There is always one person at any dinner party who cannot enjoy a drink of wine without swilling, sniffing, or even spitting. While you may be able to pick the difference between a cask wine and a cabernet sauvignon, the Wine Connoisseur will know the vintage, bouquet and even the region of every wine that crosses their discerning palate.
Perhaps 2010 is the year to take this obnoxious houseguest down a peg or two.
The
Sydney Wine Centre boasts a range of wine education courses to suit any level of knowledge. With Rob Geddes' guidance, anyone can undertake tutorials and masterclasses on certain wines, regions or winemakers, watch panel discussions, or take part in Regional Tastings.
If you prefer getting experience "in the field" rather than in a classroom, then there are various bars around Sydney that provide wine tasting evenings. A stroll to the Rocks can mark the beginning of a journey;
Wine Odyssey Australia offers patrons the chance to sample six Australian wines while enjoying the heritage-listed ambiance. Every Wednesday, trendy Surry Hills wine bar,
The Winery, hosts a wine tasting evening. Also in Surry Hills,
Mille Vini specializes in Italian wine tastings.
Of course, a true wine expert knows that it takes a trip to the vineyards to truly understand the nuances of wine-making. Luckily, Sydney-siders are only a few hours drive from the Hunter Valley and various boutique wine tasting tours. While
these tours may carry a hefty price tag, the combination of travel, relaxation and fine wine would tempt anyone with an interest in tasting.
