Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker from Udemy

Are you interested in wine, but you're not sure where to start? This course is for you.

"Thank you so much for all the work you have put into this course. Very informative."

"I just want to let you know that I appreciate the work you've put into this course and are continuing to put in to it to add to its already bountiful, richness. I am learning a lot and know others are too."

"Great intro to wines and the winemaking process."

"I very much enjoyed taking this course, and found it very informative."

"I found this course very informative and the instructor was disarmingly charming while still imparting significant knowledge in viticulture and winemaking. The course modules are succinct, allowing me to watch in bite-sized chunks. Terms were clearly defined, and the language was accurate but not filled with the normal pretentiousness one often finds associated with wine. A definite recommendation for wine newbies, but also for folks who know wine well and want to know more about the vineyard."

This course has 5,295 students in 120 countries (WOW, thank you, students. ) and it's growing daily. (Updated 2/5/2024)

This is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand course on all aspects of wine. What will we cover?

Wine defined
A short history of wine and where it came from
Visit a native grapevine in its natural habitat
A full year in the vineyard, exploring practices and tasks of vineyard workers
How the heck wine is made
Building your confidence in buying the right wines
How the heck to taste it "properly" (spoiler alert: however you want)
Wine "lingo" and how to wade through the jargon
How and where to buy wine on a budget
Frequently asked questions about wine (and if your question isn't not on the list, I'll answer it within 1 day)
An interview with a wine retailer covering what to look for in wine stores
The difference between drinking wine and analyzing wine
Principles of pairing wine and food (coming soon. )
A list of recommended wine resources (books, apps, seasonal gift ideas, etc.)
How to tell what kind of wines you would or wouldn't like (coming soon. )
Find out what affects your sense of taste and smell

What are the features?

Lifetime access. No limits.
iPhone, iPad, and Android accessibility
Certificate of Completion
Slides from the course lectures in pdf format
Download the course to your mobile device: watch and interact while you're on the go
You'll get my personal email for any burning wine questions or recommendations you have for adding content to the course (within a day. )

Why take this course?

Enhance your enjoyment of wine, in your own unique way
Feel the hubris of wine confidence, and put that wine snob you know to shame =)
Just kidding, we're not about shaming here
But heck, you can become a wine snob yourself, if you'd like
I personally enjoy the term "wine geek" much more. In this course we'll teach you how to geek out on wine.

How is the course structured?

Informative video lectures in the form of talking head clips and some powerpoint slides
Take this course with a friend. Pop that bottle open and park yourself.
It's structured to be informative and fun. Even more so with wine. Cheers.

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

Enjoy.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Enjoy wine, carefree from judgement
Gain a comprehensive and real understanding of all aspects of wine

Have confidence in your knowledge of wine
Use your comprehension to inform your decisions about how to better your wine drinking experience

Enjoy wine, carefree from judgement
Gain a comprehensive and real understanding of all aspects of wine
Have confidence in your knowledge of wine
Use your comprehension to inform your decisions about how to better your wine drinking experience

Syllabus

Get an idea of what this course is about.

Introduction

Understand what wine is, where wine comes from, and its history in regards to mankind.

Key Questions and Definitions

This quiz tests your knowledge of grapevine anatomy, tasks in the vineyard, and the growing seasons.

I got a chance to interview Jason from TotalWine about how your local wine retailer can help you find the perfect bottle of wine.

Remember, you can download this mp3 file (or any of the videos) and take it on the road with you!

Let's get all Timothy-Ferriss up in here.

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Michael Macfarlan, who are recognized in the world of wine, winemaking, and viticulture

Starts with a strong foundation for beginners and builds complexity as course progresses

Comprehensive and detailed, the course closely resembles those from accredited institutions

Provides a certificate of completion

Offers a lifetime access along with lifetime support from the instructor

You can access the course on multiple devices as the course includes mobile accessibility

Reviews summary

Comprehensive, engaging wine education for all

According to students, this course is a largely positive and highly recommended introduction to wine, taught by an exceptionally charming and knowledgeable instructor. Learners consistently praise its ability to distill complex topics into easy-to-understand, bite-sized modules, making it perfect for both wine newbies and those seeking deeper vineyard insights. The course's comprehensive coverage, from history and winemaking processes to buying tips and tasting techniques, empowers students to approach wine with newfound confidence and enjoyment. The instructor's commitment to ongoing course improvement and direct learner support is also a frequently highlighted positive aspect.

Instructor actively updates and provides direct assistance.

"I just want to let you know that I appreciate the work you've put into this course and are continuing to put in to it to add to its already bountiful, richness."

"The instructor is very responsive to questions and even asks for content suggestions, which is amazing."

"It's great to see the course being updated with new content and resources based on feedback."

Builds confidence in buying, tasting, and discussing wine.

"It definitely helped build my confidence in buying the right wines and understanding the lingo."

"I feel much more comfortable discussing wine and choosing bottles since taking this course."

