Disgorged Wine

08/18/2020

Today (8/18) is National Pinot Noir Day, and there's no better way to celebrate this most beloved (yet complicated) variety than by joining us for a TOTALLY FREE class! At 5:30 pm Zach will lead a 30-45 minute class covering the history, styles, and top sources for Pinot Noir, all you need to do is register at the link below!

Join sommelier and wine educator Zach Geballe for this free 30-minute exploration of one of the world's most iconic yet misunderstood varieties: Pinot Noir.

08/06/2020

Interested in a TOTALLY FREE Disgorged: Online class? Join us on Tuesday, August 18th at 5:30 pm Pacific to celebrate National Pinot Noir Day and to learn more about this treasured, but complicated, variety.

Register at the link below for more information!

Join sommelier and wine educator Zach Geballe for this free 30-minute exploration of one of the world's most iconic yet misunderstood varieties: Pinot Noir.

07/22/2020

Hey everyone, I just wanted to remind you that we have a really awesome slate of individual wine classes starting in August. The entire list is below, but highlights include Champagne, Rosé, and Cabernet Sauvignon. All classes start at 4:30 pm Pacific on Saturday afternoons, and run 60-90 minutes.

Each class is $35, or you can get 3 classes for $90 ($30/class) or 5 classes for $125 (just $25/class). Click the link below for ticket info.

August 1 - Champagne

Virtually all of us have had Champagne

at least a few times in our life, yet the vast majority haven’t really given the wine itself much a thought. In this class, we’ll discuss some of the history, geology, and climate factors that have created this marvelous wine, and how it remains a vital and vibrant wine region.

August 8 - Merlot

No grape has been more unfairly denigrated than Merlot. Whether it’s a certain movie, or just an emphasis on fruity, boring wines, we’ve mostly forgotten that some of the finest wines in the world are made from Merlot. In this class, we’ll explore some great examples of the variety, and discuss why it should be a part of every wine lover’s collection.

August 15 - Rosé

Summertime and rosé have become synonymous, but do you actually know how to pick out a good bottle of rosé? Turns out that just looking at the color of the wine can mislead you. This class will focus on three different price tiers, and the best ways to ensure you get the most wine for your money when drinking pink.

August 22 - GSM

The rise of the GSM blend has had a major effect on the world of wine...and it’s also partially responsible for my marriage! The captivating blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre has its roots in France, but has spread around the world. In this class, we’ll explore why this style is so popular, and how to find a good one.

August 29 - Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh, crisp, zingy, and tart: these are the ideal descriptors for a late-summer white wine, and they help explain why Sauvignon Blanc has become one of the most widely-planted white varieties in the world. In this class we’ll look at the grape in both its native land of France and further afield.

September 13 - Yakima Valley

Here in Washington State, there are a bunch of great places to grow grapes, but arguably none finer than the Yakima Valley. In this class, we’ll explore some of the great vineyards and varieties that make this one of the most exciting American wine regions.

September 20 - Sicily

Sicilian wine was once almost entirely dominated by bulk production and Marsala, but the modernization of the island’s wine industry has revealed that some wines of incredible complexity and profundity can be born here, especially on the slopes of Mt. Etna, an active volcano...now that’s a wild place to grow grapes!

September 27 - Prosecco

All hail the new ruler of sparkling wine. We all love Prosecco, but what actually do we know about it? In this class we’ll look at the vast range of quality levels within Prosecco, as well as learn some tips for how to find the best wine for your money, and even a few fun Prosecco-based cocktails!

October 4 - Syrah

I’m not sure I can say I have a “favorite” red grape, but if you forced me to pick one, it would probably be Syrah. Its combination of aromatic complexity and expressiveness, diverse flavors, and intensity makes it one of the most remarkable varieties on the planet. In this class, we’ll look at expressions from three different countries that all showcase this noble grape.

October 11 - Alsace

Tucked away on the eastern border of France lies a magical region that seems straight out of a fairy tale...and it happens to be home to some of the absolute best white wines on the planet. The incredibly diverse geology and the dedicated farming and winemaking of Alsace make this a wine region you absolutely must explore.

