Best Wine Tasting Classes NYC: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About NYC Wine Tasting Courses

What is Wine Tasting?

Wine tasting is a way to appreciate and evaluate a wine by looking at it, smelling it, and tasting it. While people drink wine for pleasure, wine tasting is more focused on learning about different wines and discovering what you like and don’t like. People have been tasting wine for as long as they have been making it. While there is a formalized method of tasting, wine tasting is ultimately all about your personal preferences.

The wine-tasting process starts with looking at the wine. This means observing its color, clarity, and legs, which are the droplets that run down the inside of the glass after you swirl the wine. Swirling is part of the tasting process, too. By swirling the wine, you oxygenate it, which can soften the flavor and release its aromas. Smelling the wine is the next step in tasting since smell has a significant effect on your taste. Through smell, you can learn a lot about the wine, such as gaining clues about the different flavors that are in it. After that comes tasting. When tasting, experts advise focusing on elements such as sweetness, acidity, weight and textures, flavor, and aftertaste as a way to understand the flavor of the wine. The final step in tasting is to savor the wine. This means taking time to think about the way it tastes and understanding whether its taste changes over time.

If you're planning to taste wine, experts offer some tips on how to have the best experience. For instance, Wiens Cellars explains that it can be helpful to do a bit of research about the winery and its wines, as this can help you better understand and appreciate what you’re tasting. It also suggests staying hydrated and avoiding eating any strong-flavored foods that can overpower your taste buds. In addition, it says, “Skip strong perfumes or colognes, as they can interfere with your ability to fully appreciate the wine’s aromas.” Another tip is to start with light wines–usually whites–and move on to heavier reds later in the tasting so that you don’t overwhelm your palate at the beginning.

Unlike drinking wine for pleasure, wine tasting often involves spitting wine out. While spitting is not considered to be polite in most public settings, in an online article about wine-tasting etiquette, the author says that in the case of wine-tasting, spitting is often considered more polite than swallowing. The article explains, “This approach can help you maintain clarity of thought and avoid getting drunk too quickly. Swallowing every sip of wine may make remembering each wine’s unique characteristics and nuances difficult. It is perfectly acceptable to swallow each sip of wine if you do not wish to spit it out. However, it is important to exercise caution and not consume too much, as this may impair your ability to evaluate the wine later.” The author explains that the decision about whether or not to spit is unique to every individual, stating, “Ultimately, deciding to spit or swallow during a wine-tasting event is a matter of personal preference. Paying attention to your body and making a decision that feels comfortable for you is important.”

Why Learn Wine Tasting?

One of the most basic reasons to learn wine tasting is so that you’ll get the most out of the wine that you drink. Wine tasting can help you develop an understanding and appreciation for wine and how to drink it, thus helping you enjoy it more. For instance, you’ll know how to properly store and serve your wine and how to fully enjoy its flavor and aroma. One wine expert argues, “Learn how to taste wine, and you will enjoy drinking it much more. It is similar to learning how to play a sport. Take golf or tennis; anyone can swing a club or a racket, but if you learn the basics of the game, it is more enjoyable to play. How far you want to take it is up to you, but at least you know what to do.” When you learn about wine, you’ll also learn how to best pair it with food, and both the wine and your food are likely to taste better.

Learning wine tasting is also a great way to discover what wines you like and where to find them. Choosing wine can be a complex process, but with some education, you’ll be able to go to a store or restaurant and choose your wine confidently. Tasting is also a great way to discover new wines. Wine grapes and wine-making methods vary from region to region, and there are many different types of wine to be discovered. When you take a wine-tasting class, you’re likely to learn about wines that you’ve never tasted before, and hopefully, you’ll discover something new that you like.

Finally, wine tasting can also be a lot of fun. A wine tasting is something that almost anyone can participate in–you don’t need any special experience or expertise–and you’ll learn new things. Bucks County Wine Trail emphasizes, “Irrespective of how much you or your guests know about wine, a wine tasting can be a fun occasion where you could maybe learn something new. With something as personal as one’s taste, there can be no right or wrong answer.” Many wine-tasting classes are designed to be social experiences where you taste with friends or even make new friends as you taste. Not only can it be fun to taste wine with other people, but you can also learn about new ideas and preferences and enjoy sharing your own.

What You’ll Learn in a Wine-Tasting Class?

When you take a wine tasting class, you are likely to learn something about the region from which your wines come. Every region produces different types of grapes, which results in distinctive wines, so part of developing an understanding of different wines is learning about where they came from. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust explains, “Geography can have an enormous impact on the way that your wine tastes. Temperature, altitude, types of soil - the place where the grapes are grown and how they are able to ripen, determines so much about the character of the final product.”

