This is my monthly class at the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas! We’ll be tasting and discussion Syrah from all around the world, from South Africa and Australia, to Washington and California, and so much more! 2 seatings: at 4pm and 6pm. $55.

The Italians love to be proud of their home regions and get into heated discussions about whose indigenous products are the best! In this class, we'll taste side-by-side the historic and most high-profile rivalries in Italy, such as Barolo vs Barbesco and Chianti Classico vs Brunello di Montalcino. Additionally, we'll throw in some under-the-radar rivalries of which the wines are really worth exploring. It will be super fun to identify which side of the argument you're on, partake in lively discussion, and taste some stellar wine in the mean time.

$50- for 8 fabulous wines and a fun, educational experience

"After returning from an intense week of getting to know the major wine regions of South Australia (through a partnership between WFFT and the South Australia government), I corrected and recalibrated many preconceived notions of the current state of the industry. Yes, it is true that 15-20 years ago so much over-ripe, jammy, and cheap Shiraz came into the US that many wine lovers and collectors believe this to be the face of all Australian wine. Today, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a palpable drive to experiment with new varieties, discover cool-climate sub-regions, and push the bar of quality with traditional varieties of Cabernet and Shiraz. Plus, since Phylloxera has never affected South Australia, it is the home to many of the oldest producing vineyards in the world. In this class, we’ll be exploring all the gems and discoveries from the trip. I promise, they will surprise you as well!

Blind tastings are super-popular here at the WFFT, so in February’s educational class, we’ll be exploring what happens to wine as it ages without knowing the vintage, varietal, or region. All wine, white and red, evolves from fruity in its youth to take on flavors of earth, mushroom, and cigar box in maturity. However, how fast this happens and whether the wine stays balanced or not, is dependent on many factors, including grape varieties, producer, potential of the vineyard, etc. Also, the lines between varieties and regions start to blur and deceive. Join us to experience this magical process, see how close you can guess, and learn a few tricks to hone your skills.  Note: there are two seatings for this class: 4:00-5:15 pm and 6:00 to 7:15 pm.

This will be one of the most comprehensive cross section of the dry wines of Portugal.  The Douro, Alentejo, a special treat from Madeira, and more!  8 wines and a ton of good information: $55.  Note: there are 2 seatings for this class, 4:00-5:15 pm and 6:00-7:15 pm.

We'll be learning about the various styles of Champagne, the grapes and sub-regions, and why it is so darn special!  Classes run about 1:30 hours and there are 2 seatings, 4pm and 6pm.

Chocolaterie Tessa is pleased to host an evening of chocolate and wine pairings benefiting the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas. For the second time, Mark Rashap, Certified Wine Educator, and Tessa Halstead will be joining forces to share four seasonal chocolate and wine pairings. Just in time for the holidays, you'll leave with all the information you need to know to host a perfect pairing soiree at home!

10-year Bordeaux retrospective, what more do you need to know!  We'll be tasting wines from the 2007 vintage, which was a very complicated vintage, but there were certainly gems to be found.  The decade mark is when many of the acclaimed Bordeaux start to take on the maturity that collectors enjoy so much.  Some wines will be ready to drink, and we'll also taste some wines that might even need more time, but that's the fun!

Join me at the Wine and Food Foundation office for one of two seatings (4pm and 6pm), where I'll be talking about the latest in the Texas Wine Industry.  Many of you may know I have been critical of many Texas wines, but I have been seeing quality improve leaps and bounds.  This will be a special selection of the best wines I've had over the last 6 months, and many of them can only be sourced at the winery.  Don't miss this incredible opportunity!

We're teaming up with Tessa from Chocolaterie Tessa in this class to dig into the essentials of pairing and having fun with chocolate and wine!  Tessa will be presenting 4 different styles of chocolate confections, and I will be choosing and pairing the wine.  Don't miss out on one of the most decadent of wine tastings!

I'll be teaching the wine side of this Wine and Cheese class with Maddie Ward illuminating the cheese side.  We'll have 2 wines each with 4 different types of cheese to cover all the basics of this divine pairing: the balance between acid and fat, salt and sweet, and much more in this delicious class.

There are 2 seatings one at 4 pm and the second at 6 pm, each class will be about 1 hour 15 min.

The Napa and Sonoma Valleys, divided by the Mayacamas Mountains, produce wines in that are in some ways similar and in other way very different. They also have very loyal proponents of the merits of each. Whether you prefer the laid back and farmer vibe of Sonoma or the polished state of the art winery feel of Napa, join us for this comparative head-to-head tasting of a cross section of the grapes and styles that are put out by both regions. We’ll be tasting the wines blind so you can see if you can pick out which one is Napa and which is Sonoma. Tensions will be high and a good time will be promised to all!

Nothing says the holidays like Champagne, the real stuff. This is one of my favorite tastings of the year! We’ll discuss all the ins and outs of the Champagne region, the large house styles, and some of the innovations that are occurring in the bubbly wine heaven.

There will be two seatings, one at 4pm and one at 6pm.  Each class will feature 8 unique Champagnes to illustrate particular characteristics and trends in region.

The Driskill Grill invites you to an intimate dining experience with wine and food writer Alan Tardi in celebration of his newly published book Champagne, Uncorked. The book chronicles Alan’s yearlong residence at the iconic Champagne house, Krug. The pages within unveil some of the highly guarded secrets of Krug as well as the history and inner workings of the region of Champagne.

This will be an innovative and interactive evening pairing each course with an exclusively curated selection of Krug Champagne accompanied with readings from the book. These Champagnes are rarely offered publicly, including a vintage comparison as well as a taste of the famous Clos de Mesnil.

Join us for what promises to be a most unforgettable evening featuring some of the best Champagnes in the world beautifully paired to intricate food in an iconic setting.

