Understanding Wine: A Totally Approachable Guide to Wine 101 from Udemy

Do you want to learn more about wine in a way that’s genuinely helpful? This course is for you.

Great course. The instructor is very knowledgeable and provided the class with history as well as taught us how to experience wine. We were able to review our knowledge as we tasted various wines. It was an awesome experience. I would love to take another course led by Susan. -Dr. Julia Chibbaro, Ph.D. Professor of Counselor Education – in-person student (UWG) in “Wine 101-Basics and Beyond”

My husband and I took Susan’s wine course and liked it so much we took a second one. We learned about how different regions make their wines and how that affects the taste and quality of the wines. In the second course, we learned how to pair food with certain wines.

We thoroughly enjoyed Susan’s class and style of teaching. Now we have knowledge about wine that we use on a regular basis. I highly recommend this class not only for the information one can learn but for the festive atmosphere Susan creates. It is definitely time well spent. – Megan Wooten, in-person student at The University of West Georgia

This is a down-to-earth, informative, and fun course on understanding wine. What will we cover?

· The most common questions in the world of wine answered.

· The building blocks of all wines and what they mean

· Get wine confident - how to buy, store, serve, and enjoy wine.

· What makes great wine great and definitions of the words most often used to describe wine

· Tips on correct serving temperature and glassware

· Tannin in wine

· The importance of terroir in wine

· Champagne - bubbles explained.

· An oak barrel’s effect on flavor

· What makes different wines taste the way they do?

· Matching food and wine in a three-part lecture. If you love food and wine experiences, you’ll love this.

· How to order wine in a restaurant – learn how to look for great quality and value

· How to open a bottle of wine – including advice on the only wine opener you’ll ever need

How is the course structured?

· Informative video lectures in the form of infographics, illustrations, music, and talking head clips.

· It’s structured to be informative, encouraging, and fun. Even more so with wine.

· Take this course with a friend. Also, please message me with any questions you’d like me to answer.

Make sure to check out the lectures marked as Free Previews.

Enjoy.

What's inside

Learning objectives

1. the most common questions in the world of wine answered!
2. be wine confident – increase your confidence when picking wine in restaurants, markets, and for your next dinner party with my secret to reading wine labels
3. easy and insightful tips for delicious food and wine pairings – including food and wine wow moments!

4. learn how wine is made and how the environment impacts what’s in your glass
5. learn how to order wine in a restaurant – how to look for great quality and value

1. the most common questions in the world of wine answered!
2. be wine confident – increase your confidence when picking wine in restaurants, markets, and for your next dinner party with my secret to reading wine labels
3. easy and insightful tips for delicious food and wine pairings – including food and wine wow moments!
4. learn how wine is made and how the environment impacts what’s in your glass
5. learn how to order wine in a restaurant – how to look for great quality and value

Syllabus

Introduction

What makes different wines tastes the way they do?

What contributes to different wines tasting the way they do?

The art of making red vs white wine

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the nuances between Old World and New World wines, which is helpful for learners interested in the history and geography of wine

Teaches learners about terroir and its impact on wine, which is a concept often discussed among wine connoisseurs and producers

Covers the basics of dryness, sweetness, and tannin, which are fundamental concepts for understanding wine characteristics and personal preferences

Includes guidance on aerating and decanting wine, which may require learners to purchase additional tools and accessories

Discusses the effect of oak barrels on flavor, which is a key element in understanding the aging process and flavor profiles of wine

Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly wine 101 guide

According to learners, this course is a highly approachable and fun guide, perfect for total beginners wanting to understand wine basics. Students report feeling much more confident for practical situations like ordering in restaurants, reading labels, and pairing food. The instructor is widely praised for simplifying complex topics. While offering a solid foundation, a few found it too basic if they already knew some wine. Overall, it's viewed as a valuable, engaging start.

Course uses both talking head and infographic videos.

"Some videos are just talking heads, others are infographic style. Pacing is a bit slow at times."

Instructor makes learning wine fun and simple.

"The instructor made wine so approachable and fun."

"Susan is a brilliant teacher, explaining complex topics like terroir in simple terms. I feel much more confident now."

"Learned a lot about food pairing, which was my main goal. Instructor is engaging."

"Instructor is clear."

"I really enjoyed the instructor's style and clear explanations."

Boosts confidence in real-world wine situations.

"I learned so much about pairing and ordering. Highly recommend for beginners."

"Perfect for a total beginner. Covers everything you need to know to feel comfortable choosing and enjoying wine. Great tips on serving and storing."

"Learned a lot about food pairing, which was my main goal. Instructor is engaging."

"The sections on reading labels and ordering were particularly useful. Instructor is clear."

