A unique wine tasting experience hits the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco this weekend, part education and part what organizers call “revolution.”

This is the second year Wine Riot will be held in San Francisco, after initially starting in Boston in 2008. Second Glass co-founders Tyler Balliet and Morgan First call it a “nationwide interactive wine tasting experience” that has reinvented the art of wine tasting. “Wine Riot is different from traditional tasting events because we make wine truly accessible, creating a fun environment to learn about wine in a social, casual setting and to learn about wines from all over the world,” said Balliet.

Wine Riot, held on June 7 and 8, will allow oenophiles to try more than 250 wines from wineries around the world, including France’s Loire Valley, Bordeaux and Languedoc, Spain, South Africa, Mexico, Germany, South America and Italy. California wines will also be on display, as well as those of other Western states like Washington and Arizona. A new Bubbly Bar will also be introduced this year, exploring the world of sparkling wines beyond champagne. There will be an overview of the different styles of sparkling wine, including Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco.

Part of the educational aspects of the event – there will be a Wine 101 station, helping guests learn how to speak wine through tasting, while also learning about the differences between Old World and New World grapes. Wine experts will be on hand, offering short “crash courses” in wine tasting. Guests can also take away their own tasting notes from the event and use Second Glass’s wine tracking mobile app to track the wines they try and rate the ones they like best.

Along with all that wine, there will be a fun photo booth, DJ playing tunes and food from local vendors.

Opening night for Wine Riot will be held on Friday, June 7 from 7:00-11:00pm. There will be two “Riots” held on Saturday; the first from 1:00-5:00pm and the second from 7:00-11:00pm. Wine Riot will be held at The Concourse Exhibition Center, located at 620 7th Street in San Francisco.  Tickets are $60.

Photo Credit: Wine Riot

• Tag: Concourse Exhibition Center, Educational Experience, events, second glass, tasting, wine, wine riot