- All classes will take place in the seminar room at Marketview Liquor
- Each class holds a maximum of 32 people(unless stated)
- Reservations are required (for free and paid events)
- All reservations must be made through the links below
Spring 2025
A Visit to Northwest Spain
Sometimes called “Green Spain”, the vineyards in the northwest part of the country are heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. It is here where you find wines that are crisp and mineral driven, and definitely carry their “sense of place”. We’ll taste wines from the provinces of Galicia and Castilla Y León, including the seafood-friendly white Albariño wines from Rias Baixas and the fruity red Mencia wines of Bierzo. We’ll also try the latest white wine craze – Godello from the region of Valdeorras (translates to “valley of gold”), a relic from the Romans who came to mine the region’s rich deposits two thousand years ago. All of these wines are tailor-made for warmer weather, and as spring unfolds, you’ll be happy to have them at your table!
Wednesday, April 9th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1300137589529?aff=oddtdtcreator
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
With Easter less than a week away, we have the perfect wine for your glazed ham or roasted lamb dinner! And it comes from a modest little maritime region in Italy called Abruzzo, a mountainous wine-growing area that lies on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The worshipped red grape here is called montepulciano. The wines are named “Montepulciano d’Abruzzo”, which basically means the Montepulciano grape from Abruzzo. These are delicious wines that are soft and easy on the tannins. Totally affordable and unpretentious, they carry flavors of plum, tart cherry and herbs, with a definite note of earthiness that transports the land in which they are born. Some may call that “rustic”, and that is exactly what makes this wine so charming.
Tuesday, April 15th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1300146395869?aff=oddtdtcreator
A Return to the Natural
It’s Earth Day! And there is no better time to take another trek into the world of Natural Wines. So much has been happening since our last class. It’s the most talked about style in the modern wine world. Yet, there is nothing new about it. It has been around since the beginning of time. But, what exactly does “Natural Wine” mean? One definition out there is “Wine without crap in it!” But there’s lots more to know. We are seeing more and more Natural Wines appearing on our local store shelves. Even more reason to get your palate updated! Come and join us as we explore these incredible wines and familiarize ourselves with terms like Orange Wine, Pet-Nat, Organic, Sustainable and Biodynamic. You’ll discover that drinking Natural Wines can be an exciting adventure of flavors!
Tuesday, April 22nd 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1300150899339?aff=oddtdtcreator
International Viognier Day
Yes – even Viognier gets its own day! Join us as we celebrate a grape that is often used for blending, but can make pretty amazing wines on its own. A staple of the Northern Rhône Valley of France, the viognier grape is now growing worldwide and is definitely making a name for itself in New World places like Australia and California. Viognier is a dry white wine that tastes like honeysuckle, vanilla, peach, tropical fruit, and orange blossom all pureed together. Think of it like a fruity Chardonnay infused with flowers. What’s not to like? And its ability to pair with food is its best attribute. If you have not yet had the chance to properly meet Viognier, this is the perfect time to do it!
Friday, April 25th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1300154851159?aff=oddtdtcreator
Ravines Wine Cellars
We are honored to have Morten and Lisa Halgren, owners of Ravines Wine Cellars, present a tasting of their wines at the Marketview Classroom! Ravines’ first vintage was in 2002 and right out of the gate, that Riesling won a medal at the World Riesling Cup. They were one of the first wineries to garner a spot on the Wine Spectator Top 100, and have now been on that list three times. Then came Wine & Spirits Top 100, New York Times Top 10, Decanter, Bon Appetit, Food and Wine and the list goes on. Plus, they now have another label – “Agricolae” wines hail from their winery and vineyards on Keuka Lake across the “ravine” from Ravines. The name is an homage to the hard-working people in the vineyards and fields. They will be introducing those wines as well!
Wednesday, April 30th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Morten and Lisa – $25
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301007020019?aff=oddtdtcreator
International Sauvignon Blanc Day!
There is no way we are missing this one! And the timing couldn’t be any better. “Crisp, elegant, and fresh” are the common descriptors for this delicious white. It is the quintessential spring and summer wine, and we will be traveling the world to try its many different styles. From its homeland in the Loire Valley of France to the west coast of the United States to the southern tip of Africa, we’ll taste a variety of wines that are mouthwatering and ideal for this time of year. And of course, New Zealand will be there to show off the wine that is their true rock star. You are sure to find some new favorites here.
