We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
John Boyer

You can find a million books and articles, thousands of websites, and hundreds of courses on the topic of wine…and all promise to "give you a set of new skills" or "get you tasting like a wine expert" or "prepare you for the “rigors” of wine tasting" or even to train you to do a proper "sensory evaluation"…

Read more

You can find a million books and articles, thousands of websites, and hundreds of courses on the topic of wine…and all promise to "give you a set of new skills" or "get you tasting like a wine expert" or "prepare you for the “rigors” of wine tasting" or even to train you to do a proper "sensory evaluation"…

Um…what? Taste wine like an expert? Learn how to do a proper sensory evaluation? Who the hell cares about that. What about us real people? I'm not trying to be a professional wine judge, nor a snobby wine critic, or even a master sommelier, whatever the hell that is. I just want to enjoy wine to the fullest, and be able to walk the walk, and talk the talk of wine, at least to know enough to totally diss those country-clubber types. I just want to drink this stuff and not look like a goober doing it. And I want to do it right now.

That's what Professor Boyer and this course is all about. Real talk to real people about the real deal of this most awesome beverage. This is a truly practical and tactical introduction to the enjoying and understanding wine. Wine is the beverage of moderation, of education, of socialization, and of civilization—and that is no exaggeration. A radical move from beer and hard spirits to wine is underway here in the US, and is creating a younger generation of drinkers that enjoy wine as part of their diet, social interactions, and lifestyles. And they are thirsty for the wine knowledge. Stop dipping your toe in the water, let's get wet…with wine.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Drink a wide variety of wines with confidence in all social situations
  • Think about wines critically, and express your opinions about wines confidently
  • Understand the dynamics of opening, buying, storing and serving wine
  • Instinctually recognize the major grape varieties and wine styles
  • Build a wine vocabulary which in turn heightens your senses and palate for wine
  • Master a structural approach to wine that allows you to build your wine knowledge for the rest of your life

Syllabus

An Intro to Drinking
Introduction to the Course

In this lecture you will learn about:

  • 3 Major steps in making wine
  • 3 major types of wine
  • 3 generic wine terms
Read more

In this lecture you will learn about:

  • 3 Major steps in making wine
  • 3 major types of wine
  • 3 generic wine terms

This quiz is on the intro video and wine basics part 1 & 2

Walking the Walk: Drinking Wine

This lecture is on:

  • The different sizes of wine bottles
  • The types of wine bottle enclosures
  • Box wines
  • Wine openers
  • How to open a bottle of wine

This lecture is on:

  • The different sizes of wine bottles
  • The types of wine bottle enclosures
  • Box wines
  • Wine openers
  • How to open a bottle of wine

In this lecture you will learn how to taste wine.

This lecture is on:

  • Different types of wine glass styles
  • What are decanters and how they work?
  • At what temperature should you serve wines at?
  • In which order should you serve wines?
  • How does it work when you order a bottle of wine in a restaurant?

This lecture is on:

  • Different types of wine glass styles
  • What are decanters and how they work?
  • At what temperature should you serve wines at?
  • In which order should you serve wines?
  • How does it work when you order a bottle of wine in a restaurant?

This quiz is on the lecture videos in section 2.

Talking the Talk: Describing Wine

This lecture is on:

  • What do wines smell like?
  • How Do you build your wine smell vocabulary?
  • What is the wine wheel?

This lecture is on:

  • What do wines smell like?
  • How Do you build your wine smell vocabulary?
  • What is the wine wheel?

This lecture is on:

  • Does the color of wine matter?
  • What are you looking for in the color of wine?

The lecture is on:

  • What is a dry wine and what is a sweet wine?
  • How does sugar effect the wine flavor?
  • Styles of sweet wine

This lecture is on:

  • What are these terms Old World and New World?
  • How do they differ?
  • Old world regions vs new world wines

This lecture is on:

  • What are these terms Old World and New World?
  • How do they differ?
  • Old world regions vs new world wines

This lecture is on

  • How is a wine balanced?
  • What are the components that go into a balanced wine?
  • How does the body of wine effect the taste?

