Red Blends

April 5, 2021 By

Once again, we are going to be revisiting red blends and I couldn’t be happier. Blending is done to bring qualities of different varieties together in a marriage of textures and flavors. If a particular grape is thin skinned and lacks tannin structure, blending in some wine made from a more tannic grape variety will round it out. Have a flabby grape? Mix in some grapes with more vibrant acidity to lift it up. We know that Bordeaux is famous for blending red grapes to make great wine. But this process of bringing the best of the best qualities together is not limited to France. Join us for a tasting of robust red blends from around the world.

This tasting will be held in Downtown Fargo at the wonderful showrooms of Fabricators Unlimited. The historic building is located at 806 NP avenue and there is parking behind the building just north of the railroad tracks. We will have space to spread out and enjoy each other’s company while being able to maintain safe social distancing. COVID-19 numbers have been encouraging and more and more of us are able to receive vaccinations, but we are not out of the woods yet. Please plan to have a mask on when arriving and not drinking wine.

*This tasting will start at 6:00 pm and the hosts have graciously allowed us to use the space until 9:00 pm.

Red Blends
Saturday, April 10, 2021
6:00-9:00 pm
Fabricators Unlimited
806 NP Ave, Fargo

$25 members, $35 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

South American Cabernet Sauvignon

March 8, 2021 By

With the arrival of Spanish missionaries to South America in the 1500’s came the wine industry. While the wines of South America today bear little resemblance to the wines of the 16th century, the history and culture is infused in their extraordinary wines. In the 19th century, French agronomists introduced classic European varieties such as malbec, carménère and cabernet sauvignon. We have tasted many of the wines from these regions in the past, but we have yet to do a tasting focussed solely on that noble grape, Cabernet Sauvignon – until now! The high and dry regions of Argentina’s Mendoza region produce world class cabernets that rival even those of Napa. And the cooler climates of Chile produce wines that are peppery and earthy rivaling those of Bordeaux. And that’s just the beginning. Join us on Saturday, March 13 for a tour of South American Cabs!

This tasting will be held in Downtown Fargo at the wonderful showrooms of Fabricators Unlimited. The historic building is located at 806 NP avenue and there is parking behind the building just north of the railroad tracks. We will have space to spread out and enjoy each other’s company while being able to maintain safe social distancing. COVID-19 numbers have been encouraging and more and more of us are able to receive vaccinations, but we are not out of the woods yet. Fargo remains under a mask mandate at this time so please plan to have a mask on when arriving and not drinking wine.

*This tasting will start at 6:00 pm and the hosts have graciously allowed us to use the space until 9:00 pm.

South American Cabernet Sauvignon
Saturday, March 13, 2021
6:00-9:00 pm
Fabricators Unlimited
806 NP Ave, Fargo

$25 members, $35 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

RRV AWS in 2021

February 26, 2021 By

RRV AWS in 2021

Greetings wine lovers! It has been a long year and I know you are all curious and interested to know what we have planned for 2021. I wanted to send out this quick note to let you know, we have not forgotten you!

I’m happy to let you know that we are gearing up for a fantastic journey of wine this year. As the pandemic numbers wane and vaccines are being rolled out, we think it is time to ease back in to doing some safe sampling. Of course we will continue to carefully monitor the safety risks and adjust accordingly.

Please mark your calendars. We will hold our next tasting on Saturday, March 13, at 6:00 pm at a location in downtown Fargo that will allow us to spread out and enjoy the company of our wine loving friends. I will send out more details next week. Our theme will be South American Cabernet.

We are working on a complete updated schedule for the year, so please stay tuned for that.

If you haven’t renewed or aren’t a member of the national American Wine Society, consider joining here:
https://americanwinesociety.org/join-now/

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

Red Blends

September 9, 2020 By

Blending is done to bring qualities of different varieties together in a marriage of textures and flavors. If a particular grape is thin skinned and lacks tannin structure, blending in some wine made from a more tannic grape variety will round it out. Have a flabby grape? Mix in some grapes with more vibrant acidity to lift it up. We know that Bordeaux is famous for blending red grapes to make great wine. But this process of bringing the best of the best qualities together is not limited to France. Join us for a tasting of red blends from around the world as we enjoy the last of summer’s sunshine.

Because our daylight hours are waning, we will be starting this tasting one hour earlier at 6:00 pm! Don’t be late!