Friday, May 2nd 6pm-7:30pm
A seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301045144049?aff=oddtdtcreator
Beautiful Beaujolais
Associations with autumn always surround this French red wine since the famous “Beaujolais Nouveau” release is always in November. But there is so much more to the wines of Beaujolais than just that. We’ll visit the other three steps of the Beaujolais ladder in this class – Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages, and Beaujolais Cru. The gamay grape can reach incredible heights when grown in vineyards that lie in the best real estate of the region. The best examples are often compared to the red Burgundy wines made from pinot noir that grow just to the north. Join us for a sampling of the most overlooked gems in all of Europe. Accompanied by some French treats, bien sûr!
Thursday, May 8th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301074020419?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Wines of Eastern Europe
The countries of Eastern Europe have some of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world. However, these wines can be very hard to find on American wine shelves. One reason for that is the lack of exports, and also the difficulty of reading the labels. But these relatively unknown wines can be extremely diverse and amazingly delicious. Tonight, we’ll take a little tour of some of the major wine regions within
Wednesday, May 14th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301122074149?aff=oddtdtcreator
Name That Grape!
The Sommelier game is back! What the heck does “sommelier” mean anyway? And more importantly, does anyone really know how to correctly pronounce it? Well, there is a little sommelier in every one of us. It is only a matter of coaxing it out! Now is your chance. We will taste through a line up of blind wines (poured so you cannot see the label), and follow the famous “sommelier deductive” to decide what the wine could be. You’ll learn how to evaluate a wine by its acidity, fruit, tannin and finish. It will give you a chance to exercise your senses of smell and taste, and learn how to taste wine like a Pro!
Tuesday, May 20th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301238201489?aff=oddtdtcreator
A Taste of Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc (pronounced SHEN-ihn blahnk), originated in the Loire Valley of France, a region that lies in the more northern part of the country where the climate is slightly cooler. It tends to like the same climates as sauvignon blanc, but is entirely its own style of wine. And that style can come in many varieties. Whereas most wines are either dry or sweet, Chenin Blanc comes in just about every attire imaginable. Very much like our local Finger Lakes Rieslings, you can find it in sparkling (crémant), dry (sec), semi-dry (demi-sec), and dessert wine sweet (moelleux) versions. It is all about where the vine is being grown, and when the grapes are picked. Extremely versatile with food, you’ll want to stock up on this one for the summer!
Wednesday, June 4th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301242073069?aff=oddtdtcreator
Rosé All Day
It’s time for the annual ode to pink! The weather should be just right, outdoor dining will be in full swing, and there is a sea of thirst-quenching Rosé wine out there. Just wait until you see the collection of 2024 Rosés that have hit the Marketview shelves! It’s going to be a stellar year. How can you resist a wine that carries color descriptors like coral, orchid, salmon, peach, fuchsia, sunrise, primrose, blush, carnation, watermelon and cotton candy. Not to mention flavor descriptors like raspberry, strawberry, brambleberry, cherry, blood orange, honeydew, ruby grapefruit, lemon zest, flower blossom, hibiscus and mint. Yes way, Rosé.
Friday, June 13th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301247619659?aff=oddtdtcreator
Red Blends for Grilling Season
Tis the season for hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage and kabobs! But, you don’t have to be a meat eater to love barbecue season. There are so many foods that lend themselves to outdoor grilling – vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, corn, peppers, portabella mushrooms), fruits (pineapple, peaches), pizzas and a whole array of seafood from a clam bake to a cedar-planked salmon. The key is that savory smokiness that comes through in every bite of whatever has been on the fire. And we have some wonderful red wines that have the juiciness to tackle just about any summer cookout you have scheduled. And that includes the non-meat offerings as well! Join us as we taste through some of our favorite red blends.
Tuesday, June 17th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301260157159?aff=oddtdtcreator
Island Wines
If you haven’t managed to get yourself to a Mediterranean beachside resort yet this year, we have you covered. We will travel vicariously to taste some little-known grapes that are grown in places that are so far off the beaten path, you have to take a boat to get there. These unique grapes grow on the remote shores of mountainous islands – Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica and Santorini for example. Talk about terroir-driven. These vines are able to grow in extreme weather conditions (like volcano eruptions and severe ocean winds). But all of that hard work to survive results in some pretty cool stuff for us to drink. Expect whites and reds!
Wednesday, June 25th 6pm – 7:30pm
A Seminar with Holly – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1301318341189?aff=oddtdtcreator