You’ll also learn about how to taste wine. This means learning the techniques that wine-tasting experts use to look at, smell, and taste wine. Part of this is learning about the language of wine tasting so you’ll know how to talk about your experience. Wine experts use many different terms to describe wines, including body, tannin, acidity, and aroma. The body is how the wine feels in your mouth. For example, a full-bodied wine feels heavy and coats your mouth. Tannins are compounds found in the skins, stems, and seeds and add bitterness and astringency to the wine. Acidity is another element of taste and has to do with the tartness or crispness of the wine. The aroma is the smell of the wine. There are many different aromas, such as fruity, spicy, and earthy.

Some classes also cover proper serving and storing techniques, in addition to food pairing principles. The way that you store and serve wine can make a significant difference to the way it tastes. Every wine is supposed to be stored and served at specific temperatures, or its taste will change. For instance, if you store wine in an environment that is too hot, it can start to taste vinegary, or if the environment is too dry, the cork can shrink, and the wine can start to oxidize prematurely, which also affects taste. The way you serve the wine can also have a significant effect on its taste. For example, if you serve a white wine too cold, its aromas and taste might be slightly muted.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Wine Tasting?

You can learn the basics of wine tasting relatively quickly, developing a general understanding of how to taste wine in just one class. However, it takes a lot longer to really master wine-tasting techniques and develop a good understanding of different types of wines. To become a sommelier, which is a trained wine professional, can take a year, and becoming a master sommelier can take a number of years. In a Food & Wine article, sommeliers share their advice about learning to taste wine. One says that it can be helpful to learn as much as you can about where a wine comes from, advising, “Start to understand a region first, with its grape varieties, styles of wine, people, landscape and culture. . . . This will give you a solid foundation and will help someone just learning become excited about the wines.” Another piece of advice is to taste as much as possible since this is the best way to advance your understanding of what different types of wine are like. Tasting is one of the most important parts of mastering wine tasting; the more time you spend tasting, the more you will learn and the better you will become at this skill.

What are the Advantages of Taking a Wine Tasting Class?

It is possible to taste wine by yourself, but there are some advantages to taking a formal wine-tasting class. One of the biggest is that you’ll learn a lot of things that you won’t learn simply by drinking wine by yourself. SOMM, a board that reviews professional certifications in the wine trade, insists, “Wine tasting isn’t just about sipping wine; it’s a sensory experience. With wine-tasting classes, you can untangle the complexities of the process.” For instance, in a class, you can learn more about how wine is made, and you’ll learn proper techniques for evaluating it. LinkedIn explains that some kind of education will greatly improve your wine-tasting experience. It says, “You need to learn the fundamentals of wine production, tasting, and evaluation.” A great way to learn these fundamentals is by enrolling in a class. In addition, LinkedIn says a class will teach you proper wine-tasting techniques. It explains, “Courses will help you develop your sensory skills, vocabulary, and confidence in describing and assessing wines.”

SOMM argues that paying for a wine-tasting class is worth it because you can get an unbiased education. In contrast, it warns that many free wine tastings are actually just a marketing tool designed to get tasters to buy specific wines. It maintains that these free-tasting events often have a limited selection of wines that are designed to steer participants toward specific brands and says that there is often limited education about the wines. It insists, “For those who are genuinely passionate about wine and eager to expand their knowledge, it’s essential to look beyond the allure of free tastings. Instead, consider investing in more structured wine education programs, such as classes or courses offered by reputable institutions.”

Best Wine Tasting Classes in NYC

There are a number of different in-person wine-tasting class offerings in New York City. Be aware that wine-tasting participants must be aged twenty-one and older. CocuSocial, a marketplace that connects students with instructors, runs a class called Wine Tasting 101. No experience is required to take this class; it is designed for wine-tasting beginners but also welcomes more experienced tasters. Students are guided by an expert sommelier. They learn about wine differences in history, wine regions, tasting techniques, grape characteristics, flavor profiles, and pairings. They also get tips on blind tasting. Participants will taste a chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, rose, pinot noir, merlot, and another red.

Another in-person class option is Wine Tasting 101: Exploring Great Wines from Around the Globe. This class is offered by SippyBee, an educational resource for tasting and learning about wines. The course is designed for both beginners and experts. Participants will taste five different wines from leading wine-producing regions as they develop a greater understanding and appreciation for wine. A section of fine cheeses, cured meats, and salamis will be served with the wines. The course covers the characteristics of each type of wine and the nuances that make each one special. Students learn about wine attributes, components, and terminology. They also learn how to taste wine properly and pair food with wine.

Murray’s Cheese also offers wine tasting. In the Wine & Cheese Crash Course, participants learn how to pair wine and cheese. An instructor will teach them about why cheese and wine go together well and go over pairing principles. Participants will taste three different cheeses paired with three wines, guided by the instructor. This class is located in an upstairs room that is not wheelchair accessible. Murray's Cheese is an artisanal cheese shop that opened in Greenwich Village in 1962.

