Take some winter time to learn more about wine

The cold, dreary days of winter hang over us like dark clouds. Why not escape and join fellow wine lovers in lively conversation while learning more about wine?

Winemaker Steve diFrancesco leads discussions about wines from around the world during twice-monthly Wine Chat gatherings at Glenora Wine Cellars, offered now through April.

Being greeted by Steve and offered a glass of bubbly and cheese and crackers is a nice way to begin each session. Several wines are tasted during each evening gathering, as Steve gives his insights about the region and climate in which the wines are produced.

Last week, we sampled an international selection of chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines. We tasted a French white burgundy, which we learned is almost always made from chardonnay grapes, as well as my favorite for the evening, a rich, full, fruity Yangarra Park 2001 Merlot from southeastern Australia.

The gathering is a mix of people involved in the wine business and people who just want to learn more about wine.

The atmosphere is very casual and everyone's comments and questions add to the learning experience. There is no order in which the Wine Chat 2003 meetings should be attended. Each session is self-contained and can be enjoyed on its own. If you are interested in checking out the remaining six Wine Chats, visit www.glenora.com/events.asp for a schedule.

While Steve is just hitting his stride, C. Joseph Pierce II is wrapping up his Wine and Wisdom Program at Pierce's 1894 Restaurant in Elmira Heights.

Joe has been leading a group of wine enthusiasts in tastings that included reds from the Mediterranean one week to an evening of tasting white wines dubbed "ABC" (Anything But Chardonnay). He also offered an evening tasting of six wines from Bordeaux, France.

For those looking for wines produced much closer to home, Joe will be offering eight consecutive Friday night dinners featuring Finger Lakes wineries and their winemakers. Most of these dinners will be held in the intimate setting of the Pierce's 1894 Restaurant wine cellar that accommodates about 20 people. The winemakers will be there to talk about their wines and the wineries they represent.

I had the good fortune to attend one of the dinners last year that featured wines from Atwater Estate Vineyards in Hector.

I still remember commenting on how well each wine and the course served with it went together. It was remarkable to me that a single winery would have wines to complement four or five courses.

The event was also a great opportunity to get to know the individuals representing the winery. There are still spaces available for all eight of the dinners this year.

The wineries participating in the eight-week dinner series are: Lakewood Vineyards on Feb. 21, Glenora Wine Cellars on Feb. 28, Heron Hill Winery on March 7, Prejean Winery on March 14, Hosmer Vineyard on March 21, Dr. Konstantin Frank on March 28, Atwater Estates Vineyards on April 4 and McGregor Vineyard on April 11. (Due to the large number of requests for the night featuring of Dr. Frank's wines, the meal will be located in another dining area of the restaurant to accommodate additional guests.) Check Pierce's Web site, www.pierces1894.com/ fun.htm, for more details.

Jeff Richards' wine column appears each Thursday on the Twin Tiers Life Food Page. For comments or questions, he can be reached at 607/271-8279 or 800/836-8970, ext. 279, or e-mail: thewineguy