Upcoming wine classes

Want to learn more about wine?

Local favorite wine guide Master of Wine/Master Sommelier Ronn Wiegand is conducting a pair of wine classes next month at Napa Valley College.

On Feb. 7, Wiegand will survey two of the world's most famous fortified wines, Port and Madeira.

"We'll taste a range of styles from Ruby and Vintage Port to 10- and 20-year-old Tawny Ports, and from Sercial to Malmsey Madeira," Wiegand noted. "We'll feature at least five of the 2003 Vintage Ports -- one of the greatest Port vintages ever."

On Feb. 21, Wiegand will review Italy's progress with red wines, and taste "modern classics, new wave style" from Tuscany, Piedmont, Campania and the Veneto. From barbera to nebbiolo, aglianico to nero d'avola, Wiegand will show why Italy is considered one of the foremost wine producing nations in the world.

Both classes are scheduled from 6:30 to 9 at St. Supery Winery in Rutherford. Fee is $60 for each session. To register, call the college at 253-3000 or log online to the college Web site./Register

Chesbro honored

State Sen. Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, received the first Legislator of the Year award by the Family Winemakers of California today.

Chesbro authored SB 118 last year, which implements the Supreme Court Decision that overruled state restrictions on direct-to-consumer shipping of wine.

Family Winemakers of California is a consortium of small wine producers and vineyards from across the producing areas of the state./Register

Seminar on tasting

room strategies

Advanced Tasting Room Strategies, a two-day conference and tasting room trade show for winery tasting room managers, employees, and retail buyers, will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park.