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!

Who whould take this class?

For the first time in American history, wine is becoming the drink of the masses, not just the upper classes. For those who want to feel comfortable drinking wine with their cosmopolitan and classy friends, associates, family, their girl/guy, their parents, their prospective in-laws…and most importantly their bosses and co-workers…this short course will get you into the game quickly and confidently, because this Professor dude breaks it down and makes it real, and understandable, instantaneously.

What will be covered in this class?

Lots of things.

Wine basics: major types, major styles, major terms…enough to get you in the major leagues of understanding wine.
Bottle service: opening bottles, enclosures, devices, and storing wine basics
The Sniff and Swirl lecture: evaluation, serving, temperatures, home party etiquette, restaurant etiquette, glassware
Wine Components: What up with color?
Wine Components: What up with that hot body?
Wine Components: What up with the sweet?
Grape vs Region: Got to know your Chardonnay from your Chablis to be Chillin. Major grapes and the top regions to at least be able to reference.
Old School style vs New School style: what that means, and latest trends in the globalizing world of wine
Getting the Goods: Tips for buying wine in stores, on-line, and on-tour

What's our project for this class?

Start a tasting blog (or a series of blog posts on tasting). Most every area in the US has free or cheap tastings at wineries or stores on the weekends. Project will entail finding 2-3 local wine stores where they can taste for free, establishing relationships with someone at one or more of the stores, and tasting 15-20 wines during this process and blogging about it. Blog about the store and varieties, labels, etc. (Plus its a great way to watch their palate grow as they try more.)

Why whould we take this class? Will it help us advance in our career? Will it provide us with all of the foundational knowledge we need, and more?

Ummm…yes, yes, and yes. In today's world, drinking wine is not just part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, but it is a life skill, a business skill, and a language in and of itself that by being fluent in it, affords you access to the 'cultured club': the cosmopolitan, educated, successful, cultured, and classy peeps…and isn't that we all aspire to become?

Any suggested reading for this class?

Why yes! While it's not required, Drink This Now!: Step by step lessons for the aspiring wine connoisseur (by yours truly) is what this class curriculum is derived from, and will make a valuable accompaniment to your learning. Click that enroll button above to unlock the rest.

CJ Neagle

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