"wine courses" news and stories

The University of Miami has announced a Master Wine Appreciation program that begins this Autumn/Fall. It is designed for wine aficionados and anyone who enjoys wine.

On the course students will learn to conduct sensory evaluations of different wines (ie have a sniff) and master the terminology needed to discuss and enhance the experience of tasting wines (nose, tannins, mouth feel, weight etc) of different grape varieties and from different regions. As with any course the aim is for a better "understanding of wine" that will "help increase enjoyment, better communicate the pleasures of wine, and improve wine-purchasing decisions".

The program concentrates on wines from Spain and South America and lasts 8 weeks. Participants will receive Riedel wine tasting glasses, Hugh Johnson's World Atlas of Wines, wine-vintage charts and a wine aroma wheel used to enhance the experience of tasting wines of different grape varieties and from different regions.

To learn more about this program offered by the Office of Professional Advancement in UM's Division of Continuing and International Education, visit http://www.edmiami.com/vino or contact Program Director Patrick Alexander Lane at 305-284-5800.

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The London based Wine and Spirit Education Trust is well known for its professional courses - taken mainly by those 'in the trade'. They have just announced two dates for the wine enthusiast, a session on matching wine and food.

Held at their base at the London Wine School, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London the workshop is for fun only and doesn't involve any examinations. The wine and food workshop opens with an explanation of the principles of matching foods and wines together and which combinations work and which don't. This is followed by a practical session tasting examples of various food components; acidity, protein, spice, smokiness and sweetness; and finding out how in practice they react with various wines.

Cost is £50 for a two hour session. Dates are 26th September and the 28th November.

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