Many people enjoy the odd class of wine with dinner at home – or perhaps share a bottle of ‘house red’ over a pizza with friends or toast a success with a trusty prosecco. But have you ever had a secret longing to be, well, a little more knowledgable when the wine menu comes round? Would you like to broaden your wine horizons and try something new? To have that ability to order with confidence, and know the perfect pairing for your chosen meal?
It sounds like learning more about wine could be right up your street!
Firstly, of course, you can work out what wine you ‘like’ on your own – what suits your palette and whether you prefer red wine or a light rose. You can also visit the library or trawl the internet for wine advice, but this still doesn’t give you the on hand experience of an expert to provide answers to your questions. Attending a wine course gives you the opportunity to actually TASTE (rather crucial!) the wines you are learning about and learn about what exactly you should be looking for when selecting a wine.
Attending a wine course also gives you the opportunity to meet like minded people! You can bring a friend or family member along with you (and many do to our popular wine tasting courses) but it also gives you the chance to socialise and enjoy some great company with fellow likeminded people, as well as learning from the best.
Considering a wine course but conscious you’re a complete beginner? It doesn’t matter!! Most wine courses have an Introductory level where you can learn to compare and contrast new wines and improve your tasting skills, either simply in red wine, white wine or perhaps a wider overview including sparkling wines and champagne. Everyone will be in the same boat and starting from the same level – they’re all there to learn just like you.
If you’ve ever been floored when the wine menu comes round in a restaurant (often a daunting experience!), attending a wine course can also help you select the perfect wine for your meal with confidence. Naturally, a good sommelier may be on hand to help you choose and provide their recommendations, but even then it can help you pick the perfect wine from their recommendations.
Learning about wine also helps you BUY better wine with your buck! Gaining knowledge on particular regions and grapes and their taste profiles, can also help if you’re purchasing wine for a special occasion such as a wedding or christening, or even if you’re just looking for a bottle for a romantic meal for two!
If you’d like more information on any of the wine courses or events London Wine Academy offer, please do get in touch – we’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.