The Continuing Education Department at Chattanooga State Community College has begun a series of wine-tasting classes for anyone wishing to increase their knowledge of wine. All classes are held 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at CreateHere, 55 E. Main St.
Instructor Mindi Lamar has served on the steering committee of the Best Cellars event associated with Wine Over Water. Additionally, for the past three years, she has chaired the Bella Sera Wine Festival.
In March and April, wines from vineyards in countries with a long tradition of winemaking will be studied. The schedule includes a study of classic whites from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Alsace and the Rhone Valley on March 27, designated for French White Wines.
On April 3, French Red Wines will sample the best reds that France, the world's No. 1 producer of wine, has to offer. Participants will taste reds from Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, the Loire Valley and along the Mediterranean coast from Minervois, St. Chinian, Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence.
Classes highlighting the best value in red and white wines, for $12 and under, from around the world are included in the series. In the class set for April 17, participants will taste the hottest new white wines that are easy on the budget. On April 24, participants will taste a lineup of bargain red wines for under $12.
The cost is $45 for each of these weekly classes.
On May 1 comes the class that has been an overwhelming favorite: Wine & Chocolate. May 8 follows with Sparkling Wines for Celebration and Every Day. The cost for each class is $50.
Two new classes that focus on wines from Spain and Germany conclude the series. The May 15 class will explore a variety of white and red wines from Spain, the third-largest producer of wine in the world behind France and Italy. German-style wines from sweet to dry will be sampled in the May 22 class, which concentrates on white and red wines from the Rhine and Mosel and the Mosel's Saar regions of Germany. The cost for either class is $45.
Class sizes are limited. Participants must be 21 years old to enroll. Refunds will not be given within 48 hours of the scheduled class a participant is enrolled in.
To register, call 697-3100 or go to www.chattanoogastate.edu/continuinged.