Capital Wine School

Here's an easy wine quiz for you - try it!

Which grape variety is most associated with New Zealand's Marlborough region? 🍇🇳🇿

A. Sauvignon Blanc
B. Pinotage
C. Nebbiolo
D. Tempranillo
scroll for answer:





If you said A, Sauvignon Blanc ~ you are correct! ✅

Marlborough is famous for intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, often showing notes of citrus, passion fruit, gooseberry, and green herbs. 🍋🌿

Ready to feel more confident with wine? 🍷

Join Capital Wine School for the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines — a one-day, in-person course designed for beginners, wine lovers, hospitality pros, and anyone who wants a strong foundation in wine.

📍 Capital Wine School
📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – approx. 3:30 PM
💵 $495
🍷 Includes guided instruction, tasting of 9 wines, food & wine pairing exercise, study guide, and exam

You’ll learn about the main types of wine, common grape varieties, basic tasting technique, wine service and storage, and the fundamentals of food and wine pairing.

The day also includes a hands-on pairing exercise with foods like smoked salmon, cheddar cheese, lemon, chili, salt, and shortbread, so you can taste how different flavors change the way wine shows in the glass.

Register by June 9 to receive your printed study guide by mail before class.

The course concludes with the WSET Level 1 exam, and students who pass receive a digital WSET certificate.

A perfect first step if you’ve ever wanted to understand wine beyond “I like this one.” 🍇

Details & registration: https://tinyurl.com/2wpaa9c9

A FEW SPOTS REMAIN! ✨🍇 Ready to explore one of France’s most iconic wine regions? 🇫🇷🍷

Join us for a tasting of The Wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, led by the incredible Judy Frels DipWSET! Whether you join us in person or online, you're in for a treat on Saturday, June 6.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary for its bold, complex red blends, distinctive white wines, sun-soaked vineyards, and signature galets roulés stones. In this focused tasting, you’ll discover how climate, soil, grape varieties, and producer style come together to create these benchmark Southern Rhône wines.

This class is perfect for Rhône lovers, curious wine drinkers, and anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of one of France’s most celebrated appellations.

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026 ⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 💲 $125 📍 Capital Wine School or 💻 Online via Zoom 👩‍🏫 Instructor: Judy Frels DipWSET

Virtual participants can pick up their samples at Capital Wine School on June 5 from 12–5 PM. (Shipping is also available for an additional fee with advance notice.)

✨ Ready to taste your way through Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Reserve your spot today! https://tinyurl.com/mrkj9k2f

Austria is calling… and there are still spots open for TOMORROW'S class, 🇦🇹🍷

Join Julie Seibert for The Wines of Austria, a 90-minute tasting exploring one of Europe’s most exciting wine countries.

Austria is known for wines with precision, freshness, personality, and a serious sense of place. In this class, you’ll taste standout examples of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, Gemischter Satz, and more while learning how Austria’s regions, grapes, climate, and traditions shape what’s in the glass.

From the crisp whites of Wachau, Kamptal, and Kremstal to the expressive reds of Burgenland and Carnuntum, this is a perfect class for curious beginners and seasoned wine lovers who want to feel more confident choosing Austrian wines.

The Wines of Austria with Julie Seibert
📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Capital Wine School or Online via Zoom
💵 $95
🎟️ View the tastings & register: https://tinyurl.com/4m5xkunj

Come for the Grüner. Stay for the Blaufränkisch. Leave with a new appreciation for Austria in your glass.

Spots are still available, but don’t wait too long to grab yours. 🍷

Thinking about taking your wine knowledge to the next level? 🍷

Whether you’re just getting started or ready to build serious wine and spirits expertise, WSET courses offer a clear path forward.

From beginner-friendly WSET Level 1 to the advanced WSET Level 3 and the specialist Diploma Level 4, there’s a qualification to match where you are now — and where you want to go next.

Perfect for wine lovers, hospitality pros, and anyone who wants to taste, talk, and understand wine with more confidence.

✨ Explore the course offerings and find the level that’s right for you with us at Capital Wine School.

🍷 Three wine regions. Three guided tastings. One great excuse to learn something delicious.
Join us for these upcoming classes offered in person or online:

🍇 The Wines of Austria with Julie Seibert
May 30 | 5:30–7:00 PM | $95

🍷 The Wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Judy Frels DipWSET
June 6 | 5:30–7:00 PM | $125

🌋 Wines of the Canary Islands with Kasia White DipWSET
June 13 | 5:30–7:00 PM | $95

Whether you’re curious about Austria’s crisp, age-worthy wines, the bold blends of the Southern Rhône, or the volcanic wines of the Canary Islands, these classes are a great way to taste, learn, and expand your wine confidence.

📍Attend in person with us in Washington, DC, or join online via Zoom.
Learn more & register at CapitalWineSchool.com

Memorial Day is a time to pause, remember, and honor the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our country.

From all of us at Capital Wine School, we remember their courage, their sacrifice, and the families who carry their legacy forward.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

🇫🇷🍷Explore One of France’s Most Iconic Wine Regions!

Join us for The Wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Judy Frels DipWSET — offered in person or online on Saturday, June 6.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for bold, complex red blends, distinctive white wines, sun-soaked vineyards, and the region’s signature galets roulés stones. In this focused tasting, you’ll learn how climate, soils, grape varieties, vintage, and producer style all shape these benchmark Southern Rhône wines.

Perfect for Rhône lovers, curious wine drinkers, and anyone who wants to better understand one of France’s most celebrated appellations.

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM / $125
📍💻 Capital Wine School or Online via Zoom
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Judy Frels DipWSET

Virtual participants may pick up samples at Capital Wine School on June 5 from 12–5 PM. Shipping may be requested for an additional fee, with advance notice.

✨ Reserve your spot at https://tinyurl.com/mrkj9k2f and taste your way through Châteauneuf-du-Pape with us!

🍇🍷 Wine knowledge, minus the stuffiness.

From grape guides and region spotlights to WSET study tips and food pairing help, the Capital Wine School blog is packed with smart, approachable wine education you can actually use.

Whether you’re studying for an exam, planning your next class, or just want to feel more confident talking about wine, this is a great place to start.

📖 Explore at capitalwineschool.com/blog

Learn a little. Sip smarter. Repeat.