And I go back a class.  In the third week we bounced around a little on what we learned about, but some of the main points I took home were:

-the ‘parents’ of Cabernet are Sauvignon Blanc and Cab Franc

-high tannins and acidity are the base for Bordeaux

-Cabernets and Chardonnays adapt to climate

-Syrah=crowd pleaser

We tasted quite the range of wines that night, darn!

2011 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, about $13

2011 Willm Geurztraminer, Alsace, France, about $16

2009 Chateau les Grands Marechaux (Merlot), Blaye Cote de Bordeaux, France, about $24

2012 Milton Park Shiraz, South Australia, Australia, $9 — definitely lived up to the price

2012 Punto Final Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, about $13 — almost ‘raisin-ed’

2012 Clos Le Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), Loire Valley, France, about $20

2011 Chateau de Chasseloir Muscadet, Loire Valley, France, about $12 — pair with salt

2011 Tres Picos Garnacha (Grenache), Borsao, Spain, about $18 — love this one!

2011 Karl Erbes Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany, about $18