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WHAT IS 'EXPLORE THE GRAPE'?

My name is Jose Molina and I am a certified sommelier and wine educator. I started Explore the Grape out of a personal passion for wine. My goal is to provide a wine education experience to those wishing to learn a little more about wine. Whether you are novice or seasoned wine-taster, I would love to help you understand wine better to make more informed decisions either at the store or at the restaurant. Looking forward to learning and tasting with you! Cheers!

WINE EDUCATION

When drinking wine, we can all answer the question - "Do you like the wine?" Well how about "Why do you like that wine?" Most people will struggle with the second question. My goal is to provide an educational experience to learn more about wine, identify common wine and varietal characteristics, and ultimately enjoy wine more!

Same grape different regions

How does Pinot Noir from Burgundy differ from Pinot Noir from California? How about from New Zealand or Patagonia? In this experience we’ll discuss and taste the nuances between each region and how terroir and wine styles come into play.

Single varietal vs blends

Why do winemakers choose to blend different varietals? What are the differences between blends and a 100% varietals? Is what’s in the bottle always listed on the label? The answer might surprise you!

Light to bold. What are the differences?

Wine comes in a variety of ‘body’ types. What makes a wine ‘light’? What about bold? Is it the color? The taste? The alcohol percentage? Let’s talk about these nuances and taste the differences, comparing wines along the spectrum from light to bold.

Variety alternatives

As creatures of habit, we might be prone to going back to the same variety of wine over and over again because it’s what we enjoy. Let’s explore different regions and wines you might have never heard of.

Different wine styles

Wines come in many different styles. Together, we’ll explore the differences between topics such as choice of aging vessels (oak vs. stainless steel vs. concrete), fermentation methods (malolactic vs. carbonic fermentation), or even temperature methods (hot vs. cold).

Other topics

No matter what we wind up talking about, my aim is to provide a fantastic and educational experience to guests. Some other topics we can cover: How is wine made? How do I read a wine label? How do I pair wine with food?

HOW I DO IT

Education experiences are customized based on what the group would like to learn about. Whether you are looking to explore new regions or varieties you have never head of, I can create an event that you and your friends will enjoy. I cater to novice and experienced wine enthusiasts alike and ensure the content meets everyone wherever they are in their wine journey.

In-Person

For in-person wine education experiences, I work with groups to understand what they are looking to learn. Everything is discussed ahead of time to put together the best experience possible. I consider things such as the level of wine knowledge of the group, if there is a desire for a specific wine/region, food pairings that should be featured, just to name a few. Events typically are about two and a half hours in length.

The cost for an in-person education experience typically ranges between $25 and $50 per person based on the agenda, the number of participants and include:

  • 5 different wines
  • Glassware
  • Overview of regions and varietals
  • Pairing recommendations
  • Alternative wine recommendations to try
  • Educational game (if desired)

Virtual

For virtual experiences, I work with groups to design a session that still allows guests to learn about wine and taste along with the group, however, we typically focus on just one variety, region, or style. Each participant would bring their own glass of wine to the session and I’ll guide them through a tasting and education component, often coupled with a fun online game. Virtual sessions typically run between an hour to an hour and a half.

The cost for a virtual wine tasting class is $75. Topics can vary by desired experience, however all virtual classes include:

  • Zoom call with up to 50 participants
  • Wine recommendations based on topic
  • Overview of regions and varietals
  • Pairing recommendations
  • Alternative wine recommendations to try
  • Educational game (if desired)

CONTACT ME

I take pride in designing wine education experiences that cater to the needs and desires of my guests. Feel free to fill out the contact form, schedule some time with me, or call me to discuss planning your next event. I'd love to hear from you!

AREAS OF SERVICE

For in-person wine education events, I service the Denver, Colorado metro area (including Boulder and Ft. Collins) but can accommodate bookings outside of the area if desired. For virtual events I can accommodate any time zone.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Please fill out your information and I will contact you.

CALL ME DIRECTLY

Feel free to give me a call at (720) 310-8515

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