A Libation Education Menu

CONJUNCTION,
CONJUNCTION, WHAT’S YOUR FUNCTION . .
. Thought I’d share
that classic School House Rock tune with you, because it’s
been going around and around in my head ever since I decided
to write about Wine Education. Education, education, what’s
your libation?

Whether you’re
new to the wine world or are taking yourself to the next
level, there are a number of different educational options
in Massachusetts to choose from once you’ve decided to “get
serious” about your wine knowledge. But no matter what your
degree of education, one thing that remains consistent is
the sensation of being overwhelmed with the masses of
information that are available, much of which changes about
every 6 months. From novice to professional, this feeling
really doesn’t change. This, in my mind, is a good thing. It
keeps us humble and passionate about our hobby or
occupation, and it never grows stale.

For the ardent
novice, a great way to begin is to buy Wine for Dummies, a
fantastic book with an unfortunate title. Co-written by a
Master of Wine, if you learn best via reading, this is an
excellent source to establish a foundation in the wine
world. Beyond this, some of the best books for reference are
Tom Stevenson’s Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, and Jancis
Robinson’s Oxford Companion. Unfortunately, as the saying
goes, wine books are out of date the moment they are
printed. To supplement this, magazines like decanter (and
its website www.decanter.com) are excellent resources, and
Tom Stevenson’s wine report is phenomenal for annual updated
information.

If classes are
more to your learning style seek out a wine shop that offers
individual or series classes. This can be a great way of
exploring your passion without sinking in a large sum of
money. Some sort of Wine 1O1 is usually available. It’s also
possible that the classes can be taught focusing on
particular wines or regions that you have an affinity for. A
great bonus from this is being able to taste wines that the
shop offers, and then being able to buy with the best kind
of informed opinion – your own. Wine shops also often offer
free tastings, and at a well-staffed establishment, the
person pouring at the tasting can also offer an impromptu
lesson, beyond a sales pitch. Yankee Spirits, Formaggio
Kitchen, BRIX Wine Shop, Gordon’s Fine Wine & Liquors,
and the Wine Gallery are but a few stores that offer some
terrific tastings, seminars and classes.

After this, if
your thirst is still unquenched, then the Wine and Spirits
Education Trust in Boston, otherwise known as the WSET, and
The Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center at Boston
University are but two more ways to go. Most of classes are
targeted to wine professionals, but anyone with a love of
the grape and some prior knowledge would do well. If you can
name three of the five grapes used in red Bordeaux, you’re
at the right stage for at least the entry-level course.
These programs offer many individual classes as well as
different levels of formal study. In all cases, these
classes are built around tasting many different wines. It’s
an unfortunate necessity that to study, you have to taste
wines side by side to understand the differences between
them. It is a difficult profession we have, but one must do
what one must do!

Another
excellent program that unfortunately is not in Boston but
definitely worth mentioning is the Society of Wine
Educators. The two levels in this program, the Certified
Specialist of Wine and the Certified Wine Educator, are
really for those of serious study. The CSW exam is certainly
for someone for whom wine has gone beyond the casual hobby
level or for when wine has become a profession. The study
guide for the CSW is an excellent tool for self-education,
whether or not you decide to go with this
program.

Another fun
avenue to explore is to have a group of friends indulge in
self-study; sort of like a book club with liquor. Having a
themed dinner party or hiring a wine educator (nudge nudge,
wink wink), are just some of the ways that you can study in
a very social context. The personalized group is the best
way to achieve study that’s tailored very specifically to
your interests – you choose everything. Also, keep an eye
out for wine festivals and conventions in and around your
area. This, without a doubt, is one of the best forms of
concentrated study that can be available. The seminars are
great one-session events and the depth and breadth of wines
that you can experience in one place is more than worth the
cost of the ticket. So if you feel the sensation of being
bitten by the grape, there are a multitude of avenues to
begin and continue your passion.