Don’t know a Merlot from a Malbec? Or want to brush up on the basics about styles and regions and learn about pairing wine with food? Whether you’re a complete newbie or an experienced oenophile, here are spots in NoVA where you can take classes to learn all about wine.
Josephine
Each Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m., the French brasserie and bar in Old Town holds French wine classes. They’re hosted by Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG) wine director Erin Dudley. The ticketed guided tastings include six wines paired with cheeses. Plus, students have the opportunity to purchase wines after class. The March 12 session focuses on women winemakers in France. March 19 covers wines of the northern Rhône Valley. Students at the March 26 class will sample Alsatian whites. 109 S. St. Asaph St., Alexandria, starting at $49
Planet Wine
In addition to its two free weekly wine tasting sessions, the Del Rey wine shop also hosts themed tickets classes taught by NRG’s wine director, Erin Dudley. Learn about women in the wine industry on March 13, global Pinot Noirs on March 20, and obscure and under-appreciated varieties on March 27. Each seated wine class includes a tasting of six wines accompanied by artisanal cheeses and discounts on bottles purchased. 2004 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, starting at $39
Screwtop Wine Bar
On “Tasty Tuesdays,” the Arlington wine bar offers wine tastings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. They’re free for members and ticketed for everyone else. There are also monthly wine classes hosted by longtime club member Phil McDaniel. The session on March 13 features the terroir-driven wines of third generation Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato. 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington, $5–$15 dollars for weekly tastings, $39.99–$49.99 for monthly classes
Echelon Wine Bar
The Leesburg wine bar’s “Pours to Explore” is a series of monthly themed tastings, during which wine educators pour and talk about wines. On March 13, oenophiles will explore texture in wine, learn about Champagne on March 19, and delve into bottles from the Southern Hemisphere on March 27. In addition, Echelon also holds monthly Sip & Savor Socials, during which you can enjoy a tasting of 10 wines, selected by their wine director. Reservations are required for a time slot to taste. 32 S. King St., Leesburg, starting at $40 for Pours to Explore, $10 for Sip & Savor Social
Chain Bridge Cellars
The McLean retail shop offers free wine tastings on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The shop also offers free 45-minute classes, including a blind wine tasting session on March 19 and a spotlight on Chassagne Montrachet from Lamy-Pillot on March 26. Head to the website to book your slot. 1351 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, free
Sonoma Cellar
On March 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Alexandria wine bar and restaurant will hold its first wine class. Hosted in partnership with Banville Wine Merchants, the event immerses attendees in the wines of Marlborough, New Zealand, with a tasting of Te Pa Winery’s expressions. Pours will be accompanied by a cheese and charcuterie board and churrasco, and there will be discounts on bottles to take home. 207 King St., Alexandria, $75
Foodie-U Wine School / Dirt Road Wine Academy
This wine school at the Little Washington Winery offers hands-on, experiential yet accessible events to learn more about wine and pair it with food. Led by winemakers and sommeliers, the roster of pairing classes and regional classes includes a Wine Boot Camp with all the basics you need to know (March 16 and 30 and April 5), a Triple Threat class about pairing wine with cheese and chocolate (March 22 and April 26), and a Virginia Versus the World session that compares local options against their international counterparts. 65 Clark Ln., Washington, starting at $60
Capital Wine School
This DC wine school offers classes at all levels, taught by founder Jay Youmans and his staff of instructors. Classes are available both online and in-person. A two-hour Introduction to Wine Basics (April 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) class at Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg, for example, provides a good foundation of wine understanding including key grapes, styles, and regions. Rates and locations vary
Feature image of Josephine by Rey Lopez for Leading DC