Wine Class with Gretchen Carter at Vine Wine Bar, Bistro & Shoppe

I have enjoyed learning about wine since the early 1980s. In college, at Texas Tech University I had the pleasure of knowing "Doc" McPherson, a Chemistry professor, and pioneer of the Texas Wine Industry. In those days, Llano Estacado was the first winery in West Texas and their Blush wine was a favorite at get-togethers across Lubbock and the entire state. This is when I learned different grapes were used to make different wine and that the French wine producers owed Texas a great deal of gratitude for saving their vines (Texas rootstocks were resistant to phylloxera).

My interest grew as I discovered that WINE is an ART created by SCIENCE. 

The science in the vineyard of measuring BRIX to know when to harvest the grapes. The science of fermentation (yeast + sugar = alcohol) and the timing of skins in contact with the juice for the color formation and tannin development. The science of which kind of barrel to use for aging. It can all be explained with science! 

BUT, the ARTIST (Wine Maker) creates the wine which is why wines from the same area can taste very different and gives us so much variety. 

In 2017 until 2019 when I moved to Florida, I worked at Total Wine. One of the features of the store is the monthly wine classes. Having experience as a corporate trainer, I asked if I could teach all the wine classes.

I have been a fan of The Vine Wine Shop since 2017 when I purchased a condo on Navarre Beach. I am excited to bring monthly wine classes to The Vine. My goal is to make the classes both fun and informative. David and I will be selecting the wines for each class, and we hope that you will find new favorites that of course you can only get at The Vine!😊

Gretchen Carter