Wine tasting class in manhattan?

[Lau]

Can anyone recommend a good wine tasting class in manhattan? I was thinking it would be a fun thing to do, but i have no idea where to go about looking for one

[anothernewhere]

Hi! did you already take wine classes? which one? how was it?

[Lau]

yes i took it quite a while ago

www.nycwineclass.com

it was alot of fun, the instructor is a very nice and knowledgable guy, not pretentious at all. It was 5 reds and 5 whites with 9 cheeses. highly recommend

[cellargirl]

It really depends on what level you want to study. There are classes on focused regions, wine, etc. or just basic tasting. I teach uptown but have gone to many classes around the city. You can even get a group together and have someone come to your home.

[CAB226]

I took a four-class introductory series at NYC Wine Company. The guy who owns the company, Andrew, is really down-to-earth and "normal" -- totally NOT any sort of wine snob. His background is in production and has made wine in Hungary and Bordeaux and Sonoma County. You always also get bread and cheeses and olives and cured meats. In addition to the 4-class series, they do all sorts of different individual classes. The website is www.nycwineclass.com

[JSHAFT78]

try astorcenternyc.com. related to astor wines downtown. i got a friend a ticket to a scotch whiskey seminar/tasting there and he thought it was great. when i researched the website, there were classes for wine, cheeses, pairing of food to wine cocktail courses, and other seasonal options(ex-hot drinks for winter)

[Nikki NYC]

I took a wine and cheese class at Artisenal Cheese Center. It was fun and I discovered some wines and cheeses that I really love.

[Lau]

are you talking about Artisanal Cheese on 37th?

www.artisanalcheese.com

[Nikki NYC]

Yes, the Artisenal Cheese Center on 37th and 10th.

[I grok]

there are two classes that I took and enjoyed throughly. One was at best cellars on 86 St. and lexington. It is a very inexpensive wine store and they also include snacks (yum). they have some free classes, too. And, there is the New School. That is much more expensive, but more extensive.

[Stuffed Monkey]

Kevin Zarely's Windows on the World Wine course, now held at the Marriott Marque has to be on this list. Though it is a great investment it is the most thorough, He has been very acurately described as "Seinfeld gives a wine class"

[uwsgrazer]

I have his book, which I believe is assigned for the course. I find the book very helpful and accessible; it's one of my favorites from an admittedly not super-extensive collection of wine books. It's obviously a different experience from attending a class but I would highly recommend the book to someone interested in a basic book on wine.

[pwallace]

Otto in the village is also very nice for a fun class

[punkin712]

I've taken several wine classes at ICE. Look for those taught by Ron Ciavolino - he's the "Rainman" of wine. His knowledge of regions, landscapes, grapes and climates is quite impressive. I'm convinced he can taste a wine and tell you exactly what the vineyard workers ate for lunch on the day the grapes were harvested.

[Lau]

what exactly is "ICE"?

[Miss Needle]

http://iceculinary.com/

[Lau]

how was the one at ICE? was it fun? I want to learn, but I also want to have a good time

[Miss Needle]

Well, I wasn't there but DH said he had a good time. He did say the thing about the recreational classes at ICE that bothered him was that they didn't seem to care too much whether or not you learned anything -- after your tuition was paid, you could do whatever you wanted. I don't what exact classes he took, though. I'm sure a lot depends on the teacher.

I took a class at Christie's which was really informative. Unfortunately I don't think it's open to the public. One thing I discovered is that I've got pretty unsophisticated taste in wine -- I prefer wines that are better than Boones, but didn't like those rare expensive vintages.

[punkin712]

The Wine Essentials Class that Ron Ciavolino teaches (in addition to any of his other wine classes) have a good mix of information and fun. I don't know about the other wine instructors at ICE.

[Lau]

last question, they obviously give you wine...how much wine do they give you? (like is not that much or a ton?)

reason i might attend the one that is coming up very soon, but i have something i need to go to afterwards and i don't want to be hammered when i go

[punkin712]

hmmm...it was probably about 1/3 - 1/2 the amount of a normal glass of wine. Of course, if you taste a number of wine, it adds up :)

Also, back when I took the class, any leftover wine was given to whomever wanted to take it home. Don't know if that's still the case.

[Miss Needle]

If you find it's too much wine for you, you can spit. A decent wine glass should provide you with a spit bucket.

[Lau]

alright sounds good...thx for the help

[fein]

i took a course with a friend at Crush a few yrs back. it was great. i recommend going with someone if possible.

[il Trifulau]

The wine classes at Vino, the wine shop of i Trulli restaurant, are fun and informative.

[JoanN]

Here's a link to a NYTimes article with info on classes at a couple of wine shops.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/din...

And I know that Sherry-Lehman, when they moved last year, added a large space for tastings and classes that were to begin sometime this year. Don't know if they have yet or not, but you could call or check the Web site.

[Miss Needle]

I believe DH took some classes at ICE.

[winepunkguy]

International Wine Center. Check out www.learnwine.com

[winepunkguy]

My apologies, that link is no longer valid. Use this one...
http://www.internationalwinecenter.com/