Wine & Supply Recommendations

Wine Glasses

For class, you will need two (2) wine glasses. We recommend you use a single type of wine glass throughout this program. As long as they have a standard shape and size, it does not matter what brand you use. We have our own custom wine tasting glasses which are based on our stringent standards. As long as your wine glasses have a similar shape, you will be perfectly fine. We STRONGLY recommend to NOT use stemless or overly ornate glassware.

Wine Preservation

You may want to keep your wines from class to class. It is mission-critical to have wines that are varietally correct and in pristine conditions when tasting. There are several ways to preserve wines effectively. If you are going to use wines for multiple classes, please review the following suggestions on wine preservation.

Refrigeration. The first way is to refrigerate all wines immediately after class, including red wines. The cold significantly decreases the effect of oxygen on opened wine. You may be able to get two weeks of classes with the method. This technique can be used in tandem with the following techniques to increase the viability of your wines exponentially.

Coravin. The Coravin is a high-tech way to preserve wine. Using a large hollow needle, the device injects a food-safe gas (argon) through the cork. At the same time, the added gas pressure in the wine bottle forces wine through the needle’s hollow core and into a waiting glass of wine. This is an excellent option but is also the most expensive. Click here for the Amazon page.

Always disinfect the needle with grain alcohol before using, and always prime the device by shooting out a second of argon into the air before injecting it into the cork. When the coravin is used properly, wines can last years. This product does not work with glass or stelvin enclosures.

Argon Canister. You do not need to splurge for a Coravin to gain the benefit of using argon. The gas is used by winemakers to keep oxygen away from wine, both during production and at bottling. When combined with refrigeration, it will keep wines up to a month with any significant amount of oxidation. It is essential to keep the wine under a blanket of argon from the moment it is opened. Click here for the Amazon page.

Wine Scent Kit

To complete the Level Two Sommelier program, you are required to have the L2 Wine Scent Kit.

Level Two Wine List

The wines listed here are recommendations only. We link to wine.com as they are able to ship to most states. However, not all of our recommendations may be available in your area. If you have a local wine shop that you trust, we suggest taking a printout of the tasting sheets and seek out their recommendations. To locate local these wines near you, we recommend using Wine-Searcher.

Week One: Intro to Sensory Wine Tasting

Along with the following recommended wines, you will need high-quality jelly beans and masking tape.

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc icon| Artesa Carneros Chardonnay 2018 icon | Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir icon| Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon icon

Week Two: Components of White Wines

Along with the following recommended wines, you will need 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and tartaric acid.

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc icon| Artesa Carneros Chardonnay icon | A Decent Pinot Grigio icon | Hugel Classic Riesling icon

Week Three: Components of Red Wines

Along with the following recommended wines, you will need 1/4 teaspoon of liquid oak tannin.

A Decent Pinot Grigio icon | Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir icon| Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon icon | Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2018 icon | Vina Zorzal Garnacha 2019 icon | Andrew Murray Tous les Jours Syrah

Week Four: Old World vs New World

Domaine Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2019 icon | Artesa Carneros Chardonnay 2018 icon | Bouchard Pere & Fils Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019 icon | Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir icon| Georges Vernay St Joseph Terres d’Encre 2017 icon | Andrew Murray Tous les Jours Syrah | Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon icon | Chateau Greysac Medoc |

Week Five: Varietal Lab

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc icon | Artesa Carneros Chardonnay 2018 icon | Bouchard Pere & Fils Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019 icon | Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2018 icon | Vina Zorzal Garnacha 2019 icon | Georges Vernay St Joseph Terres d’Encre 2017 icon | Chateau Greysac Medoc |

Week Six: Winemaking Basics

Along with the following recommended wines, you will need 1 ounce of 100 proof vodka. Wines with an asterisk (*) should not be swapped out for other brands.

Ripeness & Alcohol Broadbent Vinho Verde | Malolactic Fermentation Forman Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019* icon | Artesa Carneros Chardonnay 2018 icon | Skin Contact & Tannin Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Rose 2020 icon | Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Rouge 2019 icon | Influence of Oak 1. American Oak Mollydooker The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon icon | 2. French Oak Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 icon |

Week Seven: Blind Tasting

Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay Giesen Sauvignon Blanc icon | Forman Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019* icon | Pinot Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon Bouchard Pere & Fils Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019 icon | Chateau Greysac Medoc | Sangiovese & Syrah Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2018 icon | Georges Vernay St Joseph Terres d’Encre 2017 icon |

Week Eight: Practical Exam

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc icon | Artesa Carneros Chardonnay 2018 icon | Bouchard Pere & Fils Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019 icon | Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2018 icon | Vina Zorzal Garnacha 2019 icon | Georges Vernay St Joseph Terres d’Encre 2017 icon | Chateau Greysac Medoc |

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