Learn how to “appreciate what nature gives you” from Jamie Brown (Waters Winery) who produces unique single vineyard Syrah’s; celebrate with Lisa Baer from a Washington wine benchmark producer (Baer Winery); experience the results of an exceptional joint venture known as Long Shadows Wineries with Gilles Nicault; and compare Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Old World and the New with a side-by-side tasting researched by the RN74 sommelier team.
Saturday with the Somms continues with an all-new global lineup starting January 19. The series begins in Burgundy’s sister region Piedmont exploring several lesser know grapes in addition to the reigning king and queen Barolo and Barbaresco. Other highlighted regions include surprising picks from the cool growing regions of Australia and New Zealand as well as a trip down memory lane with the French wine granddaddy, Cabernet Franc. Find out what makes Super Tuscans so super and check out a few ancient varietals from the birthplace of modern winemaking in Greece.
Each two-hour global wine tour (2 to 4 p.m.) is paired with light appetizers. Saturday with the Somms are $45 per event, exclusive of tax and gratuity, or mix and match any three classes for $115 or take all six for $225 and receive a complimentary signed copy of Rajat Parr’s “Secrets of the Sommeliers.” Reservations for Behind the Bottle and Saturday with the Somms may be made via email at Seattleevents@rn74.com or by calling 206-456-7612.
7 P.M. AT RN74’S CHEF’S TABLE
FEBRUARY 5 – $125 Scott Paul Selections with founder Scott Wright
MARCH 11 – $150 A collaborative dinner: Au Bon Climat with owner Jim Clendenen & Gramercy Cellars with founder & winemaker Greg Harrington
APRIL 8 – $125 Waters Winery with winemaker Jamie Brown
MAY 13 – $125 Baer Winery with owner Lisa Baer
JUNE 10 – $125 Long Shadows Winery with winemaker Gilles Nicault
JULY 15 – $150 Burgundy vs. New World Icons with RN74 Sommeliers
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2 TO 4 P.M. AT RN74January 26 – PIEDMONT
Burgundy reigns supreme at RN74, but the Piedmont region is just a short train ride away and grows some royalty of its own. King Barolo and queen Barbaresco are both made with Nebbiolo – crowned Piedmont’s greatest grape, but there are a myriad of other grapes in the region – Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis – that produce equally dynamic wines. Explore this amazing region with the RN74 sommelier team.February 23 – TUSCANY
Wines from the sun-drenched rolling hills of this region are often termed “Super Tuscans,” but what makes them so super? Join the RN74 team as they explore and demystify the legendary wines of Brunello, Montalpulciano, Chianti, Bolgheri and beyond.
March 16 – AUSTRALIA
There is more going on in the land down under than bargain basement Yellowtail and syrupy Shiraz. Not long ago, passionate winemakers began exploring the coolest grape-growing regions across the continent and sommeliers stateside have taken notice. Let the RN74 sommelier team guide you through wines from Tasmania, the Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide Hills and the Yarra Valley in this unique tasting from the cool side of Australia.
April 20 – THE OTHER CABERNET (FRANC)
Before Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc produced their enormously popular love child Cabernet Sauvignon, it was Franc that thrived for centuries along the Loire River in Bordeaux. A complex grape with flavors of blackberry, black currant, pipe tobacco, graphite and violets, Cabernet Franc comes in a huge range of styles from light to full, bone dry to exceedingly sweet. Discover one of the world’s most storied grapes with the RN74 experts.
May 18 – GREECE
Ancient Greece brought us both modern democracy and modern winemaking with varietals like Agiorghitiko, Moschofilero and Xinomavro. Though its economy might be in ruins, its winemaking industry is experiencing a renaissance producing world-class wines often at exceptional value and of extraordinary quality. Join our sommeliers as we delve into ancient aromas and flavors in one of winemaking’s oldest regions.
June 8 – NEW ZEALAND
Though we can all agree that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is pretty darn good, New Zealand is far from a one trick pony. The country’s diverse terrior makes it one of the best places to produce Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Cabernets. Come explore everything that the north and south islands have to offer beyond our old friend Sauvignon Blanc.