Are you mystified by Merlot??? Confused by Cabernet??? If so, have no fear!!! Join Miss Jane under the seminar tent for a quick "eady, Set, Sip" lesson in the basics of wine tasting. We'll start with the basic steps of sight, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor. Then we'll really get going and learn the "art of nosing", what we mean by "great legs", and how to appreciate a "lingering finish". Plus, Miss Jane promises to reveal some of her "30 Second Wine Expert" secrets. See you there!
5:30 - Don't Mess with Texas Women
Presenter: Miss Jane and a panel of women in the Texas Wine Industry
It takes a special type of woman to be a Texan…hard-working, beautiful, brilliant, one-of-a-kind. It takes all that and more for a woman to find success in the rough-and-tumble world of Texas Wine. Join Miss Jane and an amazing panel of women in the Texas Wine Industry for a lively talk about life in the brave new world of The Texas Wine Industry…from a woman's point of view!
7:00 - Guest Chef Demo
Sunday - May 25th
3:00 - Tales of The Vine
Presenter: Miss Jane and a panel of Texas Wine Industry Pioneers
The Texas Wine World is populated with fascinating folks all of them at one time blissfully unafraid of blazing a trail towards a new world of Texas Wine. Join Miss Jane and a panel of some of the most beloved characters in Texas Wine as we talk about the way things used to be and what the future may hold! Anything is possible!
4:30 - Spice it Up!
Presenter: Miss Jane and a representative of Tallman's Texas Seasoning
Everyone knows Texans just love their spicy foods - we'll take the spicy version of just about everything! But spicy foods can pose a challenge on the food-and-wine pairing front. Do you know just what wines to pair with your Texas Spice to cool down and please your palate? Join Miss Jane and Tallman's Texas Seasonings in a talk and tasting on pairing Texas Wine with Texas Food…all spiced up!
6:30 - Guest Chef Demo
Monday - May 26th
2:00 - Wine Bar Immersion in Austin
Presenter: Miss Jane and a panel of wine bar owners/operators/employees
Everywhere you look in Austin these days there’s another wine bar opening up…and we couldn’t be happier! But have you ever wondered what's behind this phenomenon?? Join Miss Jane and a panel of wine bar experts in a fun discussion abut the Wine Bar Immersion in Austin. Learn what they're pouring, who their best customers are, what they have to offer the wine-loving public, and maybe…find your new favorite place to sit and sip!
4:00 - Guest Chef Demo
About the Presenter
Jane A. Nickles
Certified Specialist of Wine
Jane A. Nickles is the wine instructor at the Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, Texas and the owner of "WineSpeak 101", a wine education and consulting firm. She has been called "the hardest working sommelier in Texas" and is a "Certified Specialist in Wine" recognized by the Society of Wine Educators.
"Miss Jane", as her students call her, is the author of "WineSpeak 101", wine columnist for Eat and Drink Austin Magazine, and the wine writer for the website "The Texas Wine and Food Gourmet". In July of 2006, Jane was invited to introduce her book and unique teaching methods at the 30th National Conference of The Society of Wine Educators in Eugene, Oregon. Her signature seminar, "WineSpeak 101," has been named a "Best Bet" by the Austin-American Statesman and has been presented over 100 times!
In April of 2007, Miss Jane received a grant from the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas to support further research and writing about her favorite subject...pairing wine and food. Thanks to the generous support of The Foundation, her new seminar, "When Wine Met Food" is now making the rounds of wine enthusiasts across the U.S.
In December of 2007 Jane was honored by being named the Career Education Corporation "Educator of the Year", from a field of over 90 colleges and 6,000 faculty members. She calls this award her "proudest moment."
In addition to writing and teaching, Miss Jane is the wine director for the annual Umlauf Garden Party and faculty advisor for the TCA student wine club "The Grapeheads". In her free time, she spreads the word about good wine and good living at Wine Festivals, Restaurants, and Wine Clubs all over the country.
Jane A. Nickles is the wine instructor at the Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, Texas and the owner of "WineSpeak 101", a wine education and consulting firm. She has been called "the hardest working sommelier in Texas" and is a "Certified Specialist in Wine" recognized by the Society of Wine Educators.
