Tastings and Demonstrations

The Wine Cycle at Turtle Creek Winery
Experience, first-hand, the process of turning grapes into wine. Kip Kumler, owner and winemaker of Turtle Creek Winery, leads this seminar series at his vineyard in Lincoln, MA. The four classes will follow the winemaker's cycle throughout the year, from vine to bottle. $150
Four Saturdays, 10 a.m.–Noon
May 2: The Season Starts: Bud-burst
June 20: The Growth of Grapes: Flowering and Fruit Set
July 25: Canopy Maturation: Approaching Veraison
September 26: Approaching Harvest and Winter Dormancy

Portugal's Porto Particulars and the Wines of the Douro
Discover the breadth and depth of one of Portugal’s most important and historic exports, Porto, along with the new sumptuous wines of the Douro. This is the first collaboration between the prestigious Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP) and Boston University’s Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center. More than fifty Portos will be available for tasting, with experts describing the highly complex demarcations required by the Portuguese government on every bottle, and the characteristics that distinguish each wine.
$25
Thursday, September 24, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

The Perfect Cup of Coffee
Coffee drinkers know a good cup of coffee when they taste one. George Howell, founder of the Coffee Connection and his newest enterprise, Terroir Select Coffees, will teach us the process of coffee cultivation, roasting, and brewing. Come taste the difference between ripe and unripe, and old crop and new crop beans, to discover the perfect cup. This class is sure to be abuzz (and not just from the caffeine)!
$20
Saturday, October 3, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Artisan Cheeses of the World with Ihsan Gurdal
Ihsan Gurdal—cheesemeister and owner of the famed Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, the South End, and New York City—will guide you through the world of artisan cheeses. Drawing from his years of experience ripening and selling farmhouse cheeses, he will discuss the traditional methods of cheesemaking and the craft of affinage, or cheese maturing. You will taste samples of the cheesemaker’s art at its best, accompanied by condiments and paired with wine—a perfect seminar for cheese lovers everywhere.
$75 includes copy of The Cheese Primer
Thursday, October 15, 6–8 p.m.

Getting Your Hands Dirty at Westport Rivers
Spend a day at the beautiful Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery with owners Bill and Rob Russell, and participate in harvest-time activities. After you have "gotten your hands dirty reaping in the grape harvest," you will taste Westport Rivers’ current releases paired with a lunch. Meets at Westport Rivers.
$90
Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Austrian Wine: West Meets East
Understand, taste, and see what words such as Wachau, Grüner Veltliner, Federspiel, Ausbruch, Kamptal, and Zweigelt signify. Bill Nesto, MW, will be your guide to the tastes and sights of Austrian wine country. Upon the breakup of the USSR, Austria found itself in the center of Europe instead of on its periphery. Grasping this opportunity, Austrian wine producers created a new industry combining the best techniques of Western European winemaking with local terroirs and indigenous grape varieties.
$20
Friday, October 30, 7–9 p.m.

Stir
With Barbara Lynch - SOLD OUT
Join award-winning chef Barbara Lynch, the force behind No. 9 Park, B&G Oyster, The Butcher Shop, and Sportello, among others, for a special evening of food and drink. Barbara will demonstrate recipes from her new cookbook Stir, and the class will sample the dishes paired with wines selected by wine director Cat Silirie.
$80 includes copy of Stir
Friday, November 6, 6–8 p.m.

The Art and Science of Old-Time Cocktails:
How Early American Drinks Relate to Today's Flourishing Bar Culture
With Jackson Cannon
Join Eastern Standard’s award-winning bartender and master mixologist, Jackson Cannon, as he traces the evolution of smashes, juleps, and the Old Fashioned to a time before the word cocktail even existed. Enjoy side-by-side versions of these cocktails and rediscover the techniques needed to produce them for home entertaining.
$40
Monday, November 16, 6–8 p.m.

Chang + Myers - SOLD OUT
Join the ever-talented and entertaining team of Joanne Chang (Flour Bakery) and Christopher Myers (Radius, Via Matta) for an evening of fun and innovative Asian dishes. Joanne will show you how to prepare the dishes they serve at their "funky indie diner" Myers+Chang, and Christopher will keep you quenched with paired beverages.
$50
Tuesday, December 1, 6–8 p.m.

Flavors of Anatolia with Ana Sortun and Ihsan Gurdal - SOLD OUT
In celebration of the 14th Boston Turkish Festival, Ana Sortun of Oleana Restaurant and Sofra Bakery and Café teams up with Ihsan Gurdal of Formaggio Kitchen to present an evening of exquisite food and Kavaklidere wines from the Turkish region of Anatolia. Ana’s and Ihsan’s expertise on the culture and cuisines of Turkey will transport you directly to this glorious country. For more information about the Turkish Festival, visit www.bostonturkishfestival.org.
$60
Thursday, December 3, 6–8 p.m.

New Rioja: The Bold Wines within Rioja Tradition with Bill Nesto
The red wines of Rioja are synonymous with consistency, quality, and value. Traditionally, these wines are crafted from a tapestry of different Rioja terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and American oak barrels. During a recent trip to Rioja, Bill Nesto, MW, discovered bold, out-of-the-ordinary flavors arising from wines made by inspired, hard-working Rioja winemakers. Discover the flavor of “new” Rioja.
$20
Monday, December 14, 6–8 p.m.

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for a sold out event, please call our office at 617-353-9852.