Students and faculty had the opportunity to refine their taste and deepen their experience and knowledge of both champagnes and wines through several recent seminars at the Providence campus.

Vini Portugal

On April 27 students had a chance to experience how far Portugal has come as a producer of not only fortified wines such as Port and Madeira but also light wines courtesy of Vini Portugal, the nation’s wine trade association. Two wine tastings were delivered to two sophomore classes of the College of Culinary Arts and to senior students in the Beverage Concentration.

Francisco Antunes, one of Portugal’s leading enologists, who is also the winemaker for Caves Alianca brought the excitement of the Portuguese wine revolution to J&W students, whom were treated to exceptional light white and red wines from the different growing regions such as the Douro, Daõ, Bairrada, Alentejo, Borba, Ribatejo, and Estramadura.

Banfi Vintners

On May 1-2, Philip DiBelardino, Vice-President of Fine Wines division of Banfi Vintners and Brian Connors, Academic Trade Relations Manager and alumnus of J&W College of Culinary Arts Providence, presented 3 seminars on the marvels of Italian wines.

Philip DiBelardino’s easy manner softened his insistence that students roll their ”r”s while pronouncing Italian terms, reflecting the truth that Americans don't like to order wines they can't pronounce properly. Students tasted delicious wines from different regions of Italy including the red sparkling wine Brachetto d’Acqui, San Angelo Pinot Grigio, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Barolo; Amarone della Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino, the Banfi Super Tuscan Cum Laude and ‘baby’ Super Tuscan Centine among others.

Moet et Chandon

Bernard Ganter, Moet et Chandon's Champagne connoisseur extraordinaire presented 2 seminars on Champagne. Students tasted 6 Moet et Chandon Wines including Vintage 1999 Brut Imperial, N.V., Brut Imperial, Brut Rose, White Star, Nectar Imperial and Nectar Imperial Rose. Moet et Chandon has long supported Johnson & Wales with its special wines for students to taste, as well as through its educational support and by providing for the Moet et Chandon Dining Room in the Providence campus' David Friedman Center.

Riedel Crystal USA

On April 11, 2006, Doug Cohn from Riedel Crystal USA held two seminars with sophomore classes to demonstrate the difference between Riedel-shaped glasses and normal restaurant stemware. During the wine tasting, students were amazed at the difference in sensory perception and taste. Riedel Crystal USA has also demonstrated its support of the university by donating glassware to all J&W campuses.