Dean Schaecher, co-owner of Pour House in Truckee, loves wine. He loves wine so much that he has walked vineyards all over the world to taste the dirt where grapes grow. You may think that wine only goes as far as the taste; you’re not wrong but your palate is not as informed as it could be.
Through his extensive career in the food and beverage industry, Dean has realized that what makes wine special is its individuality: every bottle has its own unique signature of tone, quality, and taste. Recognizing that everyone has a unique perception of these qualities, Dean will say proudly, ‘Just because I like it doesn’t mean that you have to like it.’ Everybody interprets taste differently: when the vino hits the taste buds, sending a million impulses to the olfactory system, the possibilities of experience are infinite.
It is because of the grape’s infinite attributes that Dean has decided to host a series of classes on The Wines of the World. The goal of each class is to provide an educational outline of the origin, classification, and history of the wines of a certain region. When you understand the characteristics of a particular region, whether it be the Bordeaux Region of France or the Chianti Zone in Italy, the subtle nuances become more recognizable. You can begin to discern the slight variations in soils, minerals, and even between the grape varieties in certain blends.
I recently attended the session on France’s Bordeaux, and came away flooded with knowledge about a wine region about which I had previously been clueless. I had no idea there were three very different growing zones in the Bordeaux Region, with over 38 separate regions. I learned to discern clay with iron and salt – not like ‘yuck, too much salt,’ more like ‘wow, there was salt in the air and in the soil where this vine grew.’ I never imagined I could ever taste something so subtle in a wine; I’m usually the guy who puts a red into his white glass and wonders why everyone is looking at me sideways.
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to expand your grey matter: Dean is the wine equivalent of Yoda. The next session, on April 15 and May 3, will feature the Wines of the Rhone. Space is limited; call Dean for current schedule and to register, 530-550-9664, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday with the occasional Sunday. The Pour House, 10075 Jibboom Street, Truckee.