This lecture is on

  • How is a wine balanced?
  • What are the components that go into a balanced wine?
  • How does the body of wine effect the taste?

This lecture is on:

  • What are the most popular white wine grapes?
  • Where will you find them?

This lecture is on:

  • What are the most popular red wine grapes?
  • Where will you find them?

This is on the lectures in section 3.

Storing, Stocking & Stuffing: Storing wine, buying wine, pairing food and wine

This lecture is on:

  • How to store wine in your home
  • Where not to store wine
  • Ideas for a cellar

This lecture is on:

  • How to store wine in your home
  • Where not to store wine
  • Ideas for a cellar

This lecture is on:

  • Where to buy wine
  • What to ask for in a local wine store
  • Where to buy wine online

This lecture is on:

  • Where to buy wine
  • What to ask for in a local wine store
  • Where to buy wine online

This lecture is on:

  • Basic guide to food and wine pairing
  • How to pair white wines
  • How to pair red wines
  • Themes to pairing wine and food

This lecture is on:

  • Basic guide to food and wine pairing
  • How to pair white wines
  • How to pair red wines
  • Themes to pairing wine and food

Class wrap up

This is on the lectures in section 4.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Appropriate for total beginners to help them consume wine casually
Provides a strong foundation for consuming wine with confidence
Appropriate for seasoned wine consumers who want to develop advanced skills in describing wine

Save this course

Save Get Wine-Smart to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Reviews summary

Introduction to wine appreciation

According to students, Introduction to Wine Appreciation is an excellent course for learning about wine. Students say that the course is very detailed and easy to understand, even for those who have no prior knowledge about wine. Students also appreciate that the course helps them identify different types of wine and understand wine labels. Overall, learners say that this course is a great way to expand their knowledge about wine and appreciate it more.
Course helps students understand wine labels and appreciate wine more.
Course helps students identify different types of wine.
No prior knowledge of wine is required.
"I know nothing about wine before but now I can understand the bottle and find out what type of wine I love."
Course content is clear and easy to follow.
"Very detailed and easy to understand."

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 Get Wine-Smart with these activities:
Read "Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine" by Madeline Puckette.
Get a comprehensive overview of wine.
Show steps
  • Purchase a copy of "Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine."
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on what you learn.
Read "The Wine Bible" by Karen MacNeil.
Build a strong foundation in wine knowledge.
Show steps
  • Purchase a copy of "The Wine Bible."
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on what you learn.
Watch videos on YouTube about wine.
Learn more about wine from experts.
Show steps
  • Search for videos on YouTube about wine.
  • Watch the videos.
  • Take notes on what you learn.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice opening bottles of wine.
Develop proficiency in basic wine-opening techniques.
Show steps
  • Gather your materials.
  • Open the bottle of wine.
  • Pour yourself a glass of wine.
Go out to dinner at a restaurant and order a bottle of wine.
Practice the skills you've learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Look at the wine list.
  • Ask the waiter for recommendations.
  • Order a bottle of wine.
  • Taste the wine.
Practice tasting wines.
Develop your palate and ability to identify different flavors and aromas.
Show steps
  • Pour yourself a glass of wine.
  • Swirl the wine around in your glass.
  • Smell the wine.
  • Take a sip of wine.
Become a wine sommelier.
Gain experience with wine in a professional capacity.
Show steps
  • Look into a certificate program for wine sommeliers.
  • Look into pairing wine with food.
  • Make sure you know the ins and outs of viticulture, viniculture, and vinification.
  • Try to participate in a wine tasting at an establishment or local vineyard.