"Learning how to taste 'properly' was fun, and the course makes it clear that enjoyment is key."

Content is easy to understand and well-structured.

"The course modules are succinct, allowing me to watch in bite-sized chunks. Terms were clearly defined."

"I found this course very informative and easy to understand, even for someone new to wine."

"This course simplifies the complexities of wine without being pretentious, which I really appreciated."

Covers wide range of wine topics, from basics to advanced.

"Very informative. I loved the segments on the winemaking process and buying on a budget."

"It covers everything from history to tasting, making it a great resource for all levels."

"The detailed look into a year in the vineyard was fascinating and provided a deeper understanding I hadn't expected."

Instructor is knowledgeable, engaging, and highly praised.

"The instructor was disarmingly charming while still imparting significant knowledge in viticulture and winemaking."

"He made the subject matter fun and interesting. His passion for wine is contagious, and I learned so much."

"Instructor makes complex topics digestible, perfect for both beginners and experienced wine drinkers. I love his teaching style."

Anticipated food pairing module not yet fully released.

"I'm really looking forward to the food pairing section. It wasn't available when I completed the course."

"The course description mentioned food pairing coming soon, which is something I'm eager to learn more about."

"While the course is excellent, I hope the food pairing section gets added soon to make it even more complete."

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 Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker with these activities:

Read a book about the history of wine

Show steps

Reading a book about the history of wine will give you a deeper understanding of the origins and evolution of wine.

View Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025 on Amazon

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Find a book about the history of wine that is written by a respected author.
Read the book and take notes on the key points.
Discuss the book with other wine enthusiasts or with your instructor.

Follow along with a wine tasting video tutorial

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Following along with a wine tasting video tutorial will give you hands-on experience and help you develop your tasting skills.

Show steps

Find a wine tasting video tutorial that is led by a certified wine expert or sommelier.
Gather the necessary materials, such as wine glasses, a corkscrew, and a tasting mat.
Follow the instructions in the video tutorial and taste the wines as directed.
Take notes on your tasting experiences, including the aromas, flavors, and textures of the wines.

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Wine Steward

A Wine Steward is responsible for managing the purchasing, storing, and serving of wine for a restaurant, hotel, or other hospitality establishment. This course may be useful in helping you prepare for a career as a Wine Steward by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your confidence in buying and tasting wine, which are essential skills for any Wine Steward.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Steward

Sommelier

A Sommelier is a wine expert who provides guidance and recommendations on wine selection and pairing to customers in a restaurant or other hospitality setting. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Sommelier by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your confidence in buying and tasting wine, which are essential skills for any Sommelier.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sommelier

Wine Educator

A Wine Educator is responsible for teaching others about wine, either in a classroom setting or through private instruction. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Educator by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your confidence in discussing wine with others, which is an essential skill for any Wine Educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Educator

Wine Writer

A Wine Writer is responsible for writing about wine for magazines, newspapers, or websites. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Writer by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your writing skills, which are essential for any Wine Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Writer

Wine Consultant

A Wine Consultant is responsible for providing advice and guidance to clients on all aspects of wine, including buying, storing, and serving. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Consultant by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your communication and interpersonal skills, which are essential for any Wine Consultant.

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Wine Importer

A Wine Importer is responsible for importing wine from other countries into their own country. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Importer by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your business and negotiation skills, which are essential for any Wine Importer.

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Wine Distributor

A Wine Distributor is responsible for distributing wine from wineries to retailers and restaurants. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Distributor by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your business and logistics skills, which are essential for any Wine Distributor.

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Winemaker

A Winemaker is responsible for overseeing the production of wine from grapes to finished product. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Winemaker by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your technical and management skills, which are essential for any Winemaker.

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Viticulturist

A Viticulturist is responsible for managing the cultivation of grapes for wine production. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Viticulturist by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your technical and management skills, which are essential for any Viticulturist.

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Wine Researcher

A Wine Researcher is responsible for conducting research on all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Researcher by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your research and analytical skills, which are essential for any Wine Researcher.

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Wine Journalist

A Wine Journalist is responsible for writing about wine for magazines, newspapers, or websites. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Journalist by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your writing and communication skills, which are essential for any Wine Journalist.

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Wine Buyer

A Wine Buyer is responsible for purchasing wine for a retail store, restaurant, or other hospitality establishment. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Buyer by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your business and negotiation skills, which are essential for any Wine Buyer.

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Wine Sales Representative

A Wine Sales Representative is responsible for selling wine to retail stores, restaurants, and other hospitality establishments. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Sales Representative by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your sales and communication skills, which are essential for any Wine Sales Representative.

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Wine Marketing Manager

A Wine Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for wine products. This course may be useful in preparing you for a career as a Wine Marketing Manager by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of wine, including its history, production, and tasting. The course will also help you develop your marketing and communication skills, which are essential for any Wine Marketing Manager.

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