"After returning from an intense week of getting to know the major wine regions of South Australia (through a partnership between WFFT and the South Australia government), I corrected and recalibrated many preconceived notions of the current state of the industry. Yes, it is true that 15-20 years ago so much over-ripe, jammy, and cheap Shiraz came into the US that many wine lovers and collectors believe this to be the face of all Australian wine. Today, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a palpable drive to experiment with new varieties, discover cool-climate sub-regions, and push the bar of quality with traditional varieties of Cabernet and Shiraz. Plus, since Phylloxera has never affected South Australia, it is the home to many of the oldest producing vineyards in the world. In this class, we’ll be exploring all the gems and discoveries from the trip. I promise, they will surprise you as well!

Blind tastings are super-popular here at the WFFT, so in February’s educational class, we’ll be exploring what happens to wine as it ages without knowing the vintage, varietal, or region. All wine, white and red, evolves from fruity in its youth to take on flavors of earth, mushroom, and cigar box in maturity. However, how fast this happens and whether the wine stays balanced or not, is dependent on many factors, including grape varieties, producer, potential of the vineyard, etc. Also, the lines between varieties and regions start to blur and deceive. Join us to experience this magical process, see how close you can guess, and learn a few tricks to hone your skills.  Note: there are two seatings for this class: 4:00-5:15 pm and 6:00 to 7:15 pm.

This will be one of the most comprehensive cross section of the dry wines of Portugal.  The Douro, Alentejo, a special treat from Madeira, and more!  8 wines and a ton of good information: $55.  Note: there are 2 seatings for this class, 4:00-5:15 pm and 6:00-7:15 pm.