The founder and principal of NYC's foremost wine bar, Divine Bar, is prepared to take her private restaurant staff wine training public! She will conduct ongoing two-part lectures and tastings to teach wine novices everything they ever wanted to learn but were afraid to ask!

Shari Schneider, a graduate of Cornell University, has formatted wine training lectures after those she attended at her alma mater and has already taught "Wines 101" at The New York Restaurant School as well as all her Divine Bar staff members for the past 12 years and counting. Here it is...the ONE and ONLY lecture you will ever have to attend to finally demystify wine!

Two Lectures, 2.5 hours each part.

Part 1 Syllabus:

• How wine is made (from grape growing to fermentation)
• Definitions and explanations of corks, glasses, swirling, breathing, decanters, screw caps, varietals, "terroir", appellations, Old Vine, "Old World vs. New World", and wine-making jargon.
• A tasting and explanation of 6 grape varietals (types) featuring:
  1. A comparison between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
  2. A comparison of Chardonnays from around the globe
  3. A comparison of Sauvignon Blancs from around the globe
  4. A comparison of other fun and exciting white grapes

Part 2 Syllabus:

• A comparison of differences between white and red grapes
• An explanation of aging and Tannins
• An explanation and comparison of Barrel Fermentation and Barrel Aging
• A tasting and explanation of 10 grape varietals (types) featuring:
  1. A comparison of Cabernet and Merlot
  2. A comparison of Merlots from around the globe
  3. A comparison of Cabernets from around the globe
  4. A comparison of "Spicy" Grapes: Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel
  5. A comparison of grapes/styles from "Old World" regions of Spain, Italy, & France
  6. A tasting of native South American red grapes

Divine Bar West / Upstairs Lounge
236 West 54th St. b/w 8th & Broadway. Click here for map and directions.
Note: Location subject to change (nearby) depending on final class attendance and room capacity.

Two Consecutive Sundays. 6.30pm-9:00pm, with an optional 1/2 hour for Q&A afterwards.
Advance reservations required, $165 for ONE reservation, or $250 for TWO reservations combined ($125 per person). Click here for our schedule/times of classes.

There are no formal make-up classes; a student who misses one part can contact Vino-Versity management (212-265-WINE) to arrange for an extra classroom seat if or when possible. There are no guarantees any such "audit" class will be available, nor occur within the same month.

Part 1 focuses on white grape varietals; Part 2 focuses on red grape varietals. Specific wines being poured each lecture will be determined each day and printed out for all students, along with helpful Vino-Versity take-home literature. Students can also take home their set of 3 Reidel Crystal Stemware after each lecture part (bags will be provided!)

Students who enjoy the wines tasted at each lecture may also stay afterwards and enjoy many of them (and others) at the Divine Bar downstairs bar. A special password for a 20% online discount on all wine glasses and serviceware at www.riedel.com will be offered to ALL Vino-Versity Boot Camp graduates!