Everyone knows how to drink wine, but how many know how to taste wine? Niner Wine Estates presents its Summer Wine Education Series, a collection of seminars and tastings that will cover a variety of different topics to help further the enjoyment of wine. 

The inaugural offerings will start with some basic lessons to help those just entering into the world of wine; will continue with a more in-depth investigation of how the tasting of wine is affected by everything from where the grapes are grown to what type of glassware you use for serving.

From a better understanding of wine tasting to the intricacies of food and wine pairing, the wine education programs at Niner Wine Estates will help both novice and experienced enthusiasts enhance their satisfaction and delight with the world of wine.

The upcoming programs are as follows: 

• The Basics of Wine Tasting
  June 19, July 24 and August 21
  Everyone knows how to drink wine, but how many know how to taste wine? This seminar is a great introduction to the world of wine tasting. Participants will learn the basics of how to identify and evaluate wines, as well as which winemaking techniques affect the flavors and style of wines. We will also debunk some of the myths and silly practices that seem to surround wine tasting. This class will give you the tools to better identify your personal preferences so you can make wine choices that suit your own palate.
  Tuition is $30 per person; club discounts will be applied for CLUB 9 and CLUB 9 Onyx members. Seminar includes a tasting of 6 wines. The program will start at 1:00 p.m. and will last for approximately 60 minutes. Please call 805.239.2233 (press 1 to be directed to the Hospitality Center) to make your reservation.
• What a Difference a Glass Makes
  June 26, July 31 and August 28
  Does the shape of a glass and the materials from which it is made really make a difference in the flavor of a wine? Do specific wines benefit from specific bowl shapes? Join us as we explore these differences and taste through several wines in a variety of differently shaped glasses. Discover for yourself what a difference a glass makes in the flavors of wine.
  Tuition is $30 per person; club discounts will be applied for CLUB 9 and CLUB 9 Onyx members. Seminar includes a tasting of 4 wines. The program will start at 1:00 p.m. and will last for approximately 60 minutes. Please call 805.239.2233 (press 1 to be directed to the Hospitality Center) to make your reservation.
• A Sense of Place
  July 10, August 7 and September 11
  The French have a term they use to describe the unique characteristics of wine and other regional foods like cheese, meats and poultry. They call it Terroir. Loosely translated, it means “a sense of place” -- the unique qualities of a wine or food product directly related to the region of the world where it is made. It’s the soil, the plants and animals that live in the surrounding environment, the climate and the cultural traditions and practices that make the area unique and affect flavor. This class will take you through several unique “terroirs” by comparing wines from Paso Robles to other famous wine-growing regions of the world.
  Tuition is $40 per person; club discounts will be applied for CLUB 9 and CLUB 9 Onyx members. Seminar includes a tasting of 8 wines. The program will start at 1:00 p.m. and will last for approximately 60 minutes. Please call 805.239.2233 (press 1 to be directed to the Hospitality Center) to make your reservation.
• The Essence of Wine and Food Pairing
  July 17, August 14 and September 18
  Wine and food pairings don’t have to be complicated and confusing. This class explores the basics of traditional food and wine pairings through the understanding of bridge ingredients in recipes that are clues to complementary flavors. In addition, we will explore the importance of Umami (the fifth sensation of taste) and its relation to the other four taste sensations of sweet, sour, bitter and salty. This understanding of umami will help you to bypass traditional considerations in pairing your favorite wines with your favorite dishes to give you more options.
  Tuition is $50 per person; club discounts will be applied for CLUB 9 and CLUB 9 Onyx members. Seminar includes a tasting of 5 wines. The program will start at 1:00 p.m. and will last for approximately 90 minutes.
  Food sampling of basic proteins (chicken and beef) will also be part of the exercise. Important notice: For those with allergies, please note that sauces used for part of this demonstration will include shellfish.

Please call 805.239.2233 (press 1 to be directed to the Hospitality Center) to make your reservations. 

For more information, visit www.ninerwine.com. Niner Wine Estates is located at 2400 Highway 46 West in Paso Robles, Calif.