Charm City Wine School

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
2025-06-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-14 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-17 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-01 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-23 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-16 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-12 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Charm City Wine School, 6505 York Road, Towson, MD, 21212, United States
Level 1 Award in Wines Qualification Aims
The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is intended for people who have little or no prior knowledge of wines. It is designed to provide a sound but simple introduction to wines. The qualification will assist those who need a basic familiarity with the main types and styles of wines, for example people who work with wines as part of a larger beverage portfolio in the retail and hospitality sectors.
What You Will Learn
Successful candidates will be able to know the key stages in grape growing and winemaking, list the principal types and styles of wine, state the key characteristics of wines made from the principal grape varieties as well as other examples of wines, and know the key principles involved in the storage and service of wine. They will consequently be in a position to answer customer queries and provide recommendations for the service of wine.
This is the 1-day version (on Saturdays). Also offered are 2-day options (Wednesdays, over two consecutive weeks). For either option, this course culminates in a 1-hour exam.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
2025-06-17 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-10 18:00 - 21:00
Level 2 Award in Wines Qualification Aims
WSET’s Level 2 Award in Wines is a beginner- to intermediate-level qualification exploring wines, suitable for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts.
This qualification is intended for beginners wishing to learn about a wide range of wines or those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence.
What You Will Learn

How to taste and describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking, and maturation options influence the style and quality of wines made from eight principal grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Sparkling & Fortified Wines
The style and quality of wines
How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of:
Key labeling terms used to indicate origin, style, and quality
Principles and processes involved in the storage and service of a wine
Principles of food and wine pairing

The TQT for the Level 2 Award in Wines is 28 hours. This is made up of 17 GLH (of which 1 hour is for the examination) and 11 hours’ private study. This is a 6-day course that culminates in a 1-hour exam. Candidates that successfully pass this challenging exam can proudly use the post-nominal WSET Level 2 Wine Certified in their email signatures and be recognized as wine professionals in the wine industry.
WSET L2 Awards in Wine Class Schedule starting Tuesday, June 10th, 2025
And following classes on Tuesdays June 17th & 24th, and July 8th, 15th, & 22nd – – no class during the week of July 4th
All Times: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Final Exam following a review Tuesday, July 22nd

TiPS 06/16/25 - Monday
2025-06-16 08:30 - 14:00
TiPS Qualification Aims
Proven effective by third-party studies, TiPS is a skills-based, 100% live responsible alcohol training and certification program that is designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving by enhancing the fundamental “people skills” of servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol. TiPS gives individuals the knowledge and confidence they need to recognize potential alcohol-related problems and intervene to prevent alcohol-related tragedies.

Yanks vs Francs - the Judgement of Paris, circa1976!
2025-06-11 18:30 - 20:00
Wine 101: Judgement of Paris – Yanks vs Francs

This presentation details the 1976 blind tasting between the upstart American wines from California and the vaunted French wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy. George Taber, then the Times’ Paris correspondent covering the event, stated that the French wines were going to win. He said that everyone thought “it’s going to be a non-story.” Taber did attend, as a favor to the organizers. And he ended up getting the biggest story of his career: To everyone’s amazement, the California wines — red and white — beat out their French competitors.
“It turned out to be the most important event because it broke the myth that only in France could you make great wine. It opened the door for this phenomenon today of the globalization of wine,” Taber says. The Judgment of Paris, as that May 24, 1976, wine tasting has come to be known, began as a publicity stunt. Steven Spurrier, an Englishman who owned a wine shop in Paris, wanted to drum up business. So, prompted by Patricia Gastaud-Gallagher, his American associate, Spurrier decided to stage a competition that highlighted the new California wines they’d been hearing so much about. The Judgement of Paris is the subject of the 2008 movie, “Bottle Shock.”
In this fact-filled and entertaining presentation, Tim O’Hare, Certified Sommelier will deliver a PowerPoint session and answer any of your questions.
Register NOW! (Click Here)

Patio Grigio
2025-06-03 18:30
Wine 101: Patio Grigio
Who doesn’t like to slip out to the patio in the spring, in bare feet, and with a glass of your favorite varietal in your hand, Pinot Grigio? Please come join us for a fun and interactive class as we explore and taste 4 wines: A Pinot Grigio from Italy, a Pinot Gris from Oregon, a Pinot Gris from Alsace, and a Ruländer from Germany. Tim O’Hare will guide you through these incredible selections with an entertaining and educational PowerPoint.
Register NOW! (Click Here)
This Wine 101 class will be held at the School on Tuesday June 3rd, 2025 at 6:30 – 8:00 PM
The Charm City Wine School is now offering Wine 101 Classes that spans the vino globe. These fun & informative classes feature 3 to 4 wines featuring New World and Old-World Wines. Classes are $40 per person and you will enjoy & experience wines from the most important wine regions. Each class is 1½ hour in duration and light hors d’oeuvres are served along with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine to get things started.

