Discover the Best Wine Tasting Classes Near Me
The popularity of wine has been steadily growing in the US throughout the past decade. 31% of surveyed Americans said they consume more wine than beer and liquor. Furthermore, it’s estimated that the average American wine drinker consumes 2.8 gallons of wine per year. The rise in the beverage’s popularity can be attributed to the introduction of online wine sellers, an exponential growth of American wine production, and the drink’s health benefits.
Wine is not just popular in the US, but around the world, and has been for thousands of years. There is no clear record of wine’s first creation, but the first traces of a wine-like substance have been found in 60-million-year-old fossils. Wine was created and further perfected across history by a wide range of people and cultures who learned the ideal way to de-stem, crush, and ferment the best grape varieties. Today, there are over 10,000 wine grape varieties that produce wines of varying tastes and smells.
The act of wine tasting has a history almost as storied as the history of wine itself. Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle described the flavors of wine in their writings, implying that the people in ancient times were focused on judging the quality of their wines. Wine tasting is a popular activity among wine enthusiasts. During a formal wine tasting, you’ll assess the quality of your wine based on its appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste. Wine tasting can also be done informally from the comfort of your own home.
Why You Should Learn Wine Tasting
If you’re already a wine drinker but have never been to a wine tasting, it’s highly recommended you partake in one to help broaden your palate. Oftentimes, people will find a wine they like and stick to it without trying other varieties. Wine tastings teach you how to pick out flavor notes and tastes. If you don’t like the wine you’re tasting, you can always just move on to the next one. At the end of the tasting, you may discover new flavor notes and wines that you love.
Attending a wine tasting is also a great social activity for you and your friends or you and your partner. People often book a wine tasting for Valentine’s Day or their anniversary. They’re also a popular corporate or holiday event for businesses. Wine tastings may take place inside or outside, in a garden, or on a patio or balcony, letting you enjoy your time outside. Some wine tastings also offer food options that can range from crudités to pizza.
At a wine tasting, you’ll typically try six to ten different wines. This will expose you to a variety of notes and flavor profiles. Trying a range of wines that are likely priced at different points will provide you with practical knowledge of them that you can take with you to restaurants. Once you have discovered which flavor notes you enjoy, you’ll know what wines to ask about the next time you’re out at dinner, as well as your budget.
Wines can range from low to high price points depending on different factors. Some of the most expensive wines in the world are aged in oak barrels, which adds both flavor and oxygen to the wine. The amount of time a wine was aged as well as the location of where the grapes were grown can also affect the price. Attending a formal wine tasting offers you the chance to try a variety of wines before making the commitment of purchasing one.
5 Ways to Learn Wine Tasting
Wine is easily accessible to anyone over the legal age, which means that wine tastings can take place anywhere and at any time. Wine aficionados tend to follow a more formal methodology of wine tasting, but plenty of wine enjoyers and new wine tasters simply get together to learn the history of the wines they’re tasting and discuss their flavor.
If you’re interested in wine tasting but don’t know where to get started, consider some of the following learning options:
- Take a formal in-person wine tasting class led by a sommelier (trained wine professional). Your sommelier will guide you through the historical and ecological differences in the wines you’re tasting, tasting techniques, flavor profiles, and more.
- Sign up for a live online wine tasting class. Online classes are led by live instructors who will answer your questions and introduce you to the basics of wine tasting. If you decide to take an online wine tasting class, be aware that most instructors will point you to a wine service that provides pick-up and/or delivery options.
- Take a self-paced on-demand class online. These classes are available for free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The benefit of a self-paced class is that you can work it into your schedule. On-demand classes are posted as videos, meaning you won’t have access to an instructor to ask questions.
- Look for a wine tasting book at your local bookstore or library. Books are a great way to learn about the history and process of winemaking. Wine tasting books will oftentimes include guides and include tips on how to handle wines.
- Find a guide online posted by a wine aficionado or sommelier. These helpful guides can be found online or for a fee.
In-Person Wine Tasting Classes
In-person wine tasting classes are offered across the US and available to anyone over the age of 21. These classes are taught by wine experts who will guide you through the basic principles of wine tasting as well as the history of the wines you consume in the class. These classes may focus on general wine knowledge or on vintage-specific information.
If you’re new to wine tasting, CocuSocial Cooking Classes in Hell’s Kitchen offers a comprehensive introductory class. In Wine Tasting 101 you’ll be provided an overview of the history of six wine samples (a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Pinot Noir, and Merlot) in a relaxed, private setting. Your expert Sommelier will discuss the tasting and flavor notes of each wine along with pairings and everyday practical wine tips. You’ll leave this class with an awakened palate and a new appreciation for wine.
Riesling is a wine grape variety that originated in the Rhine River region. If you have an interest in this white wine, you’ll want to head over to The Wine Workshop in Manhattan for their 1970’s German Riesling Tasting. During this two-hour class, you’ll taste a number of Riesling vintages, with a focus on what are considered the best ones from the 1970s.
Murray’s Cheese offers wine and cheese classes for those who are interested in pairings. Beginners and professionals both are welcome to attend their Springtime Wine and Cheeseclass led by a cheese professional. If your flavor interests sway toward sweet, Murray’s Cheese also hosts a class where you can enjoy cheese, chocolate, and Rosé. An expert will guide you through your flavor journey, as you sample four French wines, four French kinds of cheeses, and an assortment of accouterments such as jam, honey, and meats.
If you want an in-depth explanation of the foundations of wine tasting and are near the downtown Los Angeles area, check out LearnAboutWine’s Wine Camp. This beginner-level class will build up your confidence as you explore the world of wine. Six samples will be tasted in this two-hour class. Your expert instructor will teach you about the best foods to pair with wine, how to serve wine, and even the wine-making process.
The Chopping Block Lincoln Square in Chicago offers How to Bluff Your Way Through Wine for wine tasters of all levels–even aficionados. This class focuses on the four main variables that determine the flavor of wine. Your sommelier will walk you through these variables and explain how they manage to make all wines both the same and unique. This class samples five international wines.
For a more casual night of wine tasting, The Chopping Block offers, Raise a Glass, an interactive tasting. This class includes a mini-lesson on the history of wine as you snack on wine-friendly foods. Three wines are featured in this class: two from Spain and one from Italy. Aside from regional differences, you’ll be able to compare the differences between a pink, white, and red wine. All wines purchased after the tasting will be 10% off.
Virtual Wine Tasting Classes
Attending an in-person wine tasting is a great way to meet and socialize with other people who have an interest in wines. However, in-person classes aren’t always accessible. They may not fit into your schedule or there might not be any scheduled near you.
If that’s the case, virtual classes are a great alternative. Virtual classes are taught by experts from around the country. They may be focused on wine tasting basics, like recognizing flavor notes and the history of winemaking, or they might be centered around a specific vintage.
In-person wine tastings will provide the wine for you. But, if you decide to take a virtual wine tasting class, you will be responsible for sourcing your own wine samples. Luckily, most virtual instructors will point you toward a supplier. You have the option of either picking up a wine tasting kit from them or having it delivered to you. There are quite a few online wine tasting classesavailable for you to take on CourseHorse.
The NYC Wine Company offers a virtual wine tasting class where you will sample wines made from grapes grown at vineyards located on islands and near volcanoes. The class, Islands & Volcanoes samples six wines over two sessions. Your live instructor will explain the unique properties of each wine that are largely thanks to their growing location, their differences, and how to find them. The wines your class samples may come from vineyards located in places such as the Canary Islands, Mount Etna, and Santorini, among others.
The NYC Wine Company regularly hosts virtual wine tastings focused on popular grape-growing regions like Italy, California, and France. Previous classes have included Italy: North to South and The Hidden California. If you’re interested in their classes, check back to CourseHorse regularly to see what new and returning virtual classes this company offers.
The San Francisco Wine School offers a large number of virtual wine tasting classes that you can take. Absolute beginners who are unsure of what wines to start with may be interested in their Intro to Italian Wines tasting class. If you’re unfamiliar with Italian wines specifically–which make up some of the most popular in the world–this virtual class is a great introduction to them. You’ll taste six different Italian wines and learn about the grapes, style, and diversity of some of Italy’s best wines.
Zinfandel vineyards make up nearly 10% of California’s grapevine acreage, contributing to Zinfandel’s staple status among American wines. In the San Francisco Wine School’s Zinfandels of the World, you’ll learn about its close relation to Croatian and Italian wines. This includes an in-depth explanation of the impact that climate and soil impact its growth throughout the world. If you know you love Zinfandel or are looking to improve your understanding of wine, this class is for you.
If you lean toward sweet wines, consider checking out the San Francisco Wine School’s tasting class, Sweet and Fortified Wines of the World. In this tasting class, you’ll learn about classic dessert wines and their production styles. Five to six wines will be tasted in this workshop, which can be taken as part of their Wine with Style series.
The San Francisco Wine School also runs an Advanced Blind Tasting program. Advanced wine tasters can attend several blind tastings where they will identify wines that are characterized by their high acidity or even their thin skin. You’ll learn to differentiate between regional and varietal identities in these tasting classes.
Private Group Wine Tasting Classes
Are you looking to schedule a wine tasting class as a fun event for your business or organization? Or are you looking for a fun weekend activity for you and a group of friends? If so, CourseHorse offers wine tasting classes for private groups that they can deliver to you.
You can reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn about the options available. You’ll be able to learn the group sizes that they can accommodate and work out a date and class format that works best for you and your group. CourseHorse supplies materials for their classes to all participants ahead of time. If you’re unsure of your group’s size at the time of booking, you can always provide them with the minimum group before updating with a final headcount up to a week before your class.
CourseHorse has no booking fees, and they allow free cancellations up to two weeks before the class is scheduled. They recommend that your group uses Zoom for their classes, but they can also accommodate Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, and WebEx. If your group is interested in other fun bonding activities, feel free to check out other private classes offered by CourseHorse on their website.
What Will I Need to Learn Wine Tasting?
If you take an in-person wine tasting class, the wines you will be sampling will be provided by the school or venue hosting the tasting. If you take an online wine tasting class, your instructor will likely direct you to a wine supplier where you can procure a tasting kit. Overall, wine tasting classes rarely require more than for you to show up ready to try out new wines. However, if you are looking to host your own wine tasting, you’ll need to make sure you have the items below.
- Two or more wines
- Wine-friendly snacks like cheese, chocolate, and nuts
- Water
- Wine glasses (two per person: one for white wines and one for red)
- Notepad and pen for note taking
- Comfortable seating
Is It Difficult to Learn Wine Tasting?
Wine tasting can be intimidating for those who don’t frequently drink wine, or anyone that does drink wine but isn’t used to paying attention to flavor notes, aromas, and other qualities. Knowing where to get started in your wine tasting journey can also be difficult. What if you don’t like the wines you’ve tasted? What if you don’t know what you should be looking for as you taste? Thankfully, with a little knowledge and guidance, wine tasting becomes a more approachable activity.
Although there are formal methods of wine tasting, wine tasting doesn’t necessarily need to follow these formal methods. You can have fun at home with a group of friends and a few wines you’d all like to try, or you can take a formal in-person wine tasting class led by a sommelier. Taking an in-person class with an expert instructor is a quick and thorough way of learning the history and process of wine making and the intricacies of regional wines or specific vintages you’re tasting during the class. You can also always pick up a book on wines and wine tasting to help get you started before taking a formal class.
