- Duration
- 55 minutes
- Product Type
- Lecture
Lecture Details
Photos & Highlights
- Presented by the same world-class experts as our walking tours, Context Lectures highlight must-see attractions, reveal hidden landmarks, and explore the best things to do during your trip so you don’t miss a thing.
Lecture Description
Wine and France are inextricably entwined. A vibrant thread in the fabric of daily life and culture, wine has helped shape France's history, gastronomy, and urban landscape. This seminar, led by a sommelier, introduces the basics of French wines. Over a couple of glasses of wine, we will discuss the wine-making process and the evolution of wine in France, as well as food and wine pairings, current trends, and tasting techniques to help you continue your appreciation at home or abroad.
We'll begin with a discussion of France's 2,500-year history of wine production, which dates from Greek and Roman times. Then, we'll learn about dégustation, the art of tasting, while exploring the history of wine in France. Showcasing the diverse styles of French wine, our guided virtual tasting will serve to calibrate our palates, teaching us how to evaluate wine using our senses of smell and taste. We'll discover the basics of pairing wine with food, raising the concept of terroir, the dominant philosophy in wine and cuisine. We'll use this concept to explore how natural elements can affect the flavor of your wine.
Meet Your Expert
Andrés, a seasoned culinary expert with over 16 years of experience, is both a Sommelier and a Parisian chef. He began his journey in 2008 and honed his culinary skills through rigorous apprenticeships at Michelin-starred establishments. Inspired by French cuisine, Andrés trained under European champion chef Olivier Boudot at Cordon Bleu, specializing in French bread-making. His passion for wine led to top honors in the WSET Diploma, French Wine Scholar, and Champagne Master-Level program, making him a certified wine educator recognized by the Society of Wine Educators. Today, Andrés combines his sommelier finesse and culinary mastery as a food and wine editor, offering exclusive, immersive Parisian tours of independent delicatessens and vintners. He's also the co-founder of an award-winning secret cheese cellar experience in Paris (www.wetasteparis.com). Join Andrés to uncover the rich traditions and history of world-renowned cuisine and wine in the heart of Paris.
We will take a closer look at the bottles to understand what’s inside. France was the first country in the world to classify its wines using AOPs. This system, dating from the 1930s, is still in use today and can be daunting to even the most seasoned wine expert. We will learn the ins and outs of this system, its initial purposes and structure, and how it has evolved today. While examining several types of bottles, we will be able to dissect a typical French wine label and see its quality level clearly, before even trying the wine.
We will discuss the following topics:
- The most important wine regions of France and what makes them unique
- The grapes grown in each region, the soils, and styles of wine being made
- The most famous AOCs in each region
- The wine tasting technique for appreciation purposes
- Discerning wine flavors and aromas
- Food and wine pairing
- The art of reading French wine labels
- The current trends in French wine-making
- Tips on how to order wine at a restaurant and how to purchase wine
Hosted by Andres Medrano, an expert on French cuisine and oenology, this lecture will introduce participants to the intricacies of French wine. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of this fascinating (and delicious) part of French history and culture.
How do I access the lecture?
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with a link to stream the lecture on the Context Travel website. You can also access your past purchases anytime under My Orders. Please ensure you are logged into your account to open the streaming page.Â
Is closed captioning (i.e. subtitles) available?
Yes! All of our lectures have the option to turn on closed captioning should you have difficulty hearing the expert.
How long does each event last?
Our recorded lectures typically run for 60 minutes.
How can I share this lecture with friends or family?
You are welcome to watch together with friends or family but each person viewing on their own device will need to purchase the lecture individually.
How long does my access to the lecture last?
Once you purchase a lecture, you are welcome to view it as many times as you like and your access does not expire.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Sales for recorded lectures are final upon purchase. Please contact us at digital@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.
Can I purchase a gift card for a friend who is traveling?
Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
33 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
I loved the passion and in-depth knowledge that Andres brought to this (true) Masterclass. Even though I already knew a lot about French wine, I really appreciated his professional take on the subject and learned SO much. Also - What I really appreciated about Andres' unique style is that he gave specific recommendations for great producers to try and best value for money grapes/bottles. He also helped me understand why I had a hate/love relationship with Champagne - Turns out I need to ask for Blanc des Blancs only :) HIGHLY Recommend this Masterclass - Especially if you are easily bored, as Andres will keep you on your toes and entertained - Merci!
Rikke
Apr. 13, 2023
I am a wine lover (including French wines!). The webinar was packed to the brim with information and interesting facts. 90 minutes proved too short.
Alette
Nov. 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this class. Andres covered all the basics plus great specific information on 5 wine regions of France. I learned a lot. I’d love a more in depth, multi session class, as the subject deserves more than can fit in 90 minutes.
Patricia
Nov. 9, 2022
