General Wine Knowledge

Get introduced to the world of wine! Learn some fun wine facts, find out the differences between an “Old World” wine and a “New World” wine, uncover how to decipher wine labels, and add some key wine terms to your vocabulary. A guided tasting of 5 wines to highlight the Old World vs New World differences will be provided. This is a great class for the novice wine drinker!

“I don’t know what wine to order with my meal!” Do you find yourself saying that often? This course provides some food pairing basics, along with important considerations and simple guidelines to follow to make thoughtful and successful pairings that will help enhance any meal. Some food and wine pairing suggestions are provided. A pre-event food pairing consultation is recommended in order to provide 5 different wines to complement the food at the event. 

Wine and chocolate have many things in common, but the wrong pairing could cause the flavors to clash instead of sing together in harmony. This class briefly reviews the history of chocolate and how it is made. You will learn about the primary types of chocolate, along with some wine and chocolate pairing guidelines. Included in the tasting are 5 different chocolates along with 5 different wines to compliment each type of chocolate.  Please note that this class requires Premium Wine pricing. 

How did eggnog ever get started? What do people drink when they go Wassailing? This course uncovers the history and traditions of some of our favorite boozy winter beverages. Included is a tasting of 5 different Holiday beverages. This is the perfect event to have as your friends and family gather for the Holidays! Please note that this course requires Premium Wine pricing. 

Charcuterie has undergone a huge transformation from the simple working-class lunch of the past to the elaborate meat and cheese boards of today.  In this class, you will learn about the humble roots of this popular party platter, gain some basic knowledge of the types of meats and cheeses commonly found, and discover what elements make up a good charcuterie board.  You will also learn some guidelines for making the perfect wine pairing that can elevate your board into a sophisticated meal. Included in this class is a guided tasting of 5 different wines selected to complement your charcuterie board.  Choose Quality Wine pricing if you will provide the charcuterie board; choose Premium Wine pricing if you would like me to provide it.  

Does the thought of being responsible for the wine at Thanksgiving fill you with dread?  What wine does go with turkey, ham, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and so many other foods?  This course takes you through basic food pairing guidelines, tailored specifically for the traditional Thanksgiving meal.  There is also a brief history of American wine during the Colonial period, and we will answer the question "Did the Pilgrims drink wine at the first Thanksgiving?".  Five wines will be provided to taste that will complement your entire Thanksgiving gathering, from pre-dinner munchies through the belt-loosening desserts.  You will be volunteering to bring the wine after this course! 

Quality Wines:  $250 minimum for up to 8 guests.  $25 per person over 8. 

Premium Wines: $450 minimum for up to 8 guests.  $50 per person over 8. 

Note: Classes with an * require premium wine pricing.