A black sign with stark white lettering promises “an experience for everyone” to visitors of Wine on Main’s tasting room. Owner Emma Stetson says that’s the goal of two new wine courses coming to the downtown Concord shop this August.

The educational series proving wine certification through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust is intended to give enthusiasts and professionals in the hospitality industry the chance to learn more about the principles of wine.

The classes offering sommelier-like skills will be taught by Lindsay Pomeroy from the Neptune School of Wine. Level 1 will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 6-9 p.m. Advanced Level II classes will be held all-day Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20. 

“Courses are aimed at both wine enthusiasts and hospitality staff who learn to both serve and make wine choices with confidence,” the program proclaims.

Pomeroy, a Granite Stater turned Californian, has been a wine enthusiast since 2002 when she first moved to San Diego and started working in a wine bar. She fell in love with the product while recommending and tasting different wines as the bar manager. She is now a certified Master of Wine and the Chief Executive Officer of Wine Smarties, a wine school in San Diego.

Stetson, Wine on Main’s owner, said the courses are taught with the goal of providing foundational or advanced wine knowledge depending on the level of the student. Many of her customers have a good deal of wine knowledge, but wanted to learn more about different varietals and growing regions. She wanted to bring the WSET courses to Concord so that her customers and professionals in the hospitality field would be able to take a certified class without having to travel far.

“This is a way for them to take it to the next level with education about wine and go home with a certification,” said Stetson.

Level 1 will teach students about the different kinds of common grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and the main profiles of wines, such as dry versus sweet. Level 1 is priced at $399 per person, including books, with a special early bird rate of $350 if students enroll by July 22. 

Level 2 will give students the fundamentals to assess flavor, color, the quality of wine and pricing based on the geographic area it was produced. Stetson said the advanced course is geared more toward industry professionals such as bartenders and wine distributors and is more expensive at $899 with a special early rate of $850 per person if students sign up by Aug. 4.

For example, Pomeroy will describe how the difference in climate in geographic regions creates a different taste profile of Chardonnay. A warm climate boasts sweet tropical notes of peaches, apricot and bananas, whereas a cold climate Chardonnay emanates neutral flavors of green apple and pear.

People interested in registering for a course should either sign up using the links on Wine on Main’s website or swing by the store at 9 N Main Street for more information.

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