Come listen to and interact with winemakers from around the globe as they discuss winemaking and grape growing specifically for Alsace varietals. Light Breakfast will be served. 

How Sweet it is …or... How Sweet is it?

 

A discussion on the comparative techniques and trends in growing and producing Alsace Varietal wines in New Zealand and North America.

 

 

8:30am    Welcome – AVWA President, Kristy Charles

 

8:35am      Introduction and Moderator – Glenn McGourty, M.S. Farm Advisor UC Cooperative Extension, Mendocino County

 

8:45am     The International Riesling Federation

Speaker:  Janie Brooks Heuck, IRF Director & Managing Director, Brooks Winery

 

A presentation of The Int’l Riesling Federation’s  “IRF Riesling Scale” and a talk about the promotion of  “Summer of Riesling”, whose concept was created in 2008 to encourage more wine drinkers to try Riesling.

 

9:00am       The New Zealand Riesling Challenge

Speakers:  David Strada, U.S. Marketing Manager, NZ Winegrowers

                     Chuck Hayward, Wine buyer & Columnist, JJ Buckley

 

In 2010, 48 tons of grapes were harvested from one block of the Mud House Vineyard in Waipara Valley on the South Island. The grapes were hand picked, loaded into 132 bins, and delivered to twelve winemakers across New Zealand. One block of grapes, twelve distinctly different wines. The yield was 3,000 mixed cases including one bottle of each winemaker's wine. The result is a fascinating look at terroir and technique. There will be discussion and tasting.

 

10:00 am     Break

 

10:15           “Best of Appellation”

 Speaker:   Clark Smith, Director Best of Appellation for Appellation America

 

The discussion will cover the goal to make American wines competitive with the European system by moving beyond varietal judging to the characterization of the regional typicality of our 307 AVAs, thus connecting the consumer to the style diversity now available. There will be a focus on Anderson Valley whites.

 

11:00am      Psycho-Sensory Research

 Speaker:    Tim Hanni, MW

 

This will be an Alsatian-focused presentation of Mr. Hanni’s psycho-sensory research. He will discuss cleaning up inconsistencies in historical perspectives.  There will also be a discussion of market opportunities (including sweet wine drinkers) and how to avoid the 'wine and food trap' that undermines wine purchases at the end of the day.

 

12:00 Break

 

12:15 Cooking Demonstration 

Speakers:    Chef Beau MacMillan, Food Network Star, Exec. Chef at  Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain Resort

Chef Francois de Melogue, Creative Hospitality Solutions, Claudia Springs Winery

 

The chefs will create Alsace and Asian-style dishes for attendees during an educational and entertaining cooking demonstration to highlight why each style pairs beautifully with the wine. They will share food and wine pairing tips, and the audience will sample their creations at the Grand Tasting– a great way to learn more about the versatility of Alsace-style whites!

 

Location: Mendocino County Fairgrounds at 14400 Highway 128 in Boonville. Light breakfast is included.