Wine Basics Made Simple: Tasting Skills, Pairing, and Region

Build Wine Confidence with 6 Lessons! From the vineyard, Through the Cellar, To the Glass

Created byBriana Pope-Pettis

Last updated 3/2026

English

What you'll learn

Explain the core steps of wine production and define key terms (e.g., fermentation, aging, dry vs. sweet) to establish foundational wine literacy.
Identify major grape varieties and wine styles and differentiate them using primary sensory markers, typical structure, and common labeling cues.
Apply a structured tasting method to evaluate a wine’s appearance, aroma, palate, and quality, and communicate findings using standard wine vocabulary.
Compare major global wine regions and summarize how climate and geography influence grape selection, style, and typical wine characteristics.

Course content

1 section • 7 lectures • 3h 11m total length

Preface3:13
Unit 1: Introduction to Wine1:09:28
Unit 2: Grape Varieties and Styles22:23
Unit 3: How to Taste and Evaluate Wine11:56
Unit 4: Major Wine Regions of the World50:47
Unit 5: Food and Wine Pairing10:20
Unit 6: Service, Storage, and Buying Wine23:06

Requirements

No Prior Knowledge Needed

Description

Wine does not have to feel confusing. Wine Foundations is a self-paced mini course designed to help beginners and enthusiasts build real confidence with wine in a clear, structured way. For just $50, you will learn the essential why behind what is in the glass, then turn that knowledge into practical skills you can use when ordering, shopping, pairing, or hosting.

Across six focused lessons, you will cover the building blocks of wine, including how wine is made, the major grape varieties and core styles, and a simple method for tasting and evaluating wine with intention. You will also explore key wine regions around the world so you can connect place to style, and you will learn pairing principles that make meals more memorable and balanced. The course concludes with service, storage, and buying guidance so you can make smarter decisions on value, quality, and occasion.

Expect bite-sized learning, clear terminology, and a repeatable framework you can revisit anytime. Optional at-home tasting prompts are included so you can practice with bottles you already enjoy or want to understand better, whether you learn in one weekend or over several weeks.

This course is ideal if you are starting from zero, returning to wine after a long break, or simply ready to stop guessing. There are no exams and no pressure, just high-impact lessons, practical examples, and actionable takeaways. By the end, you will speak about wine with greater clarity, recognize common style patterns, and choose bottles with purpose, not panic.

Who this course is for:

Wine Foundations is a self-paced mini course designed for complete beginners and curious enthusiasts who want a structured introduction to wine. The curriculum covers production fundamentals, key grapes and styles, tasting methodology, major regions, food pairing principles, and practical service, storage, and buying guidance.