SAVE on classes and curate your ideal class lineup in 2024 with our Custom 3-Pack of classes!

A Live, Virtual Wine Class Series taught by wine educator & Sommelier, George Staikos

2024 class themes

Signs of Spring exploring floral wines

Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7pm EST on Zoom

In this new and informative class we will do a deep dive into wines with floral characteristics. We will define what characterizes a floral wine, explore the various aromas and flavors commonly associated with them, and identify the shared characteristics that make them distinct. We'll also discuss specific wine varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Torrontés, Semillon, Viogniers, Marsanne-Roussanne, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Nebbiolo, which are renowned for their aromatic profiles and floral attributes. Discover the perfect pairings for these wines and unlock the beauty of spring in every glass.

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PLANNING TO ATTEND? See what to "pair" with this class!

This class will highlight grape varieties that produce floral characteristics, so here is a list of ideas of both white and red wines to try. We invite you to try one or more of these (or choose something else entirely!). It's always wonderful to have a variety of wines being tasted during class; it always enhances discussion!

WHITE WINE

  • Gewürztraminer from Alsace

  • Torrontés from Argentina

  • Viognier from France

  • Marsanne-Roussanne from Rhone Valley

RED WINE

  • Gamay from Beaujolais

  • Nebbiolo from Piedmont

Looking for more specific recommendations or somewhere to purchase your wines? We love Central Wine Merchants in Flemington, NJ, they are long-time supporters of The Educated Grape, have an incredibly knowledgeable staff, and ship nationwide.

Smoke & Spice unique wines for smoking & BBQ

Monday, June 10, 2024 at 7pm EST on Zoom

Join us for this wine class that is sure to elevate your outdoor culinary experiences. In this class, we explore a selection of both old and new world wines, revealing surprising and delightful pairings that will enhance your barbecue and smoking adventures. Learn about the fascinating interplay between wine and smoked or grilled flavors, as we delve into various smoking and barbecuing techniques, and discover how they can impact wine pairings. From robust Zinfandels and savory Syrahs to elegant Pinot Noirs and crisp Assyrtiko, we'll explore a diverse range of wine varieties, discussing how their flavors and profiles complement the rich and savory notes of smoked and barbecued dishes. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a grill master, this class promises to expand your palate and inspire your culinary creativity.

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Wine & Cheese the essentials

Monday, September 23, 2024 at 7pm EST on Zoom

This class is a delightful exploration of the art of pairing wine and cheese, perfect for both novices and connoisseurs. In this class, you will learn the intricacies of curating and assembling a perfect cheese board, discovering the harmonious fusion of flavors and textures that result from pairing different types of cheese with the right wines. We'll delve into which wines to pair with popular cheeses, from the creamy decadence of brie to the bold flavors of blue cheese, offering insights into the science and art of creating exquisite combinations. We will highlight contrasting, complementing, or enhancing flavors, to elevate your wine and cheese experience. Join us in this class to unlock the secrets of these timeless culinary companions and elevate your wine and cheese pairing skills to a whole new level. Cheers!

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Wines that Spark Joy crowd-pleasers for this holiday season

Monday, November 25, 2024 at 7pm EST on Zoom

Indulge in the festive spirit with this class, where we explore a delightful array of crowd-pleasing wines specially curated for this Holiday Season. Join us as we will help you in exploring unexpected, yet delightful wine selections perfectly suited for this time of year. From navigating the art of selecting the ideal wine to serve at your holiday gathering to thoughtful recommendations for wine gifts that will leave a lasting impression, this class offers a wealth of insights and inspiration. Featuring sparkling Prosecco to set the mood, rich and velvety Pinot Noirs for dinner, and a selection of dessert wines to add the special touch to your celebrations, "Wines that Spark Joy" promises to elevate your holiday wine experience and leave you and your guests celebrating holiday cheer.

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We have created a page with all the products and resources we love and have been mentioned in our classes, for you to peruse and purchase at your convenience!

NEW!

2024 Classes & Packages

  • We offer gift cards, and you can opt to send them a gift card worth the amount of a single class, Custom 3-Pack, or Full Year Package. OR if you would prefer to make the transaction yourself, you may purchase it yourself and let us know via email that it is intended for someone else. We will need you to provide their name and email for our records and so we can send them the Zoom link and resources at the time of the classes.

