February 3, 2015 – February 24, 2015
#WineStudio Online Session XXI – Stories of Wine
January’s #WineStudio detailing the wine world’s myriad credentials was an incredibly popular discussion. We’d like to take it a bit further and discuss our own Stories of Wine. Specifically, how did we get here, where are we going and by what means. We’d like to hear from everyone! We think it’ll be a true telling of our wine journeys.
January 6, 2015 – January 27, 2015
#WineStudio Online Session XX – Wine Credentials: Letters of Distinction
You like wine. You’re thinking you’d like to possibly take it further, take a few courses, perhaps one day switch careers. So now what? Which study track do you pursue? And how do you distinguish between them all?
Navigating the varied wine credentials can be daunting. So to start the 2015 New Year off in a forward-thinking direction, #WineStudio is going back to school!
What is #WineStudio?
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and tasting, with discussions on producers, varieties, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food matching and what all this means to us as imbibers.
December 2, 2014 – December 16, 2014
#WineStudio Session XIX – Bubbles
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and tasting, with discussions on producers, varieties, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food matching and what all this means to us as imbibers.
Our December Le Metro Wine club once again focuses on the wide world of sparkling wines. December is a funny month. It’s the height of our holiday season and busy seems to be the operative word but at the same time we’re continually looking for just a few special bottles to share and enjoy. What is it about sparkling wine that gets us all giddy?
Around the world with Bubbles.
Our December Le Metro Wine club once again focuses on the wide world of sparkling wines.
Stay tuned for our guests and of course what we’ll be drinking!
November 4, 2014 – November 25, 2014
#WineStudio Session XIX – The Importance of being Willamette Valley Chardonnay
What is #WineStudio?
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and tasting, with discussions on producers, varieties, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food matching and what all this means to us as imbibers.
There and Back Again – Chardonnay emerges stronger and bigger. And by stronger we mean “flinty” and by bigger we mean textural.
October 29, 2014
Le Metro Wine and Wine Smarties: Sketches of Spain
Join Lindsay Pomeroy of Wine Smarties and Aaron Epstein of Le Metro Wine as they journey through Spain with their palates discovering wines that although hard to pronounce, are seriously good.
October 7, 2014 – October 28, 2014
#WineStudio – Session XVIII – The Season of Virginia Hard Cider
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and tasting, with discussions on producers, varieties, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food matching and what all this means to us as imbibers.
Virginia’s extended growing season produces high-sugar fruit, so the state’s ciders can approach 10% alcohol. These factors—combined with long, slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks—have come together to give Virginia’s ciders a distinct, recognizable style. We’ll discuss this fact any many more during the program with some of the leading Virginia Cideries!
September 28, 2014 – December 14, 2014
Wine Smarties – WSET Level III Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits
Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits
The WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate is intended to provide in-depth knowledge of a wide range of wines and spirits and is open to students who hold the WSET Level 2 Certificate or can demonstrate knowledge at Intermediate level through completion of equivalent courses or sufficient experience in the wine and spirit industry.
This qualification is also suitable for the wine enthusiast wishing to build on knowledge gained at level 2. All sessions include tastings.
ENROLLING FOR Fall 2014
Classes meet on Sundays from 10am-3pm for eight weeks.
Class dates: September 28, October 5, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16,23, Exam December 14th.
September 10, 2014 – November 5, 2014
Wine Smarties – French Wine Scholar Certification Program (FWS)
FWS Testimonials
“The program is excellent. It differs in format from many classes taught in that there is a real effort to give context to the regions through discussion of history as well as soils, topography, climate and grapes from each region. The class is not producer driven, but is terroir driven, and teaches students about France as a whole as well as the specific regions.”
Maura O’Brien, FWS
“If you are a professional in the wine business looking to enhance your career, this is the program for you. Great instructors, easy-to-follow study guide and 24-hour internet access.”
Ronald Plunkett, FWS, Sommelier at Hakkasan in San Francisco
“The FWS Program is a very in-depth serious program for the wine professional or enthusiast. There is no other program like it and attaining the qualification should be a highly recognized achievement.”
Nava Ramesh, FWS
September 9, 2014 – September 23, 2014
#WineStudio Session XVII – Rinascimento Rising
What is #WineStudio?
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and wine tasting, with discussions on producers, grapes, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food and wine matching and what all this means to us as wine drinkers.
Meet Justin Gallen, owner Rinascimento Wine Co.
Small business owner, wine importer, Italian-centric, family man and trusted wine friend of PROTOCOL wine studio.
August 20, 2014
Wine Smarties & Le Metro Presents: Summer of Riesling
As the Summer of Riesling (SOR) campaign has swept across the globe in recent years, it has picked up the support of restaurants, wine retailers, and trade organizations it its wake. However, its left many wine consumers wondering: “Why Riesling?”
