7 NYC Wine Tasting Classes Sommeliers Love - CourseHorse
By Rebekah Yahoves | Published 7/24/2012
Wish you were savvy when talking about pairings, grapes, and menus? Here are our favorite wine tasting classes, NYC.

Most folks love a good wine-tasting. What we don’t love is pretending we know what we’re doing as we sip and savor. Many novices know good wine when we taste it, but its allure is hard to pinpoint. If you are subject to a little too much bluffing while you’re swishing, a quality wine tasting class can transform you from amateur to connoisseur. From sensory evaluation to grape varietals, here are some of the best wine classes New York has to offer.
Lower East Side Wine Tour
Pair Wine Tours
Lower East Side, Manhattan
There’s something for everyone as your intimate party of up to 12 explores delicious wines paired with tasty plates at restaurants and wine shops in one of New York’s hippest neighborhoods. Tour guides are knowledgeable and clear in their explanations to both novices and experts. Guests report that they never feel like tourists on Pair Wine Tours. They are merely students whose minds get filled with knowledge and tummies get filled with delicious treats. All questions are answered thoroughly and personably. Consider taking a bachelorette party or other culture-loving crew along with you. The school also offers wine tours of Hoboken and Hell’s Kitchen.
Wine & Cheese
Beecher's Handmade Cheese & the Cellar
Flatiron, Manhattan
Whether you’re a gouda girl or a mascarpone man, a nice plate of cheese is a great way to bring the flavor out of a fine glass of wine. This cozy, artsy wine bar in the cellar of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Shop will show you exactly how to pair your favorite reds and whites with a dairy indulgence. Stick around to try melt-in-your-mouth recipes like The Cellar’s “world’s best” mac-n-cheese or meatballs. The atmosphere is dim and comfy without being stuffy. Upstairs, take the time to shop for artisan cheeses like Just Jack and New Woman. Pure milk and the best ingredients are the reason why Beecher’s cheese was named “Best Cheddar in North America” in 2007.
Spain & Portugal: Classic Wines
NYC Wine Company
West Village, Manhattan
Whether it’s earthy reds from Rioja or lemony aperitifs from Basque, you will never grow weary of the powerful, sparkling tastes from Spain. This two-hour course also introduces rounded tastes from the neighboring nation of Portugal. Meanwhile, feast on local bites and cheeses from the flavorful region. NYC Wine Company’s instructors are known for being lively and engaging. Their passion and excitement for wine pairing contagious to all guests. It also offers classes that take you on a tasting expedition of Northern and Southern Italy, France, and Hidden California. Courses here make great gifts for the wine-lovers on your list. They will experience some of the best wine tastings NYC provides.
Champagne Sunset Cruise on Yacht Manhattan
Classic Harbor Line
Chelsea, Manhattan
Enjoy breathtaking views of the sun setting behind the statue of liberty while settling in for a relaxing 1 and ¾ hour bubbly-sipping tour. Champagne will improve your memory, lower blood pressure, and detoxify your skin. It is served in a clean, classy atmosphere with light appetizers like hummus and cheddar cheese. Every guest gets a free glass, as well as a bottle available for purchase. Classic Harbor Line is a beautiful way to show tourist friends the highlights of your beloved city. Join them on Sunday nights for a jazz trio that adds a little groove to your glass.
Wine & Cheese Pairing
Murray's Cheese
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Murray’s cheese shop is more than just a great place to buy bacon, salami, and sausages. Two quaint classrooms with a birds-eye view of the shop provide a unique setting for every level of cheese-lover. An expert will walk you and at least nine other guests through six domestic or international selections of wines paired with six cheeses. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the school’s Whisky and Cheese course or the Grilled Cheese Workshop. After our tasting adventure, sneak downstairs to sample a cheese board, Brooklyn-cured salami, or a wide variety of flavorful condiments.
Wine Tasting 101
CocuSocial Cooking Classes
East Village, Manhattan
If you love wine tasting, New York has a class for you! Any vino novice will appreciate the thorough introduction into the world of tasting. Learn about the wines made from different types of grapes, known as varietals. You will also discover techniques, such as using look and smell to identify wine types and regions. Learn about the tastes you will be detecting, such as sour, bitter and sweet. Teach your nose to pick up on primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas such as fruits, nuts, and cedar. You can also get some clues right from the label on the bottle. The instructors at Cocu Social are known for being friendly and skilled. Other great courses in the social hotel-bar setting include Chinese Dumplings, Fresh Mozzarella Making, and Make Your Own Sushi. Or take a class where you can make Ramen noodles from scratch.
Cooking with Wine (Adult / GF / BYOB)
Taste Buds Kitchen
Chelsea, Manhattan
Even casual drinkers will relish in the opportunity to create dishes such as Baked Salmon and Poached Pear using your favorite sparkling bottle. And of course, you are free to eat your delicious creations at the end. Adult classes at Taste Buds Kitchen are designed to spark creative conversations. There are two different kitchens: one for private parties and one for larger ones. The school is easy to find and reasonably priced. Guests praise awesome menus from classes like Homemade Pasta Twist and Mexican Fiesta. Instructors are funny, informative, and helpful. The school is the perfect backdrop for a date night or girls’ night out. Parents should look out for great opportunities for kids including party play dates, birthday extravaganzas, and teen birthday parties. Taste Buds also hosts field trips for schools.