Dreaming of Becoming a Sommelier? Start at Cru U.

“What’s your favorite kind of wine?”

Was the first question I was asked during my Cru U wine education class, hosted by Cru Cellars. What should have been a simple question evolved into a vino-infused daydream begging me to dig deeper before forming a reply. That was the moment I realized that Cru U wasn’t only going to school me on wine, I was going to learn about myself too. All in the beautiful Show and Tell room at Armature Works.

Wine is obviously something we all indulge in. It’s a classic supper pairing, a bubbly poolside go-to and inevitably finds a seat at every brunch table, even when it wasn't invited. It’s been alive since basically the beginning of time - but what do we really know about the glorious nuances of grape juice?

Thanks to our sommelier and teacher, Zach, I can tell you A LOT about wine. I should start by sharing that Zach was the heartbeat of the classroom. He kept our class of 10 aspiring wine experts swirling, sipping and laughing the entire time. And I loved that he wasn’t afraid to drop an “f” bomb or two. He even managed to keep us focused despite the curious crowds walking by our classroom, admiring what was going on inside.

Here are 5 things I’ve learned after just two classes:

1. How Wine Grows from Seed to Grape

The lifecycle of a wine begins with budburst, which is when little green buds start to appear on grape vines. In the class your sommelier takes you on a mental trip to the vineyard, explaining the growth process step-by-step. My favorite part about this segment was learning about when and how grapes are harvested. The timeline of when the grapes are picked can change the entire flavor profile of the wine! BRB while I plan a trip to Tuscany.

2. The Anatomy of a Wine Bottle

Raise your hand if you judge wine by its label! (I know I’m guilty). Every bottle tells a story, and after Cru U you’ll be able to brag about those pretty labels instead of just admire them! You’ll also be able to spit wine facts like a pro. Did you know that on average one bottle of wine contains 750 calories? The calorie count actually increases depending on the sugar content of the wine. Aka, if you’re on a diet and craving a glass of Moscato, keep that secret to yourself, lush. The good news is, one bottle of wine is meant to serve two people over two and a half hours. I don’t know about you, but that made me feel way better about myself. Clink, clink!

3. Terroir + Wine Growing Regions

The word “terroir” is French for land. In sommelier speak, it means that wine grapes are a product of their environment. Similar to coffee beans, the flavor of a grape is influenced by the soil, climate and even flowers blossoming nearby. In the words of Zach, “they’re great conveyors of information.” Vineyards that thrive in wine-producing regions are successful because they live in the right latitude, with the right temperature. They’re also wildly successful because winemaking is typically passed on generation after generation, so these guys know exactly what they’re doing. You’ll also learn that grapes are obsessed with poor soil, because like us, they thrive off of drama. It’s their form of reality TV. It feels good to relate to something you love, doesn’t it?

4. The Art of Tasting

Swirl, sniff, taste, talk. The four magical keys to opening any wine tasting door. If you’ve ever participated in a blind taste test, you know exactly what I’m talking about. In this section of the class, you’ll learn how to talk about wine. What aromas you sense, how to judge the body of a wine, talking tannins, levels of acidity and the takeaway from the grand finish. You’ll sip a collection of wines and sniff your way through plates of stone fruits, citrus and spices to make scent connections. Don’t be afraid of shouting out the wrong flavor, Zach will tell you it’s all about personal interpretation. Everyone wins, millennial style.

(spoiler: Albariño tastes like stone fruit and has a mineral finish)

5. White Wine 101

So, you’ve tried white wine, and you might already have a grape of choice. Think again. Cru U walked us through each white grape (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris) and I was insanely surprised with how different the flavor of one grape could be. Most of this class involved my classmates and I calling out flavor characteristics and looking at each other sideways to see if anyone else agreed. You’ll be shocked by how dry a Riesling can be, despite its sweet reputation. Chardonnay is synonymous with oaky creamy flavors but can also taste like starfruit or pineapple. Everything I thought I knew was flipped on its tipsy head. White wine is a complex mystery, my friends. I guess I’ll have to continue my research during Cru’s happy hour…

The biggest thing I’ve learned so far is that wine is a playground that deserves to be explored. Have you truly lived if you’ve never swirled a glass of Viognier in between your fingers? Don’t miss out on one of life’s greatest boozy treasures.

Sign up for Cru U’s next class here and tell them I sent you!

Peace, love + vino,

Melissa