There is so much mystery behind wine tasting promoted by journalists and experts spouting off colorful descriptions seemingly pulled out of thin air. However, there is method to deciphering the main characteristics of wine which will then allow you to communicate with more clarity. Once you can define these characteristics, you can pinpoint truly what you like and don’t like and in what situation.  We'll also look at some of the major ways to analyze wine whether metaphorical or scientific.

Join J&J, Mark Rashap and Pioneer Wines to taste through some classic and typical wines and discuss various methods to enjoy them.
At the Sustainable Food Center $45 per person or $80 per couple. Please email me to save you a spot vebarba@gmail.com

Most of Texas thinks that beer is the perfect pairing with slow smoked meats; however, I beg to differ.  I've had transcendental experiences with the simplicity of barbecue and the complexity of wine, I hope to share these experiences with you!

Freedman's has recently taken their quality to new levels and deserve attention.  They have a private room on the second floor on a historic building which is both intimate and fun.  As the weather is getting colder, I'm so excited to showcase rich wines with the rich flavors of barbecue!  There will be 8 wines paired with each of the different famous barbecue cuts: Champagne, Bordeaux, Napa Cab and an a few surprises as we explore the intricacies this exciting pairing.

Save the date: Dec. 8th.  $85 all inclusive, tax and gratuity.  Includes plenty of barbecue and sides plus 4 flights of 2 wines to go with each type of smoked meat!

Always on the lookout for incredible sources of food that inspire and invigorate, I recently encountered Countryside Farms (outside of Bastrop) and knew I had to feature their meats along with locally grown vegetables from Johnson's Backyard Garden.  Join me for a four course meal plus hors d'oeurves, prepared by CIA trained chef and friend Danny Fox Baker.  Two wines will accompany each course to illustrate philosophies in pairing and serve as an overall lesson on French wine (what better to go with countryside food).  The menu below is designed to showcase the delicate and delicious flavors of the highest quality ingredients. 

Seating is limited to twelve, and we'll be right in the kitchen to watch chef Danny work his magic. 

$120 All Inclusive!  Don't delay in signing up, this will sell out quickly!

Menu is as follows:

Hors d'oeuvres:
Wild Boar Rillet on Pumpernickle with Pickled Beet
Seared Lamb Merguez Sausage with Arugula Chimichurri

First Course:

Ravioli of Rabbit and Goatmilk Ricotta served in Jus with Fennel 

Second Course:
Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Plum Gastrique and Potato Pavè 

Third Course:
Braised leg of Heritage Pork on Soft Polenta with Market Greens and Fried Leeks

Fourth Course/Dessert:
Classic Vanilla Crème Brulèe
 

*Cancellations require 48 hours for full refund.

With only a few months left in 2015, it is time to catch the historic region of Bordeaux at the 10 year mark.  Most people talk about the decade of age as a time that the wines of Bordeaux just start showing their true character.  Join me to taste through some iconic wines from both the right bank and left bank. 

Very few wine collectors will dispute that Napa Valley is the king of California Cabernet Sauvignon. However, the valley, only 5 miles wide by 30 miles long, is truly diverse in soils, climates, and flavors. To date, there are 16 sub-appellations (AVAs), which include the valley floor as well as the surrounding mountains. Join us to taste through a majority of these sub-regions, pontificate over any correlations, and celebrate how good these wines can be.

There will be one seating at 4pm and one seating at 6 pm.  Attendance is limited to 20 wine lovers.

For tickets and more information click here.

So many wine lovers simply categorize ALL sparkling wines as Champagne, but this world is just as varied as the world of Red and White wines. From the grapes involved to the production methods and time sur lie, there are so many diverse flavors and aromas in Sparkling wines. Join us to make sense of Prosecco, Franciacorta, Cremant, Champagne, California Sparkling wines and many more surprises. There won't be any hangovers with these great bubbles!

There are two seatings: 4-5:30 pm and 6-7:30 pm

$35 tasting includes flight of wines and charcuterie from Salt & Time. Due to the popularity of these tastings, we are now offering two seatings.

Many wine lovers don't realize that Spain is the 3rd largest wine producing country behind Italy and France, yet they have the most land area under vine. This means that overall there are lower yields, and some would argue higher quality, than the average of the other European wine producing countries. Please join us for a whirlwind trip through Spain's major wine producing regions where we will taste the exciting grapes from the Iberian Garden of Eden. We'll also cover major styles of the old school producers and the more modern wave that is overtaking this country. Personal Note: it was in Spain that I knew I'd be a wine professional! -Mark Rashap

$35 tasting includes flight of wine and charcuterie from Salt & Time. Due to the popularity of these tastings, we are now offering two seatings.

A half hour program on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin, TX that delves into appreciating and enjoying wines from around the world, understanding the business of wine, and interviewing various wine experts in Austin.

The Illuminated Bottle does not have a single location but pops up all over Austin in various restaurants and venues that enhance the wine tasting experience.  If you cannot get a group together to enjoy one of our Private in-home classes, we’re sure that one of the public tastings will give you a wonderful chance to learn about the subject being presented as well as meet other wine lovers in Austin.  Of course, all of these events follows Mark’s philosophy of comparative tasting of carefully selected wines that highlight very specific concepts within the world of wine.

The Illuminated Bottle does not have a single location but pops up all over Austin in various restaurants and venues that enhance the wine tasting experience.  If you cannot get a group together to enjoy one of our Private in-home classes, we’re sure that one of the public tastings will give you a wonderful chance to learn about the subject being presented as well as meet other wine lovers in Austin.  Of course, all of these events follows Mark’s philosophy of comparative tasting of carefully selected wines that highlight very specific concepts within the world of wine.