The Astor Center runs a wine-tasting workshop called Discover Your Wine Style, where participants can taste unique wines and discover their favorites. They taste nine different wines of different styles, guided by instructor May Matta-Aliah. They will learn about various wine terminologies, the vocabulary for describing wine, blind-tasting techniques, and how to communicate what they like and don’t like about wine. The instructor will also talk about what to expect from different styles of wine, and there will be a Q&A session. Bread and cheese are provided. The Astor Center is an educational facility and tasting room located above Astor Wines & Spirits and offers programs focused on wines, craft spirits, and cocktails.

If you’re interested in learning how to cook with wine, Taste Buds Kitchen offers a class called Cooking with Wine for Two People. In this class, participants learn how to use wine in cooking. Three different recipes are featured: Salmon en Papillote, Bacon & Leek Risotto, and Red Wine Poached Pears with Fresh Whipped Cream. Menus are nut-free. Participants will learn cooking techniques and enjoy a multi-course meal. They will cook and eat together family-style, with four guests per table. This is a bring-your-own beverage event, with glasses and openers provided. Taste Buds Kitchen offers a variety of culinary classes, camps, parties, and corporate events.

Flatiron Wines & Spirits is a store in New York City that opened in 2012 and specializes in terroir-focused wines and small-batch spirits. It also runs wine-tasting classes. In Crazy About Chenin Blanc, participants learn about Chenin Blanc wines, which can range from dry to semi-sweet, to very sweet. An experienced sommelier leads you through a tasting of five different Chenin Blanc wines.

Live Online Wine Tasting Classes

Some schools also offer live online wine-tasting classes. The San Francisco Wine School was founded in 2011 by Master Sommelier David Glancy and offers wine education for both professionals and enthusiasts. It offers many different wine-tasting class options. Cool Climate Wines of the World is focused on tasting wines created from grapes that grow in cool climates. Participants will learn about cool-climate wine grapes like Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. They will taste wines from Germany, Austria, Northern Italy, Northern France, Oregon, and New Zealand. The instructor will also explain EU labeling and compare it to the labeling of other countries. Students will taste six to eight wines and can either pick up tasting kits or have them delivered for an additional fee. The workshop can be taken individually or as part of the school’s Somm Essentials program.

Another live online option is Wine 101, a multi-session course that runs via Zoom. It is offered by NYC Wine Company, which is located in New York City and offers live online wine-tasting classes. This company was founded in 2002 by winemaker Andrew Harwood. In Wine 101, participants learn the fundamentals of wine tasting. They will discover what they like and why they like it. They will also learn about questions to ask when shopping for wine and what to look for on labels. Some of the specific topics covered are tannins, sweet vs. dry wine, and why wines have different characteristics. Students will compare and contrast two wines in each class session and will also learn about different wine-making regions of the world, how grapes are grown, and how wine is made. In total, they will taste six wines.

Wine for Normal People is another school that offers online wine-tasting classes. The White Wines of Italy is one of its offerings. In this class, participants learn about a number of complex white Italian wines. They will taste a Cortese from Piedmont, Carricante from Sicily, Pecorino from Le Marche, Fiano di Avellino from Campania, and Vermentino from Tuscany. The goal of Wine for Normal People is to provide accurate and well-researched information about wine that makes it easy and fun to understand.

The Napa Valley Wine Academy also offers online wine-tasting classes. WSET Level 1 Award in Wine is a one-day class where students learn the foundations of wine testing and can earn the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 Award. In this class, students learn to use sight, smell, and taste to understand more about wine. They will learn to use a systematic approach to wine tasting and learn to identify the main styles of wine. They will also learn about food and wine pairing. This class includes a 6-bottle wine kit, which is shipped to participants, in addition to an online study module and all exam fees. Students who pass the online exam will receive a certificate.

You can also earn a WSET certification through the American Wine School, which offers educational wine events throughout the United States. WSET Level 1 Wine is an entry-level class. Students learn about classic grape varieties. They also get an introduction to wine tasting and learn how to pair food and wine. In addition, the instructor covers wine service and storage. At the end of the course, they earn a WSET Level 1 Wine Award certification. The class runs via Zoom, but students can also access a recording of the session.

If you want to become a sommelier, you can take an online class through the National Wine School, an organization that offers professional wine certifications. Level One Sommelier is a multi-week course that covers all the knowledge and skills needed to earn this certification. Students learn about the essential grapes, parsing a French wine label, the proper way to taste wine, common wine myths, and wine and food pairings. They have access to quizzes and take the Level One certification exam at the end of the course.

NYC Wine Tasting Courses by School

Here are some of the top NYC schools offering Wine Tasting training, including Wine Tastings at WineCopilot (3 courses), Astor Center (3 courses), and Craftsman Ave (2 courses). We’ve also included 2 schools that offer live online courses you can take from anywhere, including NYC.

