Become a Wine Connoisseur from Udemy

Wine Savvy with Palate Press will take you from vine to table. From an Ivy League Ph.D. in Chemistry to The Best Young Sommelier in America, the lecturers will teach you what's in the bottle, and how to order the right bottle at that important client dinner.

This course will teach you the major (and some of the more interesting minor) red and white wines of the world, the science in the bottle and wine aromas and flaws, the secrets of wine stores and wine professionals, and wine in the restaurant. It will give you a newfound confidence in your exploration of the wine world, whether you're trying to find the right bottle for dinner or trying to pair food and wine on a date.

What's inside

Learning objectives

White wines of the world
Sparkling wines
How to taste wine
Red wines of the world
Food and wine pairing

Shopping for wine
Secrets of the pros
Corkage
Maneuvering the wine list
And much more...

White wines of the world
Sparkling wines
How to taste wine
Red wines of the world
Food and wine pairing
Shopping for wine
Secrets of the pros
Corkage
Maneuvering the wine list
And much more...

Syllabus

My First Section

Wine Store Secrets

Wine in the Restaurant

Wine Science

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores wine aromas and flaws, which helps learners develop a more discerning palate and appreciate the nuances of different wines

Teaches how to order wine at restaurants and pair food and wine, which are valuable skills for social gatherings and client dinners

Builds a strong foundation in wine tasting, covering both red and white wines, which is ideal for those new to wine appreciation

Examines the science in the bottle, which provides a deeper understanding of the chemical processes and factors that influence wine quality

Reveals secrets of wine stores and wine professionals, which empowers learners to make informed purchasing decisions and explore the wine world

Taught by an Ivy League Ph.D. in Chemistry and The Best Young Sommelier in America, who are recognized for their expertise

Reviews summary

Practical guide to wine confidence

According to learners, this course serves as a solid foundation for building confidence around wine, particularly in practical situations like shopping and dining. Many students found the content easy to understand and well-structured, making it ideal for beginners and hobbyists looking to navigate wine lists and stores with ease. However, some reviewers cautioned that the course title 'Become a Wine Connoisseur' might set expectations too high for those seeking deep, expert-level knowledge, finding the content, especially the wine science section, to be more of a broad overview rather than in-depth analysis. Despite this potential mismatch for advanced learners, the consensus is that it successfully imparts practical knowledge for everyday wine appreciation.

Section on science receives mixed reactions.

"The science part was fascinating and helped me understand wine flaws better."

"Found the wine science module a bit dry and less practical than other sections."

"I mostly skipped the science bits; they felt less relevant to my goal of practical enjoyment."

Accessible introduction to the world of wine.

"A great starting point for anyone new to wine. Covers the basics clearly."

"Perfect for hobbyists like me who wanted a non-intimidating entry point."

"I had very little wine knowledge before this, and now I feel like I have a solid foundation."

Helps learners feel more at ease with wine.

"Feeling much more confident discussing and choosing wine after taking this course."

"It really boosted my comfort level when faced with a large wine menu or aisle."

"Gave me the knowledge I needed to explore wine without feeling intimidated."

Provides actionable tips for real-world wine use.

"I learned how to pick bottles at the store and feel more comfortable ordering at restaurants."

"The sections on wine shopping and navigating a wine list were incredibly useful and immediately applicable."

"This course gives you practical strategies you can use right away, not just theory."

May not meet expert-level expectations.

"While good for basics, it doesn't truly make you a 'connoisseur'; lacks advanced depth."

"The title is a bit misleading; it's a beginner/intermediate course, not expert."

"Expected more detail on regions and complex pairings. It's more of a broad survey."

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 Become a Wine Connoisseur with these activities:

Review Basic Chemistry Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of basic chemistry concepts, particularly acidity and chemical reactions, as these are fundamental to understanding wine science.

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Review notes from previous chemistry courses.
Complete practice problems on pH and acidity.
Watch introductory videos on chemical compounds.

Read 'Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide'

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Gain a broad understanding of wine regions, grape varietals, and tasting techniques to enhance your learning experience in the course.

