2:30 to 4:30 pm - Pairing Food With Wine. Explore the basic elements of taste for food and wine and take the guesswork out of your wine purchases. Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.

2:00 to 4:30 pm - Beginning Wine Tasting. The perfect class for those just getting started with wines. The format will be relaxed, yet informative, with plenty of wines to sample. No wine snob attitudes permitted! Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.

Note: The class caps at 20 students and has been filled to capacity the last two sessions. Early registration is highly recommended!

2:30 to 4:30 pm - Wines From Down Under. Sample and learn about wines from Australia and New Zealand. Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.

While attending a wine tasting event a couple of weeks ago at Bellingham’s Zephyr Bistro I came across a winery that’s new to our area – and one that I think you might enjoy.

Tierra Del Sol produces a line of wines from Argentina that make for great everyday serving. The old adage, “you get what you pay for” doesn’t always hold true and that’s certainly the case here. All of the Tierra Del Sol wines are value priced at only about $7 a bottle and I think you’ll find them to be comparable to several other wines at twice the price.

Here are my tasting notes on some of the wines I sampled:

2004 Torrontes – This is a super little white wine that pairs well with lighter foods and salads and is amazingly complex. I’d call it a cross between a Semillon and a Viognier with hints of peach and melon and a crisp, dry, slightly grassy finish.

2003 Malbec – A classic Argentinean Malbec, with subtle jammy, plumy flavors and soft, but noticeable tannins. Great with pork and medium-aged cheeses.

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon – This wine features dark currant and cherry flavors and carries a bit more structure and depth than the Malbec. The finish has a nice gentle, spicy quality that suggests cloves or allspice.

I’ll be moderating a six-course dinner at Bellingham’s Bistecca Restaurant featuring wines from Thurston Wolfe Winery in Prosser, Washington.

Thurston Wolfe has come out with some awesome wines and I think you’re really going to be impressed with how well they’re drinking right now.

The event gets underway at 6:30 pm and is located at 4156 Meridian in Bellingham next to the Holiday Inn Express. Price is $59 per person with tax and gratuity extra.

Phone (360) 647-1060 for additional information and to confirm your reservations.

Here is the menu for the evening:

Course 1 2005 Pinot Gris/Viognier served with seared scallops & pancetta in pastry with fried leeks, Roma tomatoes and light wine butter sauce.

Course 2 2005 Rosato Rose served with baby spinach salad topped with toasted hazelnuts, fresh strawberries and balsamic glace.

Course 3 2004 Lemberger served with marinated pork loin over butternut squash ravioli and a smoked golden tomato sauce.

Course 4 2003 Sangiovese served with slow roasted leg of lamb with grilled eggplant and garlic/rosemary jus.

Course 5 2004 Petit Sirah served with lavender Anna potatoes, peppered zucchini and a black currant veal sauce.

Course 6 2004 Orange Muscat served with Curacao creme brule with burnt coriander sugar.