RANCHO MURIETA CA (MPG) - As another example of how she has created a job out of drinking wine, Tracey Beckner presented a “Bubbles and Chocolate Pairing” for the Rancho Murieta Women’s Club at their  May 22 luncheon at the Rancho Murieta Country Club.

Although the wines Beckner poured at the luncheon could be on the menu at the Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar in Plymouth, most of her on-the-job tasting happens as a wine studies instructor at Delta College. On the other hand, Beckner doesn’t see any reason to confine the sparkling wine to work. 

“So ladies, how many of you think that the reason champagne was invented so we can have a little with breakfast is because it goes so well with eggs,” she asked the crowd. 

During her program, Beckner poured a Cava from Spain, a Crémant from France and a Spumoni from Italy. Then she paired each wine with a different gourmet chocolate, along with some nuts, for the first tasting and a bit of pound cake for the last one. Beckner also educated her audience about sparkling wines in the process.

Beckner explained how two secondary fermentation methods are used to add the bubbles, how the different grapes and levels of sugar affect the taste, and the geography of where the grapes are grown. She also added some “fun facts.”

“Did you know that Marlyn Monroe was known to have taken a bath in champagne,” Beckner said. “It took 35 bottles to fill the bathtub.”

Beckner also wove historical anecdotes into her talk and recommended “Wine and War,” a book that explained how  World War II devastated the European wine industry.

“These estates worked and clawed to come back from complete devastation to be where they are today,” Beckner said. “All of those big houses that are known internationally and have been producing champagne for hundreds of years are all led by women.”

Beckner seamlessly transitioned from discussing all the world’s sparkling wines to focus on three examples. She began by pouring a bone-dry Cava from Spain, the Juve & Camps Brut Grand Reserva. She paired it with several pieces of rock salt-encrusted white chocolate and a little pile of sweet and spicy nuts.

“So what we do is a little sip and taste while we still have a little bit of wine in our mouth. Then we sip again to see how it changes the wine and to see how the textures and flavors match,” Beckner said. “Or, you can just eat and drink it.” 

The other two wines in the taste test were for Paul Bruisse Crémant de Lorie and Contessa Collection Platinum Asti Spumante.

Tracey Beckner and her husband, Mark Beckner, have made significant contributions to the culinary and wine education scene in Amador County. After moving to the area 27 years ago, they initially purchased and operated the Union Hotel in Volcano. They later expanded their ventures by opening Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar in Plymouth.

Their commitment to education began about 15 years ago when they started teaching at Delta Community College. Mark Beckner chaired the culinary arts program, where he taught hundreds of future chefs the art of cooking. Tracey focused on wine studies, restaurant operations and hospitality management, sharing her extensive knowledge and experience with students.

Five years ago, Mark Beckner took a sabbatical to explore community college wine study programs across the state. This led to the creation of a wine study program at Delta College, which Beckner describes as a “wonderful resource.”