McNeese State University

Three classes about wine will be held in conjunction with Rouge et Blanc to be held Oct. 17. Nathaniel Allured, district manager for the wine division of Republic National Distributing Co., gathers the burgundies that will be tasted at the first class, "Demystifying Burgundy: Removing the Confusion." The class will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 17 in the Charleston Gallery. McNeese Photo

Registration is now open for three wine classes designed to take the mystery out of wine. All three will be offered on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 17, in conjunction with the wine and food event Rouge et Blanc. Each class includes a tasting of the wines discussed.

The classes will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon in the Charleston Gallery, located at Pujo and Ryan streets. Each class costs $10 and is limited to 40 people.

Although the Rouge et Blanc event has sold out, you do not have to have a ticket to the event in order to sign up for these classes. They are:

10 a.m.: Demystifying Burgundy
Removing the Confusion
Taste seven 2006 Burgundies and one from 2005: William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux, Louis Jadot Chassagne Montachet, Faiveley Montagny Blanc, Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze, Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin, Laboure-Roi Pommard, Faiveley Mercurey Rouge, Louis Jadot Chateau des Jacques.
Instructor: Jared M. Cocke, certified specialist of wine and fine wine specialist for Republic National Dist. Co.

11 a.m.: The Champagnes of Nicolas Feuillatte
Celebrating the Unforeseen Events of Everyday Life
A tasting of six champagnes: non-vintage Brut Rose (two), Brut Cuvee Speciale, non-vintage Blanc de Blanc, Cuvee Palmes d’Or Brut, Cuvee Palmes d’Or Brut Rose.
Instructor: Chad Kosina, Louisiana state manager for Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

Noon: Pontchartrain Vineyards
Louisiana’s Only Non-Muscadine Winery
Private tasting of Dah Red, Roux St. Louis, Zydeco Rosato, Rouge Militaire.
Instructor: Cindy Vice of Pontchartrain Vineyards.

The classes will lead into Rouge et Blanc, the area’s largest wine and food tasting event, will take place from 2-6 p.m. on the grounds of the 1911 Cultural Center and the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse. Ryan Street will be blocked off between the two buildings.

More than 100 fine wines will be available for tasting and will be paired with a wide variety of food.

Signature dishes will be prepared by Big Sky at Coushatta Casino Resort, Blue Duck Café, Brick House, Chinese King, Community Coffee, Cookey’s Caterers, Desserts at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, Fausto’s Restaurant of Iowa, Gray Plantation, The Harlequin, Izzos Illegal Burrito, Kinloch Plantation Products, Lake Charles Country Club, Luna Bar and Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Pujo Street Café, Pure Foods & Health, Reeves Uptown Catering, Regalia Café & Market, Snake River Grill at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, Sweets & Treats, Trailblazin’ BBQ & Grill, Que Pasa/Casa Manana Mexican Restaurants, Vista Grill at Delta Downs, and more.

Rouge et Blanc is presented by the McNeese Foundation and the Downtown Development Authority. All profits support the McNeese Banners Series.

Corporate sponsors are Republic National Distributing Co., Empire of the Seed, Entergy, Fuerst and Godley, L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, Stockwell Seivert Law Firm, SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau and Whitney National Bank. Special help is being provided by Aggreko LLC, Allied Waste, Charleston Gallery & Antiques, Coushatta Casino Resort, Greg David’s Frameworks, Knight Media Inc., Jeffrey M. Kudla AIA, Justin Iron Works, Lake Charles Pre-Sort, La. Radio Communications, Paradise Florist, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Southern Sound Systems, Southwest Beverage Company, Inc., Special Touch Therapeutic Massage and Structure (x)

Committee members organizing the event include Alina Boti, Austin Arabie, Bill Mungai, Blake Soto, Carol Cox, Carol St. Dizier, Carrie Kudla, Cindy Murphy, Deb King, Denise Fasske, Derrick Guidry, Fred Kaufman, Jackie Walsh, Jeanne Sievert, Jessica Williamson, Kim Donalson, Lori Marinovich, Mike Hayes, Randy Fuerst and Stacy Shearman.