CSE*

*Combatting Swirl Envy

Have you ever listened to “Wine People” speak and felt as if you were either: a) listening to a foreign language; or b) an idiot? Have you watched people swirl their wine and thought that the better the person swirled, the more knowledgeable about wine that person must be? Have you felt self-conscious when these people look at you as if you’re a knuckle-dragging beer drinker? Did you desire to be that cool? If that’s the case, then you, my friend, are suffering from the dreaded “Swirl Envy.”

So are you now ready to put on your wine etiquette boots and learn some swirling skills? Then you have most definitely come to the right place! We have all kinds of options available for the true wine Neophyte, and here are our most popular wine tasting experiences. We will also work with you to create a customized wine tasting experience that fits your particular needs, wants, and tastes. These classes and experiences will be scheduled after July 1, 2008.

Combatting Swirl Envy – Lite!

This is a 1-1/2 hour wine etiquette and tasting experience. This is a popular choice for engagement parties, birthday parties or wedding showers, corporate events, cocktail parties, or holiday get-togethers with friends. You may prefer a particular theme along with the CSE-Lite! basics or choose one of the suggested themes below. The Combatting Swirl Envy experience includes the following:

• A quick overview on proper wine-tasting etiquette
• Guided wine tasting of about five wines, using the skills we just learned on wine etiquette
• Takeaway information for participants, including particulars about the wines of the day, food pairing suggestions, and approximate costs
• Preparation Time
• Travel, set up, and clean up time
• Supplied equipment (wine glasses, spit buckets, corkscrews, pourers, napkins, etc.)

Combatting Swirl Envy

If you find that you want to learn more, then the complete Combatting Swirl Envy course is just the ticket. Over the course of five weeks, you will learn what is covered in the CSE-Lite! class, but we will also cover a multitude of other items including:

• How to care for your glassware
• What’s up with spitting?
• Decanting – is it necessary?
• Menu Intimidation – how to tackle a restaurant wine list
• Bottle Shapes – they’re that way for a reason
• How to taste wine - the process
• Out of the Box – Life is more than White Zin

and more!

How About a Few of These Suggested Themes:

I’m Goin’ to Wine Country! Now What?

Getting ready to go to Wine Country? Afraid of the Wine Snobs you’ll find there? Want to seem like you’ve evolved past the knuckle-dragging stage? This accelerated course will take you from being a rank Neophyte to a certifiable Wine Snob. You will learn the basics of Swirling, Sniffing, Sipping, and Spitting (or dumping if you prefer), so that your experience in Wine Country will be fun and satisfying one – free from the Neophyte Angst.

Holiday or Cocktail Party

A two-hour wine tasting event perfect for a casual gathering where the emphasis is on socializing along with a bit of wine etiquette education. Irene will do a brief class on Combatting Swirl Envy, and will then be available to pour wines, answer questions, and provide information about wines, pairings, etiquette, and more.

I Never Heard of That Wine Before!

Pinotage? Durif? Carignan? Black Muscat? Are those wines? Yes they are! And they are quite lovely. If you and your wine group are sick of the usual Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir, we can introduce you to some relative rarities and have fun in the process.

‘Ello, Mate!

What ARE those crazy Aussies doing with wines on the other side of the world? They are trailblazing, of course! Australia and New Zealand have incredible wines at fabulous prices. We’ll learn about some of their wines as well as some of the tradition-smashing things that they have done.

On a Budget

How about some great wines under $20? Getting ready to throw a party and want to keep costs down? Vegas Wineaux will showcase some great wines at reasonable prices, and you will have a lot of fun seeking them out for your event!

It’s Summer in Vegas

Summer in Vegas can only be bested by Summer in Phoenix, Sahara Desert, or H E double hockey sticks. That means that the big red wines (like pots of stew and freshly-baked bread) are less than appetizing. Vegas Wineaux will lead you through a list of fun summer wines, from fresh sparklers, to crisp whites, to mellow, dry Rosés. Perfect for the pool, patio, or BBQ, these wines can stand up to the legendary Las Vegas Summers.

Third World Wines???

Yes indeed! In this instance “Third World” simply means those areas outside of Western Europe and North America. South America, Eastern Europe, South Africa, the Mediterranean, and other obscure areas make wines. And many of them are very, very good. We will touch on a few of them as we discuss the ongoing honing of our wine etiquette skills.

Behind the Ears

There are wines out there that are so fragrant, you can almost imagine using them as perfume. Thus the name. Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Gewürztraminer are just some examples of wines that are so fragrant, they can almost be dabbed “Behind the Ears.”

Chocolate - ‘Nuff Said

Especially around Valentine’s Day, chocolate is King. Vegas Wineaux will share some wines that are ethereal pairings with chocolate, and we’ll explore the ways that chocolate and wine can be served.

All of the Combatting Swirl Envy Experiences will include:

• Four to eight wines (costs will vary depending on the number of bottles and price level that you prefer)
• A quick overview on proper wine-tasting etiquette
• Guided wine tasting, using the skills we just learned on wine etiquette
• Takeaway information for participants, including particulars about the wines of the day, food pairing suggestions, and approximate prices
• Preparation Time
• Travel, set up, and clean up time
• Supplied equipment (wine glasses, spit buckets, corkscrews, pourers, napkins, etc.)

What Vegas Wineaux offers you is a chance to enter the world of wine without the snobbery and elitism often associated with it. You will discover that the history and pleasure of wine is why it has continued to be the most revered of beverages over the entire history of mankind.