honors at the French Scholar Guild. He's also a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators. Now, armed with both the skills of a sommelier and culinary nous, he is bringing the disciplines together as a food and wine editor, leading bespoke, fun, relaxed, ‘under the skin of the city' tours around Paris's independent delicatessens & vintners. He co-founded his secret cellar cheese & wine experience at www.wetasteparis.com. Join him in sharing his passion for the traditions, methods & history of arguably the finest cuisine and wine in the world.
Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
I really enjoyed this class. Andres covered all the basics plus great specific information on 5 wine regions of France. I learned a lot. I’d love a more in depth, multi session class, as the subject deserves more than can fit in 90 minutes.
Very informative. Lots of tips and suggestions.
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Excellent. Covered so much ‘terroirs’ in 11/2 hours. Thoughtful presentation covering the topics one wants to understand
I really enjoyed this; the host Andres was knowledgeable and engaging; I learned a lot. Money well spent and I would do another seminar for sure!