Have you ever wanted to learn about the various wine regions of France, the wines they produce and how to pair them with food?   Join Sommelier, Laurie Brauss, as she takes you and your taste buds through some of the most famous regions of France each paired with a different small plates by Chef Jen Tarantino Reyes. Laurie will highlight wines that are uber-pairable, affordable and crowd pleasing. She will teach you not only how to taste wines but also how to navigate buying wines and pairing them with specific foods that bring out the special characteristics of each wine.

You will enjoy the following 4 wines and  4 small plates:

Château Sicot – Crémant de Bordeaux (Brut NV)
A delicious and dry, sparkling wine made like true Champagne but at a fraction of the cost. Tiny bubbles!

Seafood– Shrimp Cocktail with a lemon Dipping Sauce & Potato Blinis with Creme Fraiche and Paddlefish Caviar or Smoked Salmon

Domaine de Grisy –  Bourgogne Chardonnay 2020 
Sounds like an oxymoron however, Burgundy, the region, produces some of the worlds most delightful white wines and this one may change the way you feel about Chardonnay in the best of ways.

Fromage a Trois – Gruyère 3 ways: as a gougere, a tuile crisp and a slice served with apple and quince paste

Domaine A. Pegaz – Beaujolais Villages 2020
Beaujolais is often overlooked because of its famous Burgundian cousin to the north, Gamay, the star of Beaujolais, is a delightfully pairable, juicy red that can take a little chill and pairs with a myriad of dishes.

Meat Entree – Pork Chop Lollipop breaded in herbed panko and with garlic aioli and lightly scented thyme oil.

Domaine Les Pentes de Barène – Les Doux 2018

An off-dry wine from the Basque region in Southwest France. Just a touch sweet and perfect with dessert

Dessert – Apple Turnover with Fresh Apple Semifreddo

About Sommelier Laurie Brauss

Laurie spent over 25 years working with small, chef-owned restaurants before being “bitten by the wine bug” and deciding to make a career specifically in wine.

After 6 years as a wine steward, she decided to pursue formal education through the Northwest Wine Academy and then, later, the Napa Valley Wine Academy to obtain certification as a Sommelier. She currently holds the Level 3 award with WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) Her most recent work with an importer took her to Spain, Portugal and Italy on buying trips in which she gained insight and appreciation for their beautiful cultures.

Her approach to sharing her wine knowledge is to remove the pretentious vibe that is often associated with wine by explaining things in a relatable and down to earth way. Because you should feel comfortable and joyful in your own personal journey of wine discovery.