We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Udemy logo

Wine

Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker

Michael Macfarlan

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."

Read more

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.

Enroll now

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

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
Read more
Wine Defined, History Part 1
A Grapevine in its Natural Habitat
History Part 2
Understand the full growing cycle of the grapevine and how we cultivate it for wine.
Grapevine Anatomy and Vineyard Layout
A Year in the Vines

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

Understand the different steps and actions taken for white, rose, and red wine production.
Winemaking Philosophy
White Wine Production
Red Wine Production
Rosé Wine Production
Answer the questions people most frequently ask about wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn the science of sensory analysis and the best practices for tasting wine — all while enjoying it more heartily!
Introduction and Subjectivity
The Tasting Guide
Drinking Vs Tasting
A Guide to the Guide
Step 1: See
Step 2: Sniff
Step 3: Savor
Step 4: Stay
Step 5: Set Against
Step 6: Summarize
A Fun Resource to Share
Dispel confusion over wine lingo, and learn to speak with confidence about wine.
How We Talk About Wine
Learn how to recognize what you want, find what you want, and make your dollar go further with some extra tips.
How to Make Your Dollar Go Farther When Buying Wine

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!

The 80/20 Rule and Review Wrap Up

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

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Check out this section for further reading and helpful resources.
Bonus Lecture: Resources

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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

Save this course

Save Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Reading list

We've selected 11 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 Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker.
Comprehensive encyclopedia of wine that covers everything from the history of wine to the latest trends in winemaking. It is an excellent reference tool for anyone who wants to learn more about wine.
Comprehensive guide to the world of wine and provides a wealth of information on wine regions, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques. It is an excellent reference tool for anyone interested in learning more about wine.
Massive tome that covers everything you could ever want to know about wine. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of wine, wine regions, and winemaking techniques.
Beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of wine that covers over 1,400 grape varieties and 3,000 wines. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the different wines of the world.
This magazine great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the business of wine. It features articles on everything from wine marketing to wine distribution to wine law.
Classic guide to the art of mixology. It provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of cocktails, as well as instructions on how to make them.
Provides a scientific explanation of the process of winemaking. It great read for anyone who wants to learn more about the chemistry and biology of wine.
Classic work on the flavor of wine. It provides a detailed explanation of the different factors that contribute to the flavor of wine.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the art of wine pairing. It covers everything from the basics of food and wine pairing to more advanced techniques.
This magazine great way to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the world of wine. It features articles on everything from winemaking to wine tasting to wine collecting.

Share

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

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker.
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