Napa Valley Think Tank to present seminar series

Napa Valley Think Tank (NVTT), the St. Helena-based wine laboratory and resource center, announces the spring schedule for its technical seminar series.

NVTT offers these seminars as part of its mission to be a true resource center to the Napa Valley wine technical community. “We want to support the community by offering seminars and discussion forums on an ongoing basis,” explains founder Andy Erickson. “This spring, we are looking forward to hearing from renowned specialists including olfactory expert Alexandre Schmitt, Stéphane La Guerche of SARCO (Bordeaux’s pre-eminent laboratory), Thibaut Scholasch of Fruition Sciences, Michel Rolland and Jim Harbertson, PhD.”

Additional seminars will be announced later in the summer. All seminars will take place at Napa Valley Think Tank, 1432 Main Street, St. Helena, CA. For inquiries on how to reserve a seat, please contact Tiffany Eicholz at (707) 963-2055 or tiffany@nvthinktank.com.

Napa Valley Think Tank 2011 Spring Seminar Series

April 20-21

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Olfaction Course

Presented by Alexandre Schmitt

World-renowned olfaction expert Alexandre Schmitt brings his considerable expertise to NVTT, where he’ll present a seminar on developing your olfactory skills in order to increase the quality of your wines.

May 5

9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Moldy Taint in Wine

Presented by Stéphane La Guerche of SARCO

Attendees will perform a sensory evaluation for different levels of IBM and TCA to determine their effects on wine quality.

May 18

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Influencing Grape Quality through Vine Water Management

Presented by Thibaut Scholasch, Founder & VP of Research & Development, Fruition Sciences

The objective of most irrigation strategies is to achieve an optimal level of vine stress that improves wine grape quality. Learn how Fruition Sciences has developed new monitoring and data management technologies to help clients better understand their vine’s water needs and improve their irrigation practices.

May 25

Blending Seminar with Michel Rolland

Invitation only

June 9

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tannin Comparative Analysis

Presented by Jim Harbertson, PhD.

Wine tannins are fundamental to the determination of wine quality. Join Jim Harbertson, PhD., of Washington State University for a seminar that reveals techniques to understand tannins in wines, followed by a tasting.

June 27

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Brettanomyces: Perception, Detection and Control

Presented by Marie-Laure Murat and Charlotte Gourrand of SARCO and Mona Ostrander of NVTT

Learn techniques and clinical analyses for determining Brett levels in wines, and how to master them.

About Napa Valley Think Tank: Founded in 2010 by Andy Erickson, Napa Valley Think Tank offers a state-of-the-art analytical wine laboratory, well-stocked winemaking supply store and a comprehensive resource center serving the Napa Valley winemaking community from its downtown St. Helena location.