During COVID many folks are spending less time at tastings and more time with Netflix, myself included. If you’ve been scanning for some new knowledge, here are a few things I’ve found over the past couple of months.

Wine in 9 on Udemy (thanks Shawn!) is a series of online courses that you take at your own pace. There are resources attached and the courses are relatively short so you can consume (ha wine pun) in small doses when you have a chance. I appreciate the instructor’s simple explanations (like comparing how wine is made to how tea is brewed).

V is for Vino (thanks Dan!) TV series on Amazon Prime. Again, a simple approach to how grapes are grown, information about grape varieties, and tasting tips (for example, an easy way to identify the “body” of a wine is to compare it to milk: whole milk is full bodied, 2% is medium, and skim is light bodied). Plus on one episode they feature the restaurant, Torc in Napa, which is 100% my absolute favorite Napa restaurant (and they have a bazillion restaurants). When I lived there that was the place I took guests, and now when I visit, I always go.

Not wine related at all, however if you enjoy cocktails you may also appreciate The Martini – The Iconic Cocktail, also on Amazon Prime. In less than an hour, you will be welcomed into some exclusive bars and hear enthusiastic discussions of the history and glamour of the martini. I’d recommend you are prepared (unlike my husband and I) with some gin and vermouth so that after you’ve watched the show you can have a drink! They discuss several variations…take notes!

Host your own virtual tasting! Seriously, this is really fun. In this time of stay-at-home everything we need something to look forward to. Since this does require a little prep, it builds the anticipation, and then you’ll have a good time at the event as well! Pick a couple of friends that like wine. Agree on a theme, for example rosés. Go to the store (or order online) and pick 2 bottles. Prep some small bites that go with the wine (if you don’t have a clue, google it or send me an email and I’ll try to help). Get on the video chat and pour and taste and discuss! I’ll update this with my virtual rosé tasting notes in the next week or so. If you’re interested in me hosting a virtual wine tasting for you, send me a note!

Typsy.com is offering free courses through September 30, 2020 to support the hospitality industry during COVID. I haven’t actually taken a course here…yet. But I will be signing up! They have over a dozen courses on wine and sake, also in short formats that are easy to digest on the move.

Please add your own free and low cost wine education ideas below in the comments. Cheers!