UC Irvine Extension Offers New One-Day Wine Seminar: "The Wines of Spain"

Online, December 10, 2009 (Newswire.com) - The University of California, Irvine Extension has announced a new one-day seminar titled, "The Wines of Spain," which will be offered on the UCI campus Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course is an elective in UC Irvine Extension's renowned Specialized Studies Program in Wine and is also available to local wine enthusiasts.

"Spain is a classic wine region with the largest vineyard in the world, long winemaking tradition and diverse wine styles ranging from full-bodied reds, aromatic whites, distinctive sparkling and venerable fortified wines. It is an "Old World" wine region with a "New World" climate, resulting in fruit-driven wines that appeal to U.S. consumers," explains course instructor and Napa Valley-based wine educator Annette Hanami. "Spanish wine sales in the U.S market have increased tremendously within the last few years, especially in this economy, when consumers are more open to trying wines from international regions that please a sophisticated palate while still offering a great value."

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
•Understand the major grape varietals grown in Spain, both red and white
•Explore in-depth the different wine regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jerez, Cava and others
•Understand the diverse wine styles and wine making methods of Spain
•Read a Spanish wine label and order bottles of wine in restaurants with confidence

Annette Hanami presents consumer seminars and educates restaurants, retailers and distributors around the country on international wines. She holds the Diploma and Advanced Certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, as well as the Certified Wine Professional credential from the Culinary Institute of America. Hanami is a Spanish Brand Ambassador and Spanish Wine Educator certified by the Academia del Vino de Espana. She is also a licensed instructor with the French Wine Academy and is individually accredited by the Counseil Interprofessional du Vin de Bordeaux as an International Bordeaux Educator.

"UC Irvine Extension is thrilled to have Ms. Hanami share with our students her extensive knowledge and expertise," says director of Arts and Humanities programs, Kirwan Rockefeller. "This wine class caters to nearly everyone, from busy professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of Spanish wine, local wine aficionados and average consumers who want to learn more about the wine industry in general."

To learn more about UC Irvine Extension's one-day seminar, "The Wines of Spain," or about the Specialized Studies Program in Wine, please visit www.extension.uci.edu. To register for the course, call 949-824-5414 or e-mail [email protected].

About UC Irvine, Extension:
As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies via online curriculum as well as through on campus classes. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities. For more information, please visit www.extension.uci.edu or fan the school at www.facebook.com/UCIExtension.

About the University of California, Irvine:
The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.

# # #