Pittsburgh sommelier to discuss Australian wine, raise money for wildfire relief
Adam Knoerzer has been to Australia five times, tasting the wine in Victoria and enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the country.
When he heard about the devastation from the recent wildfires – including some of the country’s vineyards — he wanted to help.
A certified sommelier, he is teaching a class on Australian wines on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Art Room, an event space at 2010 Smallman St. in the Strip District.
A portion of each $60 ticket will be donated to wildfire relief in Australia, via the South Australia Bushfire Appeal.
South Australia is one of the country’s most important centers for wine production, said Knoerzer, of Friendship. “This session will encompass some of the other exciting wines being made Down Under today. Elegant whites and reds both delicate and decadent await.”
The guest who donates the most money at Thursday’s event will receive a bottle of Australian wine.
He said Australian wine is often cited for its “big, jammy” character. That is part of it, but there’s a real diversity as well.
“There are so many different climates that allow a plethora of different grapes to grow, and there are so many different styles being made,” he said. “From bone dry, crisp rieslings to balanced chardonnays to Rhône-style red blends, there’s something for everyone.”
Knoerzer honed his craft through traveling to more than 20 wine regions on five continents. He owns Burghundy LLC, which he describes as “wine education in Pittsburgh and beyond.”
Knoerzer previously was at the helm of the Palate Partners School of Wine & Spirits in Lawrenceville. As the dean of drinking and head of educational programming at Palate Partners, he represented the U.S. in the “Wines of South Africa Sommelier Cup 2019.” He defeated some California competitors during the national finals.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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