drinkable reno-tahoe
SPIRITED CLASSES
Local bar owners offer cocktail and wine education
WRITTEN BY HEIDI BETHEL
PHOTOS BY CHRIS HOLLOMAN
Besides possessing the ability to shake up a storm, area mixologists have a breadth of knowledge that extends far beyond the latest drink trends. A few local bars and beverage stops have embraced this wisdom and offer customized classes for those yearning for an education.
Spirited review
Midtown Reno’s Craft Wine and Beer offers about 20 classes a year.
“We want people to learn about the beverages we serve and sell,” says owner Ty Martin. “We have a few annual or seasonal events and some that are one-offs depending on a certain product, wine, or beer that we’re excited about.”
Of the many educational experiences at Craft Wine and Beer, Martin specifically highlights Craft’s scotch and bourbon classes, where folks may taste six to eight varieties. Bartenders discuss the flavor profiles, distillery styles, and craftsmanship represented in each pour.
“People have their own individual passions and knowledge. They want to know what they are drinking and why,” Martin adds. “They want to know the well-made product rather than the well marketed.”
Mixing methods
After the liquor comes the cocktail. Death & Taxes Provisions and Spirits, also in Midtown Reno, has several programs for home cocktail enthusiasts. During its frequently scheduled two-hour classes, owner Ivan Fontana introduces the basic methods and steps in preparing four drinks.
Each attendee is outfitted with an entire bar setup to use during the classes at the bar, Fontana says. The setup is fortified with tools needed to execute the cocktails.
Fontana also offers syrups classes, where instructors break down all that goes into the mixers for which Death & Taxes is known.
“In house, we have more than 15 different syrups that we’ve perfected,” Fontana says. “We walk people through making two of our homemade syrups and two drinks using them.”
Pointing to the retail section of the business, Fontana encourages patrons to come to the classes, leave with the syrups, and purchase the additional ingredients before hosting their next party.
Shawn Plunket, owner of 1864 Tavern in Reno, also teaches cocktail classes alongside United States Bartending Guild Reno-Tahoe president Nicole Barker, at 1864. Each of their classes includes a heavy dose of category and brand education, along with samples of products and craft cocktails. They also touch on mixing and serving techniques. Enthusiasts and industry professionals are welcome. Classes take place on the last Thursday of the month. Upcoming classes include a Cachaca class on Feb. 26, a Pisco class on March 26, a Chartreuse class on April 30, a Vermouth class on May 28, and an Absinthe class on June 25.
Wine down
The Reno-Tahoe area also is home to a plethora of wine tastings and pairing events; a few take it a step further in cultivating the complete wine-learning experience. The University of Nevada, Reno’s winemaking program hosts classes twice a month, where instructors and students teach about viticulture and the area’s wine growing potential, followed by a tasting of locally produced varietals.
With locations in Squaw Valley, Truckee, and Tahoe City, Uncorked features winemaker events every weekend during the busy seasons.
“Here, our customers get to hear from the people who actually made the wine,” explains co-owner Kali Kopley. “They talk about the terroir (environment and conditions in which the grapes are grown) and process leading up to what they are tasting. They learn how it was made, from grapes to glass.”
Whispering Vine Wine Co., in northwest and south Reno, hosts regional events that teach participants about specific areas for winemaking. The business also expanded its service-industry training to include the public.
“We initially designed this program to help servers and bartenders get more acquainted with talking to customers about wine when they otherwise wouldn’t know a whole lot about it,” says Haley Stuart, the south Reno store manager. “We’ve had a demand from customers and other group leaders who want to learn more about the wine we sell.”
PlumpJack Café in Squaw Valley takes advantage of its employees’ wealth of experience with its Master Sommelier Wine Dinner Series held the third Saturday of each month. There, attendees learn the art of tasting and wine theory from featured master sommeliers possessing this distinguished credential that only 140 professionals in North America have earned.
The range of cocktail classes is as thoughtful as the bars and businesses offering them. This spring, become a connoisseur and take some time to understand more about what goes into your delicious libations while having a little fun with experts in the area.
Freelance writer Heidi Bethel attended the University of Nevada, Reno’s Reynolds School of Journalism. Way back when, she paid her way through school bartending at a few local establishments, where she learned many tricks of the trade.
EXTRAS
Whether your drink interest lies in a jalapeño margarita, a new producer of pinot gris, or a limited edition from a local distillery, these businesses know a lot about boozy beverages and want to tell you all about them.
1864 Tavern, Reno, http://www.1864Tavern.com
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno, http://www.Atlantiscasino.com
Battle Born Wine, Carson Valley, http://www.Battlebornwine.com
Churchill Vineyards, Fallon, http://www.Churchillvineyards.com
Common Cider, Sparks, http://www.Commoncider.com
Craft Beer and Wine, Reno, http://www.Craftreno.net
Death & Taxes Provisions and Spirits, Reno, http://www.Deathandtaxesreno.com
Eldorado Hotel Casino, Reno, http://www.Eldoradoreno.com
FiftyFifty Brewing Co., Truckee, http://www.Fiftyfiftybrewing.com
Fine Vines Cheese and Wines, Reno, http://www.Finevines.net
Frey Ranch Estate Distillery, Fallon, http://www.Freyranch.com
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, http://www.Grandsierraresort.com
MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, http://www.midtownwinebar.com
Nevada Vines & Wines, Reno, http://www.Nvandw.com
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, http://www.Peppermillreno.com
PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, Squaw Valley, http://www.Plumpjacksquawvalleyinn.com
Seven Troughs Distilling Co., Sparks, 7 http://www.troughsdistilling.com
Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, http://www.Silverlegacyreno.com
Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery, three locations in Reno, http://www.Silverpeakbrewery.com
Tahoe Blue Vodka, South Lake Tahoe, http://www.Tahoebluevodka.com
The Depot, Reno, http://www.Thedepotreno.com
The Jungle, Reno, http://www.Thejunglereno.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, http://www.Ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/laketahoe
Uncorked, Squaw Valley, Tahoe City, and Truckee, on Facebook
University of Nevada’s Winemaking Program, Valley Road Greenhouse Complex, Reno, http://www.Ag.unr.edu/cramer/winemaking.html
Vino 100, Reno, http://www.Vino100reno.com
West Street Wine Bar, Reno, http://www.Weststreetwinebar.com
Whispering Vine Wine Co., Reno, http://www.Whisperingvinewine.com
Importer’s Dilemma
(courtesy of Ty Martin, owner of Craft Wine and Beer. Serves 1)
“The rich cinnamon spice of the vermouth plays well with the fruity peat of the Kilchoman, and the bitters provides a little bitter structure to the finish,” Martin explains. This cocktail is inspired by Chris Uhde of ImpEx Beverages.
¾ ounce Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
1½ ounces Yzaguirre Rojo Reserva Vermouth
Scant dash aromatic bitters
In mixing glass with ice, combine all ingredients and stir about 20 seconds. Then strain into cocktail glass. Microplane orange peel, making sure to shave over glass.
