This series of wine-tasting seminars complements the exhibitions The Age of Impressionism: Great French Paintings from the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute and Georges Braque: A Retrospective. Each program begins with a brief presentation about great French art, then transforms into a lively, interactive tasting of six great French wines led by Houston-based, nationally recognized wine educator James King.
February Topic - "Effervescence: The Barbizon School & Sparkling Wines"
Discover the fresh approach to painting by Corot, Rousseau, and others of the Barbizon School. Then enjoy the sometimes dry, sometimes sweet sparkle resulting from the second fermentation of these wines.
March Topic - "Lives of Leisure: The Impressionists & Loire Valley Wines"
Become familiar with paintings by Monet, Renoir and their fellow Impressionists depicting Parisians at leisure. Then enjoy a selection of wines from the multifaceted Loire Valley.
April Topic - "Braque's Beginnings & Wines of Bordeaux"
Learn about Braque's early work, as a "wild beast" and pioneer of Cubism with Picasso. Then sample wines from Bordeaux, with its maritime climate and two distinctive river banks.
May Topic - "Braque's Second Career & Wines of Burgundy"
Hear about Georges Braque's evolution after World War I and the richly evocative still-life and landscape paintings that define the second part of his career. Then taste wines from Burgundy's famous chalky, mineral-laden soils.