The Tampa Wine Institute
at West Palm Wines Presents
“The Novice Series”

This series of classes will focus on giving the wine enthusiast a solid background from which to propel you to the next level, Wine Connoisseur. 

 

Tampa Wine Institute Instructors, Jim Sirna & Mark Lasky, will help you make sense of everything wine, in a fun and informative setting.

 

At least 6-8 wines will be served at each class along with fine foods.

 

These classes are limited to 20 students.  Payment in full must accompany your reservation. 

 

Call (813) 241-8587 to reserve your seat.  The Tampa Wine Institute, Florida’s Only Wine School!
   

Intro to Wine Part I

Explore the history of wine and wine making, and taste the “Great Grape Varieties”
Saturday, April 16th, 4pm-6pm
$30.00 dollars per person
 

Intro to Wine Part II

Discover the best wine producing regions, and taste wines from around the world
Saturday, April 30th 4pm to 6pm
$30.00 dollars per person  

 

 The Wines of France

Taste, compare and demystify the great wine producing regions of France Saturday, May 14th 4pm to 6pm $30.00 dollars per person  

 

 The Wines of Italy

Discuss and taste wines from the “hottest” wine producing regions of Italy
Saturday May28th, 4pm-6pm
$30.00 dollars per person  

 

The Tampa Wine Institute at  West Palm Wines Presents: “THE TERROIR SERIES”

Over the centuries, French winemakers developed the concept of terroir by observing the differences in wines from different regions, vineyards, or even different sections of the same vineyard. The French began to crystallize the concept of terroir as a way of describing the unique aspects of a place that influence and shape the wine made from it.. Long before the French, the winemaking regions of the ancient world already developed a concept of different regions having the potential to create very different and distinct wines, even from the same grapes. The Ancient Greeks would stamp amphorae with the seal of the region they came from and soon different regions established reputations based on the quality of their wines. For most of its history, Burgundy was cultivated by the literate and disciplined members of the Benedictine and Cistercian orders. With vast land holdings, the monks were able to conduct large scale observation of the influences that various parcels of land had on the wine it produced. Some legends have the monks going as far as "tasting" the soil. Over time the monks compiled their observations and began to establish the boundaries of different terroirs-many of which still exist today as the Grand Cru Vineyards of Burgundy. Explore the centuries old concept of terroir as instructor, Jim Sirna, leads you through a unique series of tasting.  Class schedule and enrollment instructions are listed below. As always seating is limited to 20 students.  Six to eight wines will be served in a sit down, roundtable format accompanied by cheese and charcuterie from Beaune’s Wine Bar. Hope to see you there!  The Tampa Wine Institute, Florida’s Only Wine School!
  

 *Reservations*

Reservations must be made in advance by phone at (813) 241-8587.  E-mail reservations will not be accepted. Payment in full must accompany your reservation. Cancellations will be honored with a store credit being issued if cancellation is made a minimum of 3 days prior to class.

*The Terroir of St Emilion*

Saint-Emilion is the oldest wine area of the Bordeaux region. It is here that the Merlot Grape reaches its apogee. The wines are considered the most robust of the Bordeaux. They are generous, very colored, and reach their maturity quicker than other red Bordeaux. Explore the Wines of St Emilion in detail at this tasting. Saturday, February 5th 4:00pm to 6:00pm $35.00 per person  
 

*The Terroir of Chateauneuf du Pape*

The village and three other surrounding communes produce wine, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region. Unlike its northern Rhône neighbors, Châteauneuf-du-Pape permits thirteen different varieties of grape; the blend is usually predominantly Grenache. Other red grapes include Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Muscardin, Syrah, Terret Noir, and Vaccarèse. White grapes include Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picardin, Roussanne, and Picpoul. In recent years, the trend has been to include fewer (or even none) of the allowed white varieties and rely heavily (or solely) upon the Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. One may suspect that this is a response to international wine-market trends and the desire to have this sometimes-rustic wine appeal to a broader commercial audience. Will this affect the Terroir? Saturday, March 5th 4:00pm to 6:00pm $45.00 per person