The Sommelier Experience
Classes
Are you new to wine exploration? Or perhaps you’ve been studying wine for a while and want to really get into a particular varietal or region. Somm Somm offers classes for wine lovers at every level.
Wine Basics
How is wine actually made? What is a grape variety anyway? How do you pronounce “terroir”? If these thoughts have crossed your mind, then the Wine Basics class is for you! Shelly will guide you through the winemaking process as well as the most common grape varieties and growing regions.
During the two-hour class you will taste four different wines. Shelly will teach you how to sniff, swirl, taste, and then talk about what’s in your glass. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation of how that lovely liquid got from vine to your glass and a baseline for how to evaluate what you see, smell, and taste.
Deep Dive Into Washington Wine
Wineries in Washington range from large corporations that ship millions of cases per year to small family wineries which produce only 600 cases - and they all source their grapes from the state’s 19 AVAs (that means American Viticultural Area).
During this two-hour class, Shelly will share the history of how Washington wine came to be the internationally known and respected industry it is today. As you taste four especially chosen Washington wines, she’ll go over the local wine regions and walk you the evaluation process (smell, taste, talk).
New World v. Old World
When talking wine styles, you often hear “old world” versus “new world.” There are vineyards in Europe that have been tended by the same family and whose winemaking traditions have varied little over thousands of years. In the U.S., the earliest vineyards date to the early 1800s.
In a two-hour session, Shelly will walk you through the differences between old and new world growing regions and the differences in styles that those regions produce. You’ll taste six wines sourced from around the globe that exemplify the nuances of old and new world styles.
Please email Shelly at Shelly@sommsomm.com to discuss pricing.
She can create customized classes for you, either in person or virtual! There are also options for corporate parties and events.
“Shelly works with others easily and naturally. She is creative, insightful, and respectful. Shelly has been a vital part of our team of judges for The Wine Panel. She is a joy to work with.”
— David LeClaire, Founder of Seattle Uncorked