Wine school is back in session

As aromas of sunscreen and shorelines transition to school supplies and new shoes, there is no denying that change is in the air. The school year kick off for the younger people in our lives makes a great excuse for us adults to brush up on our studies as well – our wine studies. 

Adding to or embarking on oenology studies is a sure-fire way to fortify our wine buying confidence and accelerate our wine tasting pleasure. 

The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition ($39.99) is available at local book retailer Books Inc. Possibly the most trusted and beloved wine book of all time, the latest edition is fully updated and colorful. This is the comprehensive book for all levels of wine student.

For more light-hearted learning, I like Rebel School of Wine: A Visual Guide to Drinking with Confidence ($45, Books Inc.). A beautiful and pleasing publication with information that takes a reader from the vineyards to the glass, it’s a fabulous book for all would-be wine students. 

To boost your wine vocabulary, try Wine Convo Generator: Mix and Match Witty Phrases to Sound like a Sommelier ($15.95, Books Inc). The book delivers the promise of its title. If ever you wanted to say assuredly that you’re getting “pencil shavings” or “wet cement” from a wine, this is the title for you.  

Works that detail the happy marriage between what’s on your plate and in your glass are often my favorite. Take for example Big Macs & Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World ($24.99), which a friend gifted us last year. It is perfectly irreverent, informative and fun. Authors and wine professionals Vanessa Price and Adam Laukhuf offer up pairing suggestions for dinner party options as well as totally out-there duos – Cheetos and Sancerre, anyone?  

Crush course

We’re spoiled for choices when it comes to wine courses in our part of the world. Local tasting rooms offer amazing educational opportunities with well-informed hosts keen to share their passion. 

Restaurants such as Mountain View’s Chez TJ (cheztj.com) offer elucidating evenings of food and wine. Sommelier-selected wines paired with each course provides a decadent food and wine pairing lesson. What I like particularly about Chez TJ’s wine program is their selection of price points – making their program accessible for all levels of food and wine scholars. 

San Francisco Wine School (sanfranciscowineschool.com), located in South San Francisco, was founded by wine-education legend David Glancy, who is one of only 12 individuals in the world to hold both the credential of Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator. Their two-to-three-hour courses are popular for enthusiasts. More casual students enjoy the school’s wine and food pairing classes. 

Home schooled

My preferred way to learn more about wine is to taste new-to-me varietals and take notes. If you have wine-drinking friends, invite them over for an evening of tasting. Ask that each bring a bottle of something unusual or special to them and a bite to pair with it. Looking for a tip of a varietal to try? Here are two to get you started. 

Albariño

Quickly becoming more popular – I predict you’ll soon be seeing it on wine menus everywhere – Albariño is a white wine that bridges the seasons of summer to fall beautifully. 

The grape, originally from Spain, boasts a notable oceanic quality in the Albariños from the Rias Baixas region. What’s exciting is that California producers are achieving equally “of the sea” qualities in their offerings. But start your studies with a wine from the grape’s birthplace by drinking Paco & Lola Albariño ($22), available at Ava’s Downtown Market. I discovered Paco & Lola Albariño one September beside a plate of oysters, and I haven’t looked back. With its floral notes and minerality, it is a supremely food-friendly wine – ideal for weekend lazy lunches.

Plavac Mali

A red wine you might not be drinking, but will be thrilled to know, is Plavac Mali – native to Croatia. Palvac Mali is, in fact, Croatia’s most planted varietal and the cornerstone of their wine fame.  

Saint Hills 2020 Palvac Mali ($25), with dried purple flower aromas and robust dark cherry flavors, is an exceptional wine for fall, when the air itself seems heavy with ripeness. I like it with the outdoor grilled meats we enjoy long after summer days have gone.