"Wine Tasting Etiquette" with Ron Smith

Smith is not just your everyday oenophile (a person who enjoys wine); he takes it much further and opens the eyes of many connoisseurs, helping them to feel a deeper appreciation of what they're drinking and of what goes in to producing wine.

Smith retired from NDSU as a Professor of Horticulture in the Department of Plant Sciences and Extension Service, on 12/31/12. Among other duties, he began teaching an "Evolution and History of Wine in America" class at NDSU. Needless to say, the students clamored to take the course, but due to logistics, he deliberately chose to limit it to 15 registrants. He currently writes a weekly article for the Fargo Forum on the "World of Wine" which appears in the Variety section of the Wednesday paper.

His topic "Wine Tasting Etiquette" is a good introduction to, of all things, "The World of Wine"!

"Instead of simply drinking something because if contains anywhere between 7% and 14% alcohol - I try to get them to undertake a thoughtful consideration of what it is they are drinking - and in doing so- to hopefully get more pleasure from the experience and to learn and appreciate what goes into producing wine as well. We go through the five "S's" of tasting: "Seeing," "Swirling," "Sniffing," "Sipping," and "Savoring." We will start out with white wine first, and evolve into the stronger, more tannin-intense reds. We will also explore and explain the "Big Six" in World Wines. The whites: Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc; the reds: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. These are the world's most widely grown grape wines, from New Zealand, to California and everywhere in between," states Smith.

Just so folks won't get too tipsy; finger food will be served along with the tastings. Smith will also have on hand some wine that our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, liked - Scuppernong from one of the North Carolina wineries. 

Join Ron Smith On Thursday, July 10th at the Williston ARC, 822 18th St E, Williston for a lesson on "Wine Tasting Etiquette."

For questions or more details on the occasion, contact Kyla Splichal at WRES 701-713-0524