Career center

Learners who complete Get Wine-Smart will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Wine Educator
Wine Educators teach wine classes and workshops to individuals and groups. They may also write about wine for magazines, newspapers, and websites. This course may be useful for Wine Educators who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to teach about wine.
Wine Writer
Wine Writers write about wine for magazines, newspapers, and websites. They may also host wine tastings and educational events. This course may be useful for Wine Writers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to write about wine.
Wine Journalist
Wine Journalists write about wine for magazines, newspapers, and websites. They may also host wine tastings and educational events. This course may be useful for Wine Journalists who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to write about wine.
Wine Merchant
Wine Merchants sell wine to individuals and businesses. They may also provide advice and guidance on wine selection and storage. This course may be useful for Wine Merchants who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to provide advice to their customers.
Wine Sommelier
Wine Sommeliers provide wine service and advice to customers in restaurants and other hospitality establishments. They must have a deep knowledge of wine and be able to recommend wines that will pair well with food. This course may be useful for Wine Sommeliers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to provide advice to their customers.
Wine Maker
Wine Makers oversee the production of wine from grapes to bottling. They must have a deep knowledge of winemaking and be able to produce wines that meet the desired quality standards. This course may be useful for Wine Makers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to make wine.
Wine Steward
Wine Stewards provide wine service to customers in restaurants and other hospitality establishments. They may also be responsible for developing and managing wine lists. This course may be useful for Wine Stewards who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to provide wine service to their customers.
Wine Taster
Wine Tasters evaluate the quality of wine and provide feedback to winemakers. They may also be involved in developing new wine products. This course may be useful for Wine Tasters who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to evaluate wine quality.
Wine Consultant
Wine Consultants provide advice and guidance to individuals and businesses on all aspects of wine, including selection, storage, and pairing. They may also host wine tastings and educational events. This course may be useful for Wine Consultants who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to provide advice to their clients.
Wine Buyer
Wine Buyers purchase wine for retail stores, restaurants, and other hospitality establishments. They must have a deep knowledge of wine and be able to identify and select wines that will appeal to their customers. This course may be useful for Wine Buyers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to select wines for their customers.
Wine Importer
Wine Importers import wine from other countries and sell it to distributors and retailers in their home country. They must have a deep knowledge of wine and be able to identify and select wines that will appeal to their customers. This course may be useful for Wine Importers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to select wines for their customers.
Food and Beverage Manager
Food and Beverage Managers oversee the daily operations of food and beverage departments in restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality establishments. They may also be responsible for developing and managing wine lists. This course may be useful for Food and Beverage Managers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to pair food and wine.
Chef
Chefs prepare and cook food in restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality establishments. They may also be responsible for developing and managing menus. This course may be useful for Chefs who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to pair food and wine.
Culinary Instructor
Culinary Instructors teach students the art of cooking. They may also develop and manage culinary programs. This course may be useful for Culinary Instructors who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to pair food and wine.
Restaurant Manager
Restaurant Managers oversee the daily operations of restaurants, including food and beverage service, customer service, and staff management. They may also be responsible for developing and managing wine lists. This course may be useful for Restaurant Managers who wish to expand their knowledge of wine and improve their ability to pair food and wine.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Get Wine-Smart.
This massive book is the ultimate reference guide to wine. It covers every aspect of the wine world, from history to production to tasting. It's a must-have for any serious wine enthusiast.
This is the most comprehensive wine encyclopedia in the world. It covers everything from grape varieties to wine regions to winemaking techniques. It's an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about wine.
Comprehensive guide to the world's grape varieties. It covers everything from the history of each variety to its flavor profile to the regions where it is grown.
Beautiful and informative guide to the world of wine and food. It features maps of every major wine region, as well as information on the grapes, wines, and food of each region.
This beautiful book visual guide to the world of wine. It features maps of every major wine region, as well as information on the grapes, wines, and winemakers of each region.
This comprehensive encyclopedia of the world of wine, covering everything from grape varieties to wine regions to winemaking techniques. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about wine.
Fun and interactive way to learn about wine. It features scratch-and-sniff patches that allow you to experience the aromas of different wines.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Get Wine-Smart.
Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis
Most relevant
Wine in 9: The Complete Wine Tasting Course
Most relevant
World of Wine: From Grape to Glass
Most relevant
Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis
Most relevant
Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker
Most relevant
The Future of Farming: Exploring Climate Smart...
Learn React Router 6
Focus And Flow State: A Comprehensive Brain Guide
Hospitality Masterclass: Food & Beverage Service Training
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser