WineMasters Class: Complete Professional Wine Course (48 Ep)

This eastern segment of the Loire Valley is the reputed birthplace of Sauvignon Blanc and it is here where you can find the two most famous appellations of the Loire; Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. We will explain one of the fundamental traits in wine; acidity, which we will explain more in detail in our experiment. Besides Sauvignon Blanc we will also speak about Pinot Noir and other appellations like Menetou-Salon, Reuilly and Quincy.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Henri Bourgeois – Sancerre Grande Réserve

• Didier Dagueneau – Blanc Fumé de Pouilly

• Domaine Phillipe Gilbert - Menetou-Salon Les Renardières rouge

Compare different styles of white Sancerre wines with Pouilly-Fumé wines to better understand the blind tastings in this episode. Also, try some Pinot Noir wines from Sancerre and the other regions.

The fame of this land was well described by the Romans, they knew the region as Campania felix, which translates into English as "land of bounty and joy". Its fame as a great wine-producing region faded with the collapse of the Roman Empire. But today, Campania counts some of the highest densities of DOCs and DOCGs (quality wine-areas) within Italy. Campania is thriving with re-planted ancient varieties that once grew on these lands some 2,000 years ago and were buried under volcanic ash and pumice in 79 A.D.

We will explain the wine term oxidation in our experiment.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Mastroberardino – Greco Di Tufo

• Feudi Di San Gregorio – Fiano Di Avellino

• Quintodecimo – Taurasi Riserva

We recommend buying wines from the 4 DOCG appellations to better understand the blind tastings in this episode. We also suggest trying different ancient grape varieties from various appellations within Campania to discover their flavours.

The Alsace area is known for its aromatic, fruity intense and spicy white wines, primarily from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat which are the 4 noble grapes varieties.

Alsace wines tend to be dry, but these days wines can be more divers in styles including some residual sweetness but that is not often indicated on the label, so that can make challenging for us drinkers. We will help you understand the wines more in detail. We will also highlight the Alsace sweet wines; Vendange Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles.

The term vintage will be explained and what is needed to create great wines.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Trimbach – Muscat d’Alsace

• Famille Hugel – Gewürztraminer Vendange Tardive

• Josmeyer - Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand

To better understand the blind tastings in this episode, buy quality wines made from noble grapes from different producers to learn the different styles of wine made from these grape varieties. Also, fun to host a dinner with only Alsace wine, from a sparkling wine with your starter until a dessert or cheese platter with a Vendanges Tardive or Selection de Grain Nobles.

The future of Spanish wine lies in its history. Ambitious winemakers are heading off to the hinterlands in search of old vines. We visit Toro where red wines are made from Tinta de Toro (a local version of Tempranillo) are making fame. Then to Bierzo where between the hills and lush river valleys red wine is made of the Mencia variety. We also visit Jumilla in the south of the country near Valencia, where red wines are made from old Monastrell vines. And last but not least our journey ends at Tenerife, where some of the oldest vines of Spain can be found.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Juan Gil – Jumilla Silver Label

• Dominio De Tares – P3

• Quinta de la Quietud – Quinta Quietud

We recommend buying wines from all the areas discussed in this episode to understand the flavours and potential.

Altitude is key in Argentina. Except for the Patagonia region, most vineyards in Argentina are situated on 600 to 2000 meters above sea level and located close to the Andes mountains.

Of course, we will highlight the most famous wine area Mendoza and the Malbec grape, which was brought from France around 1850 and has adapted greatly on the terroirs of this country. In our experiment we sniff, and swirl. We explain why some wines need to breathe.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• El Esteco – Old Vines Torrontés

• El Enemigo – Gran Enemigo

• Zuccardi – Serie Q Malbec

To understand the blind tastings, we recommend buying a good quality Malbec and also try different red blends. For white wines we suggest tasting a quality Torrontes from the north of the country. Look out for wines from the Patagonia regions Rio Negro, Neuquén and Chubut, where French grapes like Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir are making fame.

