NYC's Best Wine And Cheese Tasting Classes
Whether you just want to enjoy a casual wine and cheese class or you're looking to become certified in the world of wine, there are plenty of classes in New York City to help you do just that. By Carly Petrone/Jessica Allen
Brooklyn Wine Exchange
138 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 855-9463
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Brooklyn Wine Exchange offers tons of classes on spirits and wine, not a bad way to bone up on the basics or figure out what you like. Classes will cover topics like the history of rum, the wines of southern Italy, single malt scotch, and German Riesling. The shop also features nightly tastings and a super-curated selection of small production wines from family-owned wineries. This is a neighborhood store that really, always, and truly puts the customer first. Become a Learning Center member for discounts and other perks.
Murray's Cheese
254 Bleecker St.
New York, NY
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Sign up for a cheese class at Murray's Cheese and you won't be disappointed. From Cheese 101 to Murray's 3-Day Intensive Boot Camp, you'll walk out knowing so much about cheese that you'll immediately want to share your newfound knowledge. You can also grab a group together for a private lesson of your choice, or enjoy a wine and cheese class with the help from the folks over at City Winery. Classes vary in price, so be sure to check their website!
Corkbuzz
75 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(646) 237-4847
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Here's a fun fact about Corkbuzz co-founder Laura Maniec: she became a sommelier right around the time she was legally allowed to drink, and was once the world's youngest female master sommelier. After an incredibly successful career in the New York restaurant industry, Maniec opened Corkbuzz, a wine bar, wine restaurant, and wine studio. The goal here is to make wine "approachable," meaning that questions are always welcome, no one is ever intimidated, and classes are kept totally casual.
Chelsea Wine Vault
75 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY
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Learn how to master the art of fine wine at a discount at Chelsea Wine Valut's Weekend Wine School, with a variety of classes costing only $20 each. They also frequently have free in-store wine tastings through the week -- check their calendar for details.
Le Grand Triage
1657 First Avenue
New York, NY 10028
(917) 475-1212
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Walk into Le Grand Triage and eventually you'll arrive at the Annex, where you can learn everything you've ever wanted to know about wine and spirits. Here, transparency counts: the shop stocks vintners, distillers, and other producers who are open and honest about their production practices. In other words, this is alcohol you can feel really good about drinking. Teachers go out of their way to make classes welcoming for everyone, regardless of prior exposure or background knowledge.
Astor Center
399 Lafayette St.
New York, NY
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Astor Center offers a wide range of amazing wine and cheese classes. From learning how to speak like a sommelier to discovering the perfect warm weather wines, every class is definitely worth the money. Expert instructors will lead you through the wine, cheese, and charcuterie of Spain, or the basic elements of wine. Come alone and meet others or have a fun date night out. Most classes are 2 hours and go from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm. on weekdays. Check website for class schedule and prices. Package deals are also available.
New York Vintners
21 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007
(212) 812-3999
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"Educate your palate" goes the tagline at New York Vintners. At this Tribeca shop, you'll learn what you like, and what you don't, which is always a good thing. For a really fun night, try a Blind Tasting class -- a friendly competition to see how well you know your Cabernet Sauvignon from your Sauvignon Blanc.
NYC Wine Company
167 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 647-1875
NYC Wine Company explains the philosophy behind its classes as follows: "The easy part is deciding if you like a wine or not. The difficult part is understanding why. What do you like about it, and how do you communicate your feelings?" The more you can articulate what makes your boat float, the happier you'll be in restaurants and wine shops. Most classes offer you the opportunity to sample between 10 and 20 wines, learning about the history, background, and flavor of each one as you go. Not sure what would be best? Try the Wine 101 class!
Italian Wine Merchants
108 E. 16th St.
New York, NY
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If you're looking for a Saturday class, head over to Italian Wine Merchants. Let a professional sommelier lead you through one of two educational wine tastings. Each weekend will feature a different area of Italy, so no matter which date you sign up for, you'll always have a different experience. If you're looking for something a little more private, sign up for an evening in their Vintage Tasting Room. An in-house sommelier will provide insight regarding a selected theme while you enjoy an assortment of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and other antipasti dishes. It's perfect for a small group (2-10 people.)
International Wine Center
350 7th Ave. Suite 1201
New York, NY
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If you're serious about furthering your wine knowledge, the International Wine Center is the place to go. Earn your WSET Diploma by taking classes starting at the Foundation Course level all the way up to the Advanced and Diploma Courses. The entry-level course teaches you the basics of wine, tasting technique, as well as wine and food pairing. The Advanced Course is for those who already know about wine labeling laws, appellation system, and grape types. This course also goes into a more detailed study of viticulture and vinification and students must pass an exam as well as a blind tasting of two wines. Earn your Wine & Spirit Education Diploma and start immersing yourself in the amazing world of wine.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
Jessica Allen is a New York-based writer.