Last month, you didn’t care whether you were guzzling Dom or Smirnoff Ice.

Make your New Year a bit more, ahem, selective by learning about your favorite drinks from local food and beverage experts.

Secrets of the Sommeliers
Let the Tablehopper, Marcia Gagliardi, and wine writer Jordan Mackay answer burning questions such as “Should I buy a bottle of cabernet or the nero d’avola?” in this class that helps navigate ordering wine at restaurants (and includes eight tastes). January 19, at the San Francisco Wine Center, 757 Bryant Street, between 5th and 6th Streets (415-655-7300). Tickets ($50-$75) online at wineweb.com.

Locavore’s Cheese & Beer
Learn to pair curds and suds from within a 100-mile radius of SF with local chef, caterer, and cheese- and winemaker Sheana Davis. We can’t think of a better way to spend a Tuesday night. February 8, at The Cheese School of San Francisco, 2155 Powell Street, at Francisco Street. Call 415-346-7530 for reservations ($65).

DIY for the Morning After: Make and Blend Your Own Tea
Instead of swilling a Bloody, let the founder of SF’s guerrilla tea party teach you to craft your own blends from a variety of dry ingredients. January 23, at Workshop, 1798 McAllister Street, at Baker Street (415-874-9186). Tickets ($38) online at workshopsf.org.

Now that’s what we call drinking responsibly.

Photo: emurray / Flickr