The Bacchus Wine Tasting Parties have returned! Try 25 Wines for $25 in this “walk-about” event. Wine professionals will be on hand to explain the nationalities and nuances of each wine. Better yet, with on-site sales, you will be able to go home with your favorite bottle(s) in hand.

Monday, September 8 CLASS 1:

INTRODUCTION TO WINE TASTING 6:15-7:30 p.m. $30

Part 1 of a 6 Part Series** In this first class we will demystify and de-snobbify wine tasting by introducing strategies and vocabulary for finding and ordering the perfect wine for your palate. Simple concepts of grape growing and wine making will be illustrated as you taste your way through six wines.

Speed dating gone Sideways. This classy way of dating allows you to flirt with six new wines while chatting individually with up to 24 other singles. Although compatible dates will be notified the next day, compatible wines can be taken home that night.

Monday, September 15 CLASS 2:

WINES OF THE OLD WORLD: FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN 6:15-7:30 p.m. $30

Part 2 of a 6 Part Series** In this class, we will take the wine tasting concepts learned in the first class to better understand the cryptic labels of France, the difficult-to-pronounce grapes of Italy and the juicy value wines of Spain.

Friday, September 19 PINOT NOIRS:

BURGUNDY vs USA PINOT NOIRS 6:15-7:30 p.m. $49

The pinot noir grape has been called a blank canvas for the wine growers of the world due to its remarkable ability to communicate the soils and climate of its place of origin. We will be exploring the nuances of pinot noir by tasting through several pinot noirs from Burgundy, Oregon and California.

Monday, September 22 CLASS 3: WINES OF THE NEW WORLD: USA,

South AMERICA & AUSTRALIA

6:15-7:30 p.m. $30

Part 3 of a 6 Part Series** We will revisit some of the Old World grapes from Class 2 grown on the other side of the pond to see what a difference New World climates, soils and traditions can do to a style of wine. By the end of the class, you may be able to say whether you are a New or Old World Wino.

Friday, September 26 CABERNETS:

BORDEAUX vs NAPA CABERNETS 6:15-7:30 p.m. $49

A wine contest was staged in Paris in 1976 between the red wines of Bordeaux and Napa Cabernets. The French left shocked, the Americans thrilled! This was the beginning of the world’s love affair with Napa wine. We will taste some of the same wines that won that competition (different vintages, of course) to see who goes home first in your mind.

Part 4 of a 6 Part Series** It is estimated there are about 50 million bubbles in one bottle of Champagne! The labor and time required to reach this incredible feat will astonish you. Several bubbly basics will be explained by trying sparkling wines from Champagne, Spain, and California, among others.

Monday, October 6 CLASS 5: SWEET AND FORTIFIED WINES

6:15-7:30 p.m. $30

Part 5 of a 6 Part Series** Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, this class can still be thoroughly enjoying. You will see just how delicious and refreshing a dessert wine can be, especially when taken with a morsel of chocolate or cheese (chocolate and cheese provided). These pairings tend to lessen the level of sweetness while intensifying the level of fun.

Monday, October 13 CLASS 6: FOOD AND WINE PAIRING BASICS

6:15-7:30 p.m. $40

Part 6 of a 6 Part Series** In Part 5 we set the stage for food and wine pairings with dessert wine and chocolate. In this 6th class we will continue with this concept by expanding on the fundamentals of pairing wine with food. You will taste different foods with several wines to experience first-hand how drastically a wine can taste based on your choice of food.