NEW WINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Premier Cru Certificate Requirements
Wine Essentials (6 classes) with Mail-In Exam upon Completion
+ 2 Single-Session Wine Elective Courses

Grand Cru Certificate Requirements*
Advanced Wine Essentials (4 classes) with Mail-In Exam upon Completion
+ 2 Single-Session Wine Elective Courses
  *Prerequisite: Premier Cru Certificate

Monday, January 9, 7-9 PM
or Monday, January 23, 7-9 PM

In this class, James Beard Foundation's 2011 Outstanding Wine Service Award winner Belinda Chang will reveal all of the tricks of the trade when it comes to ordering wine in restaurants, whether the wine list is one or eighty pages long. She will tell you how to get the best deals from the wines on the list, impress your friends/ boss/date with your wine prowess, and more! You will also taste selected wines from some of Manhattan's most elite restaurant wine lists. In addition to her recent Beard award, Belinda Chang has long been recognized by Food & Wine and other national media for her outstanding wine lists. She was wine director of Danny Meyer’s The Modern from 2007 to 2011 and is now general manager and wine director at Monkey Bar. Previously, she ruled the wine cellars of Chicago top restaurants (Charlie Trotter's, Rick Tramonto's Osteria Via Stato) and San Francisco's Fifth Floor restaurant under Chef Laurent Gras. Chang has authored the wine notes for three cookbooks (Charlie Trotter's Meat and Game, and Rick Tramonto's Fantastico! and Osteria Cookbook), and written for several national publications.

Wednesdays, January 4-February 8, 7-9 PM
or Mondays, January 30-March 5, 7-9 PM
or Wednesdays, February 15-March 21, 7-9 PM
or Thursdays, February 23-March 29, 7-9 PM
or Fri-Sun, March 9-18, 6-8 PM (intensive weekend schedule)
or Wednesdays, March 28-May 9, 7-9 PM*
or Tuesdays, April 24-May 29, 7-9 PM
or Thursdays, May 3-June 14, 7-9 PM*

This six-week course, created by ICE's Director of Wine Studies Richard Vayda, uses grape varietals as well as wine making regions, as a key to understanding the full wine spectrum. You will receive a thorough introduction to wine making, tasting, laws and labeling, as you learn about wine components and taste some of the world's most celebrated wines. Limited to 32 students.

• Session 1: Wine Making and Tasting Basics
• Session 2: France: The Wines and Grapes of Burgundy and Bordeaux
• Session 3: The Major Wines and Varietals of Italy
• Session 4: Spanish and Warm Climate Wines
• Session 5: West Coast and New World Wines
• Session 6: A Tour of Sparkling Wine

*Indicates course that skips one or more dates.

Tuesdays, January 3-24, 7-9 PM
or Mondays, April 16-May 7, 7-9 PM

This four-week continuation of the Wine Essentials I series offers in-depth exploration and tastings of some of the world’s more interesting and unusual wines. Studies will include an expanded array of lesser known varietals and wines, as each class concentrates on one wine category and delves into the wines’ production, characteristics, and uses, including discussions of food and wine pairing.

• Session 1: Advanced White Wines: Side-by-Side Tasting of Interesting Wine Aromatic and Fruity Wines
• Session 2: Advanced Red Wines: In-Depth Comparison of Selected Wines from Old and New World Regions
• Session 3: Off Dry to Sweet: Exploration of Elegant Rieslings to Cru Classé Sauternes
• Session 4: Fortified and Aromatized Wines with Wine Service: Fascinating Wines from Vermouths and Sherries to Madeiras and Portos

Prerequisite: Wine Essentials I

Thursday, January 19, 7-9 PM

Château Lafite Rothschild has been a part of the Rothschild family since 1868 (and a favorite of Thomas Jefferson a
hundred years earlier). Since 1962, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has extended its history of winemaking
excellence to other Bordeaux properties, as well as the historical vineyards of Chile, Argentina, and the Languedoc. Alongside Steve Kelly, national portfolio manager for the company, you will be taking a journey of “Lafite around the world,” exploring how Lafite translates its unparalleled success to all these regions, crafting world-class wines at everyday prices. Starting with the crisp whites of Chile and Bordeaux, you will taste from the elegant (Bordeaux and Chilean Cabs) to the bold (Argentine Malbec and Rhone blends from Corbières), finishing with everybody’s favorite, Sauternes.
Steve Kelley brings 20 years of food and wine experience to his current role at Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).
Previously director of sales for Southern Wine & Spirits’ prestigious Lauber Division in New York, he was instrumental in developing the in-house educational program for this $35-million division. During his five years on the executive committee of the American Institute of Food & Wine, Kelley contributed to scores of educational

Saturday, January 21, 7-9 PM

Even though Spain has a winemaking tradition of more than 6,000 years, it is only in recent years that its wines have exploded in popularity on the international market, making it one of the world’s most exciting wine venues. This class will introduce you to the great wine regions of Spain, such as Rueda, the Sherry Region, Ribera del Duero, and Rioja, as well as the reinvigorated areas of the Priorato, Galicia and more. Discussions will include Spanish wine regulations, labeling, and a tasting of the unique wines of these interesting regions.

