Thank you for your interest – we have SOLD OUT!  Stay tuned for more wine tasting adventures in the coming months.

The next in the series of serious tastings created by wine enthusiast Jack Brice.

Nearly 15 years ago Robert Parker declared that in the future “Spain would be the star”.   So we have gathered several fabulous wines to study the regions, grapes and processes that make the Rioja region distinct from the rest of the world (and so very tasty!).   We even have Decanter Magazine’s top wine of 2013 (donated from a private collection).

Join us to learn about “What makes Rioja, Rioja?” with direct comparisons of grape, price and style!  As usual our tasty lesson will be delivered with dinner by Chef Kate Romane and her crew at e2.   Hope you can join us!

• Where is Rioja?
• What grapes are used?
• Why are different aging processes used?
• What do those labels mean?

Here’s our program

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – A selection of Kate’s famous OMGs with Domaine Jaume Cristalino Serra Brut Cava NV (not actually a Rioja wine, but we don’t think anyone will mind…)

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and study of Rioja wines

• Cune Rioja Monopole Blanco 2012
• Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Reserva 2008 93pts Decanter Magazine
• Bodegas Muriel Rioja Reserva 2008 95pts Decanter Magazine
• Faustino 1 Rioja Gran Reserva 2001 97pts Decanter Magazine

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane

Thank you for your interest – this event is SOLD OUT.  Please send an email if you would like to be added to the wait list. 

The next in the series of serious tastings created by wine enthusiast Jack Brice.

How many times have your heard some self-important-enthusiast-know-it-all spout comments about “old world” or “new world” wine characteristics?    Well – it isn’t THAT complicated… so let’s get together and learn about the beautiful differences!

Join us to learn about “Old-World” and “New-World” wines, with direct comparisons of grape, price and style!   This will be a tasty way to learn with food provided by Chef Kate Romane and her crew at e2.   Hope you can join us!

• What are the key differences?
• Why does it matter?
• What vintages should we look for?
• What vintages should we run away from?

Here’s our program

THURSDAY, May 8, 2014
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – A selection of Kate’s famous OMGs with Jean Noel Haton Brut Classic NV (OLD WORLD Champagne)

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and comparison of Old World / New World wines

• Sancerre -Domaine Cherrier Père & Fils Pierre Sancerre ‘Les 7 Hommes’ 2012 (OLD WORLD Sauvignon Blanc)
• Beringer Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2012 (NEW WORLD Sauvignon Blanc)
• Chateau Rollan de By Medoc Bordeaux 2009 (OLD WORLD Red)
• Hall Merlot Napa Valley 2009  (NEW WORLD Red)

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane

Thank you for your interest – this event is SOLD OUT.  Please send an email if you would like to be added to the wait list.  

The next in a new series of serious tastings created by wine enthusiast Jack Brice.  South America has some fantastic wines – I’ve chosen some to share with you!

Chile and Argentina, arguably, have some of the world’s most fantastic wine grape growing regions. Politics and financial exchange rates have influenced the South American wine industry for many years, but right now we have access to some fantastic wines at ‘affordable’ prices. I’ve gathered some of my favorites and hope you will share your thoughts with me! If you like scores, here are some numbers: 88, 91, 92, 96…  and one of the wines was on this year’s Wine Spectator top 100 list… but we will talk more about this at dinner!

Hope you can join us!

Here’s our program

Wednesday, March 12, 2014
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – A selection of Kate’s famous OMGs with Santa Julia Pinot Noir Rose Brut NV (Chile)

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and tasting of South American wines

• Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay Mendoza 2011 (Mendoza, Argentina)
• Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Aconcagua Valley Estate Single Vineyard 2011 (Aconcagua, Chile)
• Bodega Norton Malbec Reserve  2011 (Mendoza, Argentina)
• Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2009  (Colchagua, Chile)

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane

Thank you for your interest – this event is SOLD OUT.  Please send an email if you would like to be added to the wait list.  

This is a pre-pay event – purchase your $60 tasting/dinner with the link below.

Is it mid-summer?  Is it warm?  Is the beach calling us?

It WOULD be if we were in Australia!!!   Since we aren’t there – let’s get together and fight the cold by celebrating Australia Day with some great Australian wines!!!

This year we will celebrate Oz-Day with a diverse grouping of whites and reds, with Australia’s New World sensibilities informing traditional French styles from Burgundy (Chardonnay) to Bordeaux (Semillon/Sauv Blanc and Cabernet) to the Rhone (Marsanne/Viognier and Syrah).   There are some hefty scores associated with these wines (a low of 90 to high of 95), but as usual, I won’t immediately share the scores to allow attendees to judge for themselves.

Hope you can join us!

Here’s our program

Wednesday, January 22, 2014
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – A selection of Kate’s famous OMGs

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and tasting of five Australian wines

• Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillion 2012 (Margaret River, Australia)
• d’Arenberg Hermit Crab Marsanne Viognier 2011 (McLaren Vale, Australia)
• First Drop Wines Mere et Fils Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2012 (Adelaide Hills, Australia)
• West Cape Howe Cabernet Sauvignon Book Ends Great Southern 2008 (Great Southern, Australia)
• Clarendon Hills Brookman Syrah 2006 (McLaren Vale, Australia)

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane

Thank you for your interest – this event is SOLD OUT.  If you would like to be added to the wait list – please send an email through the website.

This is a pre-pay event – purchase your $55 tasting/dinner with the link below.

What fun it is to taste wines from around the world in an un-pretentious setting, made even more interesting by the diverse blend of attendees, each with their own palate and thoughts on wine!

After tasting five refined Bordeaux wines and five big Rhone wines we now turn our attention to the new world (in wine terms this means the whole world except for Europe!).   While Europe continues centuries-old traditions and mastery of wine-making, the ‘new world’ makes its own history with modern techniques and adventurous approaches.   As we did last time, we will taste the wines by themselves and then with dinner to see how the flavor profiles change. If you are interested in serious new world wines, treat yourself to this tasting!

Here’s our program

Wednesday November 20th
(Held at ‘e2’ in Highland Park 5904 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

6:30 p.m. – Apps and Sparkler (Gruet Brut, New Mexico)

6:45 p.m. – Introduction and tasting of four New World Wines

• Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012 (Margaret River, Australia)
• Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Belle Terre 2010 (Napa, California)
• Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvee Alexander Reserve (Chile)
• Frank Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2010 (Napa, California)

7:15 p.m. – Dinner created by Chef Kate Romane