August 16, 2014 – August 17, 2014
Wine Smileys – White and Red Wine Aroma ‘Scents-ory’ Workshops
Develop ‘Scents-ory Savvy in these 2 Intensive White and Red Wine Aromas Workshop
Each workshop will include hands-on sensory exercises designed to identify and distinguish typical wine aromas and bouquet. You will taste and evaluate eight classic wines in each aroma workshop, learning to detect and describe their varietal fruit and non-fruit scents as well as fermentation and barrel bouquet.
August 5, 2014 – August 26, 2014
#WineStudio Session XVI – Liquid Voices of Hudson Valley
What is #WineStudio?
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and wine tasting, with discussions on producers, grapes, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food and wine matching and what all this means to us as wine drinkers.
Way back a lifetime ago, I was this close to attending the CIA. Culinary Institute of America, that is. Hailing from the Suburbs of New Jersey, experiencing the green, rolling hills, majestic farmland and overall beauty of the Hudson Valley has stuck with me for years. Oddly enough, I never returned.
While directing the #WineStudio program, we meet some of the most fascinating people, those that remind me of that lifetime ago. Enter Debbie Gioquindo, Hudson Valley Wine Goddess.
Deb and I got to talking and she asked me to be a wine judge for the Hudson Valley Food & Wine Fest first week September. And it’s only fitting to highlight the Valley on the August #WineStudio program. Here I come Hudson Valley!
July 21, 2014 – September 8, 2014
Summer Session – WSET Level 2 for the Beginner and Intermediate Student
Summer Session – WSET Level 2 ENROLLING NOW!
The WSET Intermediate Certificate is intended as vocational training in product knowledge for those employed in the beverage industry and is designed for those who have little to no previous knowledge of wines and spirits but have a serious interest in wine or spirits and wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way.
July 8, 2014 – July 29, 2014
#WineStudio Session XV – The Independent Spirit | Wines of the USA
What is #WineStudio?
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and wine tasting, with discussions on producers, grapes, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food and wine matching and what all this means to us as wine drinkers.
Where is #WineStudio in July?
We decided to revisit Le Metro – Wine Underground because July is all about independence and the Le Metro curated collection just happens to contain six bottles from states you may not normally recognize as wine-producing regions. #WineStudio is here to school us on some of those states that are producing some kick-ass wine.
June 25, 2014
Is Chateauneuf du Pape Worth the Price?
In this Grand Cru class, we will taste 6 different wines from the Southern Rhone valley from the same vintage in an attempt to find out if the recent price increases for Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP) wines are worth the price.
June 18, 2014
Wine Smarties – A Taste of History: Wines of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire
This class will explore the exciting wines and turbid history of two nations which were once one empire: Austria and Hungary. As a departure point, we will use the unique artwork and unprecedented wine selections chosen this month by our friends from Le Metro – Wine. Underground.
An intimate classroom is the ideal setting to hone palates and meet other wine-minded folks. PROTOCOL wine studio | Le Metro – Wine. Underground. has collaborated with Lindsay Pomeroy, owner of Wine Smarties to present these fun and informative classes.
June 11, 2014
Wine Smarties – Southern Hemisphere Series: Down Under in New Zealand
Forget what you think you know about New Zealand wines. You will walk away with a new appreciation for the wines from Down Under!
June 3, 2014 – June 24, 2014
#WineStudio Session XIV – Hungary and Slovenia with Old World Vines
What is #WineStudio?
PROTOCOL wine studio presents an online twitter-based educational program where we engage our brains and palates! It’s part instruction and wine tasting, with discussions on producers, grapes, tourism, terroir, regional culture, food and wine matching and what all this means to us as wine drinkers.
Old World Vines
Talk about passion! Sometimes it all begins with that first trip. Katy Bendel Daniels fell in love with the wines, the people and the cultures throughout Slovenia and Hungary. Katy and her company Old World Vines has created a niche for itself in the community: by providing Old World wines and education behind these incredible cultures. We’re thrilled to have her importing company on the #WineStudio program and we anticipate learning much throughout the four weeks in June!
May 31, 2014
Le Metro Aboveground Dinner Series at The Prado Balboa Park
Spring has truly sprung, and our rosé collection is making its way to Le Metro subscribers across the country. As usual, however, we’ve held back some wine to share with you over dinner here in San Diego. Where better to sip rosé than outdoors, in the heart of Balboa Park?
May 28, 2014
Rioja vs Ribera del Duero
In this Grand Cru class we will compare three wines from top Spanish producers in the Rioja with three from Ribera del Duero to compare how winemaking (choice of oak, age, grape blend) affects the differences. We will also compare and contrast the different vintages between the two regions.