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Events for 2012
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THE OXFORD WINE SCHOOL
The Oxford Wine Company
167 Botley Road, Oxford OX2 0PB
01865 249500
The Oxford Wine School runs 8 week courses designed to give beginners and the less experienced an understanding of wine. The course covers the growing and production of wine as well as looking at well known grape varieties and also looks at the important wine producing countries. Participants will learn how to taste wine according to the Wine and Spirit Education Trust system, thus making them better and more confident tasters. Aimed at the novice, the course is led by Lee Isaacs, who has nearly 10 years experience in the wine trade. Each lesson lasts approximately an hour and a half and you will taste 6 wines. Individual Masterclasses presented by guest speakers on specialist subjects will also take place within the framework of the course.
Course members who complete the course will receive a card entitling them to an ongoing 10% discount at the Botley Road shop.
The next 8 week course begins on Monday 5th March 2012 at 8.15pm at Botley Road and will run on consecutive Mondays through to 23rd April. The course costs £20.00 per night (£160.00 including VAT in total) and the full cost is payable in advance.
For more information or to express your interest please contact Lee Isaacs at the Oxford shop on either 01865 249500 or lee@oxfordwine.co.uk.
For full course details, dates and structure see below:
* Over 40 wines to be tasted
* Wines between £4.99 and £40+
* Advice on food and wine matching
* How to spot wine faults
* How to store and serve wine
* Learn how to become a better and more confident taster by learning the W.S.E.T. systematic tasting method.
What you will learn:
* A knowledge and understanding of how wine is produced.
* A greater understanding of all the factors that affect the quality of a wine, and how to detect and speak about them.
* A working and useable level of knowledge about the world’s most important wine producing countries and regions.
* How best to match food and wine.
* How to write accurate and concise tasting notes.
* How to become a better and more confident taster.
All lessons will be conducted in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Professional tasting glasses used for all tastings.
Full course notes and comprehensive tasting notes will be provided.
If for any reason you are unable to attend a lesson you will be provided with full notes and the feedback of the other students the following week.
We aim to develop your palate, your knowledge, and your passion for wine.
MONDAY 5TH MARCH: The Vine, Wine Production and Ageing Techniques.
This covers the basic life cycle of the vine and how grapes are turned into wine. Covering several fermentation and ageing techniques, this lesson will give a better understanding of the fundamental factors that affect the quality, taste and price of a wine.
MONDAY 12TH MARCH: France and Her Great Wine Regions.
In this lesson we will cover the history and diversity of the most famous wine producing country. A guide to Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhone, Loire and Alsace and why these regions are so famous.
MONDAY 19TH MARCH: The Best of Spain and Italy.
Here we will explore the most well known regions of these great wine producing countries and discover their unique grape varieties and styles.
MONDAY 26TH MARCH: Don’t Forget The Rest Of Europe.
With European wine being dominated by the big three of France, Italy and Spain it is easy to forget the other wonderful wine producing nations on the continent. Here we will delve into the more interesting and unusual producers in Europe.
MONDAY 2ND APRIL: Fizz, Bubbles and Sparkling Wine.
Most of us love Champagne, but very few of us really understand it. We will cover not just top vintage Champagnes, but also the wonderful sparkling wines that are also available. Importantly, we will cover the different methods of producing a wine that ‘tastes like stars.’
MONDAY 9TH APRIL: NO LESSON DUE TO EASTER MONDAY
MONDAY 16TH APRIL: Australasia
Several years ago Australia couldn’t put a foot wrong, but of late it has been struggling to compete with other New World countries. The same can be said of New Zealand. Here we will examine why these countries became so great and powerful, and also discover what regions are still important and exciting.
MONDAY 23RD APRIL: South Africa and the Americas.
Here we will learn about the history and creativity of The Capes’ greatest wines, the power of the U.S.A. and the joys of Chile and Argentina.
MONDAY 30TH APRIL: Fortified.
An introduction to the great wines of Jerez and Oporto. Port and Sherry are undoubtedly some of the world’s most interesting wines. We will finish the course by looking at these wines and how they are made.