| | Mark your calendars for the FWS 3rd annual conference: July 25, 26, & 27, 2010 at the Embassy of France, Washington, D.C.
This year's conference presents French wine within the framework of a 2.5-day sensory workshop. Explore French wine, French terroirs and their benchmark aromas and flavors.
Conference highlights:
Sunday, July 25th:
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Scholar & Master-level exams (optional)
The following exams will be offered on Sunday morning at the host hotel (click on the links to register): French Wine Scholar exam, Rhône Master-level exam, Provence Master-level exam.
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Tasting Technique Workshop: Terroir Identification Markers
 What are the signature characteristics that distinguish a grape variety and its region? Learn the deductive reasoning process that will allow you to deduce a wine's provenance. In this exercise, we'll compare the rosés from the Loire, Tavel and Provence, left bank and right bank Bordeaux, northern and southern Rhônes, Sancerre and white Graves, Chablis and white bottlings from the Côte d'Or o and the Mâcon, young red Burgundy and Beaujolais Cru, champagne and crémant. This lesson will reveal the logic of terroir, and how it manifests itself in the glass. Speaker: Lisa Granik, MW
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Blind French Wine Tasting Competition (with prizes!)
 You've learned the methodology, internalized the benchmark descriptors of aroma, taste and texture. Now, put theory to practice in this blind wine tasting exercise and competition. We've ramped up the stakes by having prizes at the ready for first, second and third place winners. Sharpen your senses, focus the mind. Bragging rights are at stake! Organzier: Lisa Granik, MW
Monday, July 26th:
7:30 - 10:00 p.m. - Soirée "Nuit d'Ete" at the French Ambassador Residence
 The French Ambassador to the United States, Pierre Vimont, will welcome all conference attendees for an evening of all things Provençal at his private residence on the evening of Monday, July 26, 2010.
Advanced Tutored Tastings:
Monday, July 26th:
8:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Chateauneuf-du-Pape & Tavel: Tradition and Transition
 We shall begin with a quick review of the history, varietals, and soils of these two AOCs then speak of the new renaissance rising in CdP and the “Pink Wave”. In a series of flights designed to demonstrate both tradition and transition, we will explore both Châteauneuf du Pape and Tavel starting with their soil and varietal differences as manifested in the glass, their winemaking techniques both traditional and innovative, stylistic variations, and terroir-driven vintages. All theory will be fully illustrated organoleptically. We will also explore the diversity of food and wine pairings and the unique aging capacities of both AOC's. Speaker: Kelly McAuliffe, Sommelier
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. - The History of France in Eight Glasses
 Wine is a product of culture, more than geology. In this session Paul Wagner traces the history of France and uses wines from that country to illustrate the role that history, culture, and sociology have played in creating the Wines of France we know today. Speaker: Paul Wagner, Balzac Communications
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Champagne House Styles from B (ollinger) to V (euve Cliquot)
 Explore the house styles of the most popular and most widespread Grand Marques in this mega-tasting. In this seminar, we’ll sip and savor your favorites, placing them in like-categories, while acknowledging their points of distinction! Speaker: Seth Box, Director of Education, Moët-Hennessy
4:45 - 5:30 p.m. - Provence Rosé: The Consumate Companion to Celebrated Cuisines
 French rosé is winning America's affection. U.S. retail sales of imported rosé wines grew by 28% in 2009, according to Nielsen Group research. Provence rosés are crisp and dry with a subtle fruit character that brings out the best in food. In this short seminar we will taste rosés from different part of Provence, understand soil’s influence and approach the difficult task of food and wine pairing. We will sample dishes prepared by the French Embassy and set the stage for the Wines of Provence-sponsored evening affair at the French Ambassador’s residence later in the evening. Speaker: André Compeyre – Sommelier, NYC
Tuesday, July 27th:
8:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Icon Wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon
 From the limestone outcrop of the Pic St Loup to the black schist slopes of the Roussillon taste your way around the ground-breaking producers of Franceʼs biggest wine region. With more soil types than Burgundy, more grape varieties than Chateauneuf du Pape, yields lower than Classed Growth Bordeaux and more organic producers than any other region in the world, discover why the Languedoc-Roussillon is the next “classic” wine region of France. So often “Icon” is a by-word for expensive. Rediscover “value” at the top end of the wine quality spectrum and witness the “revolution” that is happening in this often overlooked region. Speaker: Matthew Stubbs, MW
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Cognac: From Heart to Tails
 This spirited presentation will cover cognac from grape to bottle to glass. How does cognac differ from Armagnac? Learn the inside-scoop on blending, the significance of the “age” categories, legal additions and ameliorations and how history has impacted this region and its grape product. Speaker: Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Youth to Maturity: Understanding Time in the Bottle
 This exciting seminar will explore iconic wines from the both classic and lesser-known wine regions throughout France to see how they age. Taste young and old bottlings from the same producer while exploring the topics of age-ability and how the benchmark French wines transform themselves with time. Speaker: Charles Curtis, MW
3:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Sweet Side of Bordeaux: Sauternes and Barsac
 Explore the Sauternais in all its complexity! In a series of pairings, we’ll compare terroir (the calcaire soils of Barsac and the more argile soils of Sauternes); encepagement (the varying percentages of Sémillon and Sauvignon); the influence of botrytis (a vintage where pourriture noble was particularly present, and another where the effect of surmaturity is more evident); and vintage (contrasting a young wine with a fully mature one to illustrate the exceptional character that these wines possess regardless of their age). A sweet finale to conference 2010! Speaker: Dewey Markham, Jr., Author
Additional Information:
- Focus on the cuisine of two wine regions in thematic lunches prepared by Frank Trouhin, Chef of the French Embassy, Monday and Tuesday.
- French Wine Scholar, Rhône & Provence Master-Level exams offered on Sunday morning.
- Hotel information and special conference rates (click here).
- Conference is limited to 120 attendees only; registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received.
More details to come. Program subject to changes.
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