Tasting & Talk
The Nuances of Pinot Noir

With Jamal Rayyis, Audrey Herd-Smith, and Frederic Goossens


Thursday, May 19, 2022
7pm
FIAF Skyroom

In English • 90 min



Wine Tour de France 2022’s second tasting turns the spotlight on premier pinot noir wines from different regions in France, including Burgundy, Loire, Alsace, and Languedoc.

Pinot noir is widely regarded as the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine. Pinot’s potential is harnessed by the care and patience of the growers who coax out its nuanced flavors, making it perfect for food pairings or to enjoy on its own.

This wine masterclass will be led by Jamal Rayyis, an editor and contributor to Wine & Spirits Magazine, Audrey Herd-Smith, Sales Manager at Vineyard Brands, and Frederic Goossens, Managing Partner at Baron Francois.

Featured Wines

  • Domaine Raissac, Pinot Noir “Les Lions”, Pays d’Oc
  • J. de Villebois, Pinot Noir, Loire Valley
  • Louis Sipp, Pinot Noir Bio, Alsace
  • Domaine Decelle & Fils, Savigny-lès-Beaune “Les Planchots”, Burgundy
  • Domaine Matrot, Maranges Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy

Artisanal cheese and breads will be served with the wines.

Jamal Rayyis

Jamal Rayyis is an editor and contributor to Wine & Spirits Magazine and the US correspondent for the French wine magazine Gilbert & Gaillard International.

  • Read Bio

    • Jamal Rayyis is a longtime wine writer, educator and consultant who has long had an interest in the intersection of gastronomy, culture, and politics around the world. He is the author of seven editions of Food & Wine Magazine’s annual Wine Guide (2002-2008). Jamal’s work has appeared in numerous publications around the world. He has been a judge at wine competitions in the US, Europe, and South America. He has a special expertise on the wines of the Mediterranean basin, particularly those of southern France. Since 2009, he has been the wine educator and consultant in the US for Sud de France, which represents products from the Occitanie region. Jamal is currently writing a monograph about the politics of wine in the Middle East and North Africa.

Audrey Herd-Smith

Audrey Herd-Smith is Sales Manager at Vineyard Brands for Manhattan & Bronx.

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    • Audrey rejoined Vineyard Brands in October 2015. Previously, Audrey worked with Vineyard Brands as a sales representative in their New York market from January 1992 until May 2007. Audrey has most recently been with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates as the National Antinori Business Development Manager. Audrey lives in New York City. She has a kundalini yoga certification as well as a health coach certification and speaks four languages.

Frederic Goossens

Frederic Goossens is the Managing Partner at Baron Francois, Wine & Spirits Importer and Distributor.

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    • Frederic is a wine and spirits executive with over 15 years of experience in the US market, working for family-owned companies and focused on French and luxury goods. He started his career in 2004 in Houston and since then has had an excellent track record that led him to move to New York City in 2011. He joined Baron Francois as Managing Director in December 2011 and became partner in July 2014.