The Somme Group has designed a series of informational programs that offer something for everyone.
From private groups of 5 to 15 to corporate events of up to 1,000, we provide exciting, interactive programs to meet every need. Below is a sampling of our seminars that you can choose from for your event or we can customize one to meet your particular needs.
SUGGESTIONS....
Just getting started? Our trio of wine basics includes evaluation techniques along with an exploration of classic reds and whites. Want more? Get out your passport and join us for a world tour that will demystify France, explore the New World, and take you to OZ. Our custom series offers Wine and Cheese pairing, Custom Blending, and What goes with Turkey?, just to name a few! Interested in Port and Cigar Pairings, Cognacs and Brandies, and the Best of Beer – join us for the Gentleman’s Corner series.
EXPLORING THE VINE SERIES
This three part introductory series will develop your wine assessment skills. In the first session, you will learn how to taste and identify the key varietal factors in your glass. Next, you will begin to explore the classic white and red varietals of the world’s premiere wine producing regions.
Session Time: 3 sessions of 2 Hours each
Vine The Way
The first in a three part series, Vine The Way will help you develop your tasting and analytical skills. You will learn how to assess wine through sight, smell, and taste. This session includes a brief history of wine along with an overview of the key vinification and viticultural practices that influence wine styles.
Star White
Some believe that there is no greater expression of the vine than through white varietals. In this, the second in a three part series, you will explore the most noble of white varietals and the sometimes not so subtle differences that can result from the earth’s remarkable geographic diversity.
Seeing Red
The big, the bold, the beautiful! Mankind has been in mythical pursuit of this seductive juice since the dawn of civilization. Seeing Red is the final installment in the Exploring The Vine series and, in this sultry offering you will explore the dark side of the vine while continuing to develop your tasting and analytical skills.
PASSPORT SERIES
In the Passport Series you will taste your way through the world’s most famous and influential wine regions while developing a fundamental understanding of wine and food pairings. So, grab your glasses and join us
as we demystify France, explore the New World, and take you to OZ.
Session Time: 4 sessions of 2 hours each
The Monks: Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Beyond!
For centuries, France has been the epicenter of the world’s wine producing regions. In The Monks series,
you will explore the historical significance of French wine production and learn how to decode the mysteries of French wine labels. Grab your glasses and come along as we take a look at Burgundy, Bordeaux, and
the essential wine regions of France.
1. Burgundy
2. Bordeaux
3. Alsace and the Loire
4. The Rhone and Southern France
The Crusaders: Converting the World to Wine
Where ever man has traveled, so has the vine. From ancient civilizations to a modern day renaissance, and from the Mediterranean to the Mosel, The Crusaders series will take you on a journey of discovery as we follow the noble vine and its immortal wines through Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany.
1. Italy
2. Germany and Austria
3. Spain and Portugal
4. The Others
The Pioneers: California Cults, Flying Wine Makers, and the Andes Way
The pioneering spirit of the New World is the driving force behind change in today’s global wine market. California Cult Cabs are competing in the world market and winning, South American passion is redefining value, and Australia’s Flying Winemakers, with their push for modernization, can be seen everywhere.
The Pioneer series brings you the showcase wines of the New World and examines their global impact.
1. North America
2. South America
3. Australia
4. New Zealand, South Africa…
APPRECIATION SERIES
The Somme Group Appreciation Series is an offering of custom programs for individuals, small groups, special events, as well corporate development and appreciation programs. Each session can be
individually tailored to meet your needs from an intimate gathering in your home to large scale corporate development events.
Session Time: 1 ½ - 3 hours depending on session and group size
Come Quickly, I’m Tasting The Stars! (Dom Perignon)
From classic to avant-garde, Tasting The Stars is your guide to the world of Champagne and sparkling wine. This comprehensive overview can be tailored to fit your needs whether just for the bubbly if it or special occasions including showers, weddings, anniversaries or ringing in the New Year, go ahead – indulge yourself!
Let’s Get Sticky
Calling all sweet tooth’s! This extraordinary event is a luscious tasting of the world’s greatest desert wines that will leave you wanting for more. Love them, long for them, and learn how to pair them with sweet and savory offerings. Come on, you know you want to.
Blending Partners
Have you ever dreamed of being a winemaker? Well, here is your chance – in Blending Partners you will have the opportunity to create your own cuvee and even design your own label. Blending partners will make your special occasion even more memorable and is the perfect corporate sales team event.
Mini Blinds
Mini Blinds is a series of blind tastings designed to help you hone your wine evaluations skills. In this session you will learn how to do it like the Pros – you will learn how to use a deductive process to identify the varietal, the country or origin, and even the vinification techniques. Mini Blinds is a great corporate team building events as well as oenophiles of all levels.
Homage to Fromage
In this homage to milk’s quest for immortality, you will learn how to perfectly pair wines and cheeses from around the world. From sweet and salty to light and tangy, this is an experiment in creating both complimentary and contrasting sensations. Cheese lovers unite – this offering is great for showers and casual get togethers.
Rules of Engagement
Solve the mystery of mouthwatering marriages with Rules of Engagement. This series profiles wine styles and food preparation techniques and will show you how to create classic and contemporary food and wine pairings for dining in or out. Adventurers, Enthusiasts, and Corporate Sales Teams, this one is for you!
Bed of Roses
Blush no more for the wine world is experiencing a renaissance and its color is PINK. Clean, crisp, still and sparkling, today’s young, fresh roses will leave you longing for more when the season ends! When it comes to Spring and Summer garden parties, bridal showers, and special events, THINK PINK!
Seasonal Sensations
Get ready to shift gears as we highlight the best of Seasonal Sensations! Patio Pounders features the freshest offerings for Spring and Summer while Leaves of Change will carry you into Fall with style. This discovery series is the perfect tasting event.
Let’s Get This Party Started!
Or, How to Throw a Party With Wine. Cocktail parties, dinner parties, theme parties, no problem The Somme Group is here to help! From fun to formal, no detail will be missed as we work with you to plan the perfect party. Great for the individual party planner or small groups who are looking innovative party ideas.
Around the World in 8 Glasses
Looking for a crash course in the world of wine? Look no further, Around the World in 8 Glasses is an intense focus on eight classic wines from the world’s premiere wine regions with just enough information to make you dangerous! Fun for small groups and corporate events.
The Gobbler
Find the perfect pairings for your Thanksgiving Dinner in the Gobbler Series. From potatoes to pumpkin pie, we will showcase wines that are sure to compliment any Thanksgiving dinner.
THE GENTLEMEN'S CORNER SERIES
Session Time: 1 ½ hours each
Port Authority
Just as a fine cigar reveals itself in layers of flavor, so does a fine Vintage Port, this pairing is just right for poker parties and the perfect finish to your golf outing. The Port Authority offers custom pairings of 4 bold cigars with well crafted Ports from the finest houses.
Kilt Optional
The Somme Group has assembled a star line up of the finest Scotch and Whiskey’s for this Gentlemen’s Corner event.This tasting includes eight offerings from Scotland, Ireland, and the US creating the ultimate experience to compliment any Gent’s night.Cigar pairings are available upon request.
World Brew
Beer is perhaps the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, steeped in culture, rich in history, and embraced by the masses, this is a tour of the world’s finest ales and lagers. Develop your senses and you sip and savor your way to beerdom, World Brew and BBQ, this one’s for you!
