Person with 4 types of alcoholic beverages, Image: Pexels
Several companies in the wine and spirits field are struggling in this type of market. With lockdown among us, no one is allowed to taste at wineries, visit breweries or even distilleries. With those tours and tastings being a large portion of sales, times are tough.
So, we must adapt. And thus, the virtual tastings became popular. Online classes have been around for quite some time now, but now several companies are working to promote their presence online. So, you can now wine taste or make cocktails in your trousers, or pyjamas.
And to get your started, here’s a few seminars, tastings and classes you can attend:
Simonsig: Virtual tastings with Denzel Swarts
Join Denzel Swarts, the Simonsig resident sommelier and brand ambassador in tasting wines from the Simonsig collection. Order your wines online and have them delivered, then join in every Wine Wednesday at 1100hr on their Instagram @simonsigwines to taste with the masters of wine tasting...for free!
Zuri Wine Tasting
This fantastic online wine tasting platform allows you to create your own virtual wine tasting. They’ve got private and public tastings available starting at $25 (R465) a tasting. Visit their website to find which tasting is best for you! Are you passing time with your own in home tasting? Or are you trying to taste with a larger private group? Check out zuriwines.com to see.
The Sommelier Company Wine and Whiskey Tastings
TheSommelier company is offering online wine and whiskey tastings. Enjoy some of the most famed whiskeys and or wines with someone to guide you along the way. Visit their website to book a guided tasting right from your couch.
La Motte Wines Virtual Experience
La Motte has been doing an excellent job on social media keeping their viewers informed. With pre-created videos tasting and going through their wines alongside their Chef’s delicious wine pairing recipes, you can’t go wrong visiting their site. Order your wines to your doorstep and drink at home, at your own pace, on your own time, while watching their videos from their team tasting the wines with you. Use Chef Eric’s recipes to pair perfectly your La Motte Wines and a meal...5 star meal at home? I think yes.
Delheim Wine Estate Tasting With the Team
Delheim is also tasting their wines throughout their portfolio and posting the videos on their social media; Instagram via IGTV as well as Facebook. Taste through the wines from Delheim Wine Estate in your own home and at your own pace. Order your wine online and get them delivered for this enjoyable experience!
#Margarita Monday with Cointreau
Tune in 1900hr/ on Mondays on Instagram LIVE to find the perfect recipe for Margaritas with the Cointreau Team! Alfred Cointreau is coming to you, live every Monday of Lockdown at 1900hr (GMT+2). Visit their Instagram page to see what you need to construct your own cocktail and join the party!
We can make this lockdown fun, even just in our own homes!
Amanda Greenbaum is a Malibu, California (USA) native and the creator and content writer forSOMMthing Rad. Amanda is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a mixologist. She also runs her family’s winery AJA Vineyards. Amanda previously worked at the 2020 Harvest at Lomond Wine Estate in Cape Agulhas, Western Cape, South Africa.
