Tastings for Beginners

Wine Tastings for Beginners

I will introduce newcomers to the world of wine in an accessible and enjoyable manner.  Together we will build a foundational understanding of wine, making it less intimidating to pick a wine in a restaurant or purchase a wine in a wine store.

Here are some classes I offer. All classes can be customized to your interests.

Introduction to Wine Varieties

• Taste the 8 most common types of wines found in any wine store: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon 
• Learn about their characteristics and be introduced to wines that share the same characteristics

How to Taste/Describe Wine

• Learn basic wine tasting techniques (the 5 S’s: see, swirl, sniff, sip and savor)
• Learn common wine terminology to describe flavors, aromas and textures to help articulate what one likes or dislikes about a wine (acidity, tannin, body)
• Use materials such as tasting note sheets and wine aroma wheels

Understanding Labels/Wine Classification

• Be guided on how to read and understand wine labels including information about the region, grape variety and vintage  
• Learn how wine classification systems vary by country and region and what that can tell us about the wine we are looking to purchase

Champagne vs. Prosecco: The Real Difference

• Learn how these 2 sparkling wines differ in origin, production methods, flavors and price
• Taste samples of each