Wine Tasting Like a Pro
TOP RATED
418 Have Dabbled
Food & Drink
Dinner finally booked at the restaurant you’ve been attempting to get in for five months, check. Double date with your wino friends, check. Wait. Attempt to reduce humiliation and intimidation every time you go to dinner with them? Crickets.
You’ve tried your best, but for the life of you, you cannot taste an oak finish. Nor can you understand why wine can evoke tastes of leather, currants, and chocolate or even grapefruit and gravel. All you can smell and taste is… well, booze.
In this class, Dabblers will learn how to critically taste what’s in their glasses. By the end, you'll be able to deduce the grapes used, where the wine is from, and what year it was made by smell and taste alone, and most importantly, articulate your own opinions about what wines you like and what you don't with confidence to even the snootiest of waitstaff.
Tiamat House is a bed and breakfast in a standard apartment building. There are no signs; think of it like finding a speakeasy. Buzz 4E, and if the super asks who you are looking for, ask for us by name: TC, Jeffrey, and Meg.
Please notify us in advance of any food allergies or restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate!
http://youtu.be/FkM_y27YdjY - A little video of the February class blind tasting and deducing the identity of a wine. Yes, these are all beginners at their first class!
pen and notebook, ID
All ages welcome
wine, cheese, charcuterie
Cancellation Policy
TC is a CMS Certified Sommelier. She is a veteran of Chicago foodie trenches, including 10 years with the mafia--that is, Lettuce Entertain You. She loves helping people get over their fear of wine. She is proud of have helped put the Chicago neighbourhood of Avondale on Judgemental Maps as the home of "pretentious foodies," and intends to do the same with Spanish Harlem.
Great class! It was a lot of fun and very informative. I definitely will be taking this class again!
Great class! It was a lot of fun and very informative. I definitely will be taking this class again!
I've attended this class 3 times now and brought family and friends along as well. It's always exciting, and you always learn something new. The teacher is so knowledgeable and even let's you pick her brain after class is over. I cannot stop raving about it!
I've attended this class 3 times now and brought family and friends along as well. It's always exciting, and you always learn something new. The teacher is so knowledgeable and even let's you pick her brain after class is over. I cannot stop raving about it!
Great class! Will definitely be trying one of the other classes they offer here (beer tasting and whiskey tasting).
Great class! Will definitely be trying one of the other classes they offer here (beer tasting and whiskey tasting).
Lots of information is given out on basic wine tasting techniques. The instructor is extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Take this class.
Lots of information is given out on basic wine tasting techniques. The instructor is extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Take this class.
I arrived at the location - which is unmarked really but was able to figure it out. Grabbed a seat next to a few couples and the tasting began. The instructor was very knowledgable about her craft. She went over a lot of material but I think the most fun was just experimenting the different types of wine, guessing where and when it was made and so fourth. By the end everyone loosened up more and the crowd of people were all having a great time. Great way to spend a Friday night! Met some really cool people and learned some useful info about wine and pairing. Definitely recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about wine and just meeting cool people and having a great Friday evening. Also doesn't matter if you want to go alone or with someone - you have an entire night to make new friends!
I arrived at the location - which is unmarked really but was able to figure it out. Grabbed a seat next to a few couples and the tasting began. The instructor was very knowledgable about her craft. She went over a lot of material but I think the most fun was just experimenting the different types of wine, guessing where and when it was made and so fourth. By the end everyone loosened up more and the crowd of people were all having a great time. Great way to spend a Friday night! Met some really cool people and learned some useful info about wine and pairing. Definitely recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about wine and just meeting cool people and having a great Friday evening. Also doesn't matter if you want to go alone or with someone - you have an entire night to make new friends!
Great and amazing experience! This was my second wine tasting and I learned so much. I went in with an open mind ready to take it all in. The pop scene was inviting and intimate. We got a long great with our table. You went through two similar wines at at time. Discovering, body, alcohol, region, grape, smell, taste, etc. TC explained everything perfectly. After you have learned about each wine you get a bit more to taste and relax. It was a very fun, enjoyable and informative meeting. When the formal tasting is over we were welcome to stay and try a bit more wine and ask any questions. I never knew so much about the history of wine making, regions, storing wine, steam wear etc.
