Learn About Wine

Sorry to stick a fork in it, but I recently attend Ian’s “Scotch School” in Downtown Los Angeles (provided through LeranAboutWine.c-o-m) and was so underwhelmed I figured I better warn would-be scotch enthusiasts from signing up. I’m confident his WINE classes/information is great, but stay away from the scotch class. Here is an expert from an email I sent to a friend just after the event: ............................................................................................................................................. “If I were to sit down and pencil out a silly SNL skit it couldn’t be worse – like the guy next to me having so much cologne on I couldn’t taste anything but that. Like the instructor showing up in a kilt with a foot long feather in his cap and wingtips, playing new age Irish music while slowly mispronouncing almost every Gaelic-esq word (multiple ways) including “Islay” and “Laphroig” 30+ times, and providing the class with factual errors (almost like he knew it) while speaking over an unnecessary mic/amplifier system, and showing a ppt slide presentation in a fully lit room so no one could see anything (albeit apologetically) - providing pages of interesting words but no handouts – precious lost information. He bumbled along in the tasting reading scotch descriptions (squinting, word-for-word) from some website. He insisted that Laphroig was “the most peaty scotch”, which is ignorant overstatement. He also had numerous bumbling missteps in talking about the technical process in making scotch. ............................................................................................................................................. Amateur night, all the way down the line – what is worse is that he knew it. I wish I had video recorded it and put it up on YouTube for you. I wish you were there so it could have been funny instead of so pathetic. (So ... It wasn’t entirely worthless; it can always serve as a bad example.)” ............................................................................................................................................. Really nice guy, but don’t quite your wine job Ian. I hate to be a Richard, but people need to be warned. Pros: Great location, Ian is a nice guy Cons: Incompetent and under prepared teacher more

I've been to 2 of their wine events so far. I love their wine events! They are so detail oriented, and full of knowledge. I had such an amazing time! They made the evening such a blast!!! Pros: Very professional! more

Ian Blackburn and his LearnAboutWine events have allowed me to combine my interest in wine with photography. I shot for Ian 3 years because of the exposure I was chosen to be the official photographer for the 2005 American Wine & Food Festival\r Now my love for wine has taken me to the next level. With IB's help I got a gig in the wine industry & I am now selling the best wine in the world. Ian is a knowledgeable and well respected name in So Cal wine. Attend any events @ LAW and you will have a great time, tell friends, bring a friend, you will be glad you did, I was.\r See LAW event photos goggle. m3pixs.smugmug. LearnAboutWine file\r Cheers\r DD\r Pros: Learning was never tastier Cons: My glass is MT more

Ian is by far one of the most knowledgable wine educators I've ever met. Not only does he know what he's talking about, but he loves his work and the people surrounding the business. Do yourself a favor and bring some of your friends out to one of his events. You won't regret it! Pros: Very easy going and comforatable environment more

I have been going to Ian's classes and events for 7+ years. To this day, most of what I know about wine, I have learned in his classes, or on his field trips to Santa Barbara wine country. All ages and levels of knowledge are welcome, and while his classes are fun and informative, the wine-related events that he organizes are a great day out with social fun people. Pros: unpretentious, informative, social Cons: only in LA more

I've been to 3 of Ian's classes and all of them have been well worth the time. I've learned so much about wine and various varietals that I wouldn't even pause for, before attending his classes! All the while, sipping wine and ""learning about wine!"" - If only my college classes were presented like this! Pros: Learned of less heard of wines, that don't break the bank! more

What could be better than learning about wine and food in a pleasant setting, while meeting like-minded people? Ian provides terrific venues, amazing wines - with the knowledge and info and experience to teach others - and it's always an exciting and fun experience. Pros: Ian always pours unusual, interesting wines Cons: What drawbacks? It's great wine! more

Ian and his team have worked diligently over the last 10 years to build LearnAboutWine into a well known brand. I experienced one of his amazing tastings recently and then traveled to Lake Tahoe to visit some friends. I was gushing over the experience when a woman I just met said she had met Ian and attended one of his events....My question is: Does everyone know Ian and LearnAboutWine? Too funny but worthy of the praise. Sniff, Swirl and Taste On! Pros: Best Vibe, People & Events more

I recently attended an event at LearnAboutWine's downtown loft classroom. It's a hip presentation for a wine tasting (they were playing Radiohead - In Rainbows as I entered). The teacher, Ian, was hilarious and knowledgeable, the wine's were interesting and plentiful (14 wines in one sitting), and I met some really cool people who were sitting at my table. Definitely a must for anyone looking to improve his or her knowledge on the subject! Pros: Unique Wines, Artisan Cheeses, Highly Informative Cons: Having to drive home afterwards more

I attended on Monther's Day and it was the perfect afternoon with mom. We tried about 5 different chocolates, 5 different cheeses, with many wines! It was really interesting to compare and contrast the way different wines work with cheeses and chocolates. I had no idea my taste buds would go in so many directions! informative and fun! Pros: fantastic wine cheese chocolate! more