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Italian Wines & Cicchetti Pairing

$79 per person 

A six-course Italian wine and cicchetti pairing is a delightful way to explore the diversity of Italian flavors. Cicchetti are Venetian small bites, similar to Spanish tapas, that pair perfectly with regional wines.

Course 1: Welcome Bite

Cicchetti: Crostini with whipped ricotta, honey, and walnuts

Wine Pairing: Prosecco (Veneto)

Why: The crisp, bubbly profile of Prosecco balances the creaminess of ricotta and sweetness of honey.

Course 2: Seafood Delight

Cicchetti: Garlicky Shrimp with Crispy Pancetta and tomatoes

Wine Pairing: Soave (Veneto)

Why: The light minerality and citrus notes of Soave enhance the delicate flavors of the shrimp.

Course 3: Vegetarian Medley

Cicchetti: Fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies

Wine Pairing: Vermentino (Liguria or Sardinia)

Why: Vermentino’s herbal and slightly salty profile complements the anchovy's brininess and the lightness of the zucchini.

Course 4: Meat Feature

Cicchetti: Polpette (Italian meatballs) in tomato sauce

Wine Pairing: Chianti Classico (Tuscany)

Why: The bright acidity and red fruit notes in Chianti cut through the richness of the tomato sauce and meat.

Course 5: Rich & Earthy

Cicchetti: Mushroom and truffle arancini

Wine Pairing: Barolo (Piedmont)

Why: Barolo’s complex earthy tones and bold tannins pair beautifully with the depth of mushroom and truffle flavors.

Course 6: Sweet Finish

Cicchetti: Mini cannoli with ricotta, orange zest, and pistachios

Wine Pairing: Vin Santo (Tuscany)

Why: The nutty, honeyed sweetness of Vin Santo complements the creamy, citrusy cannoli filling.

Tuesdays every 2 weeks

Course Title: Introduction to Wine Appreciation

Duration: 8 class -  2 Hours Each Target Audience: Beginners to Intermediate Wine Enthusiasts

Week 1: Foundations of Wine Knowledge

Topics:

History and origins of wine

Overview of grape varieties

The winemaking process

Activity: Guided tasting of a red, white, and rosé wine.

Week 2: Tasting Techniques and Sensory Analysis

Topics:

The art of wine tasting: sight, smell, and taste

Identifying flavor profiles and wine faults

Understanding wine structure: acidity, tannin, body, sweetness

Activity: Practice tasting with focus on sensory elements.

Week 3: Exploring Old World Wines

Topics:

Introduction to European wine regions (France, Italy, Spain, Germany)

Key grape varieties and styles from each region

Reading European wine labels

Activity: Tasting wines from major Old World regions.

Week 4: Exploring New World Wines

Topics:

Introduction to New World wine regions (USA, Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa)

Innovations in New World winemaking

Comparing Old World vs. New World styles

Activity: Tasting wines from key New World regions.

Week 5: Sparkling and Fortified Wines

Topics:

Types of sparkling wines: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, others

Fortified wines: Port, Sherry, Madeira

Production methods and unique characteristics

Activity: Comparative tasting of sparkling and fortified wines.

Week 6: Food and Wine Pairing

Topics:

Principles of food and wine pairing

Understanding complementing vs. contrasting flavors

Wine and cheese: a perfect match?

Activity: Pairing wines with small food plates, including cheeses, meats, and desserts.

Week 7: Wine Regions in Depth

Topics:

Deep dive into a specific region (e.g., Burgundy or Napa Valley)

The concept of terroir

Climate’s role in wine characteristics

Activity: Tasting focused on wines from the chosen region.

Week 8: Trends, Buying, and Storing Wine

Topics:

Trends in the wine world: natural, organic, and biodynamic wines

How to buy wine: navigating stores and online options

Proper storage and aging

Tips for building a wine collection

Activity: Blind tasting to review and apply course knowledge.

$15 per person or $25 per Couple

2 samples of wine and a small shareable 

Week 2: Tasting Techniques and Sensory Analysis

Topics:

The art of wine tasting: sight, smell, and taste

Identifying flavor profiles and wine faults

Understanding wine structure: acidity, tannin, body, sweetness

Activity

: Practice tasting with focus on sensory elements.

Week 3: Exploring Old World Wines

Topics:

Introduction to European wine regions (France, Italy, Spain, Germany)

Key grape varieties and styles from each region

Reading European wine labels

Activity: Tasting wines from major Old World regions.

Week 4: Exploring New World Wines

Topics:

Introduction to New World wine regions (USA, Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa)

Innovations in New World winemaking

Comparing Old World vs. New World styles

Activity: Tasting wines from key New World regions.

Week 5: Sparkling and Fortified Wines

Topics:

Types of sparkling wines: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, others

Fortified wines: Port, Sherry, Madeira

Production methods and unique characteristics

Activity: Comparative tasting of sparkling and fortified wines.

Week 6: Food and Wine Pairing

Topics:

Principles of food and wine pairing

Understanding complementing vs. contrasting flavors

Wine and cheese: a perfect match?

Activity

: Pairing wines with small food plates, including cheeses, meats, and desserts.

Week 7: Wine Regions in Depth

Topics:

Deep dive into a specific region (e.g., Burgundy or Napa Valley)

The concept of terroir

Climate’s role in wine characteristics

Activity: Tasting focused on wines from the chosen region.

Week 8: Trends, Buying, and Storing Wine

Topics:

Trends in the wine world: natural, organic, and biodynamic wines

How to buy wine: navigating stores and online options

Proper storage and aging

Tips for building a wine collection

Activity

: Blind tasting to review and apply course knowledge.