CUSTOM 3-PACK

$120

registering for a 3-Pack includes:

  • 3 classes of your choosing ($135 value)

  • Zoom links to each class

  • recordings of each class

  • copies of the Class Presentation Slides

  • the Class Notes Outlines

SINGLE CLASSES

$45

AVAILABLE NOW!

registering for a single class includes:

  • one Zoom link

  • recording of the class

  • copy of the Class Presentation Slides

  • the Class Notes Outline

Mike A. from VA

“The Educated Grape has been a wonderful experience for us to learn more about the wine industry in a comfortable environment. George always welcomes all questions and there is no expectation on your level of knowledge. We have enjoyed learning more about wines, foods to pair them with and the regions and varietals that they come from.”

Susan D. from NJ

“After 3 1/2 years of Zoom classes, George’s knowledge and his ability to convey it continues to lure you back for more! I look forward to another year of The Wide World of Wine!”

2024 Wide World of Wine FAQs

  • If the people joining you for the class will be in the same location as you (from the same device), they do not have to register separately. Your registration is good for one Zoom link, and whoever is there to enjoy the class with you is covered in that.

    If you’ve told other people about the class, and they want to join you (virtually), but in a separate location, they will need to register separately. We do check the names of of everyone joining our Zoom call and refer to the registrations.

  • In 2024 we will be offering broader suggestions of wines by giving some grape varieties or regions to look for, instead of suggesting specific wines as we have in the past. Many of these themes do not lend themselves to featuring specific wines, or we would be limiting ourselves by featuring only a couple specific wines. By shifting this aspect of Wide World of Wine, we are hoping to have more colorful conversations with participants having a variety of wines! Looking for somewhere to purchase your wines? We love Central Wine Merchants in Flemington, NJ, they are long-time supporters of The Educated Grape, have an incredibly knowledgeable staff, and ship nationwide.

    Along with wines, we will not be featuring recipes in 2024, but we want to share our favorite resource! Nearly every recipe we feature is from foodandwine.com, and it is an incredibly user-friendly website. Utilize the search bar and type in things like "Sauvignon Blanc pairings" or "Summer salad recipes" or "beef recipes." You'll be met with lists of recipes that apply to your search and you can sift through until you find something that sounds perfect. TIP: Even if you are just perusing their recipes, most of them have suggested wine pairings at the bottom!

  • Yes! Everyone that is registered for the class will receive the recording the next morning via email. The recording will be directly linked in the email and will be available to you via that link until 90 days after the class.

  • The class Zoom link will be sent out to everyone registered for the class the morning of. Typically you can expect to get this email by 10am Eastern.

  • You will receive your Class Presentation Slides and Class Notes Outlines the morning of your class, in the same email as your Zoom link. These will both come in the form of downloadable PDFs.

  • After you purchase your Custom 3-Pack, you should receive an email immediately after, and that email will have a link to select your three classes! We ask that you select your three classes in advance and at one time. After you select your three classes, you will receive an email from us within 24 hours with a confirmation of your selections for you to save for your own records. If you would like to switch any of your class selections, simply email us at least 24 hours before the class you are switching from or the class you are requesting to attend instead.

  • The simplest way to do this is to purchase a gift card- we offer gift cards worth the amount of a single class, Custom 3-Pack, or Full Year Package. Or if you would prefer to make the transaction yourself, you may purchase it and let us know via email that it is intended for someone else. We will need you to provide their name and email for our records and so we can send them the Zoom link and resources at the time of the classes

  • You can receive updates about upcoming Wine World of Wine classes, sales and updates by signing up for our Wide World of Wine email list. Unless it’s a time of year where we are launching a new package or are holding a big promotion, you can expect to receive an email from us about once a week. (If you are on any of our other email lists, you can expect to receive a few more!)

  • All of our classes are taught by George Staikos, sommelier and wine industry veteran, and the Founder and President of The Educated Grape.

Sign up for our Wide Word of Wine email list so you don’t miss out on alerts about our 2024 season!