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“A great wine education class. I was amazed by the instructor's wealth of knowledge, the great wines to taste and talk about, and the small, intimate class size. A fun way to learn a lot about wine.”

—Will, Ritchie Creek Vineyards

Fine Wines of the Southern Hemisphere

~ $239 per person; $439 per couple.
~ weekly on weeknights at 7:00 pm

This 3-session program is ideal for wine enthusiasts curious about the exploding wine industries of Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, but also South Africa, Chile, and newly emergent Uruguay. Australia today sells more wine in London than France does. The South African wine industry is a hundred years older than either the Australian or the Californian industries. The highest vineyard in California is 3,600 feet ~ Argentines routinely plant above 4,000 feet, and have two wineries with vineyards over 11,000 feet. New Zealand has taken the world by storm with Sauvignon Blanc, and is threatening to do the same with cold climate Pinot Noir. All these countries are making unique wines of extraordinary value, but equally important they are beginning to also produce consistent, world-class, artistic efforts which toy with triple-digit retail prices. Come see the whole range. Bruce Cass has worked the crush in Australia and in South Africa. He has traveled extensively in New Zealand and South America as recently as the last two years. He will entertain you with personal vignettes, and open your eyes to some extraordinary new wines.

Click below to enroll now, space is limited.

Worldwide comparisons: Production and consumption. Labor force and capitalization. Technical expertise. Domestic marketplaces. Lack of marketing expertise in NZ and SA. South Africa has strong academic programs in wine, but little peer review.

First Cape plantings in 1670's by Simon Van der Stel to supply ships of the Dutch East India Company. During apartheid years, wine industry suffered severe depression. Tremendous influence of KWV. Influence of independent Estates increased dramatically after 1994 when Mandela elected. Cape at 32º of latitude with a cold current from Antarctica. Elevation makes a big difference. Soils are 180 million years old. Difference between clay soils and sandy soils is crucial. Scots settlers and Croatians in NZ. Prohibition. Political difference between north and south islands. Extreme latitudes and high elevations compared to Australia. Important districts. Best places to stay.

Large domestic consumption, historic pressure toward low price, role of the oligarchy. Extreme effect of the Andes. Comparison of latitude to elevation – rain in the south of Chile, grapes at 10,000 ft near Salta in the north of Argentina. Quality improvements over the last 15 yrs. Movement to vineyards in more marginal areas. Expense of transportation. Labor intensive winemaking. Effect of European consultants. Cultural and culinary influences on wine preference. Health benefits of red wines grown at high elevation.

Comparison of major districts and grape varieties. History of Tannat in Uruguay. Malbec’s need for a tannin source to stabilize color. Winery architecture. Vacation recommendations

Small domestic population, but landmass same as US. Old, depleted soils. Taxation favors export. Show circuit. Excellent marketing expertise.

First Fleet arrives in 1770's. James Busby vine importation in 1823. Many German and Greek immigrants. Viticultural asset of ancient Grenache and Shiraz vines preserved during 1950's because they were important for port-type wine shipped to Britain. Australia has never had phylloxera. So it has Syrah (Shiraz) vines on their own roots ~ something the French can not claim. Commonwealth status has historically meant a big advantage for exports. Australia currently sells more wine in London than France does.

Important regions. Unique Margaret River climate. Cultural rituals. Unusual wine styles. Best places to visit.

Schedule

Summer Semester - Ft. Mason Center, San Francisco
~ $239 per person; $439 per couple.

For the couples price for the June 2010 class in San Francisco,
enter coupon code SHjun10SF in the checkout window

• Session 1: NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH AFRICA - June 16, 2010
• Session 2: SOUTH AMERICA - June 23, 2010
• Session 3: AUSTRALIA - June 30, 2010

Enroll Now »