Monday, January 23, 7-9 PM

The popularity of Champagne and sparkling wines in the US is at an all-time high, so we’re bracing for a full house at this tasting! If you love wines with bubbles that dance across your palate, come hear wine writer, author, and hilarious raconteur Anthony Giglio, as he explains what unites and divides eight different bubblies from around the globe.

hursdays, January 26-February 2, 7-9 PM
or Tuesdays, February 21-28, 7-9 PM
or Mondays, March 12-19, 7-9 PM
or Friday-Saturday, April 27-28, 7-9 PM
or Wednesdays, May 16-23, 7-9 PM

This class, crafted by ICE’s resident sommelier Richard Vayda, is tailored to the wine novice who wants a quick, fun and basic introduction to the world of the grape. You’ll learn the fundamentals of wine, wine tasting and appreciation, which will start you on the road to critically judging wine color, aroma, flavor, and body. You'll discover the meaning of such wine concepts as dryness, acidity, fruitiness, tannins, varietals, vintages, and more. Participants interested in continuing their exploration of wine are encouraged to go on to Wine Essentials.

Friday, January 27, 7-9 PM

The Chardonnay grape is so popular today because of its ubiquity (such as its ability to withstand different climates, each bringing out a different feature), as well as its ability to be manipulated with different kinds of oak and to be aged for long periods. Each of these facts adds a different dimension to the finished wine, making it a perfect pairing for a wide range of foods. Our resident sommelier, Ron Ciavolino, will offer here appropriate matchings for Chardonnays from Champagnes to still wines, from the Old World to the New, and from as many different vintages as possible.

Saturday, January 28, 7-9 PM

The wines of Tuscany have much to offer in addition to Chianti. The varietals found in the region result in whites that range from bright to rich and reds that can be anything from fruity to rich and complex. In this class, you will explore some of the region's better known bottlings, including a Super Tuscan, as well as delicious lesser known wines. A regional cheese selection will accompany the tasting.

Saturday, February 4, 7-9 PM

In the last 100 years, thousands of spectacular new vineyard sites have developed in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa and even our own Pacific Northwest. The story of the development of those vineyards is a fascinating one, and many of the wines they have given birth to are indeed astonishing. Experience for yourself these magnificent new world wines---from sparkling to dessert.

Thursday, February 9, 7-9 PM

ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, raids the cellar for this spectacular bi-annual tasting of selected premium wines. You will enjoy Cru Burgundies and Bordeaux, aged American Pinots and Cabernets, and other gems in a side-by-side tasting. The evening will start with a Tête de Cuvée sparkling wine, followed by samplings of an ever-varying collection from around the world, and end, of course, with a decanter of vintage dessert wine. You will also enjoy fine cheeses and other nibbles to enjoy the unique beverage selections.

Thursday, February 16, 7-9 PM

Does a high price really imply high quality? You will examine this and other questions about the value and cost of wine in this fascinating class. You’ll taste a selection of terrific wines on the lower end of the price scale, as well as some fabulous wines from the higher end. Then, in a fun blind-tasting format, you will be the ultimate judge of quality

Saturday, February 25, 7-9 PM

Sparklers from Albuquerque? Crisp whites from Texas? Robust reds from Mid-Atlantic States? The American wine world extends much beyond its famous regions. Join one of ICE's wine instructors for a fun and flavorful U.S. wine tour outside of California, as you crisscross the country to find some of the nation's great, but lesser known wines. A delicious selection of American cheeses will accompany your tour.

Saturday, March 3, 7-9 PM

This course covers the extraordinary variety of wines that prevail in Bordeaux, from the great châteaux of the Médoc to the older and lesser-known production from smaller regions. You’ll learn about wines from the areas in the west and south of Bordeaux that produce magnificent wines that often sell at a fraction of the price of their more illustrious neighbors.

Tuesday, March 20, 7-9 PM

Barolo and Barbaresco are probably the most well-known wines from Piedmont that we find widely available in the US, but by no means are they the only ones. Bernard Sun, the corporate beverage director for Jean-Georges Vongerichten's four-star restaurant group and winner of the 2010 James Beard Award for Best Wine Service, is one of the country's most respected sommeliers. In this tasting and discussion class, he will explore with you the complexities of Piedmont’s grapes and wines.

