Introduction to Wine Basics (IWB-101)

2 hours • $75

This introductory class is designed for those wanting to develop a good foundation of wine knowledge and an understanding of how to taste wine.

You will learn about:

• Main styles of wine
• The most important wine grapes
• Key wine producing countries and regions
• How grapes are gown and wine is produced
• How to taste wine like a pro
• What to look for and why
• Matching food and wine
• Serving, storing, and buying wine
• The best way to buy wine in retail stores and restaurants

This course is taught in a classroom setting. You will receive a handout containing all the course material and lecture notes. We will taste 8 wines. For additional information or questions, please contact us at info@capitalwineschool.com

Dates Available: January 13, 2012 (SOLD OUT); February 10, 2012 (SOLD OUT); February 17, 2012; March 2, 2012; April 6, 2012; May 4, 2012; May 25, 2012; June 8, 2012
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: The Capital Wine School, 5207 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC

Available Dates February 17, 2012 March 2, 2012 April 6, 2012 May 4, 2012 May 25, 2012 June 8, 2012 Date of Birth (Must be age 21 or over)

Essential (Blind) Wine Tasting Skills (BWTS-201)

2 hours • $95

Blind tasting wine is more than a parlor trick, or a way to impress your friends, it is the most effective way to develop your tastings skills. Learn to identify grapes and regions by color, acidity, residual sugar, tannin, alcohol, winemaking techniques, flavor, and aroma. These skills will help you improve your ability to assess, judge, describe, and buy wine (for both consumers and wine professionals). We will blind taste 12 wines, each followed by a debriefing and group discussion.

You will learn how to:

• Assess the main components of wine
• Recognize the main styles of wine
• Identify the most important wine grapes and blends
• Understand the impact of soil and climate on color, aroma, and flavor
• Recognize winemaking techniques
• Distinguish between typicity, quality and style
• Assess the components needed for extended aging
• Describe color, aroma, and flavor
• Make final quality assessments

For additional information or questions, please contact us at info@capitalwineschool.com

Offered: Several times per year
Dates Available: April 27, 2012
Time: 6:30–8:30 pm
Location: The Capital Wine School, 5207 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC

Available Date(s) April 27, 2012 Date of Birth (Must be age 21 or over)

Wine Basics: Comparing Grapes, Regions, and Styles (IWB-102)

3 Class Series – Each class lasts 1&1/2 hours • $295

This class builds on what is taught in the Introduction to Wine Basics Class*. We examine the key factors that make each wine uniquely different. Each night you will taste and compare 10 wines that illustrate how the grape(s), climate, soil, and winemaking impact the taste and quality of a wine. We will taste a range of wines from around the world.

This class will focus on:

1. How the grape expresses the conditions found in the vineyard
2. The meaning of “Terroir”
3. How to describe the aromas and flavors in wine  
4. How climate shapes the character of a wine
5. The weather conditions that determine a “great” vintage
6. The winemaking techniques that matter

Instructor: Jay Youmans CWE, MW
Dates: February 11, 18 and 25, 2012 (SOLD OUT)
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: The Capital Wine School, 5207 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC