I agree with you - tasting is the best way to learn. Your friend might consider some preliminary reading to help understand some of the wines to be tasted. Here are my suggestions:
1) Read this book:
Immer.jpg
Andrea Immer Robinson was the first American female Master Sommelier, and this book is a tremendous introduction to grape varieties, wines and wine regions of the world. It's written in a very approachable, conversational style and is easy to follow.
2) As Ron suggested, visit Robin Garr's Wineloverspage.com. There is plenty of information there. Sign up for the 30 Second Wine Advisor and you will receive emails from Robin several times per week with a brief essay on a single wine-related topic. There will usually be at least one wine tasting note. Because Robin is local and typically buys his wines at local outlets, you can find the wines he writes about, so you can taste along with him. (Note: he includes the price of the wine in each piece. If the wine price is an even dollar figure, chances are he got the wine at Gemelli - see # 5 below). There are over 100 Wine Advisor essays assembled in this recently published book:
3) Visit the Wine Library site daily. Here is a link:
http://tv.winelibrary.com/. Gary Vaynerchuk runs The Wine Library, a retail wine shop in New Jersey, and he offers a daily, themed video blog where he tastes wines and offers his critique in a very casual, non-threatening way. Don't let the first 20 seconds of an episode turn you off (some say he's a little over-the-top in his intro). He is serious about wine and you can learn a lot by watching him evaluate them. Make sure you watch Episode 148 - it's a hoot.
4) Again, Ron's suggestion of seeking out a course by Scott Harper at The Bristol Bar and Grille is a good one. He now offers the non-credit, no grade, Bellarmine courses at the downtown Louisville Bristol (Main Street). We have taken a couple of them and they are fun. Expect 50+ folks in the classes and expect everyone to get happier as the night goes on. The next class is titled "The Wines of France", which starts June 2 and goes for 5 Mondays. Go to Bellarmine.edu and search on "wine".
5) Get yourself to Gemelli Wine Shop on Brownsboro Road. Evie Claire, the owner who is almost always there, is very knowledgeable and can guide you. She has a monthly tasting (limited to 16 people) at the shop. See
http://www.gemelliwines.comHave fun.
Last edited by Jay M. on Mon May 26, 2008 9:03 pm, edited 2 times in total.