Great and amazing experience! This was my second wine tasting and I learned so much. I went in with an open mind ready to take it all in. The pop scene was inviting and intimate. We got a long great with our table. You went through two similar wines at at time. Discovering, body, alcohol, region, grape, smell, taste, etc. TC explained everything perfectly. After you have learned about each wine you get a bit more to taste and relax. It was a very fun, enjoyable and informative meeting. When the formal tasting is over we were welcome to stay and try a bit more wine and ask any questions. I never knew so much about the history of wine making, regions, storing wine, steam wear etc.
This class was very informative and useful. I learnt more about wine and how to differenciate them. The instructor is very knowledgeable and loves what she is doing. Very good experience.
This class was very informative and useful. I learnt more about wine and how to differenciate them. The instructor is very knowledgeable and loves what she is doing. Very good experience.
We were looking for a beginners class on wine tasting and this exceeded our expectations for sure - will definitely do this again, hopefully with a bigger group of friends. TC was so knowledgeable and the class was such fun!
We were looking for a beginners class on wine tasting and this exceeded our expectations for sure - will definitely do this again, hopefully with a bigger group of friends. TC was so knowledgeable and the class was such fun!
This class was fantastic. I absolutely loved the information, the food and all the wines. Totally got my money's worth. I would definitely attend again, I hope to bring lots of friends back!
This class was fantastic. I absolutely loved the information, the food and all the wines. Totally got my money's worth. I would definitely attend again, I hope to bring lots of friends back!
Loved the class. TC, the instructor, was really great. The wine and the snacks were all delicious. I actually snacked a lot and left kind of full. I must admit, I was so drunk by the end of it, I could barely remember the heuristics for determining relative age and region. I guess I'll have to do it again!
Loved the class. TC, the instructor, was really great. The wine and the snacks were all delicious. I actually snacked a lot and left kind of full. I must admit, I was so drunk by the end of it, I could barely remember the heuristics for determining relative age and region. I guess I'll have to do it again!
I've actually been to several wine events and wine classes but none with quite as much hands on experience and knowledge as what was shared in this course. TC was informative, held a deep breadth of knowledge and presented everything in a way that anyone from beginner to connoisseur could enjoy.
I've actually been to several wine events and wine classes but none with quite as much hands on experience and knowledge as what was shared in this course. TC was informative, held a deep breadth of knowledge and presented everything in a way that anyone from beginner to connoisseur could enjoy.
It was one of the most fun evenings I've had in a long time! TC clearly had a ton of knowledge and she presented it in a non-dumbed down way which I appreciated - the breadth of her knowledge was impressive! The wines selected were wonderful and the food accompaniments were clearly well chosen and thoroughly enjoyable as well. It was a good group of people and an overall worthwhile experience which I'm looking forward to doing again!!
It was one of the most fun evenings I've had in a long time! TC clearly had a ton of knowledge and she presented it in a non-dumbed down way which I appreciated - the breadth of her knowledge was impressive! The wines selected were wonderful and the food accompaniments were clearly well chosen and thoroughly enjoyable as well. It was a good group of people and an overall worthwhile experience which I'm looking forward to doing again!!
The class was great. The instructor was knowledgeable and brought the information down to a level that anyone could understand. I had a great time, ate good food, drank good wine and I would recommend the class to anyone.
The class was great. The instructor was knowledgeable and brought the information down to a level that anyone could understand. I had a great time, ate good food, drank good wine and I would recommend the class to anyone.
This was a lovely course, which I learned more than your typical wine tasting class. The energy of the class was really nice. Although I think I would need to take the class several times before I really got the hang of it. Definitely something I would recommend for a group of friends to do together.
This was a lovely course, which I learned more than your typical wine tasting class. The energy of the class was really nice. Although I think I would need to take the class several times before I really got the hang of it. Definitely something I would recommend for a group of friends to do together.
I learned A LOT! I would definitely take another class with this teacher-- highly recommend.
I learned A LOT! I would definitely take another class with this teacher-- highly recommend.
This is a very informative class. TC definitely knows her stuff and makes the most of the class time to give students a chance to thoroughly explore the wines.
This is a very informative class. TC definitely knows her stuff and makes the most of the class time to give students a chance to thoroughly explore the wines.
