Discover the Best Wine Tasting Classes in Houston
The first traces of a wine-like substance have been found in fossils dating back 60 million years. Since then, wine has become a popular alcoholic beverage across the world. It is also incredibly popular within the US. California is considered a wine powerhouse, and the country’s wine production only continues to exponentially grow. There are now wine retailers in the US who ship bottles straight to the door of consumers, which has only increased the consumption of wine by Americans.
A focus on the taste of wine is present in the writing of ancient Greek philosophers, like Aristotle and Plato. Since then, wine tasting has become more formalized. Wine experts focus on the aroma, appearance, taste, and aftertaste of wine to measure its quality. However, you don’t need to have prior experience or know the ins and outs of wine to attend a wine tasting. Wine tasting classes are available to the in-experienced at schools, wineries, and restaurants around the country.
Why You Should Learn Wine Tasting in Houston
If you’re looking to broaden your palate, consider taking a wine tasting class. A class led by an expert instructor will introduce you to new wine grape varieties and vintages. You’ll taste several wines at a wine tasting class, which can be used to figure out what flavor notes and profiles you enjoy. This can then help you buy wine in the future or order wine from a restaurant.
Some wines are expensive, and you may be hesitant to purchase them without knowing what they taste like. Attending a wine tasting class will allow you to try several wines at different price points. This way, you can avoid committing to purchasing a wine that you might not enjoy. Learning the different price points of wine through a wine tasting class can also help you when purchasing wine in the future.
In-Person Wine Tasting Classes in Houston
You can find in-person wine tasting classes offered in the Houston area on CourseHorse. Classes are taught at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels by expert instructors. Your instructor will provide you with a background on the wines you’re tasting and may provide you with wine tasting and serving tips depending on the level of the class.
One advantage to taking an in-person wine tasting class is that you aren’t required to bring any materials. All wines being tasted will be provided to you and many classes provide snacks that pair well with the wines. After your class, you may also have a chance to purchase some of the wines tasted during the session.
You can find new and returning wine tasting classes offered in the Houston area on CourseHorse. On the class page, you’ll find the schedule of the class, the wines that will be tasted, and other pertinent information. CourseHorse also supplies information on the school, restaurant, or winery hosting the class, so you can find out what other wine tasting or related classes they offer.
There have been a variety of wine tasting classes offered in and around Houston previously. Some classes have focused on US-produced wines while others have featured wines from around the world. Check CourseHorse periodically to see what classes are available to you.
Virtual Wine Tasting Classes
Schools, wineries, and restaurants also provide virtual wine tasting classes for those who can’t make an in-person class. If you would like to enjoy a wine tasting from the comfort of your own home, sign up for a virtual wine tasting class on CourseHorse.
Virtual wine tasting classes are taught by live instructors who will provide you with a fun and informative experience. You and other participants will learn about the histories of the wines being tasted and information on the grape varieties and how the region impacts the wine. Wine tasting kits are typically required to take a virtual wine tasting class. Your instructor will specify what wine tasting kit you’ll need to procure and where you can purchase it from.
The San Francisco Wine School offers an introduction to wine and wine tasting in their class, Wine 101. You’ll spend two hours tasting six different wines which can be purchased from the school. Your instructor will inform you of the process of making wine, how to decode wine labels, how to taste and talk about wine, and more. As you work your way through your kits, you’ll focus on the structure of the wine you’re tasting, its style, and its grape variety. The San Francisco Wine School also provides classes centered around wines from various regions of the world, like France, Italy, and California.
If you’re interested in other alcoholic beverages, you can find tastings through CourseHorse. A class on beer and sake is offered by the San Francisco Wine School, and one on Cognac is hosted by Whisky Gourmet.
Private Group Wine Tasting Classes in Houston
Is your business or organization interested in booking a wine tasting class as a fun socializing event? CourseHorse can provide private group wine tasting classes to you.
These classes are provided by CourseHorse remotely using an online video platform. They recommend using Zoom; however, they can also accommodate Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx if you provide the meeting details.
You can book a wine tasting workshop for groups of up to 500 people on CourseHorse. They offer a three-bottle wine tasting workshop and a four-bottle wine-tasting workshop. Both classes will teach your group about the basics of wine tasting. Your instructor will go over grape varietals, tasting techniques, and the history of the wines or regions the wines come from.
If your group would like to snack during the workshop, you can book one that features both wine and cheese. Each participant will be sent two bottles of wine and two types of cheese before the session. You’ll learn not only about the wines being tasted, but the cheeses. There will be a focus on the pairing of wine and cheese as well as how to serve them together.
You can contact CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn more about the wine tasting classes they can deliver to you. You can discuss the wines that will be tasted, as well as potential pairing options.
CourseHorse sends out all materials to participants before the class. You’ll need to provide them with the addresses of all participants at least two weeks before the class. You can book a class using the minimum headcount if you don’t have a final number at the time of booking, however, you will need to update with a final headcount before materials must be sent out.
CourseHorse does not charge booking fees and allows free cancellations up to two weeks before a class is scheduled. There is a $150 rescheduling fee if you provide less than 48 hours’ notice.