Wine-Tasting Classroom at Home

A friend asked if I had any good information on the best wine-tasting schools — classes that would help her learn to be a more educated and discerning wine aficionado. I referred her to some of the first that came to mind: Corkbuzz Wine Studio's options, the wine classes at Otto (Mario Batali's Greenwich Village pizzeria), and the Astor Culinary Center.

But now I'm having second thoughts. She could do herself a favor by spending the money and time on homeschooling. That's right. You've heard it before — the best way to learn about wine is to drink alot of it — "Buy a good corkscrew and use it."  If you have the budget to spend on classes, consider setting up a wine tasting curriculum at home. It's not all fun — it takes preparation. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Enlist some colleagues. Schools function better with students. The interaction between you and your colleagues will help you better enjoy learning and make it less of a chore. You can be as casual or formal as you like, but you need to recruit friends and family for this educational get-together. And since food and wine are best buddies, it's even better if they share and prepare one of their favorite recipes. Don't sweat what goes with what.

Decide on a budget for school supplies. You're going to need a variety of wines, so don't blow it one bottle. With a price range of $10–20 each, you could afford a case of twelve bottles for $200. They won't all be fantastic. The odds are likely that you will have a bottle or two that you won't like. But discovering a new favorite that will enjoy again and again is worth the investment. Visit your trusted wine shop and ask them to put together a varied collection within your budget. In my experience, the experienced wine shopkeep is more than happy to work within any budget. And always be prepared with wine glasses and a notebook.

Begin class. This is the fun part. You and your fellow pupils are gathered for a scholarly adventure. Enlightenment awaits. Swirl, sniff, sip and spit! Spitting, of course, is optional if you're already home or have a designated driver to get you there.

Keep good notes. It's easy to lose yourself in the moment of discovery. Be diligent and write down what you're smelling and tasting in each wine, and your reaction to it. How does the aroma and mouth feel strike you? Harsh? Heavy? Sweet or savory? No need for to be ultra-specific, and remember a wine's taste may evolve on subsequent sips. Your taste in wine certainly will change over time.

Rinse and repeat. Try a blind tasting, or with wine labels out in the open. Focus on a single type of grape, or part of the world. Change up the guest list and introduce newbies to experienced tasters.

Nothing beats experience, so go on and get some — with your own homeschool wine tasting session.