Awesome class! TC was very knowledgeable about wines, and made the class really fun! I learned a lot, and will definitely be going back for some of the advanced classes she teaches.
Awesome class! TC was very knowledgeable about wines, and made the class really fun! I learned a lot, and will definitely be going back for some of the advanced classes she teaches.
Great teacher! Right amount of serious/knowledgable and casual/fun.
Great teacher! Right amount of serious/knowledgable and casual/fun.
This class was great! It was informative, interactive, and the atmosphere was super low-key and fun. Definitely recommend this class for anyone looking to get a better understanding of what's in their wine glass!
This class was great! It was informative, interactive, and the atmosphere was super low-key and fun. Definitely recommend this class for anyone looking to get a better understanding of what's in their wine glass!
What an outstanding class! Thoroughly entertaining - you'll learn the fundamentals to whet your appetite for a deeper appreciation of this earth's bounty. It's a wonderful opportunity for exchanging feedback with others in a group. Safavi is the perfect host, providing light fare and anecdotes to keep your taste buds and nose on their toes. She does a great job guiding the translation of smells with sticky metaphors. I get the feeling that the joy she experiences in the pursuit of discovering wines contributes to making each class unique.
What an outstanding class! Thoroughly entertaining - you'll learn the fundamentals to whet your appetite for a deeper appreciation of this earth's bounty. It's a wonderful opportunity for exchanging feedback with others in a group. Safavi is the perfect host, providing light fare and anecdotes to keep your taste buds and nose on their toes. She does a great job guiding the translation of smells with sticky metaphors. I get the feeling that the joy she experiences in the pursuit of discovering wines contributes to making each class unique.
A great class - very knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructor! all-around great! My only negative comment would be that there was so much information to absorb in three hours! I'm so glad I took this class.
A great class - very knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructor! all-around great! My only negative comment would be that there was so much information to absorb in three hours! I'm so glad I took this class.
Lots of interesting details and fun class.
Lots of interesting details and fun class.
I was expecting a typical wine class where you try different things but she really went into the theory of wine and how to properly appreciate it. It was a great experience! She was so great and so knowledgeable! She structured the class well, had everything planned out and made it a really fun and informative experience that I highly recommend.
I was expecting a typical wine class where you try different things but she really went into the theory of wine and how to properly appreciate it. It was a great experience! She was so great and so knowledgeable! She structured the class well, had everything planned out and made it a really fun and informative experience that I highly recommend.
This class exceeded my expectations with the level of knowledge of the instuctor and the mix of relaxed and educational tone of the class. I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn about wine in a small, personalized setting with access to a great teacher.
This class exceeded my expectations with the level of knowledge of the instuctor and the mix of relaxed and educational tone of the class. I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn about wine in a small, personalized setting with access to a great teacher.
A fun, interesting class. Tc knows a lot about wine, but keeps things casual, engaging, and unpretentious. The format is a blind tasting, where you sample different wines and describe their characteristics, ultimately attempting to guess the source and varietal. A total novice can hang on for the ride if they're adventurous, but someone who already has a basic understanding of the major varietals will get more out of this class.
A fun, interesting class. Tc knows a lot about wine, but keeps things casual, engaging, and unpretentious. The format is a blind tasting, where you sample different wines and describe their characteristics, ultimately attempting to guess the source and varietal. A total novice can hang on for the ride if they're adventurous, but someone who already has a basic understanding of the major varietals will get more out of this class.
A fun, nonpretentious way to learn a lot about wine in a relaxed setting.
A fun, nonpretentious way to learn a lot about wine in a relaxed setting.
TC was a great teacher
TC was a great teacher
This was a great class, because you definitely get a good amount to drink, but also learn a lot as well. The teacher was very knowledgeable, and could answer any question asked about wine. She took us through step-by-step on how to figure out where your wine is from, what climate the grapes were grown in, how high the alcohol content is, and more just from looking/smelling/drinking it. Really cool class.
This was a great class, because you definitely get a good amount to drink, but also learn a lot as well. The teacher was very knowledgeable, and could answer any question asked about wine. She took us through step-by-step on how to figure out where your wine is from, what climate the grapes were grown in, how high the alcohol content is, and more just from looking/smelling/drinking it. Really cool class.
