RICHLAND — It’s easy to enjoy wine. And with a little knowledge, wine becomes an intriguing experience, a way to enhance an everyday meal and to entertain with style. Learn how at a wine education seminar at Washington State University Tri-Cities.
Seven consumer seminars are scheduled for May through July as part of the inaugural series. The two-hour seminars are facilitated by Linda Moran, a Kennewick-based wine education consultant and host of the Vine to Wine radio show.
All wine education seminars are held on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC), Room 210, at 2770 University Drive, Richland. To register, call 509/372-7606 or e-mail jkostoff@tricity.wsu.edu.
– Understanding the Tasting of Wine, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17. Learn how to taste and evaluate a wine, understand winemaking terminology, decipher wine descriptions from various publications and answer the question of why you should even care. This course is a recommended prerequisite for some of the other seminars. Cost is $30.
– The Cheese Course: Pairing Cheese and Wine, 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19.
Taste the difference between cheese made with goat, sheep, and cow milk plus specially aged blue cheese — and discover the wines that make magic with them. Cost is $35.
– Syrah: Grape of Much History and a Brand New Mystery, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24. Originally thought to be from Persia, Syrah is one of the hottest wines in Washington. A panel of wine grape growers, wine writers, and winemakers will guide you through a tasting of Washington Syrah. Cost is $30.
– Summer Wines and Wine Cocktails, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21. A fun, lighthearted exploration of cocktails made with wine. Cost is $25.
– Food and Wine Pairing, 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23. Learn the guidelines to create a desirable combination of flavors between food and wine, including simple strategies for “tweaking” a recipe to make it taste better with the wine. Cost is $35. Recommended prerequisite course: Understanding the Tasting of Wine.
– Palate Training: Sensory Evaluation and Development, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19. Carolyn Ross, WSU professor of sensory analysis, will introduce the basic components of a wine. The individual elements of a wine, such as acidity and tannin, will be isolated and made available for participants to examine and practice identifying. Through this training, you will gain a greater understanding of how wine is created and blended. Cost is $35.
Recommended prerequisite course: Understanding the Tasting of Wine.
– Wines and Outdoor Grilling, 1 p.m. Saturday, July 21. Join wine country chefs, local celebrities, and winemakers as they share their grilling secrets and the wines that make outdoor cooking and entertaining part of wine country culture. Cost is $40 and includes lunch.
