OUT OF THE KITCHEN
Keeping your drinks lighter for summer? Wish you knew more about Chardonnay or about the mushrooming producers and varieties of gin? Ray’s Wine & Spirits in Wauwatosa has a couple of classes to help you learn by sipping. June 26 — Chardonnay: From Burgundy and Beyond. The class, by Ray’s wine and spirits director Nate Norfolk, will touch on the varietal’s start in eastern France before examining the wine’s different styles, including crisp and chalky wines, as in those from Chablis; fruity wines, like those from Mâcon; and creamy wines, like those from California. Learn, too, how barrel-aging affects the styles.
July 17 — Gin: The History and Styles. Norfolk will point out the characteristics of London dry, Genever, Old Tom, botanical and what’s called New American gins, and the wide range of herbs and other ingredients used to make them. Norfolk also will discuss how the different gins work in classic cocktails, and a variety of new tonics will be on hand.
Each class is $25; they both meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor at 8930 W. North Ave., in Ray’s Growler Gallery and Wine Bar.
Sign up for the classes at rayswine.com under the events tab. Questions can be directed to Sara at rayswine@rayswine.com or by calling (414) 2589821.