Exotic Wines: The Wine Tasting Class

Obscure, Rare, and Shockingly Delicious.

Is it deliciously exotic—or exotically delicious? Either way, we’re popping corks on wines that most people have never heard of… but won’t soon forget.

In this class, the rule is simple: the more off-the-radar, the better. We’ve crisscrossed the globe—figuratively and literally—to track down wines that defy the mainstream. Some are from regions you didn’t know made wine. Some are crafted from grapes you’ve never seen on a label. A few are both. Those are the real gems.

These wines aren’t just rare curiosities. They’re genuinely, thrillingly good. That’s the bar. We’re not here to sip something weird just to say we did. These bottles earn their spot.

If you’re the type who’d rather try something bold than stick to the usual buttery Chardonnay, you’re in the right place. Expect to leave this class with a few new obsessions—and a broader sense of how wild and wonderful the wine world really is.

Bonus: you’ll also get a look inside the mind of a cellar master. The kind of wine nerd who spots trends a decade before they show up on wine lists. Case in point: our first Exotica class in 2002 featured an unknown wine from Argentina made with a strange little grape called Malbec. Yeah. That happened.

Exotic Wines (Previous Wine Tasting Class)

First Flight

1. Stobi 2018 Zilavka, Macedonia

2. Scholium Project 2016 “VLV Reserve Vista” Verdelho, Clements Hills

Second Flight

1. Morande 2019 “Pionero Reserva” Pais, Valle De Maule

2. Vinos Sin-Ley 2011 “GRA2” Graciano, Rioja

Third Flight

1. Brkic 2015 Plava Greda, Bosnia-Hercegovina

Fourth Flight

1. Cos Poggiale 2014 Niellucciu/Syrah, Corsica

2. Yacoubian-Hobbs 2016 Areni. Armenia

Previous Wine Tasting Sheets

Our Exotic Wine Class is Super Fun

Exotic Wines (Previous Wine Tasting Class)

First Flight1. Jean Caille 2016 Vieilles Vignes Apremont, Savoie (FR)

2. Scarbolo 2016 Pinot Grigio, Fruili (IT)

Second Flight1. Biava 2015 Moscato Nero, Lombardy (IT)

2. Petroni 2015 “Corse” Red, Corsica (FR)

Third Flight1. Bibich 2012 “g.6” Grenache, North Dalmatia (HT)

2. Pilizota 2015 Plavina, Sibenik (HT)

Fifth Flight1. Douloufakis 2015 “Dafnios” Liatiko, Dafnes (GR)

2. Tikveš 2012 “Barovo” Vranac /Kratosija, Tikveš (MK)