October 18 - Cabernet Sauvignon

The (almost) undisputed ruler of red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon...so does it deserve that lofty perch? Why have many of the world’s most celebrated (and expensive) wines been made from Cab Sauv? How can us mere mortals find a good bottle without breaking the bank? That’s what we’ll discover in this class.

October 25 - Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc’s story is one of the overlooked middle child, in many ways: not the long-celebrated oldest child like Chardonnay, nor the novel youngest child like Sauvignon Blanc, it’s always been more in the background. Yet in the hands of great growers and winemakers in places like France and South Africa, it’s showing that it can indeed rival those more famous siblings when it comes to quality and complexity.

06/22/2020

Hey everyone, I have some very exciting news about the future of Disgorged: Online!

Going forward, classes will be offered on an individual basis, meaning that you can take as many or as few as you want! The link below will take you to the current class schedule.

Class rates are as follows: $40 per class, $110 for three classes, or $150 for five. If you're interested in purchasing more than five classes, please contact me for a discounted rate.

Each class runs 60-90 minutes, and will be held from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Pacific on Saturday afternoon/evenings, unless otherwise noted. Most classes will have a second instructor or featured winemaker, and will focus on 2-4 wines. Recommended wine and purchase details will be finalized, and for those of you in Western Washington, you can contact me to purchase wine if you'd like.

I'll also be offering private/customized classes: contact me for more details and for rates.

Please let me know if you have any questions, and I hope to see you online soon!

The red wines of Italy might just be the most exciting and interesting in the entire world. As you travel from the Alps and Dolomites in the north to the fiery crucibles of Vesuvius and Etna in the south, a wealth of indigenous and fascinating varieties reveals itself, along with a culture that is t...

06/08/2020

*** NEW ONLINE CLASS ALERT ***

The red wines of Italy might just be the most exciting and interesting in the entire world. As you travel from the Alps and Dolomites in the north to the fiery crucibles of Vesuvius and Etna in the south, a wealth of indigenous and fascinating varieties reveals itself, along with a culture that is thoroughly wed to the idea that a meal is incomplete without wine.

Yet understanding Italian wine can also be extremely difficult without guidance. That wealth of indigenous varieties means exploring a new landscape for most drinkers, and that ironclad union of food and wine means that most of these wines require the proper accompaniments to be fully enjoyed. Lastly, Italy is a land of contradictions, rules that are made to be broken, and the undeniable tension between tradition and modernity.

Unfortunately, visiting Italy is out of bounds for almost all of us for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these wines, and learn more about them. It’s this fascinating and confusing world that we will explore together in this class. Each week for four weeks, we’ll dive into a key part of this world: a region, a variety, or a style of wine that helps explain the unique and remarkable world of Italian red wines.

Fortunately, you’ll be in great hands for this exploration. Beyond my long career working with Italian wine, we’ll be joined by Hayley Black, Territory Manager for Leonardo LoCascio Selections and one of the most passionate and knowledgeable Italian wine experts I know.

Each week will have a different theme, and will feature three wines that help explore the theme, as well as relevant history, geography, geology, and cultural explorations. Classes will be conducted via Zoom, and will run from 4:30 pm Pacific - 6:00 pm Pacific. We will be skipping Saturday, July 4th.

Week One: Under the Tuscan Sun - June 20th

An exploration of this remarkable and historic land, viewed through the lens of three different expressions of the famed local grape Sangiovese.

Castellari Chianti Classico 2018 - SRP $23.99
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 2015 - SRP $64.99
Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso 2017 - SRP: $29.99

Week Two: Into the Mist - June 27th

A quest to better understand the great grape of Northwestern Italy, Nebbiolo, and an investigation of Italy’s answer to Burgundy.

Damilano Langhe Nebbiolo “Marghe” 2016 - SRP: $24.99
Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2016 - SRP: $47.99
Arpepe Rosso di Valtellina 2016 - SRP: $39.99

Week Three: The Land of Fire and Water - July 11th

Southern Italy has for far too long been ignored when discussing the great wines of not just the country, but all of Europe. Yet on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Etna, as well as the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea, wines of tremendous power, intensity, and complexity are born.

