Learn about wines this week

It is the first ever global initiative of WSET (widely considered as the gold standard in wine education) and is part of the program’s 50th anniversary activities

There will be interactive wine games and activities well-suited for budding as well as seasoned wine enthusiasts.

Gain the basic skills and insights to describe wine accurately, make food and wine pairings and feel confident making recommendations to family, friends or clients after immersing yourself in several refreshing learning activities this week.

Wine Story Academy, an approved program provider in the Philippines by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), offers a rare opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of wine.

A series of events is set in celebration of “Wine Education Week” from 11 to 14 September at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.

“Wine Education Week” is an international event unfolding 9 to 15 September, converging wine lovers to celebrate and learn more about vintages from countries with long histories of winemaking. It is the first ever global initiative of WSET (widely considered as the gold standard in wine education) and is part of the program’s 50th anniversary activities. WSET, the largest global provider of wines and spirits qualifications, launched “Wine Education Week” in 45 countries.

In the Philippines, wine enthusiasts are invited to open their palates and minds to fresh ideas and inspiration from the lively tasting at wine sampling stations, interesting drink seminars and fun activities.

Two of the events will unfold at Planet Grapes, a hip gathering place and upscale wine shop-cum-restaurant catering to the new generation of wine lovers in the Philippines. Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish wines will be featured on 11 September, 7 to 9 p.m. PST, during the event dubbed “Old World Wines: A Taste of Tradition.” A ticket costs P1,000.

White wines generally taste best with seafood.

On 12 September, Planet Grapes will present “New World Classics” featuring scintillating wine selections from Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa. Embark on a guided tasting tour at 7 to 9 p.m. and get tickets at P1,000 per person.

Another venue for the special events marking Wine Education Week is Wine Story, Manila’s premier retailer of fine and rare wines which continually seeks to raise of bar of wine experience from learning, drinking to buying, storing, collecting and investing.

At Wine Story in Shangri-La Mall on 13 September, the “Tour de France” featuring walk-around tastings will unfold from 7 to 9 p.m. It will feature a wine flight from the famous French wine regions of Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace and Rhone Valley. Browse the tasting stations featuring each place to discover their unique wine traditions and terminologies. A ticket to the “Tour de France by Wine Story Academy” is reasonably priced P1,200.

The highlight of the week’s festivities slated on 14 September is a day-long event called “WinEd: Wine Appreciation through Education.”

A mini museum highlighting the story of Wine Story Academy will include notable achievements of alumni and a wine guide. Back-to-back wine classes will commence hourly from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

There will also be interactive wine games and activities well-suited for budding as well as seasoned wine enthusiasts. These activities will be followed by a lively wine career chat at 7 p.m. about wine-related careers with a panel of accomplished professionals who are passionate about wine and represent various fields such as culinary, sommelierie, media, education and retail.

There are limited seats available at “WinEd: Wine Appreciation through Education.” A ticket to the event costs P1,500.

The Wine Story Academy event series is being held in partnership with Schott Zwiesel (a market leader in crystal glass) exclusively distributed by Garden Barn Inc. in the Philippines. For further details and booking, log on to https://www.winestory.com.ph/wine-mastery/wined.