"I feel much more confident now when looking at a wine list or label."

Excellent for those new to the world of wine.

"This course was fantastic! The instructor made wine so approachable and fun... Highly recommend for beginners."

"Perfect for a total beginner. Covers everything you need to know to feel comfortable choosing and enjoying wine."

"Fantastic course for dipping your toes into wine. It's not overwhelming, easy to understand, and genuinely makes you feel more confident."

"This course is genuinely helpful for those just starting out with wine."

Some found the course pacing inconsistent.

"It's okay. Covers the basics. Some videos are just talking heads, others are infographic style. Pacing is a bit slow at times."

"Didn't feel like I learned much beyond what you can find online. Very basic information. Pacing was uneven."

"I felt some sections moved too slowly while others were rushed."

Info might be too elementary for non-beginners.

"A very good introduction to wine basics. Some parts felt a bit basic if you already knew a little, but overall helpful."

"Didn't feel like I learned much beyond what you can find online. Very basic information. Pacing was uneven."

"It covers the basics well, but isn't for intermediate learners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding Wine: A Totally Approachable Guide to Wine 101 with these activities:

Review Wine Regions

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Refresh your knowledge of major wine regions to better understand the impact of terroir on wine characteristics.

Browse courses on Wine Regions

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Identify the major wine regions of the world.
Research the climate and soil of each region.
Note the grape varietals commonly grown in each region.

Read 'Wine Folly: Magnum Edition'

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Read this book to gain a broader understanding of wine fundamentals and expand on the course's core concepts.

View Wine Folly: Magnum Edition on Amazon

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Read the sections on grape varietals and wine regions.
Study the tasting techniques described in the book.
Compare the book's information with the course content.

Wine Tasting Notes

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Create detailed tasting notes for different wines to practice identifying flavors, aromas, and characteristics.

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Select three different wines to taste.
Use a wine tasting template to record your observations.
Describe the appearance, aroma, and taste of each wine.
Note the tannins, acidity, and body of each wine.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Blind Taste Test

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Practice identifying different wines through blind taste tests to improve your palate and sensory skills.

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Gather a selection of different wines.
Blindfold yourself or have someone else do it for you.
Taste each wine and try to identify its varietal and region.
Compare your guesses with the actual wine labels.

Build a Wine Cellar

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Start a project to build a small wine cellar or storage area to learn about proper wine storage techniques.

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Research the ideal conditions for wine storage.
Select a location for your wine cellar.
Implement temperature and humidity control measures.
Organize your wine collection for optimal aging.

Explore 'The World Atlas of Wine'

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Use this atlas to deepen your understanding of wine regions and their unique characteristics.

View The World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition on Amazon

Show steps

Study the maps of different wine regions.
Read about the history and culture of each region.
Note the grape varietals and wine styles of each region.

Wine and Food Pairing Guide

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Create a comprehensive guide to wine and food pairings based on the principles learned in the course.

Show steps

Research different wine and food pairings.
Create a table or chart of recommended pairings.
Explain the reasoning behind each pairing.
Include examples of specific dishes and wines.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding Wine: A Totally Approachable Guide to Wine 101 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sommelier

A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, typically working in fine dining restaurants. This course helps build a foundation in understanding wine, which is critical for a sommelier. The course covers essential topics, such as wine production, tasting notes, and food pairings. A sommelier needs to know how to describe great wine and how environmental factors like terroir impact the final product. This course goes over much of this, as well as how to read a wine list, how to open a bottle, and how to properly store wine. Someone interested in this career would benefit from this all-encompassing introduction to the world of wine.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sommelier

Restaurant Manager

A restaurant manager oversees daily operations, including the wine list and staff training. This course is a great introduction to how one can understand the world of wine. The course covers wine basics, food pairings, and how to order wine in a restaurant, all of which are important aspects for restaurant operations. A manager might use the course to help train staff but also to better understand their own inventory. This makes the course appropriate for those considering a move into restaurant management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Restaurant Manager

Food and Beverage Manager

A food and beverage manager oversees the entire food and beverage program of a restaurant, hotel, or other establishment. This course helps build a foundation in wine knowledge, which is crucial for anyone managing a beverage program. A food and beverage manager must know about wine characteristics, how to pair wines with food, and how to select high-quality wines for a menu. This course covers the building blocks of wine, food pairings, and how to order wine in a restaurant. These lessons are critical for a successful food and beverage manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food and Beverage Manager

