Discover the Best Wine Tasting Classes in Washington, D.C.
Wine tasting is a popular activity among wine enthusiasts. During wine tastings, the quality of the wine is assessed by noting its appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste. The taste of wine has been noted in writings by Aristotle, Plato, and other Greek philosophers. Unlike wine tastings of the past, however, wine tasting today may be more formalized and done in a wine tasting class.
Wine tasting classes can be taken with no prior wine tasting experience. Although there are more advanced-level classes offered by wineries and schools, you can find beginner-level classes in your area. These classes will teach you about the history of wine in your area, the regions that the wines you’re tasting are from, and the flavor notes in the wines.
Why You Should Learn Wine Tasting In
If you haven’t tasted wine before or if you tend to stick to the same types of wine, you should take a wine tasting class. Wine tasting classes expose you to new grape varieties and vintages, which can expand your palate. After trying several wines at a wine tasting class, you’ll become more familiar with flavor notes and profiles. This can aid you when buying or ordering wine in the future. Additionally, many wine classes will inform you of food pairings that go well with the types of wines you’re tasting.
Attending a wine tasting class in the area can introduce you to other wine aficionados and amateurs. Wine tastings are social events. You can spend the time trying new wines and discussing them with other participants. Wine tastings also make fun group outings and date nights.
In-Person Wine Tasting Classes In
In-person wine tasting classes are offered at schools, wineries, and restaurants. You can find wine tasting classes offered in your area through CourseHorse.
When taking a wine tasting class, you’ll be guided by a wine expert or sommelier. They’ll serve you a variety of wines and inform you of their history. Many wine tasting classes also include crudités or other snacks that pair well with the wines being tasted. At the end of your class, you may also be able to purchase one or more of the wines tasted during the session.
You can find new and returning wine tasting classes in the DC area on CourseHorse. Each class page details the content of the class, including the wines being tasted. You’ll also be able to find out what other classes are offered by the same school, winery, or restaurant on CourseHorse.
Previous wine tasting classes offered by locations in the DC area have focused on wines produced in Argentina, Eastern Europe, and other regions. Taking a region or history-focused wine tasting class can help you determine the wine grape varieties that suit your tastes.
Virtual Wine Tasting Classes
In-person wine tasting classes are a great opportunity to relax and socialize with other wine enthusiasts in your community. All wines being tasted during your class will also be provided to you, which makes in-person classes an affordable way to taste a variety of wines.
If you can’t attend an in-person wine tasting class, virtual wine tasting classes are a great alternative. These classes are taught remotely by expert instructors synchronously. Because they’re taught using an online video platform, you can take a class from any interruption-free environment with a stable internet connection.
Virtual wine tasting classes require you to procure the wines yourself. Most class instructors will direct you to an online or in-person wine retailer to purchase a wine tasting kit. Information about the materials you’ll need to procure before your class can be found on the class page.
The San Francisco Wine School offers a wide variety of virtual wine tasting classes. For a basic introduction to wine tasting, sign up for their class, Wine 101. This class samples six different wines with a focus on the structure of the wine, various styles, and main grape varieties. By the end of this class, you’ll have a good understanding of the wine tasting process.
If you’re interested in learning about popular wine producing regions, the San Francisco Wine School has you covered. You can learn about US-produced wines by taking Intro to California Wines and Wines of Santa Barbara & Beyond. If you’d prefer to branch out to Italian wines, look into their class on Tuscan wines or their introductory class to Italian wines.
The San Francisco Wine School also provides online classes for those in food service. They offer a class on wine service techniques and a class on how to design and develop a wine program.
Private Group Wine Tasting Classes In
Are you interested in booking a private wine tasting class? CourseHorse offers private group wine tasting classes that can serve as a fun activity among friends or as a socializing event for businesses and organizations. These classes are fully remote and can be taken using Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, or WebEx.
CourseHorse offers several wine tasting workshops that may be right for your group. Groups of up to 500 can take their three-bottle wine tasting workshop or their four-bottle wine-tasting workshop. In these classes, your group will taste wines from around the globe, including a Spanish Rosé and a Californian Pinot Noir. Your instructor will guide you through the basics of wine tasting such as wine grape varieties, region and history, and everyday wine appreciation tips.
You can book a virtual wine and cheese workshop through CourseHorse. Your group will be sent two bottles of wine and two types of cheese to taste during the workshop. In this class, you’ll learn about pairing and serving wine and cheese.
CourseHorse has a contact form on their website that can be used to inquire about other wine tasting classes they can offer you. You can find out about the number of participants they can accommodate as well as the types of wines that will be tasted in your class.
CourseHorse classes accommodate small to large groups. If you’re unsure of your group’s size, you can provide them with the minimum group size when booking and update the number at a later date. Please note that a final headcount is needed at least two weeks before your class to ensure that their fulfillment team can send wine bottles and other materials to each participant before the class.
CourseHorse does not charge booking fees, however, there is a $150 rescheduling fee if you request to reschedule less than 48 hours before your class. Free cancellations are also available up to two weeks before the class is scheduled.