View Wine Folly: Magnum Edition on Amazon

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Read the introduction and overview sections.
Focus on chapters related to wines covered in the course.
Take notes on key grape varietals and regions.

Create a Wine Tasting Journal

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Develop your palate and improve your ability to describe wine by creating a journal to record your tasting experiences.

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Purchase a notebook or use a digital document.
Create a template for recording tasting notes.
Include sections for appearance, aroma, taste, and finish.
Taste different wines and record your observations.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Read 'The World Atlas of Wine'

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Deepen your understanding of wine regions and their impact on wine characteristics by studying a comprehensive wine atlas.

View Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2026 on Amazon

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Explore the maps and descriptions of key wine regions.
Focus on regions discussed in the course syllabus.
Take notes on the unique characteristics of each region.

Practice Blind Wine Tastings

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Sharpen your palate and improve your ability to identify wines by practicing blind tastings with friends or family.

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Gather a selection of different wines.
Cover the labels and pour the wines into glasses.
Taste each wine and try to identify its characteristics.
Compare your notes with the actual wine information.

Prepare a Wine Presentation

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Solidify your understanding of a specific wine topic by creating and delivering a presentation to friends, family, or a local wine group.

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Choose a wine topic that interests you.
Research the topic thoroughly.
Create a presentation with visuals and engaging content.
Practice your presentation and deliver it to an audience.

Develop a Wine and Food Pairing Guide

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Apply your knowledge of wine and food pairing principles by creating a guide for different cuisines or dishes.

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Choose a specific cuisine or type of dish.
Research common ingredients and flavors.
Identify wines that complement those flavors.
Create a guide with pairing suggestions and explanations.

Career center

Learners who complete Become a Wine Connoisseur will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sommelier

A sommelier is an expert in wine service and pairing, and this course may be helpful for those aspiring to this role. This course covers major red and white wines, along with wine aromas and flaws. A sommelier needs a deep understanding of wine, and this course offers a look into the science of wine, which may be useful. You will also learn about handling wine lists and the secrets of wine professionals, as well as food and wine pairing, all of which are central to the work of a sommelier. This understanding helps build a foundation for confidently recommending and serving wines in a restaurant setting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sommelier

Beverage Consultant

A beverage consultant advises restaurants and other establishments on beverage programs, including wine, and this course may be helpful for those in this role. This course covers wine science, major red and white wines, and how to taste wine. A beverage consultant needs a deep understanding of flavor profiles, and this course covers wine aromas and flaws. The course touches on professional secrets of the wine business, which may also be useful to a consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Beverage Consultant

Wine Journalist

A wine journalist writes about wine for various publications, and this course may be helpful for those in that role. This course provides an overview of the major red and white wines of the world, and the science of wine. To perform their role, a wine journalist needs a wide knowledge of wine, and this course covers how wine is made and how it is tasted. The course also covers wine aromas and flaws, which would help a journalist understand how to communicate the experience of a wine.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Journalist

Wine Educator

A wine educator teaches others about wine, and this course may be useful for those who want to take on this role. This course offers an overview of major red and white wines, the science behind wine, and how to taste wine. A wine educator needs a deep understanding of various wines, and this course covers the major wines of the world, including sparkling wines. This course will teach you about wine aromas and flaws, which provides a foundation for teaching others about wine.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Educator

Wine Importer

A wine importer brings wines from other countries into a domestic market, and this course may be useful for someone in that role. This course covers many different wines, including sparkling wine. An importer needs to be familiar with the wide variety of wines available, and this course covers major white and red wines as well as how to taste wine. This course's discussions of wine flaws and wine science may also be useful to help the importer in assessing wines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wine Importer

Wine Buyer

A wine buyer is responsible for selecting wines for retail stores or restaurants, and this course may be useful for those in that role. This course covers a wide range of topics, such as major red and white wines and how to shop for wine. A wine buyer needs an expert ability to evaluate wine and make informed decisions, and this course teaches about the science of wine and the nature of wine aromas, which may contribute to this skill. The course also delves into wine store secrets, which may be helpful to a wine buyer.

