Workshops & Seminars
The Virginia Wine Festival and sponsors Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association are committed to the educational aspects of viticulture. Michael Birchenall and leading chefs from the region will show through tasting and cooking demonstrations that drinking Virginia wines and eating local can be exciting, healthy and tasty. With Foodservice Monthly editor Birchenall inviting his food and wine friends to the stage, the two days will surely be educational and entertaining. Whether you’re a newbie or an oenophile, you’re sure to pick up a tip at one of our engaging and informative seminars.
Please see schedule below.
ATLANTIC SEABOARD WINE ASSOCIATION (ASWA)
ANNUAL VIRGINIA WINE FESTIVAL, 2010
SEMINAR PROGRAM TOPICS AND SCHEDULE
(FESTIVAL SEMINAR TENT)
Saturday, September 18th
Annual Public Meeting
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Annual ASWA membership and public meeting. A summary report will be given on current and projected 2009 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association wine education and appreciation, promotion and marketing programs and activities. This meeting is open to all who may be interested!
Wine and Food
12:00 to 12:50 p.m.
“Local Chef Plus Local Wine Equals World Flavors.” Michael Birchenall, founder and editor of the FoodService Monthly trade publication, will pair Virginia wines with a local celebrity chef’s cuisine to prove that bringing together the foods of the Mid-Atlantic with a Virginia wine pairing is a world class flavor experience. Mr. Birchenall will talk about the wines while the culinarian demonstrates a dish that complements and challenges the palate.
Wine Appreciation
1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
“Holding a Successful Home Wine Tasting Party.” Dave McIntyre, wine expert, writer, judge and wine columnist for The Washington Post newspaper, will guide attendees’ participation through an “anyone can plan for a fun and educational wine tasting party,” including conducting a blind tasting of one or more wine varietals and applying the basics of wine judging covering color, aroma, taste, aftertaste and overall sensory perception (actual professional scoring sheets will be used).
Wine Glasses Do make a Difference in Wine Tasting
2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Arthur Roberts owner and manager of Arton Glass and Ceramics of Lively, Virginia and wine aficionado will present a demonstration to show that the type and style of glass is very important in maximizing the flavors of wine and in increasing your enjoyment of wine you are drinking.
Wine 101 Plus
4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
“Discovering the Aromas and Tastes in Wine – Experiments You Can Do at Home.” Kenneth Haapala, Master Commander of the Nation’s Capital Chapter of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, wine writer and lecturer, will lead you through the basic aromas, tastes and different mouth sensations that excite your senses of smell and taste from whatever wine that may fill your glass. Your palate is unique. Only you can tell what you really like or dislike in a particular wine. The purpose of this seminar is not to make you a wine expert overnight, but to describe experiments you can try at home, or with a group, to better explore your own palate and discover the aromas and tastes in wines.
Sunday, September 19th
Wine and Food
12:00 to 12:50 p.m.
“Local Chef Plus Local Wine Equals World Flavors.” Michael Birchenall, founder and editor of the FoodService Monthly trade publication, will pair Virginia wines with a local celebrity chef’s cuisine to prove that bringing together the foods of the Mid-Atlantic with a Virginia wine pairing is a world class flavor experience. Mr. Birchenall will talk about the wines while the culinarian demonstrates a dish that complements and challenges the palate.
Wine Appreciation
1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
“Becoming Wine Savvy in 45 Minutes.” All you ever wanted to know about buying wine with confidence, properly storing and options on serving and pairing wines with foods for home enjoyment and other social occasions, as well as learning the basics of wine judging. Presented by Vice President of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, an American Wine Society wine expert and judging professional, Dave Barber of Hartwood Winery, Virginia.
Wine Judging
2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.
“Wine Judging Made Simple.” Walter Rachele, a graduate of the American Wine Society Wine Judge Training Program, a wine judge in the American Wine Society commercial wine competitions and a Cadre member of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, an international wine group will walk participating attendees through the basics of wine judging, using the standard U.C. Davis scoring sheet. Four to Six different wine varietals will be poured and discussed, including some history and wine grape origin comments. Mr. Rachele will lead a group evaluation of each wine’s color, aroma, taste, aftertaste and overall impression. Learn what is behind the scores of wine judges in local and national competitions.
Wine Glasses Do make a Difference in Wine Tasting
3:00 p.m. – 3:50 pm
Arthur Roberts owner and manager of Arton Glass and Ceramics of Lively, Virginia and wine aficionado will present a demonstration to show that the type and style of glassware used for wine is very important in maximizing the flavors of wine and in increasing your enjoyment of the wine you are drinking.
Wine 101 Plus
4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
“Discovering the Aromas and Tastes in Wine – Experiments You Can Do at Home.” Kenneth Haapala, Master Commander of the Nation’s Capital Chapter of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, wine writer and lecturer, will lead you through the basic aromas, tastes and different mouth sensations that excite your senses of smell and taste from whatever wine that may fill your glass. Your palate is unique. Only you can tell what you really like or dislike in a particular wine. The purpose of this seminar is not to make you a wine expert overnight, but to describe experiments you can try at home, or with a group, to better explore your own palate and discover the aromas and tastes in wines. | 
