Bordeaux is famous for their quality blends of classic grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a few others. But they are not the only place in the world that makes astonishingly good blends in the style of Bordeaux.  Join us for a tour of Bordeaux style blends that starts in France, wanders around the US and ends up in South America. You will not want to miss this incredible tasting of classic grapes in a new world style.

Bordeaux Style Blends
Saturday, September 11, 7:00 pm
Hosted by Greg and Lisa Cook @4e Winery
3766 156th Ave SE, Mapleton, ND

$25 members, $35 non-members

Nothing says summer in Spain like Cava and Paella! Cava is the Spanish equivalent of Champagne – equally delicious and affordable! This delightful bubbly is typically made from Spanish grape varieties like Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel-lo, but they can also include some of the more familiar Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Monastrell. However you sparkle it, they are the perfect summer wine to go with hearty Spanish food. Join us for a cava tasting you won’t soon forget. Carlos will be preparing his famous Paella de Carlos to go along with the wine. Bring along a dish to share and if it has a Spanish flair, even better!

REMEMBER – this tasting will be on FRIDAY, August 13.

Spanish Cava and Paella
*Friday, August 13, 7:00 pm
Hosted by Carlos and Lourdes Hawley
1102 10th St S, Fargo

$25 members, $35 nonmembers

Yes it is July and that means we celebrate Zinfandels in all their glory. Why July? Because, Lisa’s birthday is in July and zinfandel is her favorite grape. So, yeah. Zin! And I say, why not? Just like Lisa is mine, this black skinned grape is America’s sweetheart. The grape originates from Croatia where it is know by the name, Crljenak Kastelanski. It is the same grape that is also called Primativo in Italy. These grapes have been grown in California for more than a century and there are still amazing old vines that are 100 years old producing out there. They grow gnarly and thick, like those pictured here from Lodi, California. And the wines they produce are robust and ripe with blackberry, anise and pepper. Join us as we rejoice in the flavors that are zinfandel.

Zinfandel, of course
Saturday, July 17 – 7:00 pm
Hosted by 4e Winery
3766 156th Ave, SE, Mapleton

$25 members, $35 non-members

Ready for round four? Yes, we have some Napa Cabernet Freaks in our midst and so we must partake of more from the valley that gives us great wine. There simply is no getting tired of it. Cabernet Sauvignon, the offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is a classic Bordeaux grape. Join us for more adventures in Napa.

Napa Cabernet – because we love it too much
Saturday, May 8, 2021
7:00 pm (note our normal start time)
Hosted by Tom and Barb Gravel
1242 Cimarron Blvd., West Fargo

$25 members, $35 non-members

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

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

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