Smithsonian Associates Explores Trends in South American and Australian Wines
Smithsonian Associates presents a two-day exploration of the development and history of South American and Australian winemaking, Friday, Aug. 3, and Saturday, Aug. 4, at 6:45 p.m. in the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center. Los Angeles-based sommelier Taylor Parsons will guide an exploration into the history, development and diversity behind two of the most influential and integral axes of the wine world. A tasting follows each program.
Although the wines of South America and Australia have been stocked on American grocery-store shelves for years, the rich traditions and exceptional products of these continents have not always received the full credit they deserve. Building on viticultural (the study and science of grapes) legacies that are centuries old, winemakers of the Southern Hemisphere have made notable strides in quality, consistency and diversity over the past 30 years.
Program participants will conduct a personal inspection into both wine-producing regions and the rich offering of indigenous and more recently imported grape varieties, some of the world’s oldest vines and a wide range of winemaking styles that are as complex and various as anywhere on Earth. They will examine the diverse subregions of each continent and taste hand-picked samples of classic wines and modern variations.
On Friday evening, Parsons will be joined by former wine director at Washington’s Range Restaurant and master sommelier Keith Goldston for a look into several of the brightest stars in the South American wine constellation that include Brazil, Uruguay and the unknown sides of Argentina and Chile. On Saturday evening, Parsons will welcome Mark Davidson, director of education for Wines of Australia, for a conversation surrounding Australia’s winemaking heritage and the recent revolutions transforming the understanding of wines from Down Under.
Ticket prices for the two-part series are $120 for general admission and $100 for Smithsonian Associates’ members. Tickets for individual sessions can be purchased separately and are $65 for general admission and $55 for Smithsonian Associates’ members. For tickets, the public may call (202) 633-3030 or visit https://smithsonianassociates.org.
Smithsonian Associates—the largest museum-based education program in the world—produces vibrant educational and cultural programming inspired by the Smithsonian’s research, collections and exhibitions. Each year more than 750 individual programs are presented to spark creativity and excite learning in people of all ages in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country. Smithsonian Associates brings the Smithsonian to life through seminars, performances, lectures, studio arts classes and local and regional study tours, as well as many engaging programs for children, including performances and summer day camps.
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SI-427-2018
