Wine News: Get Expert Winemaking Advice on Web

February 16, 2011

Davis, Calif.—A free interactive website to supply grapegrowing and winemaking advice and instruction is now live. Available to anyone with Internet access, Enology Access is a new tool from VENSource, which provides outreach from the University of California, Davis, Department of Viticulture and Enology. Dr. Linda Bisson from UCD introduced the program at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento this week.

VENSource originated after deep budget cuts in early 2010. The year-old department enhances and expands upon the former UC Davis Trellis Alliance and affiliated RAVE classes, now offered as “Wine Flavor 101” classes. VENSource is self-sufficient and independent of UC Davis funding.

The Enology Access website was designed to be interactive and fully searchable, with social interaction capability. It contains information, self-tutorials, webinars, live office hours and other industry-friendly features. Registration is free to all, so growers and winemakers anywhere can access the expertise of both university scholars and their peers.

Wine Flavor 101
According to VENSource program director Kay Bogart, the outreach department is self-funded, in large part through support of Wine Flavor 101 attendees. “We have incredible industry support,” Bogart told Wines & Vines. Employers send key employees to study for a day and pay class registration fees, helping to fuel the program.

VENSource classes are designed specifically for wine industry professionals, and are held in the new UC Davis conference center. Classes sell out regularly and waiting lists are already common.

The technical level of course work is high: For attendees who aren’t already versed in the fine points of something like molecular SO2, for example, these classes may be a long and confusing slog. Chemistry knowledge will also serve students well. If it’s been a few years since you’ve pored over chicken-wire diagrams, a quick refresher is highly recommended.

Mark Chon, head of guest relations at 20,000-case Opus One, Oakville, Calif. recently attended VENSource’s Wine Flavor 101B, Recognizing Defects During Aging. With a 20-year tenure Opus One, he was driven to enroll by his desire to engage in intelligent dialogue with customers about wine defects. Subsequently, now he can advise customers about proper wine storage to minimize risk of spoilage; the classes, he said, “give context to what customers are talking about when they come in to discuss wine defects.”

Chon remarked, “Linda Bisson articulates very well and is extremely dedicated. She made herself available to us even after the classes. Also, there’s a nice camaraderie between instructors. The passion is there.”

Ron Morris, winemaker and owner of 1,000-case Secret Ravine Vineyards and Winery, Loomis, Calif., completed all Wine Flavor classes of the series A – F. “I think they’re fantastic. You get the opportunity to experience aromas, plus all of the biologic and chemical data that surrounds it. I don’t know of another clinical setting where you can experience the science behind wine defects along with the sensory,” Morris said.

Wine Flavor classes present a broad spectrum of scenarios that the average winemaker might not experience elsewhere. Morris currently has wine aging in 300 oak barrels in his Secret Ravine Winery cellar. He said the classes have changed his sanitation and testing protocols, and he’s now paying closer attention to every phase of the winemaking process. “There are a lot of things that I now do a little differently,” he admitted.

Phil Burton, owner of Barrel Builders, Calistoga, Calif., regularly tastes wines as part of his cooperage business. “There are so many factors other than oak that enter into the flavor of wine. The more I know about wine taint, the more effective I am in discussing flavor profiles with winemakers,” he said. Even though Burton has been in the barrel business for 35 years, “The more I can do to learn, the more fun I have and the better I feel about my business.”

Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar

This fine dining restaurant is also famous for its low carbohydrates “low carb” dishes highly recommended for frequent diners who are on a low fat food and favor healthy food. This is a unique restaurant that can help frequent diners maintain a healthy diet and enjoy delicious fine dining cuisine at the same time. Vegetarian dishes are a specialty here also and so are “halal” cuisines also.

Favorites of frequent diners, foodies and wine lovers are steaks, Wagyu, Foie Gras, lobsters, venison, kangaroo loin, osso buco, veal chops, Kurabuto pork, escargots and a good selection of cheeses to enjoy with fine Vintage port and Sauternes. Cuban cigars such as Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo Julieta and Trinidad are also available in the Magnum Room which is a wine bar and lounge for before and after dinner relaxation. A good selection of Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Vodka and other liquor is served in addition to the wine vintage wines some served by the glass.

Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited fine dining restaurant in Pampanga is Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar located in Clark Philippines.

Inquiries and reservations

Restaurant@Yats-International.com

(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401

Ask for Pedro and Rechel

Http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.

Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

For assistance in hotel and resort booking in Clark, Philippines, log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

For assistance in locating a suitable venue for wedding reception, log on to

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com