December 26, 2008 - I'm interested in learning everything I can about wine, from the grapes that blend to make different varieties to how each wine tastes differently from another. I live in NY so I wouldn't be able to take the Wine Spectator classes, but I'm looking for a class or informational session that can teach me the ins and outs of enjoying wine.
Thanks for any help/advice!
I live in upstate NY, for those who were wondering.
Responses:
- well i bartend in new york and new york bartending school had a wine class so try there
you need to drink as much wine as possible...
Seriously, my advice to you is to taste 4(or more) bottles of the same varietal (i.e. chard, cab, pinot,) at the same time. Wine bars do this; they call them flights. You can do this at home or if there is a good wine store in your area, they may have tastings on the weekends. By tasting many wines from the same grape ( the price points of the wines need to vary too...start with the cheapest) you will begin to detect the subtle differences within each bottle. Serve cheeses or good deli meats if you do this at home. I agree with the person who says go to Napa. Keep in mind, Napa has outstanding wines, but tasting them is very expensive. 30 miles or so Northwest of Napa is Healdsburg. There are probably a hundred wineries there and the prices of their tastings tastings are much more reasonable. All of the areas up there have special events a couple times a year that allow you to pay a single price but gives you access to lots of the wineries. I had a great time in Healdsburg at one called 'Winter Wonderland'. I think it was in Feburary. If you intend to take a trip out the the west coast. I would look into this for your weekend tastings and hit some of the major Napa wineries during the week. Do not pick the cheapest event you can find.. We made this mistake and it was way overcrowded. Cheers./............jb- Here are some places in the New York area
http://gonyc.about.com/od/winetastingclasses/Wine_Tasting_Classes_in_New_York_City.htm
Visit any of our wine regions here in California. Napa, Livermore, Monterey (great tasting room overlooking Montery Bay and Pacific Ocean Where Dolphins and Orcas are commonly spotted right from the tasting room www.montereywines.org ) and Paso Robles/ San Luis Obispo County. Most wineries offer free tours and tastings. The tours take you through the process and the most fun part is the tasting of course. Other than Monterey I reccomend Wente Vineyards in Livermore, Ca. The best way to learn is seeing and tasting the best wines in the world, first hand.- go to napa for a week ;)
I think the highest level of oenology in the USA takes place in California, mainly Nappa Valley which is typicized by a strong cooperation between french and US growers -
From the very beginning of the XXth century this cooperation was profitable for each partner -
I think anything printed about how, where and who produces wine in California should be profitable for you-
This said - you give me the opprtunity to protest against that absolutely miserable tendency to simplify all the wine productions in the world under names as vague as Cabernet, Merlot etc - those names mean NOTHING - and GB is guilty
never listen to so-called UK wine connoisseurs - they are horrible schnauzen - and drink to get drunk - we see the result when they land massively in our super-markets - piuky
If you want to learn about wine - learn the chemical and biological proceedures is ok - then learn the importance of "Terroir" terre means soil - soil is THE n°1 element in the alchemy of wine, then orientation of the field etc - but to know that you drink a sauvignon, a zinfandel, or a bacot is 0% interest ok ??? This was my first lecture - bye
Have a look on this : http://www.vinatis.com/
I read the wine spectator and enthusiast. I also took some classes to become a sommelier but I couldn't cut it. Just couldn't spit out the wine. Try this place in Ny City.
International Wine Center Incorporated, 350 7th Ave Rm 1201, New York, NY 10001
(212) 239-3055
350 7th Ave Rm 1201, New York, NY 10001
www.internationalwinecenter.com- Start out by finding a good liquor store. More than likely the owner or manager will love wine, and offer you free advice.
- Attend as many wine tastings as you can and join a local wine group.
Look for a WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) course in your area.
I don't know what part of NY you live, but LI has a HUGE selection of wineries and they are all very close together. Most are on the North Shore, all are out east.
Pindar (probably the largest out there) has wine tours. They take you around and show you how wine is made. Pindar is not my favorite by far, but their Winter White is a good general white wine and on sale in the store, it's about $10 for 1.5L I think their tours are still FREE, you'll have to check.
I'm sure there are others that have tours as well. On the south shore I like Duck Walk. While you are out there, you can also go to the Outlets (if you have time).
Check out the LI wineries and see if any do Barrel tastings. This where you get to taste wines right from the barrel in their different stages, from just squeezed (tastes like juice), to ready to bottle and everything in between.
For the best adhoc lessons, go to the smaller wineries where you can often meet the owner and/or the wine maker.
Sometimes restaurants have wine classes and/or tastings at times as well.
I've never really studied wine per se' but have been to tons of wine tastings, and some informal classes, where I often learn a little more. If you REALLY want to learn about wine, Adelphi University has a degree in wine making.- Just start tasting different wines, You'll learn the varietals of different grapes, And you'll have hands on experience, The wine that you personally like is the right choice....
I recommend a book titled:
The Everything Wine Book
You can get it on line or at your local bookstore. It has what you are looking for and is written in a language anyone can understand. If your city has an adult learning organization like the Learning Annex check to see if they have wine classes. Some restaurants have wine classes that teach food and wine pairings and usually includes a meal along with wine. Liquor store that tend to sell more wine than beer also tend to have wine classes.
The best book to begin learning about wine is Kevin Zraly's "Windows on the World: A Complete Wine Course". He used to be the Sommelier for the Windows on the World restaurant which resided on top of the World Trade Center. He is considered one of the best wine educators in the country and I've heard a few Master Sommeliers recommend his books to people eager to learn.
His book breaks down wine in an easy to read format and is very informative. Once you have that book down you could probably begin reading some of the books listed on the Court of Master Sommelier's website (I enclosed a link).
Knowledge Base: Wine
Learing about Wine?
December 26, 2008 - Category: Wine
i am interested in learning everything i can about wine, from the grapes that blend to make different varieties to how each wine tastes differently from another. i live in ny so i would not be able to take the wine spectator cl es, but i am looking for a
Learing Wine »
Wine Country?
October 19, 2008 - Category: Wine
my husband & i are visiting california in june & would like to do an afforable wine - tasting tour. any suggestions for a good quality, inexpensive tour?. are you going to northern or southern ca? temecula is also known as wine country. one of the best places to visit
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