Beyond Two Buck Chuck

Nothing against the $1.99 Charles Shaw wines at Trader Joe’s, but bargain prices aren’t the only way to choose a bottle of wine. There are grape varieties, flavors, aromas, colors and food-accompaniment properties to consider. The Wine School will instruct would-be wine connoisseurs on the finer points of all such variables. The California State Fair’s chief wine judge, G.M. “Pooch” Pucilowski, will begin a three-class series on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with “Tasting Wine like a Professional.” Classes will follow on successive Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the month of January. A fee of $99 buys admission to all three; $75 extra buys a five-course dinner paired with several vintages on February 3. Classes are held aboard the Delta King, located at 1000 Front Street in Old Sacramento. Reservations are required. Call (916) 961-6080 for more information.