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 productions 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 Recommendations for Level Three Online Programing

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.

Introduction

1. Dry Riesling Dr Loosen Dry Riesling 2. California Syrah Andrew Murray Tous Les Jours Syrah 2017

Wines of France

First Flight 1. Pouilly-Fumé Domaine Cailbourdin Pouilly-Fume Les Cris 2019 | 2. Chablis Domaine Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2019 | Second Flight 1. Burgundy Bouchard Pere & Fils Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019 | Third Flight 1. Southern Rhone Jaboulet Pierre Aiguille Gigondas 2017 | 2. Northern Rhone Georges Vernay St Joseph Terres d’Encre 2017 Fourth Flight 1. Bordeaux Chateau Greysac 2015 |

Wines of North America

First Flight 1. East Coast Riesling Boundary Breaks No.239 Riesling 2019 | 2. Northern California Chardonnay Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 | Second Flight 1. Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Lemelson Thea’s Select Pinot Noir 2017 | Third Flight 1. Central Coast Rhone Blend Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec 2019 | 2. Northern California Zinfandel Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2019 | Fourth Flight 1. Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Substance Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 |

Wines of Australia, New Zealand & South Africa

First Flight 1. South Australia Riesling Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2019 | 2. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2020 | Second Flight 1. New Zealand Pinot Noir Clos Henri Pinot Noir 2016 | 2. South Africa Pinotage Southern Right Pinotage 2020 | Third Flight 1. Western Australian Syrah Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz 2017 | 2. Southern Australia Cabernet Sauvignon Mollydooker The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 |

Wines of Italy

First Flight 1. Pinot Grigio, Trentino-Alto Adige J. Hofstatter Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2018 | Second Flight 1. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2018 | 2. Chianti Classico Ruffino Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva 2017 | Third Flight 1. Primitivo, Puglia Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo 2017 | 2. Aglianico, Campania Donnachiara Irpinia Aglianico 2018 | Fourth Flight 1. Nebbiolo. Piedmonte G.D. Vajra Nebbiolo Langhe 2019 |

Wines of the Spain

1. Albarino, Rias Baixas La Cana Albarino 2020 | 2. Grenache, Zarzoga Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2018 | 3. Rioja La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva Tinto 2016 | 4. Monastrell, Jumilla Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya 2019 | 5. Mencia, Bierzo Vinos de Arganza Flavium Seleccion Mencia 2015 | 6. Priorat Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat 2019

Wines of Chile & Argentina

First Flight 1. Torrontes, Salta El Esteco Don David Reserve Torrontes 2020 | 2. Sauvignon Blanc, Elqui Valley Mayu Sauvignon Blanc 2020 | Second Flight 1. Bonarda, Mendoza Durigutti Bonarda 2019 | 2. Pinot Noir, Casablanca Errazuriz Max Reserva Pinot Noir 2019 | Third Flight 1. Malbec, Uco Valley Zuccardi Q Malbec 2019 | 2. Carmenere, Rapel Valley Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Carmenere 2019 |