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 Huxelrebe in just two hours!

This class – limited to 8 students – will taste six wines with bread, German cheese, chocolate, and more.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND This is a survey course for beginners and enthusiasts alike. 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, the major German wine grapes, and fundamentals of winemaking style. The emphasis is on providing an overview of wines, plus an deep understanding of pairing concepts.

PLEASE NOTE Wine & food menus are subject to change based on availability, inspiration, and whimsy!

WINE + MENU (tentative) Kabinett Riesling | Spätlese Riesling | Auslese Riesling | Sylvaner | Scheurebe | Spätburgunder (a.k.a. Pinot Noir)

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS Guests & students must be at least 21.

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 2024.

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