Mastroberardino Aglianico Radici Taurasi 2015 - SRP: $46.99
Etna Rosso: Benanti Contrada Monte Serra Etna Rosso - SRP: $51.99
Cantele Salice Salentino Negro Amaro Riserva 2015 - SRP: $14.99

Week Four: The Italian Soul - July 18th

Italy is a land of contradictions. While we often think of the great Italian wines as springing forth fully-formed from the land, the honest truth is that some of the great wines in Italy are in fact the result of not just nature, but of human labor and ingenuity. However, the constant theme throughout all of these wines is a focus on wine as food, of wine as an integral part of the dining experience.

Lini 910 Lambrusca Rosso NV - SRP: $16.99
Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2018 - SRP: $14.99
Zenato Amarone 2015 - SRP: $59.99

For those of you in the greater Seattle area, you can receive all twelve bottles, plus these four classes, for just $500: the wine alone is worth almost $450! For those of you outside of Western Washington, you can sign up for all four classes for $150, and these wines should be available in all 50 states, and Hayley and I will be happy to help you source any or all of these wines from local retailers.

In addition to the wines, you will receive tons of detailed information about the regions, wines, producers, as well as menu suggestions for each class, as these wines are all at their best when enjoyed with food.

05/18/2020

Starting this Saturday, the Disgorged Online: Washington Wine Class will feature four 90-minute sessions on consecutive Saturday afternoons, covering some of the finest varieties, regions, and wines that the state has to offer. Not only will you get twelve bottles of wine and an unparalleled opportunity to learn from those who made the wines, but you’ll also get a sense of the unique history, geology, and climate that shape Washington wine, as well as serving suggestions and menu planning ideas to go with each week’s set of wines.

Each class will run from 5 pm - 6:30 pm Pacific. The dates, topics, and wines are:
​
Saturday, May 23rd - Bordeaux Varieties
2017 Andrew Will "Two Blondes" Cabernet Franc
2017 DeLille Cellars D2
2016 Betz Clos de Betz

Saturday, May 30th - Yakima Valley
Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs
2018 Upsidedown Wine Konnowac Vineyard Viognier Co-Ferment
2017 Cote Bonneville Chardonnay

Saturday, June 6th - Syrah
2016 WT Vintners Boushey Vineyard Syrah
2017 Two Vintners "Some Days are Diamonds" Syrah
2016 Latta Wines Dana Dibble Syrah
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Saturday, June 13th - Red Mountain
2018 Kiona Vineyards Lemberger
2016 Cadence Winery Bel Canto
2017 Andrew Januik "Stone Cairn" Cabernet Sauvignon
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As you can see, each class will feature three wines and three winemakers, who will not only chat with me about what goes into making these exceptional wines, but they’ll also be there to answer your questions and help you further your own understanding and appreciation of wine. It’s the kind of experience that you frankly could not have had before Covid-19.

The case of wine and the four 90-minute sessions are yours for just $500. If you’re located in Western Washington, I’ll work with you to ensure delivery to your doorstep for no extra charge. If you’re outside of Western Washington, you can still take the class for $150, but you’ll have to order the wine for yourself, though I’m happy to help you source it if at all possible.
​
Space is limited to ensure that each attendee has ample time for conversation and questions with the winemakers, me, and one another, so don’t worry, you’re not paying to just watch a discussion, unless that’s what you want. My primary goal is to help you discover more about the incredible wines of this region, and the great wineries, vineyards, and winemakers that make them possible.

You can sign up at this link. Please contact me with any questions: [email protected], or on social media . I look forward to learning with you!

05/13/2020

***NEW DISGORGED: ONLINE CLASS ALERT***

These are curious and uncertain times: a rather significant understatement. Yet this strange world we are all living in does have some benefits, and one of them is that I and some of my favorite winemakers in Washington State have some time on our hands to help you try to learn more about the incredible wines being made here in the state. Since tasting rooms, wine bars, and restaurants remain closed, our only opportunity to experience these wines is at home. While that presents its own challenges, I’m offering an incredible opportunity to taste and learn with some of the greatest winemakers I know.

