Explore your tastes… via TASTINGS, EVENTS and CLASSES
Explore French, Italian, South American, Spanish, South American, Australian, Californian – almost any wine region – by way of the streets of NYC.
Wine events, tastings and classes are a fun way to try new wines without breaking the bank or using vacation days. Just think, if you don’t have the time or money to travel overseas, you can create your wine journey from your back yard.
Wines in the City has discovered some fun and accessible tastings, events and classes – from the numerous choices that are popping up around the city at a rapid pace this season.
This list is based on options that offer wine lovers (beginners or connoisseurs) a reputable, fun, straightforward insight into wine. Our focus will be on the best ratio of information to entertainment to budget-friendly (<$75) opportunities. (Note: there may be the occasional higher priced option if we feel it is worth its value for the wines and info provided.)
Wine themes range from wines of specific countries, specific regions, grape varieties, vintages (year), style comparisons, flavor profiles, as well as food pairings, how to taste and more.
This list will most likely change often… so check back, make comments, make suggestions or tell us about your own themes you are interested in seeing.
Many of these events pour quality wines that provide you with a general understanding of the wine theme of the night. It is important to note: price does have a parallel impact on the level of wines poured. So, don’t expect to taste a $200 bottle of Bordeaux from a top producer at a $15 entrance fee. But, hey, sometimes you just might get lucky.
Wine events – social walk around themed tastings organized periodically throughout the year.
| Event | # of events annually | Average Price |
| Vino-versity (new space tbd) | 15+ | $40 |
| Fun With Wine | 3-6 | $50-$70 |
| Wine Down | 8+ | $40-$50 |
| Tasting World Tasting Events | 5-7 | $65+ |
| City Winery Events | 6-10 | $35+ |
| Bottlerocket Happy Hours | 8-10 | $25 |
Tastings or classes under $35
| Company | Type | Led By | Approximate # of wines | Average Price | Description |
| Bacchus Wine made Simple | 1.5 hour walk around taste testing based on one theme | Distributors, Shop staff | 12-16 (1 oz pours) | $20 | These can be crowded – it is rare to receive in-depth description about each wine. |
| Chelsea Wine Vault – Frugal Forums | 1 hour sit down class | Shop management, staff | 6 (2-4 oz pours) | $35 | Well paced class led by 1 or 2 expert wine guides providing practical tidbits and information |
Classes $40-$75
| Company | Type | Led By | Approximate # of wines | Average Price |
| Astor Center | 2 hour sit down class. Multi-disciplinary unique themes | Usually led by Astor wine expert | 6 wines. | $45-$110+ |
| Tasting World | 2 hour sit down wine class. Wine industry basics | usually led by wine expert or wine maker | 6-8 wines. | $ |
| NY Vintners | 1.5-2 hour sit down wine class | Usually led by wine shop steward | 5-6 wines. | $45 |
| Morrell Wine | 2 hour sit down wine class | Usually Morrell executive | 6-8 select wines. | $70 |
| Bacchus Wine made Simple | 2 hour sit down wine class | Usually Bacchus Education Director | 6-8 wines. | $75 |
| City Winery | 2 hour sit down themed wine class | Usually led by industry wine expert/ wine maker. | 6-8 wines. | $45+ |
| Maslow 6 | 2 hour sit down wine class | Usually led by industry wine maker. | 6-8 wines. | $25+ |
| Vero Wine Bar | 2 hour sit down class | Usually led by Vero wine steward or industry representative. | 6-8 wines. | $65+ |
Classes more than $75
| Company | Type | Led By | Approximate # of wines | Average Price |
| NY Wine Co. | 2 hour, sit down wine class. | Led by wine sommelier/ wine maker. | 8-10+ wines. | $90 |
Classes not yet visited, but established in the NYC wine industry:
| Company | Type | Led By | Approximate # of wines | Average Price |
| Artisanal Cheese Center | Learn about pairing wines and cheeses. | Info tbd | Info tbd | $75 |
| Pasanella & Sons | Typically wine & cheese themes. | Info tbd | Info tbd | $45+ |
| Le Du’s Wines | Typically themes around European wines. | Info tbd | Info tbd | $55+ |
| The Institute of Culinary Education | Info tbd | Info tbd | Info tbd | $65+ |
| Bottlerocket | Wine fundamentals | Info tbd | Info tbd | $50 |
| Vino | Italian wines | Info tbd | Info tbd | $45-$75 |
| Otto Pizzaria | Wines of Italy | Info tbd | Info tbd | $45-$75 |
You can always visit any of your local wine shops who usually offer a distributor’s tasting of 1-3 wines in the afternoon. Check back here for potential listings of these free, simple tastings.
Should you want to delve deeper into the wine world… here are a list of courses or credential programs that you may want to look into for a more in-depth study.
Certificate/ credential programs
| School | Program | # of classes | Average Price |
| International Wine Center | WSET Certificate Program | 8 | $790 |
| American Sommelier Association | 8-week foundation course | 8 | $950 |
| Tasting World | Wine 101; 4-week | 4 | $345 |
| Tasting World | Wine 101; 8-week | 8 | $695 |
| Windows on the World | All about wine with Kevin Zraly | 8 | $995 |
