I discovered 12th and Olive Wine Co walking home from Bikram yoga class. I stopped in to get a bottle for a dinner party I was going to later that night, and the sales lady was nice to me even though—well if you’ve ever seen someone right after Bikram, you know that it ain’t pretty. I now shop there regularly, though I don’t subject them to my post-yoga gnaryless if I can help it. That’s just kind of common courtesy.

Anyway, 12th And Olive has introduced a cool new two-hour class for wine novices called “Wine Essentials.”

The next class is this Wednesday, August 19th and will cover:
How wine is made
How to taste (6 tastings are included in the price)
Understanding your own palate
Understanding Wine Labels
Buying the right wine
Understanding “scores” and wine reviews
Ordering wine in restaurants
Serving wine at home.

The cost is $20, reserve your space by calling: 206.329.2399. Also, while you’re there, if you want to pick up an absolutely gorgeous wine in a kick-ass bottle, get the 2007 Buty Winery Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($24)—it’s the second from the right in this picture.

I should mention too that on the following night, Thursday, August 20th, the store is doing a sparkling wine tasting at 6pm—they’ll even be pouring Cristal so if you’ve always wanted to try it, here’s your chance to do so free of charge.