Well, when we got there, we weren't too sure about the building. The whole directions for getting in was kind of sketchy, and I tried calling the contact numbers I had with no response. Luckily, a person came down propping open the door saying there was a problem with the intercom. After that, the whole event went smoothly. The room was a little crowded, it somehow got overbooked, but everyone fit and there was plenty of wine to go around. It was a really fun experience overall, and although I still can't tell you everything about wine, it was a really fun start.
Well, when we got there, we weren't too sure about the building. The whole directions for getting in was kind of sketchy, and I tried calling the contact numbers I had with no response. Luckily, a person came down propping open the door saying there was a problem with the intercom. After that, the whole event went smoothly. The room was a little crowded, it somehow got overbooked, but everyone fit and there was plenty of wine to go around. It was a really fun experience overall, and although I still can't tell you everything about wine, it was a really fun start.
TC was great! Extremely knowledgable and engaging. The class was so much fun and I hope to take more from TC!
TC was great! Extremely knowledgable and engaging. The class was so much fun and I hope to take more from TC!
Class was very well done. Teacher extremely knowledgeable, well prepared. Very fun experience!
Class was very well done. Teacher extremely knowledgeable, well prepared. Very fun experience!
Totally fantastic class. TC has a great teaching style--tons of personality. I had fun and I actually really learned a lot. I have a totally new appreciation for wine now.
Totally fantastic class. TC has a great teaching style--tons of personality. I had fun and I actually really learned a lot. I have a totally new appreciation for wine now.
"Knowledgable, Down to Earth Teacher
Small Class Size
Super Fun!"
"Knowledgable, Down to Earth Teacher
Small Class Size
Super Fun!"
Instructor was very knowledgeable and her method of teaching and class participation was excellent
Instructor was very knowledgeable and her method of teaching and class participation was excellent
I really enjoyed the instructor, she was very knowledgeable and entertaining!
I really enjoyed the instructor, she was very knowledgeable and entertaining!
The imstructor was very personable and very well verse in her craft
The imstructor was very personable and very well verse in her craft
Great teacher, enthusiatic and knowledgeble.
Great teacher, enthusiatic and knowledgeble.
I loved learning wine tasting just like the sommelier's learn - methodical and organized so I can remember how to analyze other wines on my own without an instructor's help. Instructor was super knowledgable, fun and approachable. I'm hoping for another class! The venue was cozy but it worked just fine for the number of people that we had. Overall, really great experience!
I loved learning wine tasting just like the sommelier's learn - methodical and organized so I can remember how to analyze other wines on my own without an instructor's help. Instructor was super knowledgable, fun and approachable. I'm hoping for another class! The venue was cozy but it worked just fine for the number of people that we had. Overall, really great experience!
The course was perfect in that we were taught how wine taste-testers evaluate wine. It wasn't overly dumbed-down for us, which I appreciated. I felt like I learned a fair amount and had fun doing it.
The course was perfect in that we were taught how wine taste-testers evaluate wine. It wasn't overly dumbed-down for us, which I appreciated. I felt like I learned a fair amount and had fun doing it.
Wonderful venue. The teacher was incredibly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. She also welcomed audience participation and rewarded good guesswork. We fit so much in!
Wonderful venue. The teacher was incredibly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. She also welcomed audience participation and rewarded good guesswork. We fit so much in!
very accessible and informative. also very fun
very accessible and informative. also very fun
Very knowledgeable teacher, great selection of wines and food pairings, excellent preparation, homey venue, other students were fun
Very knowledgeable teacher, great selection of wines and food pairings, excellent preparation, homey venue, other students were fun
Lots of information; good blind tasting concept to reinforce what we were learning about the grapes; liked the line up by price at the end
Lots of information; good blind tasting concept to reinforce what we were learning about the grapes; liked the line up by price at the end
Lots of shared knowledge. Lots of wine choices. Great pairing of food with wine. Loved it!
Lots of shared knowledge. Lots of wine choices. Great pairing of food with wine. Loved it!
instructor was very knowledgeable. she made an intimidating subject matter very approachable and comfortable.
instructor was very knowledgeable. she made an intimidating subject matter very approachable and comfortable.
The instructor was very knowledgeable. I was very comfortable soothing also provided a lot of knowledge as well as a good time
The instructor was very knowledgeable. I was very comfortable soothing also provided a lot of knowledge as well as a good time