A TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE

Spring Wine Adventures

Expand your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

In a New York State of Wine

New York wine has been pleasing palates and wowing enophiles for ages. The vineyards surrounding the Finger Lakes have proven time and time again to produce wines on a world-class scale. Erik Segelbaum leads a tasty, in-depth session focused on the red and white varieties that grow best in the state, as well as explores some up-and-coming varieties that are being pioneered in New York’s appellations. This is a can’t-miss for any lover of bright, elegant, and complex wines.

Fri., April 21, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-511; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Wein-derlust: Exploring Austrian Wine

Austria has a long and storied history of producing extraordinary, high-acid, and fresh wines. Whether it’s bone-dry Rieslings or Austria’s heritage grape, Grüner Veltliner, its whites are guaranteed palate pleasers and are exceptionally food-friendly. But Austria has so much more to offer. Native reds like Blaufrânkisch (Lemberger), Zweigelt, and St. Laurent shine brightly, as do international varieties like Pinot Noir (Spâtburgunder). This delightful session will have you drinking like a sommelier in no time.

Fri., May 19, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-512; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Deutschland Entkorkt: Uncorking Germany’s Best

Germany has some of the world’s most challenging vineyards to maintain. Steep slopes, eroding hills, and climate change all collaborate to make viticulture a harrowing challenge for even the most seasoned winemaker. However, the effort is well worth it. The country’s wines are mainstays of any sommelier’s toolkit for food-and-wine pairings. It’s here where Riesling finds its ancestral home and is readily consumed in all styles from bone-dry to semi-sweet. Germany’s fresh, bright, and food-friendly reds are also comfortably at home on dinner tables all over the world. Erik Segelbaum serves up a delicious exploration of the wines of Germany and their rich histories.

Fri., June 23, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-513; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

3 wine-tasting sessions: CODE 2WINE2023; Members $175; Nonmembers $200

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kits, which is an essential component of the series. Each session has separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–4 p.m. at The Eastern wine bar in the Capitol Hill neighborhood (360 7th Street SE; Metro: Eastern Market, Orange, Silver and Blue Lines). Due to state and federal laws, wine kits may not be shipped. NOTE: Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session.

In Person

Spices 101: Pepper

From the tangled jungles of Kerela, black pepper spread around the globe and altered the course of history as it did. Ground, dried, and cooked peppercorns have been used since antiquity, both for flavor and as a traditional medicine. Black pepper is the world’s most-traded spice, beguiling cooks worldwide with its fragrant warmth. Varieties include black, green, and pink pepper, Sichuan, cubeb, long, sansho, and more…but which are the true peppercorns and which are pretenders?

Eleanor Ford, award-winning author of The Nutmeg Trail, delves into the history, botany, lore, and culinary uses of the world’s favorite spice, then turns to the kitchen to explore flavor profiles, cooking tips, and recipes to put pepper to best use.

Wed., April 26, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-032; Members $25; Nonmember $30

To Have and Have Another

The Life and Times (and Cocktails) of Ernest Hemingway

Although he probably never drank Dos Equis, Ernest Hemingway could have been the prototype for the brand’s “Most Interesting Man in the World.” One of the 20th century’s greatest writers, he lived a big, bold, adventurous life, filled with exploits in locations across the world.

Writer Philip Greene, a co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail, examines the life, prose, travels, and adventures of Hemingway through the lens of his favorite drinks, watering holes, and drinking buddies. Enjoy light snacks and four cocktail samples and raise a toast to Papa.

Greene’s book To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion (TarcherPerigee) is available for purchase and signing.

Thurs., May 4, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1L0-509; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

The Oscars

Before the big Academy Awards night rolls around on March 12, what’s more enjoyable than comparing your picks with other movie fans? Washington City Paper film critic Noah Gittell hosts an evening focusing on all things Oscar, from Academy Awards history and trivia to discussions of this year’s nominations and behind-the-scenes stories. He sorts through all of the story lines, rumors, and gossip, so that when the telecast begins, you’ll be the most knowledgeable guest at your Oscar party. Cast your vote for the winners in several major categories, with the most accurate predictions eligible for prizes after the awards are presented.

Tues., March 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-243; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Your Monthly Digital Program Guide Is Always On Time!

It’s becoming harder and harder to be patient as widespread mail delays across the country are affecting the timely delivery of our monthly program guide. But, in the meanwhile, we want to remind you of some of the convenient online options available to help you keep up with Smithsonian Associates’ programs and special offers.

It Pays To Become a Member (Especially Today) The digital program guide is sent automatically to members via email (1–2 weeks before the print guide arrives).

Members receive early email announcements of new programs, free events, and other special offerings—ahead of the general public Visit Our Website Purchase tickets and make payments; become a member or renew your membership; sign up for program eAlerts; and access our popular Digital Digest.

Feminist Fairy Tales

Who Needs a Prince?

You might have heard something like this: “Fairy tales are so sexist. All these girls needing a prince to save them!”

In fact, scholars have grappled with questions such as why so many famous fairy-tale heroines are waiting to be rescued—and whether they really need rescuing at all. This work has even spurred the creation of new fairy tales that reflect contemporary mores in old stories.

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore how scholarly discussions of sex and gender have transformed the art of the fairy tale as we know it.

Mon., March 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0245; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Wonder Tales from Japan

Gender, Sexuality, and the Fairy Tale

Fairy tales have a reputation for being conventional, and many of the most famous ones—think Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk—appear to be just that. But they can be surprisingly inclusive and wonderfully disruptive to our expectations.

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman share some very old and very unconventional fairy tales and discuss modern LGBTQ+ twists on old tales and traditions.

Tues., June 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0271; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Whether they’re called fairy tales or something else, magical stories are found the world over. Like their Western counterpart, Japan’s fantastical stories—otogi-banashi—are part of the body of stories folklorists call “wonder tales”: They contain supernatural elements, are set in the land of once upon a time, and feature marvelous situations.

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore traditional tales from Japan and how contemporary Japanese creators are taking a clue from the West as they combine the enchantments of wonder tales and fairy tales in modern genres like anime (animation) and manga (comics).

Mon., April 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-249; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

“The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Child,” The Japanese Fairy Book, 1908

Smithsonian Art Collectors presents