​Does the title scare you?  Does it make you think of stuffy lectures on the nuances of Bordeaux wines?  Does it make you feel that it would be above your wine knowledge level?  Don’t sweat it!  We should really call it a Bordeaux Blending Party!

Our certified sommelier, Tony Porcellini, presents this class and makes it fun and simple.  You do not need to know anything about wine to appreciate the class (party).  Regardless of your level of wine knowledge, the information that Tony presents will be both educational and entertaining.

The class will provide you with a glass of each of the 5 main varietals that can go into a red Bordeaux blend.   Those varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.  Tony will take you through a fun filled tasting of each wine.  When all 5 have been tasted and explained, you will then have an opportunity to blend your own glass of Bordeaux.

I have participated in this class (party) twice before and would gladly do it many times again.  I believe wine should be simple, fun, and shared and Tony captures this philosophy perfectly.

Tony also has 9 other classes (parties) prepared for our fun and education.  If you want to have fun and learn at the same time, sign up for our classes (parties).  Remember, you can book private parties too, such as bridal parties, birthdays, office parties or just plain wine parties.

Please contact Jessica at [email protected] or at 904.217.4751 for more information and to sign up for a class (party)!
 
Cheers!
​Hoosier Wine Guy

One evening I was watching the movie Somm while enjoying a glass of my favorite cabernet.  One of the sommeliers that was going for his master sommelier certification had only two years prior, just begun the quest to put himself in a position to challenge the ultimate exam, an exam where only 230 people have passed it since the exam’s inception 46 years ago.  He attributed his rapid rise to the challenge and competitiveness of sports.  He had been an athlete most of his life and believed that the same drive to compete in sports was driving his motivation to conquer wine.

Personally, I have been entangled in the pursuit of the vine for 2 years.  I have not jumped into the somm gauntlet as I am having too much fun exploring wine my way.  I was a good, small town and collegiate athlete, proficient at many sports; not great at any.  I always enjoyed the challenge of playing a new sport and loved the variety that sports offered.  The constant challenge of never knowing it all, nor playing to perfection, kept the drive alive.

Wine is like that for me.  There are thousands of varietals and just as many blends.  I am chasing the juice!  I will never come close to mastering wine, but I think that is why I enjoy the chase so much.  I have learned enough about wine to know I will never know enough about wine. 

Wine enthusiasts and athletes have a lot in common.  Athletes, come on in and we will practice together!
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Hoosier Wine Guy

In those three words, Andrea Immer Robinson learned the true meaning of wine.  Andrea, a master sommelier, writes about the lesson in her book Great Wine Made Simple.  She was at the Cantina Vietti, one of the Piedmont’s great wineries and was lucky enough to be having dinner at the house of the wine maker Alfredo Currado.  Andrea had been writing furiously in her note book and was determined to turn her tasting notes into expertise.  Alfredo finally said “Andrea, don’t think, drink”.  She goes on to state: “The real purpose of wine is not about the snobbery, the fancy labels, the big bucks, and the status symbols that are supposedly going to make you look and feel sophisticated.  Its real purpose is simple; wine is a lube for life.”

I think wine should be simple, fun, and shared.  Sometimes we should just drink wine for enjoyment and not analyze it.  Relax and let your sense enjoy the learning.
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Hoosier Wine Guy

One of our goals at Carrera Wine Cellar will be to demystify wine.  Wine after all is just fermented grape juice. 

Classes will be scheduled throughout the year. We currently have 10 classes in our portfolio, all being presented by sommeliers.  Each class will provide interesting information about wine growing regions, the grapes and the vintners, along with wines for tasting.  Dates and times for all classes will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

We will also offer private tastings and classes at our location or yours.  You can choose one of our classes or ask for a customized presentation.  There is no substitute for hands-on tasting to reinforce the knowledge being presented.  We love to talk about wine.

Hoosier Wine Guy