Wine Educator

A wine educator teaches others about wine, often in classes or workshops. This course, with its friendly and down-to-earth approach, may be particularly useful for those interested in becoming wine educators. The course covers the fundamental building blocks of all wines, matching food and wine, and how to confidently order wine in a restaurant. These topics allow a wine educator to not only understand wine but also relay that information to others, which is what they must be able to do. A wine educator may use the course as a basis for their curriculum.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Educator

Wine Buyer

A wine buyer selects wines for retail or restaurant establishments, requiring a detailed knowledge of wine regions, production methods, and market trends. This course may be useful for this role. The course discusses the building blocks of wine and the importance of terroir, helping a future wine buyer understand what makes great wine great. A wine buyer needs to choose wines that suit their customer base, and understanding wine labels is key, something the course explicitly addresses. Furthermore, the course may help a wine buyer understand quality and value, and how to order wine in a restaurant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Buyer

Beverage Director

A beverage director manages the beverage program for a restaurant, hotel, or other venue. This role requires a firm knowledge of wine. This course may be useful to prepare for this role. The course covers the most common questions about wine, along with food pairings, wine ordering, and how to look for quality. These are skills a beverage director will need. The course is presented in a helpful and approachable way, and so would be appropriate for someone interested in a career as a beverage director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Beverage Director

Wine Blogger

A wine blogger writes about their experiences with wine, often for a public audience. This course may be helpful for someone looking to start a blog about wine. This course helps build a foundation in wine, which is important for any wine blogger. The course covers a range of topics, such as the basics of wine, how wine is made, and how to pair food with wine. A blogger who has this knowledge will be able to share their experiences more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Blogger

Caterer

A caterer plans and executes events, often selecting wines to complement the food menu. This course may be useful to those interested in the field of catering. The course provides education on wine basics, food pairings, and how to order from a wine list. Caterers will need to know how to provide advice about how to pair food and wine, and this course directly addresses that objective. The course also covers how to choose wines that look for great quality and value which are perfect for catering events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Caterer

Hospitality Consultant

A hospitality consultant advises restaurants, hotels, and other businesses on improving their services, including beverage programs. This course may be useful for someone who wishes to be a consultant in hospitality. The course provides an overview of wine, covering essential topics for making recommendations to clients who may not have a background in viticulture. The course covers what makes great wine, how to purchase wine, food pairings, and how to properly store wine. This course may be a useful starting point for someone who wants to enter the field of hospitality consultancy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hospitality Consultant

Wine Sales Representative

A wine sales representative markets and sells wines to restaurants, retailers, and other clients. This course may be useful for someone interested in a sales career in the wine industry. The course provides a great introduction to the world of wine, which is a required understanding for sales. The course introduces the building blocks of wine, what makes a wine great, what different wines taste like, and how to pair food with wine. This helps build a comprehensive understanding of wine that is required of a competent sales representative.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Sales Representative

Wine Tour Guide

A wine tour guide leads tours of wineries and vineyards, educating participants on wine production and tasting. This course may be useful for someone who wants to lead tours in wine country. The course is a basic introduction to the world of wine, including how wines are produced, the language used to describe wine, and the different characteristics of wine. A future tour guide may use this course as a foundation to build their knowledge of the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Tour Guide

Wine Importer

A wine importer sources wines from around the world, requiring expertise in wine regions, production, and tasting. This course may be helpful for a wine importer, as it covers some of the fundamentals of the industry. The course introduces many topics, such as the meaning of terroir, how to identify great wine, and how to read wine labels. An importer will need to understand these concepts, which are taught in an approachable way. Someone looking to enter this field may benefit from the overview this course provides.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Importer

Food Writer

A food writer creates content about food, restaurants, and other areas related to cuisine. Often, food writers also cover beverages, including wine. This course may be useful for writers who want to focus on wine in their work. The course provides a broad introduction to wine. It covers important topics such as tasting notes, terroir and wine production. The course also covers ordering wine in a restaurant, which is how many people experience wine. This course would be beneficial to someone wanting to become a food writer with an expertise in wine.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Writer

Event Planner

An event planner organizes parties, weddings and other events. Often, wine is a part of these events. This course may be useful in preparing for a career in event planning. The course makes wine approachable and covers how to pair food with wine. An event planner who has a strong background in wine selection and pairing will be more effective in their role. The course also goes over how to order wine in a restaurant, which can be useful knowledge for an event planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Bartender

A bartender serves drinks in a bar or restaurant, which often includes wine. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work in bartending or food service. The course provides a foundation to understand the world of wine, which is important knowledge to a bartender. The course covers the basics of wine, how to pair wine with food, and how to properly serve wine. This course is helpful for someone looking to learn about wine.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bartender

Understanding Wine

A Totally Approachable Guide to Wine 101

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly wine 101 guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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