Craftsman Ave

NYC location: 117 11th Street, Brooklyn, New York

Craftsman Ave is a hands-on workshop in Brooklyn that offers a variety of classes and workshops in woodworking, metalworking, jewelry making, leather crafting, and stained glass. Their classes are taught by experienced makers and designers in a supportive environment where students can learn new skills and create beautiful handmade objects.
- Barrel Age your own Whiskey and Craft Cocktails
  - 4 Hours
  - $395
- Date Night: Barrel Age your own Whiskey
  - 4 Hours
  - $480
CocuSocial Cooking Classes

NYC location: 338 W 36th St, New York, New York

CocuSocial Cooking Classes is a company that offers social cooking classes in New York City. They partner with local restaurants and hotels to provide easy accessibility for their customers. Their classes are designed to be fun and interactive, and they offer a variety of topics including pasta making, sushi rolling, and dumpling cooking.
- Wine Tasting 101
  - 2 Hours
  - $63
- Intro to Wine Tasting
  - 2 Hours
  - $64
Kings County Distillery

NYC location: 299 Sands St, New York, New York

Kings County Distillery is a renowned distillery based in Brooklyn, New York, offering a range of courses to suit all levels. From beginner introductory courses covering the basics of distilling whiskey to advanced classes exploring techniques and blending, the distillery provides students with hands-on experience with modern and industry-standard equipment. Sessions with the experienced team of distillers are also available to offer a greater insight into the art and science of craft distilling.
- Whiskey Tasting Class
  - 1 Hour
  - $40.21
Wine Tastings at WineCopilot

NYC location: 109 MacDougal Street #2 2nd Floor, New York, New York

WineCopilot offers engaging and educational wine-tasting events that are perfect for both wine aficionados and novices alike. Through curated tasting sets selected by top experts, participants can explore diverse wine regions, flavors, and production techniques, enhancing their appreciation and knowledge of wine.
- Wine Tasting 101 | Exploring Great Wines from Around the Globe
  - 1 Hour
  - $98
- Big Bold Red Wines: Wine Tasting
  - 1 Hour
  - $149
Astor Center

NYC location: 23 E 4th St, New York, New York

Astor Center is an innovative and inspiring culinary education center, providing classes and workshops on a range of culinary topics. They specialize in experiences that are tailored for creatives, entrepreneurs, and food enthusiasts, offering specialized courses on topics like fermenting, wild edibles, and vegan baking. Their courses are taught by award-winning chefs, authors, and industry professionals, ensuring an unparalleled learning experience.
- Cognac vs. Armagnac Smackdown
  - 2 Hours
  - $89
Confetti
Locations:
- Live Online
Confetti is an online learning platform that offers a range of courses and activities for students of all ages. Their mission is to empower students to progress by teaching life skills and supporting pursuing a career. The courses cover various topics, including digital media, personal finance, self-care, and more.
- Mixology Class
  - 1 Hour
  - $98
San Francisco Wine School
Locations:
- San Francisco
- Live Online
San Francisco Wine School is a wine education institution located in South San Francisco. The school offers a variety of wine classes and workshops for all levels, from beginners to experienced wine enthusiasts. Classes cover a wide range of topics, including wine tasting, winemaking, and wine pairing.
- Wine 101
  - 2 Hours
  - $125
- Wines of Northern France
  - 3 Hours
  - $145
- Warm Climate Wines of the World
  - 3 Hours
  - $145
- Tasting, Chemistry & Flaws
  - 3 Hours
  - $145

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Key Insights

Learn More About NYC Wine Tasting Courses

What is Wine Tasting?

Why Learn Wine Tasting?

What You’ll Learn in a Wine-Tasting Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn Wine Tasting?

What are the Advantages of Taking a Wine Tasting Class?

Best Wine Tasting Classes in NYC

Live Online Wine Tasting Classes

NYC Wine Tasting Courses by School

Craftsman Ave

Barrel Age your own Whiskey and Craft Cocktails

Date Night: Barrel Age your own Whiskey

CocuSocial Cooking Classes

Wine Tasting 101

Intro to Wine Tasting

Kings County Distillery

Whiskey Tasting Class

Wine Tastings at WineCopilot

Wine Tasting 101 | Exploring Great Wines from Around the Globe

Big Bold Red Wines: Wine Tasting

Astor Center

Cognac vs. Armagnac Smackdown

Confetti

Mixology Class

San Francisco Wine School

Wine 101

Wines of Northern France

Warm Climate Wines of the World

Tasting, Chemistry & Flaws

NYC Wine Tasting Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Wine Tasting Training Locations in or Near NYC

NYC Wine Tasting
Corporate & Onsite Training