We start this episode on a unique island in the Atlantic Ocean, which gives its name to one of the world's great fortified wines; Madeira. The 4 styles of the quality spectrum get their names from the white wine grape used in them: Sercial, Verdelho, Bual and Malmsey aka Malvasia, and in this order, they range from dry to sweet. On the mainland we visit unique appellations near the capital city of Lisbon and then on to a huge rural wine region known as Alentejo, where white and red wine are blends of local and international grape varieties.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Quinta Da Romeira - Morgado De Sta. Catherina Bucelas Reserva

• Esporão – Reserva Branco

• Cartuxa – Évora Reserva Tinto

We recommend trying different wines from Alentejo to understand the blind tastings better and learn about the wide variety of styles made in this area. We also advice to explore Madeira wines, try different styles and ages to understand the full potential of these wines.

This southern French region is famous for rosé wine. Most are blends and include grapes like Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre, among others. In our experiment, we’ll explain different methods to create a rosé wine. We’ll also highlight two unique appellations in the Provence; Bandol and Cassis, which produce red and white wine respectively.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Domaine Ott – By Ott

• Domaine Tempier – Bandol Rouge

• Clos Sainte Magdeleine – Cassis Bel-Arme

Because of the terroir's size and different variety of blends, there is no one type of Provence rosé. Each has its own geological and climatic personality. You will have to try these to learn the differences. We also recommend tasting red and white wines from this region too.

Located in the northwest corner of Spain, the green vineyards of Galicia are dominated by many local white grape varieties, of which the Albariño grape is the best-known. But the area also boasts a wide selection of red grapes that have been increasing in both production and prestige in recent years. In our experiment, we’ll explain how winemakers ‘clarify’ their wines.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Valdelsil – Godello Sobre Lias

• Dominio do Bibei - Lacima

• Terras Gauda – O Rosal

We recommend trying different Albariño wines to understand the variety's potential. Also, look out for other indigenous varieties. Don’t forget to try a red wine from Ribeira Sacra! And it’s particularly fun to compare it to a Mencía from Bierzo.

Sauvignon Blanc dominates New Zealand's wine industry. Although Sauvignon Blanc is planted all over the country, Marlborough is almost synonymous with New Zealand wine. Another French grape that performs well in many places is Pinot Noir. Depending on their location both grapes can express diverse aromas, which you can learn to understand by perfecting your sniffing skills.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Saint Clair Family Estate – Sauvignon Blanc

• Vidal – Legacy Syrah

• Ata Rangi – Pinot Noir

To understand New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, we recommend tasting wines from different areas to understand their noteworthy and distinct aromas and flavours.

Veneto has a rich history of winemaking traditions of which one is drying grapes. This method is called appassimento and is used to make Amarone. We’ll explain the process in our experiment. The vineyards around the city of Verona and Lake Garda are home to some of Italy’s top wine-producing regions like Valpolicella, Soave and Lugana, which produce wines from local varieties.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Pieropan – Soave Classico

• Zenato – Lugano Riserva

• Ca’La Bionda – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

We recommend trying wines from all the discussed appellations, but it’s particularly interesting tasting all styles of wine made in Valpolicella, from a fresh Valpolicella Classico to a Recioto made of dried fruit if you have the chance.

Bordeaux is the most famous wine region in the world and wines are usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Bordeaux is split into the Left and Right Bank, today we’ll discuss the latter including the appellations of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, which produce some of the most expensive wines on the planet. In our experiment, we’ll discuss different types of wine glasses.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Château la Dauphine

• Château Canon – Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

• Château Guillot Clauzel – Pomerol

Bargains from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol especially are as rare as badly made wines. But if you save some money or share the costs with your best friends, it is well worthy! If you don’t want to break the bank, try the wines from Canon-Fronsac and Fronsac which can be affordable alternatives to the high-priced wines.

Austria’s red wines could be considered one of Europe’s unknown viticultural gems. At first glance, their names might appear unfamiliar and largely unpronounceable. But grapes such as Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Sankt Laurent, are definitely worthy of your attention. Our experiment is another session of a do-it-yourself palate training.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Zantho – Zweigelt

• Prieler - Blaufränkisch Goldberg

• Umathum – