In the spirit of trying something new, I decided it was high time I tried a wine masterclass, and in line with Covid, decided an at-home experience would be best.
That was what led me to Misc Wines and their “at-home wine masterclass in a box”. What stood out to me was the opportunity to try small samples of different wines in a curated setting – and with some fun sprinkled in. What sealed the deal was the game included: an opportunity for me to match each wine to a different set of clues.
I was most looking forward to trying different types of wines. Red wine was largely a mystery to me, as I would often head down the white wine section (Sauvignon or Riesling, anyone?) – so I was, as Misc Wines says, looking forward to ‘discovering my palate’.
With that, I went ahead and ordered the ‘Same Same but Different’ wines and waited for them to be delivered. I didn’t have to wait too long – they came just in time for Friday night drinks! Immediately noticeable is the care and attention that has gone into the packaging. The exterior is elegant and enticing, and on the inside, the wines are securely packed, with no possibility of breakage.
Included is a set of instructions and a game board, and of course, an answer sheet. As much as I enjoy skipping to the end of a book, I follow Misc Wines’ advice and read the instructions first.
With everything from how to taste the wine to how to play the game, the instructions were detailed, easy to read and easy to follow. From there, I tasted each wine, assigned them to a clue, and made a small note of my favourites. Whilst previously unsure of reds, taking the care to really get to know the wines, learn about them and understand the process swayed me. My absolute favourite ended up being their Dormilona Shiraz Noveau, with its hints of milk chocolate and sarsaparilla.
That being said, all of the wines were wonderful – and local too. As a previous Perth-dweller, it was nice to see some Margaret River representation.
Now, of course, you can’t have a true wine masterclass without a knowledgeable guide, so you can tune in at 8pm each Saturday night to a free live-streamed guided tasting, where a sommelier will lead you through a virtual masterclass. There, you can learn in-depth about the histories of the wines, their characteristics and their subtle nuances.
The Misc Wines masterclass experience is all about tasting different wines and developing your palate. You might find you like some of them, or you might find you like all. If you find something that you’d like to try again, you can pick it up from the Misc Wines’ online bottle-shop.
Christmas is coming up, and what better way to greet it than with some wine? Misc Wines agrees, which is why their next wine box is their Christmas Day Wines. The Wines Box will cost $49, and if you’d like, you can choose to elevate your experience and add a meat and cheese platter for an extra $15.
My recommendation? Make an evening of it. Grab a friend or partner, tune in on a Saturday night, and really take advantage of this fun tasting box.
– Daniela
Daniela Koulikov is a freelance writer who loves movies, brunch and DIY kits. You can follow her at @danikoul.
Misc Wines has a variety of at-home masterclasses available, from wine to gin to cocktails. Check them out here.
