Seastar’s Erik Liedholm and sommelier accomplice Lars Ryssdal are teaming up to present a series of tasty and educational wine classes this spring. The 2010 eno-academic semester at Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar in Bellevue will begin by exploring the Northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Tuscany, for the first time in Wine School history.

Tuesday, March 16: The self-dubbed “Scandinavian Wine Hacks” will discuss the attributes that make this area so legendary and lead a tasting that includes Piedmont’s magnificent Gaja, Giacosa, and La Spinetta wines alongside Tuscan giants like Antinori, Tenuta san Guido, Isole e Olena, and more.

Tuesday, April 6:Students will learn their way around this celebrated region of Southern France by tasting through the classified growths of the Medoc, the killer crus of St. Emillon, the richness of Pomerol and the terrior of Graves. 

Tuesday, May 4:The final class focuses on the Pacific Northwest and the question “So, of all the great wines produced in Washington and Oregon, which one is best? Attendees will make the call at a blind tasting and judging of the greatest wines that our region has to offer. 

Classes are priced at $90 each or $240 for the three-class series (plus tax). Reservations are required and space is limited. All classes begin at 6:30 pm and run for approximately two hours. Students must be at least 21 years young.