• Our Advanced Tasting Series classes are designed to further the students’ knowledge of wine through tasting and discussions.

• Each series will focus on a specific topic and all wines are tasted blind.

WHO SHOULD TAKE CLASSES IN THE SERIES? 

• Sommelier Society of America Certificate program alumni

• Students pursuing certifications through other guilds such as WSET and CMS. 

• Wine collectors 

• Industry professionals and those who have taken previous SSA tasting classes. 

WHAT A CLASS IN THE SERIES CAN DO FOR YOU:

• Enhance your deductive tasting skills, notes and vocabulary. 

• Develop skills to analyze wines according to region, style, and varietal as well as aging potential. 

• Prepare for advanced wine certifications.

Comparative Intensive:
Four Consecutive Mondays: June 10th, 17th, 24th, and July 1st, 2024
Limited to ten people ~ first come, first served

Instructor: Vitalii Dascaliuc

This is a 3-week course on blind tasting, divided into White Varietals, Red Varietals, and Sparkling Wines, followed by an exam. Those who pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher will receive a certificate of excellence from The Sommelier Society of America.

The goal is to learn to distinguish differences in varietals that can be easily confused with each other. Each class will offer 8 2oz. pours of quality wines from revered producers hand selected by the SSA course instructor.

Students will learn 'tells' from each varietal as well as understand and identify precursors and chemical compounds that result in specific aromatics. This class is designed to enhance community and continue engagement with alumni while offering a more scientific-focused approach to wine tasting comprehension.

Schedule of Classes:
Class / Week 1 - White Wines
Class / Week 2 - Red Wines
Class / Week 3 - Sparkling Wines
Class / Week 4 - Final Exam: Five Wines

Time:
6-8PM

Cost:
$850.00 (fee includes all classes, materials, wine tasting selections, and final exam; classes may not be purchased for individual dates).

Final exam achievement greater than 80% required for Series Certificates
Registration includes all four class dates. Classes may not be purchased for single session attendance

If you would like to pay by check, please email us at info@sommeliersocietyofamerica.org with your request.

About Vitalii Dascaliuc:
Vitalii was born and raised in Moldova, a country renowned for its rich wine culture and home to the largest wine collection in the world.

From a young age, he was exposed to the art of winemaking by working in his family's vineyards and even crafting his own barrel of wine at the age of 16. After moving to the United States, Vitalii pursued a career in the restaurant industry, where he had the opportunity to taste and learn about wines from around the world.

This sparked a deep passion and appreciation for the diversity and terroir-specific nature of wine. With extensive experience as a sommelier in some of the most renowned restaurants in Washington DC and New York City, Vitalii now focuses on sharing his knowledge and expertise through leading wine classes, and events.