There aren’t many things nicer than drinking wine at home with friends in the bleak midwinter. That is, unless you secretly dream of training as a sommelier or if you feel a little insecure about your ability to choose good wine (me too!). Back Label Wine Merchants is now offering wine and spirits seminars conducted in your own home. You just pick 10-15 of your closest friends, a date and a theme. They’ll bring the wine and the knowledge and all you have to provide is glassware. You may want to track down a token spittoon, but since you won’t have to worry about getting home safely, why bother?
They suggest themes ranging from environmentally engaged drinking (“Soil Types and Wine” and “Organics & Biodynamics) to place-specific learning (“Eastern Europe,” “Chile or Argentina”) to classes designed to improve your blind tasting skills. And of course, since they’re neighbors and collaborators with Stinky BKLYN, you can add a cheese plate as well. One of their seminars would be a memorable alternative on the holiday party circuit or a welcome mid-January pick-me-up. Now if only my living room could actually fit 10-15 people…
