The Best Wine Tasting Classes to Take in Buenos Aires

Described by food critic Allie Lazar as a “wine lover’s paradise,” Pain et Vin (located in Palermo) offers tastings from Tuesday to Saturday at anytime between 4pm and 8pm. These last about one hour, cost US$30 and include four different wines, a cheese plate, sourdough bread and “a deep explanation about the country and the process of tasting a wine.” Booking in advance is strongly recommended.

While from the outside this little shop may not look like anything other than a historic corner store, upon closer inspection Almacén Otamendi is as trendy as a gourmet wine store can be. This place offers an “ABC of wine” that consists of four weekly classes covering the history of wine, Argentina’s wine regions, a number of tasting games and even practical tips for starting your own wine collection. The cost is about US$50 for the four classes, which can be booked through their website or Facebook page.

What could possibly be better than an independent bookstore with an impressive selection of books, carefully handpicked? An independent bookstore that is also a wine dealer and regularly hosts inventive wine tastings that can even include prizes! Autre Monde holds its tastings in its cozy loft space, where one or two wines are selected by a sommelier for the pleasure of the guests. Discussions about films or even philosophy are no strange occurrence to regulars, who know that wine is better paired with a spirited conversation. Check out their Facebook page for future events.

At Vico’s you buy a card upon arrival, just like a transportation card, load it up and then pay by the glass. From an offer of 140 different wines from Argentina and the rest of the world, you can pick the one you wish within the refrigerated cellars. Three different glass sizes are available (tasting, half-glass and full glass). Prices start at US$2 per glass. Book your reservation here.