Wine appreciation classes in Perth
The world of wine can be intimidating. But if you’re keen to gain a little more knowledge so you can comment on wines with confidence, there are plenty of opportunities to do so through wine appreciation classes in Perth.
The best way to learn is by tasting lots of wine, and picking up techniques to notice their characteristics and identify what you do or don’t like about them. The experts who deliver these classes will help you with just that.
From one-off tasting events to short courses that will develop your wine knowledge step-by-step, here are some great wine appreciation classes in Perth.
Canny Grapes
Wine expert and travel enthusiast Anja Lewis runs themed wine tasting classes around Perth through her small business, Canny Grapes. Classes are usually based around a particular grape or region – like riesling or Rioja – and no two are the same, so it’s no wonder she has a large following of regular attendees! Each event has an interesting selection of around 6 to 8 wines specifically curated for the theme.
Canny Grapes wine tasting classes are held at great venues, such as Duende (a vibrant tapas bar in Leederville) and Steve’s (a sleek space in Nedlands, where long-table tastings are held in their wonderful wine store). Anja works with the venues to plan a menu of matched finger food, which will give you some pairing ideas as well as help manage the tipsiness. You’ll go home with your personal sheet of tasting notes, a detailed booklet covering every wine tasted, and – no doubt – some new knowledge and preferences.
At just over $80 a class, I’ve found Canny Grapes wine tasting classes to be great value. Sign up to the mailing list to be notified when new classes are announced, and be quick to book because they sell out in a snap!
School of Wine
School of Wine offers both one-off themed ‘masterclasses’ (which are suitable for all levels), and a ‘Wine 101’ course run over three sessions, delivered by wine merchant Adam Collet. Held at inner-city locations on weekday evenings, these are convenient for public transport – just jump on the train after sipping your way through tastes of eight or so wines! The two-hour classes are packed full of facts and again, you’ll get an informative booklet to take home in case you can’t quite remember everything after all the wine.
In 2022 I attended their ‘Wine from A-Z’ event, featuring samples of a wine for every letter of the alphabet – most of which you’ve probably never heard of. Rather than a sit-down, small-group class, this was a larger-scale session where you could wander between tables to try 26 weird and wonderful wines, either in alphabetical order or by following their recommended tasting order. It was a seriously good value event – and it’s on the calendar again for October 2023, so don’t miss out.
Ready to take your wine obsession further? School of Wine is also now a provider of the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 and Level 2 Award in Wines, offering serious enthusiasts the chance to develop systematic wine tasting skills and gain a formal qualification.
Wine Education Centre
The educational arm of Wines of Western Australia (an industry association representing producers statewide), the Wine Education Centre offers a small range of short courses held at Old Bridge Cellars in North Fremantle and Como. These are taught by wine consultant, distributor and reviewer Blair Hill. The four-week Wine Essentials course includes the “Essential Wine Tasting Guide”, six wines per session, a Swan Valley vineyard visit and a food and wine pairing at cosy French-inspired restaurant Habitué. There’s also a World of Wine course aimed at those who’ve completed the Essentials course, covering major grape varieties grown in various regions worldwide.
Upper Reach Winery
Upper Reach Winery offers their own series of introductory wine appreciation classes in the Swan Valley – Wine 101, 102 and 103. Wine 101 is an intro to tasting, typically held several times a month, and a bargain at $65 (with the option to add on lunch overlooking the vineyard for a little more). Wine 102 focuses on food and wine pairing, and Wine 103 delves into ageing wines, so is ideal for those getting serious about their cellar.