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Wine Sales Representative

A wine sales representative markets and sells wine to restaurants, stores, and distributors, and this course may be helpful for this career. A wine sales representative needs knowledge about different wines, and this course covers major red and white varieties. This course also covers the secrets of wine professionals, which a sales representative may find valuable. This course may make a wine sales representative more knowledgeable and able to more effectively market wines.

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Hospitality Consultant

A hospitality consultant advises businesses in the hospitality industry, and this course may be useful for those in that role. This course includes a review of major red and white wines, and this may deepen a consultant's expertise. This course also covers secrets of the pros and wine in the restaurant. This course may provide a hospitality professional with information to help to make the business more efficient and more valuable to its customers.

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Restaurant Manager

A restaurant manager oversees daily operations, including wine service, and this course may be helpful for those in this role. A restaurant manager needs to understand wine service, and this course covers how to maneuver a wine list. Furthermore, this course provides an overview of major wines and food and wine pairing. These topics can help to support a restaurant manager by enabling them to train staff and make informed decisions about wine selection. This course also discusses corkage, which may be useful for a restaurant manager.

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Food and Beverage Director

A food and beverage director oversees all aspects of food and beverage service, including wine, and this course may be useful for those in this role. This position requires a deep understanding of wine selection, service, and pairing, and this course touches on all of those issues. This course discusses major red and white wines, food and wine pairing, and also how to maneuver wine lists, which are useful in a director's work. This course also includes information on wine store secrets, which can help to inform business decisions.

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Catering Manager

A catering manager plans and manages food and beverage service for events, and this course may be useful for a professional in that role. This course provides training in food and wine pairing. A catering manager needs to know about how to select wines for menus, and this course includes information about major red and white wines. This course also covers wine in the restaurant, which enables the user to better understand the client's needs and the wine service process.

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Personal Chef

A personal chef prepares meals for clients, often including wine pairings, and this course may be helpful. This course covers the major red and white wines of the world, along with food and wine pairing. A personal chef needs to have an understanding of how to match food and wine, and this course provides an introduction to this skill. The course also has sections on wine tasting, which may be valuable for a personal chef needing a precise understanding of various wines.

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Event Planner

An event planner organizes various events, including those that serve wine, and this course may be helpful to someone in that role. This course discusses food and wine pairing, which would be useful for creating menus. This course also covers major red and white wines, which would help an event planner to select wines that suit their events. The course’s lessons on wine in restaurants may also give an event planner a better understanding of that part of an event.

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Recipe Developer

A recipe developer creates new recipes, and this course may be useful because wine pairing is an element of the work. This course covers the major red and white wines of the world, along with food and wine pairing. A recipe developer needs to have an understanding of how wine can complement food, and this course introduces this topic. The course sections on how to taste wine may also be of use to assist the recipe developer when tasting their own creations.

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Food Stylist

A food stylist prepares food for photography and video shoots, and this course may be useful for building an understanding of food and wine pairing. This course covers food and wine pairing, which may be valuable for a food stylist working on a project with wine. This course also covers major white and red wines, which may give the stylist greater knowledge when preparing their own work. This course also has sections on wine in the restaurant, which could be beneficial for planning shoots.

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Reading list

We've selected two 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 Become a Wine Connoisseur.

Wine Folly: Magnum Edition

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Provides a comprehensive overview of wine, covering grape varieties, regions, and tasting techniques. It's a visually engaging guide that simplifies complex information, making it ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike. The book offers practical advice on wine selection, pairing, and service, enhancing your overall wine knowledge. It serves as a valuable reference throughout the course and beyond.

Wine Folly: Magnum Edition

Paperback

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Wine Folly: Magnum Edition

Kindle Edition

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Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2026

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This atlas provides detailed maps and information about wine regions around the world. It's an excellent resource for understanding the geographical influences on wine production. The book offers insights into soil types, climate, and grape varieties specific to each region. It's a valuable reference for deepening your knowledge of wine origins and terroir.

Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2026

Kindle Edition

Become a Wine Connoisseur

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical guide to wine confidence

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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