Registration Advisory: Please read through the complete program description before registering. This series includes wine tasting kits as part of its ticket price that must be picked up in Washington, DC.
Note: These programs can be purchased separately. Registration for this series will end by 9 a.m. ET on Friday, January 26, 2024.
Spend three fascinating evenings expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
January 26 Bordeaux Unearthed
Bordeaux is all about the blend—and the distinctions between wines from the Left Bank and the Right Bank of the Gironde Estuary. Segelbaum explores the grapes of Bordeaux and leads tastings through classic regional wines including white Bordeaux, reds from selected Left- and Right-Bank appellations, and even a few surprises. He explores the famous classifications such as the one commissioned in 1855 (which divides parts of the Médoc into First Growth, Second Growth, and subsequent categories), the classification of Graves and St. Émilion, and explains how Grand Cru might not mean what you think it does in a Bordeaux.
February 23 Wherever I May Rhône
The Rhône Valley is home to some of the world's most iconic appellations such as Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being part of the same broad region, the northern and southern Rhône produce distinctly different wine styles, a contrast mirrored in the products of their winemakers. Explore why Syrah and Viognier reign supreme in the north while Grenache and Marsanne rule down south. Discover why the north is more mono-varietal and the south is all about the blends. As you taste multiple expressions from across the Rhône Valley, you’ll learn why wines from this beautiful area of France are food-friendly favorites of sommeliers the world over.
March 22 How Languedoc Changed the Wine World
In addition to producing incredible and complex wines, Languedoc has done arguably more for the wine world than any other region on the planet. Sparkling wine was invented there over 100 years before Champagne, the process for making fortified wines was also created in Languedoc. While one of France’s oldest wine regions, Languedoc is also one of the youngest with some appellations not even 20 years old. This region leads the world in organic viticulture with 30% of France’s organic vineyard area and 10% of global organic production. Even now, Languedoc is a world leader in advancements in sustainable viticulture and the source of a forward-thinking response to climate change. This delicious exploration dives deep into the profound impact Languedoc has had in the global wine world.
3 sessions
Note: View a list of programs with Erik Segelbaum.
Wine Tasting Kit Information
- The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines.
- Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kits, which is an essential component of the series.
- Each session will have separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, at the Shilling Canning Company (360 Water Street SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line).
- NOTE: Patrons will receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to the program.
- Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.
About Erik Segelbaum
Erik Segelbaum is a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker for 2020 and Food & Wine magazine’s 2019 Sommelier of the Year. He holds the designation of Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of fewer than 600 specialists in the world who hold this level of certification. Segelbaum is the former corporate wine and beverage director for Starr Restaurants, a wine journalist and educator, and chief vinnovation officer of SOMLYAY hospitality and private events consultancy.
General Information
