How do I host a wine class?

Brian James — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 19:24:08 -0800

What do I need to know about setting up a wine class? I am thinking about organizing a wine appreciation class, perhaps a series of classes, for students at a nearby professional school. The class would be a student activity-type thing, not for credit.

I know of at least one wine class that takes place at a nearby cookware store (I'm in Brooklyn Heights, NYC), and I will probably chat up the lecturer for that class to check on their availability and so forth, and how feasible it might be to send any interested parties over to that class. They limit it to 10 people per class, and I'm almost positive I can round up at least that many people from the school alone.

But before I get that far, I have a few questions:

What do I look for in a wine instructor? How do I know I'm getting someone who knows what they're talking about, and not just some schmuck that "knows wine." Are there credentials for this kind of thing?

Any drawbacks to hosting the class on our turf, as opposed to holding it at a location that usually hosts such classes? (I don't think permission from the school will be a problem.) What kind of stuff/supplies/equipment do we need to provide? Glasses? I imagine the instructor will bring the selection of wines? There are of course numerous wine classes around NYC, but it would be much more convenient for our students if it could take place here, not to mention I'm hoping I can weasel some kind of discount.

Is there a "right size" for these classes? Can they get too big?

Anything else?

Wine business/education

Irontom — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 12:06:41 -0800

The business of wine... I love wine, and I'd like to get involved in the wine industry. The question is, how do I go about making that a reality - how do I "break in"? All I currently know is that I generally prefer red wine over white. I've started looking around online for wine education resources, but the options are a little overwhelming: CWP, CWE, CWS, and so forth.

So, how do I sort out all the various options? Are the Culinary Institute of America's wine courses worth the time and trouble? Is there something in the DC metro area that is equivalent (or better)?

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How do I host a wine class?

Wine business/education