TiPS 05/29/25 - Thursday
2025-05-29 08:30 - 14:00

She Said Rosé and He Said OK!
2025-05-27 18:30 - 20:00
Wine 101: She Said Rosé and He Said OK!
Join us for a great exposé on the theme of Rosé – while you drink with friends while making new ones.
Register NOW! (Click Here)
The Charm City Wine School offers fun, engaging, and interactive classes, and this program is sure to be one of them. Test your knowledge on such topics as sports, history, geography, food & wine, and much much more. Between each round of trivia, Tim O’Hare will walk you through the wines being served that night and talk about how to pair them with appetizers, cheeses, and entrees. Also, the wines being presented will be offered at a 10% discount courtesy of Well’s Discount Liquors.

Wine 101: Pick a Chard, Any Chard!
2025-05-22 18:30 - 20:00
It’s not football season (NFL, that is), but let’s tackle your preconceived notions about Chardonnay (also known as white Burgundy). And we won’t be playing cards, but we’ll have a great time sampling a range of this oft-misunderstood white wine.
We will also give you recommendations, pairing tips, and more. Join us, sign up NOW!
Register NOW! (Click Here)

You Had Me at Merlot!
2025-05-14 18:30 - 20:00
Wine 101: You Had Me at Merlot
Join us for another Wonderful Wine 101 Tasting Trivia Event!
Here we will taste Merlot’s from France, Chile, California, and Italy and you can decide the winner from this outstanding lineup of Merlots. Test your recall on Sports & American History while you think and drink with friends while making new ones. Your palette will be pleased as punch!
Register NOW! (Click Here)
The Charm City Wine School offers fun, engaging, and interactive classes, and this program is sure to be one of them. Test your knowledge on such topics as sports, history, geography, food & wine, and much much more. Between each round of trivia, Tim O’Hare will walk you through the wines being served that night and talk about how to pair them with appetizers, cheeses, and entrees. Also, the wines being presented will be offered at a 10% discount courtesy of Well’s Discount Liquors.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
2025-05-13 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-29 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-22 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-15 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-08 18:00 - 21:00
Level 2 Award in Wines Qualification Aims
WSET’s Level 2 Award in Wines is a beginner- to intermediate-level qualification exploring wines, suitable for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts.
This qualification is intended for beginners wishing to learn about a wide range of wines or those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence.
What You Will Learn

How to taste and describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking, and maturation options influence the style and quality of wines made from eight principal grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Sparkling & Fortified Wines
The style and quality of wines
How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of:
Key labeling terms used to indicate origin, style, and quality
Principles and processes involved in the storage and service of a wine
Principles of food and wine pairing

The TQT for the Level 2 Award in Wines is 28 hours. This is made up of 17 GLH (of which 1 hour is for the examination) and 11 hours’ private study. This is a 6-day course that culminates in a 1-hour exam. Candidates that successfully pass this challenging exam can proudly use the post-nominal WSET Level 2 Wine Certified in their email signatures and be recognized as wine professionals in the wine industry.
WSET L2 Awards in Wine Class Schedule starting Tuesday, April 8th, 2025
And following classes on Tuesdays April 15th, 22nd, 29th, and May 6th & 13th
All Times: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Final Exam following a review Tuesday, May 13th

TiPS 05/12/25 - Monday
2025-05-12 08:30 - 14:00

TiPS 04/24/25 - Thursday
2025-04-24 08:30 - 14:00

TiPS 04/14/25 - Monday
2025-04-14 08:30 - 14:00

Don't Guess - Easter Brunch Wines - and Trivia!
2025-04-09 18:30 - 20:00
Wine 101: Wonderful Wednesday Wine Trivia – Easter Brunch is better with wine – and a well paired wine, at that!
There are a lot of great wines from around the world and we will explore some different varietals that you may not have heard of that are unbelievable values and will sure to be a hit with you, your friends, and family. Let’s test your general knowledge with topical trivia!
Register NOW! (Click Here)

Sips & Chips - A Fun & Tasty Tuesday!
2025-04-01 18:30 - 20:00
Wine 101: Fun Friday Sips & Chips, a Tasty Event!
Join us for another Wonderful Wine 101 Tasting Event pairing your favorite chips with popular wines while you think and drink with friends while making new ones. Your palette will be pleased as punch!
Register NOW! (Click Here)
The Charm City Wine School offers fun, engaging, and interactive classes, and this program is sure to be one of them. Test your knowledge on such topics as sports, history, geography, food & wine, and much much more. Between each round of trivia, Tim O’Hare will walk you through the wines being served that night and talk about how to pair them with appetizers, cheeses, and entrees. Also, the wines being presented will be offered at a 10% discount courtesy of Well’s Discount Liquors.

TiPS 03/27/25 - Thursday
2025-03-27 08:30 - 14:00

Maryland Wines & Cheeses
2025-03-25 18:30 - 20:00
Take A Chance On Me Tuesdays: Maryland Wines & Cheeses
The focus will be Old Westminster Winery Selections and Firefly Cheese assortments to pair with the wines. There are a lot of great wines from around the world and we will explore some different varietals that you may not have heard of that are unbelievable values and will sure to be a hit with you, your friends, and family.
