Whether you know a little or a lot about wine, the Cleveland Wine School can help you build your wine knowledge. The curriculum begins with the basics: how to taste wine and identify flavors. Classes continue grape-by-grape, country-by-country to give tasters a well-rounded knowledge of wine. Events and travel excursions offer informative and entertaining experiences.

All classes within the fundamental series may be taken individually or as part of a specially-priced package. The Cleveland Wine School offers two Fundamental Wine packages: the 4 Course Series and the 6 Course Series. In addition to the fundamental series, Tutored Tastings are offered throughout the year featuring guest speakers.

LEISURE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

WINE TASTING 101: Understanding the Basic 6
$45 Introductory Level
This tasting seminar is the perfect introduction into the world of wine. Learn how to swirl, sniff and sip like a pro while aquiring a true understanding of the tasting process. Understanding the basic six grape variaties will help you anticipate the flavors from the label, an invaluable skill when selecting from a restaurant menu or retail shop. No experience necessary.

VARIETALS I: Riesling & Pinot Noir
$50 Introductory Level
Explore the flavor profiles and characteristics surronding Riesling & Pinot Noir grapes. Learn how and why these characteristics change from country to country. Lighter in body and plenty of finesse, these are the grapes that are masters of expression giving their wines a sense of place from the very first sip.
Suggested preparation: Wine Tasting 101 or prior wine tasting experience.

VARIETALS II: Sauvignon Blanc & Merlot

$50 Introductory Level
Adding to your grape variety and portfolio will give you the taste experience needed to master any restaurant list. Discover the unique flavors and characteristics that make Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot two of the most popular glass pours around the world.
Suggested preparation: Wine Tasting 101 or prior wine tasting

VARIETALS III:Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon

$50 Introductory Level

Learn more about the grapes that produce distinct and interesting wines around the world. From crisp "food friendly" wines to "meal-in-a-glass" fruit bombs, this course will explore and compare the international workhorse-varieties Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Suggested preparation: Wine Tasting 101 or prior tasting experience.

VARIETALS IV: Rest of Reds
$50 Introductory Level
Focus on the red grapes and discover the native varieties of Italy, France, Spain and more. Fragrant, floral and sometimes meaty, native reds from around the world will excite your senses and open your mind to the vast possibilities of the red grape.
Suggested preparation: Wine Tasting 101 or prior tasting experience.

VARIETALS V: Rest of Whites
$50 Intermediate Level
From light to floral to full, this course will help you determine which whites are food-friendly and those that are better quaffed on their own. Explore native grapes from Italy, France and Germany and discover the intricacies of whites first-hand during this not-to-be-missed seminar on the white grape.
Suggested preparation: Wine Tasting 101 or prior tasting experience.

HOT REGIONS & COOL TRENDS
$40
Taste the latest noteworthy wines from emerging wine regions and ancient villages. Discover the trendy treasures that keep media and wine lovers alike uncorking bottle after bottle. Class includes a seasonal tasting of 8 wines that are cellar-worthy and available for purchase at state-minimum pricing.

No experience necessary.

A GLANCE AT THE WINES OF FRANCE

$45
From the Roman Empire to modern day France, the wine labels of la belle France read like a page in history. Discover the wines behind the labels from the great regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Cote de Rhone and Alsace and discover why France is home to some of the most sought after wines in the world. Class includes a lecture with tutored tasting of eight wines.
Suggested preparation: Wine Tasting 101, Varietals I or an understanding of noble grape varieties.

THE GRAPES OF ITALY
$45
Discover how to make the wines of Italy a little less intimidating by learning some of the primary grapes along with a bit of geography. Enjoy some of the world's greatest wine values during this invaluable tasting of Italy's native grapes!

UNDERSTANDING PINOT NOIR
$45

A comparative tasting of the world's most elusive grape. Learn why this variety was the centerpiece for the hit movie Sideways and a cult grape for many wine lovers. Class includes a lecture and tutored-tasting of 8 wines.