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BRING YOUR CAMERA:

If you are a note-taker wear your camera and take photos of the labels, winemakers, and tables, so you can remember your favorites for future ordering. This will also help you if your handwriting deteriorates throughout the tasting.

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SELECT A WINE TYPE BEFOREHAND:

Don't try to taste every single wine available. If you love chardonnay tour the tasting first for chardonnay. In fact, let the table staff know that you're in search of chardonnay on this round, but you might be up for exquisite reds next round."At the same time, be sure to try a wine you've never tasted before, such as a Muscadet, Vouvray or Gruner Veltliner.

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SEEK OUT THE LUMINARIES

Locate the luminaries on your programs and visit with those winemakers, don't just go to tables with sales reps. talking to the farmers themselves can yield extraordinary stories that will only help you enjoy the wine and event more.

Here's the list of wine luminaries and here's the list of chef luminaries

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MAKE CONVERSATION WITH THE LUMINARIES

Luminaries love to talk about aging of their wine, you'll catch them in a controversial and intellectually fun discussion by asking them:

Do you age your wine in Oak?

If the wines are aged in oak, inquire about the kind of oak used, and how the winemaker feels about oak aging? (hint: this is a true passion point)

Inquire about aging. If you were to purchase a bottle (indicate which one), would the winemaker recommend aging it longer before drinking or is it ready for indulging now?

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LUMINARY TO LOOK FOR

I'm very excited to spend time with Ray Corsen of Elyse Winery, who is also Luminary of the Year. In addition to having years of accomplishment under his belt, he has a fantastic personality, so make time to attend at least one event where you can see him: his dinner, luncheon, brunch, or tasting and bottle signing at my own Epernay.

Ray has a great approach to making wine, he's impressively consistent. He says that, "Making wine is cooking without the stove." And, by that Ray really expresses his ethos, that food and wine go together - wine doesn't just appear in a glass to be consumed alone. Wine is only as good as the meal accompanying it.

Here's where you can find Ray Coursen of Elyse Winery

Thursday, May 14, 4PM - Just before the GALA @ Epernay Wines

Saturday, May 16, 10:30AM-12 Noon: Great Wines in Grand Houses (SOLD OUT)

Sunday, May 17, 11AM-2PM, Award Brunch at The White Elephant (TICKETS AVAILABLE)

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WHEN IN ROME (in this case "NANTUCKET") GO BURGUNDY:

The Nantucket Wine Festival features a lot of burgundy wines (wines from the Burgundy region of eastern France). Burgundy wines are exceptional wines with a lot of history, you might say that they're the microbrews of the wine world.

Start with Alex Gambal and Laurent Drouhin, winemakers tending to their tables this year.

The large presence of Burgundy at the Nantucket Festival says a lot about the crowd in attendance -- it's a community of passionate wine, food, and history lovers. It's the true lifestyle -- people who take it seriously and for the pure simple enjoyment."
 

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AVOID PALATE FATIGUE
 

Palate fatigue occurs when you go between wines (e.g. red, then white, then red, then white - oy vey!) eventually all the wines will start tasting the same -- like wine-flavored water.

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EXPECT TO EXPECTORATE

To get the most out of the Grand Tasting, you'll want to sip and spit; it's good tasting etiquette. Sip the wine, suck in a small bit of air, savor the taste, and spit.

If we were at a tasting in South Beach, the ettiquette would be very different (and, there would be bikinis, beer, and shots!).

Expectorating will also help you avoid a wine hangover, caused by the residual sugars. Tastings are a lot of fun, but if you don't expectorate expect that you'll have a headache in the morning.

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CLEANSE YOUR PALATE

If you notice that the wines seem to taste the same, find a palate cleanser of champagne or sparking wine.

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PAIRING

You'll want to pair your cheeses with the right wines. If you sample a pungent cheese, like an aged cheddar, you'll want a really "big" red wine to hold up to it. Likewise, goat cheese is best complimented by white wine.

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ATTIRE

Grand Tastings are very casual, but avoid wearing white, because someone at some point will spill on you. Save your special occasion duds for the Gala -- that's where my favorite manolos will make an appearance.

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INSIDER TIP: THE BEST GRAND TASTING TO ATTEND

The last Grand Tasting on Sunday is the least crowded tasting and worth staying to enjoy. It's the session attended by the most locals.

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CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS

Most winemakers are farmers themselves, so they don't travel with an entourage like their celebrity chef counterparts.

You'll likely find yourself sipping alongside of some of the industry's greatest winemakers.

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THE BACKSTORY

Amber & David Cantella of Epernay Wines on Nantucket:

Amber is a Certified Wine Professional by Wine Spectator, and a multiple recipient of the magazine’s “Award of Excellence.” She has certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and served as the Wine Director of 21 Federal and the Food & Beverage Director of The Westmoor Club. Her husband, David is an avid wine & antique collector.

Amber and David co-founded Epernay, a specialty wine shop with over 300 selections, including 50+ delicious wines under $20 (perfect for frugal foodies). While they specialize in Champagne and Burgundy, the store represents all Major Wine Growing Regions. Epernay also carries beers, gourmet baskets, and treats for all occasions.

FUN FACT

The shop's namesake "Epernay" was inspired while Amber and her husband were on their honeymoon in Epernay, the Capital of Champagne and visited the Abbey of Hautvillers, where Dom Perignon was credited with the discovery of second fermentation.That  region had been pillaged by war and rebuilt, so there was a beautiful mix of both "Old & New," not unlike Nantucket's own landscape.

FAVORITE DRINK

What you might drink with Amber at the Grand Tastings? A "Provance Rose." Why? Simply stated, "because it goes with everything!"

We encourage you to visit Amber at Epernay, 1 N Beach St. Nantucket, MA 02554, or online at  www.epernaywines.com/