Bernard Sun oversees the beverage programs at all of Jean-Georges' restaurants, from Shanghai to New York to Paris---composing wine lists, creating cocktails, training staff, and managing the financials. He has worked as a sommelier at Lespinasse, Le Cirque 2000, and Montrachet, and studied the dynamic fermentation process and the importance of agriculture while working on a degree in biology. His love and knowledge of Burgundy led to his being the spokesperson for the region from 2006 to 2008. Sun also makes wine in Napa, Bergerac and the Willamette Valley under his III Somms label.

Friday, March 23, 7-9 PM

It’s the wine battle of our age, Old World time-honored style versus the New World's contemporary approach. Tracing the rise of modern wines and styles, this lively discussion will highlight some selected contenders in a fun blind tasting format. Old and New World will be set cork to screw top as we discuss, taste, and rate our favorites, and nibble a little cheese in between.

Saturday, March 24, 7-9 PM

This course will familiarize participants with the essentials of Italian wine, including the effect of geography on wine production and the Italian wine classification system. You’ll discover some little known, but truly marvelous Italian wines and learn how to pair them with food. You will emerge from this class with enough knowledge and confidence to stand undaunted before the Italian section of a wine list or wine shop.

Friday, March 30, 7-9 PM

Champagne is the only wine whose inventor is known to us, the monk Dom Pérignon, cellar master at the Abbey of St. Pierre in Hautvillers in the Champagne region between 1668 and 1715. The abbey is still standing and is now the property of Moët & Chandon, while Dom Pérignon is buried at the foot of the altar in the old monastery chapel. It was to honor its distinguished tenant that the company in the 1920s named its most expensive and exquisite wine Dom Pérignon. But who was he and what did he actually contribute to the region’s wines, and what is it that makes Champagne so special even today, over two and a half centuries after the death of its inventor? If any of these questions strike a chord, then come spend an evening enjoying and learning more about all the various styles of Champagne.

Saturday, March 31, 7-9 PM

Couples who enjoy good wine and good food live in the best possible city to indulge in both. But they can appreciate its treasures even more when they each have a better grasp of what types of wines they enjoy. Some wines are light, some are heavy; some sharp with acidity, some rough with tannin; some have oak, some don't. The aim of this class will be to gauge what styles of wine appeal most to you-together and individually. Noted wine writer and humorist W. R. Tish, of wineforall.com, will lead you through a range of diverse offerings that are sure to engage your senses and help you make sense of all that the wine world has to offer. Come with a date-or a group of friends.

Thursday, April 19, 7-9 PM

Can't tell a conventional from an organic or a biodynamic wine? Should we be able to? Should we care? Finding their way increasingly to the market, organic and biodynamic food products have become some of the most sought-after items. In this tasting, Richard Vayda leads you through a side-by-side comparison of conventional, organic and biodynamic wines from some of the worlds most noted vineyard sites---and you can be the judge.

Saturday, April 21, 7-9 PM

If your New Year resolutions included learning more about wine and meeting new people, you're in luck! ICE's Wine Social will present 18 wines that cover a wide range of grapes, regions and styles in a casual format that encourages schmoozing with fellow wine lovers. The wines will be selected and presented by W. R. Tish, considered the funniest guy in the wine business. Detailed programs mean you will be able to spend more time chatting, less time jotting. Come single or come as a group: it's all about fun and good taste. Hors d'oeuvres will be served as well.

Saturday, May 5, 7-9 PM

During the last 50 years, an extraordinary number of new wine regions have come into existence, and in almost every case they offer wines made with traditional European grapes that have been grown in their native regions for over 1,000 years. This course will address the question of how the new regions compare with the established ones. Does a Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia resemble one from a chateau in the Médoc? How does an Oregon Pinot Noir compare to one from Burgundy? More importantly, should they be similar? Do developing regions add new dimensions to European grapes, or do they detract? Wines from both old and new regions will be analyzed, compared, and discussed.

Friday, May 11, 7-9 PM

Wine vines first were introduced to Australia just over 200 years ago, but now that country is one of the top 10 producers in volume and in the top five in export. Aussies perhaps consume more beer, but they pursue wine making with a relaxed, no holds barred attitude, making some of the world friendliest wines. Their neighbor, New Zealand, may have gotten a later start, but has quickly conquered the world with Sauvignon Blanc and now turns out wines of all varieties. This trip down under will feature large array of wines, from fun and simple to serious, exhibiting the breadth of their production.

Monday, May 14, 7-9 PM

Burgundy has a long and honored wine tradition, having been the site of vine cultivation since the 3rd century. In this class, you will learn about the rich history of the region’s viniculture, while exploring the many local appellations and tasting a range of the region’s spectacular production. You will finish the class with a more clear understanding of what many consider one of the most complicated wine regions of the world, but surely one of the world’s finest as well.