Tasting Classes in Los Angeles, CA

Get answers to all of the questions you have been afraid to ask and learn the basics of wine, from how it's made, decoding wine labels, how to taste & talk about wine, important grapes and styles, how to buy wine, storage, service and food pairing. The tasting of 6 wines will focus on the structure of wine, various styles and main grape varieties.  ...

Fermented grain is the focus this session as we present the origins of beer, ingredients, production and styles. We discuss the international standards and the rise of the craft beer movement.  Taste the spectrum from pilsner to stout and lambic to Trappist then dive into multiple parallel fermentations with the production and styles of sake....

Do you know your white spirits from your brown? Learn the bases and origins of several spirits, types of stills and global standards for vodka, gin, tequila, rum, brandies of the world, whiskies of the world and more.  Discover the tools, terms and traits of a good bartender and their world of cocktails. Taste a sampling of brown spirits to...

You could sample a new Spanish wine every night of the year and still not experience all the variety that this country produces. Each region has their own specialty. Rioja creates smoky, earthy, subtle reds with the Tempranillo grape, while the Priorat region makes rich, dense, powerful reds from the Garnacha variety. The Ribera del Duero also employs...

Learn to tune up your senses as you identify specific smells and tastes of various fruit, spice, herb and other elements as you blindly identify them in 12 carefully controlled sample wines.  This is a far more effective approach than commercially available wine aroma kits made with essential oils that are not consumable or in a wine solution....

In this class we will compare and contrast different styles of red wines to help you better describe and assess wine and to give you clarity over what you are actually tasting.

By far, my favorite class of the year. We’ll pour eight wines. Some from islands. Some from volcanoes. Some from volcanoes on islands. We’ll talk about why these wines are unique, what sets them apart, and how to track them down. Islands are a special habitat for growing grapes. When the vineyards hug the coast, the grapes soak up the sun...

Travel the world of Syrah...  Explore the power, elegance and versatility of Syrah/Shiraz and its potential to challenge Cab & Pinot as king of CA reds. Learn its origins, other homes and characteristics.  Discover how Syrah varies based on climate, soils and traditions in various international regions through a guided tasting of 5-6...

Are you skilled in the sensory evaluation of wine? The practice of wine tasting requires a formalized methodology that includes understanding perceived wine flavors, aromas, and characteristics of wine. Sommeliers understand and can explain the structure, style, balance and quality of wine, as well identify winemaking flaws.  This workshop is...

Aside from the mundane name, our Wine 101 is one of the best classes we offer, and one of my favorite to teach.  Yes, we talk fundamentals, but more than just a rote review of grapes and regions, our goal is to make wine your friend.  In this class, you'll become familiar with what you like, but also why you like it. ...

Continue enhancing your French wine knowledge. Journey with us in the classroom as we leave last week's cool climate wines of the north for this week's warm climate wines of the south. Study and taste the French wines that are often imitated but never duplicated. In this course, you will learn the warm climates, grapes and wine styles of southern...

The world of Italian whites! This can be very tricky. What are those markers to help you figure out if it’s from the North, Central or the South? How do you get to Italy as a whole?

Sonoma County will never accept second place to Napa. We explore the amazing diversity of Napa’s neighbor toward the coast. This dynamic workshop will provide students with the background necessary to understand its distinction and reputation in the wine market. With a variety of climate and soil conditions and a recently expanded number of AVAs,...

In this workshop, our Industry Leading Instructors help students learn and practice flaw identification using the Society of Wine Educators’ Faults and Imbalances Exam with the same samples and ratios presented for the Certified Wine Educator level. Master Glancy will also teach students exam preparation and test-taking strategies to help students...

Can you create perfect pairings or are you paralyzed by the rules? Learn basic food pairing theories and see how different styles of wine interact with primary flavor components. Come taste many combinations and discuss the impact on your palate. Learn your preferences and those in the class and improve your confidence with new pairing knowledge! ...