In this session, we will taste major grape varieties, highlight important flavor profiles, and decode wine labeling, all while tasting eight delicious wines. We guarantee that you’ll be buying or ordering with confidence after one class. And always get the wine you want, regardless of price!

Premiering over a decade ago, Great Wine Made Simple has become an important class in our “Learn About Wine” series of introductory classes. This class dispels the confusing wine jargon and replaces it with easy-to-understand language.  You don’t need a library of wine books to understand a wine label, but you do need this class.

This class was part of the inspiration for the National Wine School’s Level One Sommelier course!

Tasting Sheets from Great Wine Made Simple

October 2019

Flight 1

1. Clemens Busch 2017 Trocken Riesling, Mosel, Germany

Flight 2

1. La Forcine 2016 Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France

2. Jean-Marc Burgaud 2016 Beaujolais-Villages Blanc, Burgundy, France

Flight 3

1. Lornano 2015 Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

2. Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli 2014 “Ser Lapo” Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany Italy

Flight 4

1. Foris 2017 Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, Oregon

2. Michel Gassier 2016 “Cercius” Vieilles Vignes, Côtes du Rhône, France

Flight 5

1. Château de Francs 2015 “Les Cerisiers” Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

June 2018

Flight 1

1. Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten 2016 Kabinett Riesling, Mosel, Germany

Flight 2

1. Pra Otto 2017 Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy

2. Domaine des Granges De Mirabel 2017, Coteaux de l’Ardèche IGP, Rhône Valley AOC, France

Flight 3

1. Moris Farms 2015 Morellino di Scansano DOCG, Toscana, Italy

2. Castelli di Gabbiano 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Toscana, Italy

Flight 4

1. Bodegas Solanera 2015 “Castano” Viñas Viejas, Yecla, Spain

2. Terroir Daronton 2017 Roaix, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France

Flight 5

1. Chateau de Macard 2016 Bordeaux Superieur, Bordeaux, France

September 2017

Flight 1

1. Hammond 2014 Trocken Riesling, Rheingau, Germany

Flight 2

1. La Forcine 2015 Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France

2. Babich 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Flight 3

1. Zotovich 2013 Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California

Flight 4

1. San Felice 2014 Chianti Classico D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy

2. Illuminati 2013 “Ilico” Riserva Montepulciano, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C., Abruzzo, Italy

Flight 5

1. Château Lestruelle 2009 Cru Bourgeois, Médoc, Bordeaux, France

2. Domaine Lafage 2014 Cuvée Nicolas, Vieilles Vignes, Côtes Catalanes, France

August 2016

Flight 1

1. Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2011 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany
Flight 2

1. Sbraga Family Vineyards 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma

2. Karine Lauverjat 2014 Sancerre AOC, France
Flight 3

1. San Fabiano Calcinaia 2012 Chianti Classico Denominazione di Origine Controllata E Garantita (DOCG), Tuscany, Italy

2. Villa Mora 2008 Rosso Riserva, Montefalco DOC, Italy
Flight 4

1. Bastide Miraflors 2013 “Vieilles Vignes”, Côtes Catalanes, France

2. Chapoutier 2013 Bila-Haut, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France

Flight 5
1. Château La Cardonne 2009 Médoc AOC, Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux, France

Great Wine Made Simple

Flight 1
1. St. Urbans-Hof 2010 Bockstein Ockfen Kabinett Riesling
Flight 2
1. Nicolas Potel 2011 Mâcon-Villages Bourgogne

2. Jean-Claude Lapalu 2009 Beaujolais-Villages

Flight 3
1. Fratelli Revello 2009 Langhe

2. Rocca di Castagnoli 2009 Chianti Classico
Flight 4
1. Marqués de Riscal Reserva 2006 Rioja

2. Dom. de la Grand Ribe 2009 Côtes du Rhône Villages Centenaire