Wine Demystified is a two-session course for those who want practical knowledge that will enable them to expand their wine horizons.  The course skips the “wine geek” details provided in many wine courses, and instead focuses on practical knowledge that will enable you to select wines that you will love and enhance your enjoyment of wine.  The course was originally developed for business professionals who wanted to become comfortable selecting appropriate wines for social occasions and business dinners.

Wine Demystified is presented in two separate sessions.  Each session lasts approximately one hour, and the sessions are held on separate dates. 

Session One:  

     The objectives for this session are to:

  1. Demystify wine selections so that you will be comfortable making an appropriate selection from a wine list or retail store.
  2. Provide a foundation for exploring new wines and articulating what you like and don’t like: tasting skills.
  3. Explore basic pairing principles.
  4. Survey key French wine regions.

During the session, we’ll taste four wines, two red and two white.  Using these four wines, sourced from popular wine regions around the globe, you will be able to select an appropriate pairing for just about any meal.  The session will cover basic tasting skills and pairing principles.  Additionally, we’ll explain key practical wine topics such as the difference between Old World and New World wines, which wines are suitable for ageing, the role of decanting, and the importance of proper serving temperatures.   The session will conclude with an overview of the wines of France, a leading producer of quality wines.

Session Two.

        This session expands on the foundation provided in session one.  The objectives for this session are to:

  1. Expand your repertoire of wines.
  2. Provide a survey of sparkling wines, including Champagne, Cremant, Cava. and Prosecco. 
  3. Provide a survey of dessert wines.
  4. Survey key Italian wine regions.

During the session, we’ll taste four wines, two red and two white.  These will be different styles and from different regions than those sampled in session one.  We’ll explore additional key practical wine topics, including wine “flaws.”  The session will conclude with an overview of the wines of Italy, a leading producer of quality wines.