Barbariain Wine Consulting


Serious Series



Sketches of Spain


Tuesday September 2, 2025


Join us for a quick tour around Spain. We will be stopping all around the country, but not in the usual places. This will be a chance to experience what is making Spain one of the most exciting wine countries in the world today. We will focus our tasting on emerging regions and lesser known, local grape varieties. Full disclosure, there will be no Rioja. The diversity of wine styles that Spain produces can come as a surprise to many. This class can also act as a little teaser for the upcoming Spanish Wine Scholar course that is scheduled for later in the fall.

Of course, a range of appropriate tapas will be served to accompany the wines.


When: Tuesday September 2, 2025 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $140 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


Oak & Smoke


Sunday August 10, 2025


Due to popular demand we have added a second class! Why do we even use oak when we make wine? Come for this comprehensive exploration on everything about oak. We will look at all aspects of how and why oak influences the characteristics of the wines we love. Think you don't like oaky wines? We will try to change your mind. We will pour a range of wines (blind). Can you tell which have oak?


As a celebration of this summer weekend, Iain will make a smoked brisket (with sides) to go with the wines.


When: Sunday August 10, 2025 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $140 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


Oak & Smoke


Sunday August 3, 2025


Why do we even use oak when we make wine? Come for this comprehensive exploration on everything about oak. We will look at all aspects of how and why oak influences the characteristics of the wines we love. Think you don't like oaky wines? We will try to change your mind. We will pour a range of wines (blind). Can you tell which have oak?


As a celebration of this summer weekend, Iain will make a smoked brisket (with sides) to go with the wines.


When: Sunday August 3, 2025 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $140 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


Bordeaux: An Insider's View


Wednesday July 9, 2025


Bordeaux is a historical, prestigious, high quality wine region and arguably the world's most famous. Join Barbara Philip MW, one of the biggest buyers of Bordeaux in the world, as she reveals the current state of this important wine region as it relates to the modern wine world. Iain Philip, DipWSET, will give an overview of the basics of Bordeaux to enable everyone to engage in a great discussion of what Bordeaux means to the current wine consumer. Barbara has just returned from her 15th en Primeur tasting this spring so we can all hear the latest news. We will taste a great range of special wines originating from many different appellations and several different classifications. The wines will be accompanied by small snacks.

When: Wednesday July 9, 2025 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $150 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


French Cheese Course


Tuesday April 22, 2025


This course will look at all the reasons why France is the greatest cheese nation in the world. France makes the most diverse selection of cheese, and we will learn what makes them so different. Barbara will be in Paris over the Easter weekend where she will visit our favourite cheese shop. We will sample several fantastic cheeses and learn the details of their history, production, best serving practices, and of course what wines will be the best match. Each cheese will be paired with an appropriate French wine.

When: Tuesday April 22, 2025 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $140 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


French Cheese Course


Sunday February 16, 2025


This course will look at all the reasons why France is the greatest cheese nation in the world. France makes the most diverse selection of cheese, and we will learn what makes them so different. Will will sample several fantastic cheeses and learn the details of their history, production, best serving practices, and of course what wines will be the best match. Each cheese will be paired with an appropriate French wine.

When: Sunday February 16, 2025 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $140 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


The Art and Science of Food and Wine Matching


Wednesday January 15 and Thursday January 16, 2025


Come and learn how to develop the skills to become an expert food and wine matcher.

During the first session we will look deeply into the science of taste to understand how the components of food and wine interact. Six wines will be served along with simple ingredients to demonstrate these interactions. During the second session we will be joined by renowned Vancouver chef Andrey Durbach. Chef Durbach will prepare a six-course menu for us to use our newfound theory in a real-life application of food and wine matching.

When: Wednesday January 15 and Thursday January 16, 2025 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $299 (tax included) for both evenings

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


The Wines of Portugal


October 10, 2024


Be ready to be surprised by the amazing quality and diversity of Portugal's wine offerings. We will sample wines from all corners of this small country and marvel at how many distinctly different wine styles can be accomplished in such a small region and learn the reasons for that. We will try light, crisp Vinho Verde and full, powerful Port - plus everything in between. Of course we will serve traditional Portuguese food specialties to help illuminate the importance of food and wine in Portuguese culture.

When:Thursday October 10, 2024 6:30 pm to 9:00pm

Where: 13C Wine Storage 15 East 6th Avenue Vancouver

Cost: $140 (tax included)

For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


The Art and Science of Food and Wine Matching


August 7 and 14, 2024



Come and learn how to develop the skills to be an expert food and wine matcher during this two evening course. During the first session we will look deeply into the science of taste to understand how the components of food and wine interact. Six wines will be served along with simple ingredients to demonstrate these interactions. During the second session we will be joined by renowned Vancouver chef Andrey Durbach. Chef Durbach will prepare a six-course menu for us to use our newfound theory in a real-life application of food and wine matching. When: Wednesday August 7th and 14th, 2024 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Where: 13C Wine Storage, 15 East 6th Avenue, Vancouver Cost: $299 (tax included) for both evenings For more details and to register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com


Chianti Classico



July 21, 2024


Spend an evening immersed in Tuscany's most storied wine. Learn about Chianti Classico's past, present and future while trying wines from all levels of Chianti Classico's quality pyramid ( Annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione). Discover the differences of the unique terroirs of the area as we will taste wines originating from several different communes. The wines will be accompanied with delicious Tuscan food specialties. When: Sunday July 21, 2024 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm Where: 13C Wine Storage, 15 East 6th Avenue, Vancouver Cost: $125 (tax included) To register, contact Iain at: iain@barbariainwine.com