I speak German fluently – and I’m going to be honest with you here – there are times I can barely tell up from down when I’m shopping in the German wine section. Between all the vineyard names and all the different undefined (on the label, at least) grape classifications, how does anyone sort it all out?
This class will help you understand what Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese mean and how to tell if a Riesling is dry, sweet, or somewhere in between. There’s a rich tapestry of German wines beyond Riesling, and we’ll dive into that pool as well.
We’ll have you be speaking fluent Spätburgunder in just two hours!
This class – limited to only ten students – will taste six wines with bread, German cheese, chocolate, and more.
WINE MENU (tentative) Kabinett Riesling | Spätlese Riesling | Auslese Riesling | Finger Lakes Riesling | Tasmania Riesling | Spätburgunder (a.k.a. Pinot Noir)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND This is a Level 1 survey course for beginners and enthusiasts. It assumes some exposure to wine but little or no formal wine knowledge. This program is appropriate for both consumers and professionals in all wine, food, hospitality and service industries.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Students will learn technical wine tasting, major grapes, and fundamentals of wine style. The emphasis is on providing an overview of wine ideas, plus an introduction to wine and food pairing concepts.
PLEASE NOTE Wine & food menus are subject to change based on availability, inspiration, and whimsy!
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS Guests & students must be at least 21.
SPECIAL OFFER The day of your class, you get 10% off your purchase at Sorriso! Just show your Boston Wine School ticket to get your discount, which is good only on the day of your class.
YOUR EDUCATOR
JONATHON ALSOP is founder & executive director of the Boston Wine School, author of The Wine Lover’s Devotional and In Vino Veritas, and a commentator for National Public Radio on WGBH | Boston Public Radio and Under The Radar.
He began writing about wine, food and travel in 1988 and emerged as a wine expert through his syndicated wine column. He has contributed numerous articles to the Associated Press, Frequent Flyer Magazine, La Vie Claire, Beverage Business Magazine, Mobil Travel Guides, Fodor’s Travel Guides, Boston Globe, and many others.
Jonathon founded the Boston Wine School in 2000 where he teaches wine and food classes in a dedicated 100% snob-free zone. His new book Wine Life: A Collection Of Verses will be published in 2025.
VENUE
SORRISO MARKET | sorrisomarket.com | 27 Harvard Street, Brookline Village MA 02445


