August 31 Wine Tasting Class Notes - Austria & Germany

Class Notes Summary: Riesling Revelations & Red Discoveries - Presented by Melody Wilson

This wine tasting class explores the diverse and exquisite wines from Germany and Austria, with a special focus on Riesling and red varieties. The class begins with an introduction to the unique climatic and geographical conditions that contribute to the distinctive characteristics of wines from these regions.

Key points covered include:

Riesling Varietal Characteristics: Discussion on the versatility of Riesling, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet styles, and how terroir influences flavor profiles.

German Wine Regions: An overview of the most prominent German wine regions, including Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz, highlighting their contribution to Riesling production.

Austrian Red Wines: Exploration of Austria’s lesser-known yet increasingly popular red wines, such as Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, including their tasting profiles and food pairings.

Tasting Techniques: Guidance on proper wine tasting techniques, including visual assessment, aroma identification, and palate evaluation.

Wine and Food Pairings: Practical tips on pairing these wines with various cuisines to enhance the dining experience.

The class is designed to deepen participants' understanding of these wines and to provide practical knowledge that can be applied to future wine selections.