Red Blends
Saturday, September 12, 6:00 pm
Hosted by Greg and Lisa Cook @ 4e Winery
3766 156th Ave SE, Mapleton, ND 58059

$25 members, $35 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

North Coast Cabernet

July 27, 2020 By

I know our group never tires of cabernet sauvignon from the Napa Valley, but did you realize there are great cabs to be had just outside of Napa? Don’t believe it? Join us on Saturday, Aug. 8 for a tour of the cabs from the North Coast. The grapes for this month’s wines are grown in the North Coast AVA of California. This area includes counties north of San Francisco such as Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties. Typically, the North Coast Ava is characterized by cool fog and breezes off of the Pacific Ocean. This produces juicy, lush and medium-bodied mouthfeels with bright fruit and herb aromas.

North Coast Cabernet
Saturday, Aug 8, 7:00 pm
Hosted by Rupak and Britney Gandhi
7499 16th St S, Fargo, ND, 58104

$25 members, $35 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

Dry Rieslings

July 6, 2020 By

Riesling is a versatile grape now grown all over the world. Its color can range from a light straw to deep yellow. It usually has intense aromas of fruits that rise from the glass and the flavors can range from lemon/lime to pineapple and apricot as it goes from less to more ripe. Traditionally, many rieslings are made in a sweeter style but the largest riesling producing region in the world, Alsace, is famous for their aromatic dry white wines. Join us on Saturday, July 11 as we explore a world of dry rieslings. In my humble opinion, they are the perfect wines to enjoy on a warm summer evening.

Dry Riesling
Saturday, July 11, 7:00 pm
Hosted by Greg and Lisa Cook @ 4e Winery
3766 156th Ave SE, Mapleton, ND 58059
$25 members • $35 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

Central Italy

June 7, 2020 By

The wines of Central Italy. When you think of Italian wine regions, the central regions of Toscana, Umbria, Abruzzo and Lazio, among others, comes to mind. Gentle sun-kissed hills lined with row after row of verdant vines filling the landscapes. And the wines are delicious. Please join us on Saturday, June 13 as we smart restart our monthly wine tastings. We will be gathering at Dakota Vines Vineyard and Winery down near Colfax at 7:00 pm. We will have plenty of room to spread out people and spread out the wines so that everyone can be comfortable. We do ask if you are feeling ill not to attend and we encourage robust hand hygiene. We want to make sure there is space for everyone to be at their comfort level. We are looking forward to seeing you next weekend.

Central Italy 
Saturday, June 13, 7:00 om
Hosted by Bob and Deb Grosz
Dakota Vines Vineyard and Winery
17355 Co Rd 4, Colfax, ND 58018
$25 members • $35 nonmembers
Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

Napa Cab Again

March 7, 2020 By

If the last couple years of AWS tastings haven’t already told you, we just can’t get enough of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. There simply is no getting tired of it. Cabernet Sauvignon, the offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is a classic Bordeaux grape. But, arguably, Napa Valley has become the king of cabernet sauvignon wines. Recent years have produced some truly outstanding vintages in the Napa Valley and we haven’t run out of wines to taste yet. Join us on Saturday, March 14 for round three of our tour of Napa cabernets.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Hosted by James and Tessa Hand @ The Title Company building
35 4th St. N, Fargo, ND 5810
You may park in the lot south of the building.
The event space is on the second level.

$25 members, $30 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

Petit Verdot

November 2, 2019 By

Petit Verdot (“peh-tee vur-doe”), named after its small black berries, has long been used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, France. It used to be difficult to find varietal wines made from this grape. However, as the plantings of this full bodied, dark and tannic grape has spread across the globe, more wines featuring this grape front and center have emerged. Join us for an exquisite and unique tasting of this venerable grape from Italy, to Spain, to Argentina and California. The wines provide aromas of plums, lilacs, violets and sage that complement the gravel minerality that can be present in this grape.

Petite Verdot
Saturday, November 9, 2019, 7:00 pm
Hosted by Rebecca Knutson
3526 1st St N, Fargo

$25 members, $35 non-members

 

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

October 6, 2019 By

This is the tasting you’ve been waiting all year for. Cabernet Sauvignon, the offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is a classic Bordeaux grape. But, arguably, Napa Valley has become the king of cabernet sauvignon wines. Recent years have produced some truly outstanding vintages in the Napa Valley. We’ve been collecting the wines for this tasting for several years and they are finally ready for your scrutiny. Join us for an experience you won’t soon forget as we taste our way through some amazing Napa cabernet sauvignon wines.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Hosted by James and Tessa Hand @ Construction Engineers
35 4th St. N, Fargo, ND 5810
You may park in the lot south of the building.
The event space is on the second level.

Note: this tasting is slightly more due to the higher cost of the wines.
$30 members, $40 non-members

Filed Under: AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event
Next Page »