It’s honestly an embarrassment of riches, including but not limited to:

Louis Skinner, winemaker at Betz Family Winery
Jason Gorski, winemaker at DeLille Cellars
Will Camarda, winemaker at Andrew Will Winery
Andrew Januik, winemaker at Januik, Andrew Januik, and Novelty Hill Wineries
Kerry Shiels, winemaker at Cote Bonneville
Ben Smith, winemaker at Cadence Winery
Christian Grieb, winemaker at Treveri Cellars
Morgan Lee, winemaker at Two Vintners
Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen, winemaker at WT Vintners
Andrew Latta, winemaker at Latta Wines
Seth Kitzke, winemaker at Upsidedown Wines

Plus there’s me: Wine Educator for Tom Douglas Restaurants, producer and host of the VinePair podcast, and longtime advocate of Washington Wine.

The Washington Wine Class will feature four 90-minute sessions on consecutive Saturday afternoons, covering some of the finest varieties, regions, and wines that the state has to offer. Not only will you get twelve bottles of wine and an unparalleled opportunity to learn from those who made the wines, but you’ll also get a sense of the unique history, geology, and climate that shape Washington wine, as well as serving suggestions and menu planning ideas to go with each week’s set of wines.

Each class will run from 5 pm - 6:30 pm Pacific. Here are the dates and topics:

Saturday, May 23rd - Bordeaux Varieties in Washington
Saturday, May 30th - Yakima Valley
Saturday, June 6th - Red Mountain
Saturday, June 13th - Syrah

Each class will feature three wines and three winemakers, who will not only chat with me about what goes into making these exceptional wines, but they’ll also be there to answer your questions and help you further your own understanding and appreciation of wine. It’s the kind of experience that you frankly could not have had before Covid-19.

The case of wine and the four 90-minute sessions are yours for just $500. If you’re located in Western Washington, I’ll work with you to ensure delivery to your doorstep for no extra charge. If you’re outside of Western Washington, you can still take the class for $150, but you’ll have to order the wine for yourself, though I’m happy to help you source it if at all possible.

Confirmed wines include:

2016 Betz Clos de Betz
2017 DeLille Cellars D2
2017 Andrew Will "Two Blondes" Cabernet Franc
2017 Cote Bonneville Chardonnay
2017 Andrew Januik "Stone Cairn" Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Two Vintners "Some Days are Diamonds" Syrah
2016 WT Vintners Boushey Vineyard Syrah
Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs

Plus four more exceptional bottles!

Space is limited to ensure that each attendee has ample time for conversation and questions with the winemakers, me, and one another, so don’t worry, you’re not paying to just watch a discussion, unless that’s what you want. My primary goal is to help you discover more about the incredible wines of this region, and the great wineries, vineyards, and winemakers that make them possible.

You can sign up at this link. Please contact me with any questions: [email protected], or on social media . I look forward to learning with you!

03/25/2020

Going live in 30 minutes on YouTube!

03/23/2020

OK, I think I've worked out most of the bugs in the YouTube live stream, so join me on Wednesday 3/25 at 5:30 PM Pacific to talk rosé, why the south of France is so famous for it, and why pink wine might just be the thing we need in these moments of madness.

04/05/2019

Reposted from - Want to discover why you like the wines that you like, understand your own palate, and use that information to be a more confident and savvier wine drinker and buyer? Join us Friday April 12th for a “Wine Tasting & Primer” with Zach Geballe of Tom Douglas Restaurants .The tasting includes seven wines and light snacks. 🍷

04/01/2019

A reminder: there are still tickets available for my wine class on Friday, April 12 at Not Without Salt. Class is from 7-9 pm, you get to try 7 great wines and learn a lot more about what you like and why. Tickets available at the link below, look forward to seeing you there!

In this two-hour tasting and class, Zach Geballe, Wine Educator for Tom Douglas Restaurants, will help you discover why you like the wines that you like, how to better understand your own palate, and how to use that information to be a more confident and savvier wine drinker and buyer. The tasting i