Introduction to Wine Series [October 2, 9, 16]

Sessions:

Thursdays, October 2, 9 and 16, 2025; 6:30pm to 8:00pm
The Wine & Spirit Archive, 3319 SE 50th Ave, Portland, OR.

What better way to learn about wine … than to taste wines? Over the course of 3 sessions, we explore the factors that define the variations we find in the bottle: grape variety, where grapes grow (terroir), and the winemaker's hand.

If you want to better anticipate what you'll find in the bottle and better understand what you do -- and don't -- like in a glass of wine, this three-part series is for you!

Session 1: Big 7 Varieties — The Fundamentals of Tasting

We start with the foundation. You're likely familiar with "the big 7 varieties," but in this session, we dig deep into how they influence wine style as we lay the foundation for our course. In learning simple techniques practiced by wine professionals, you will begin distinguishing wines based on aroma, acidity, sweetness, body, and tannin.

Session 2: The Impact of Place -- Tasting Terroir

More tasting! Building from the previous session, we will expand on techniques you’ve learned to better understand how place shapes the wines we love. In this session, you'll taste the impact of latitude, slopes, aspect, soils, and "lake effect." Discover your "climate preference" for wine and find new styles to love based on factors other than grape variety.

Session 3: Putting the Pieces Together -- The Winemaker's Hand

In our final session, we add additional tasting skills to our arsenal as we discuss and taste the impact of the winemaker. Discover how decisions such as whole cluster fermentation, skin contact, blending, oak contact, and extended maceration impact the resulting wine.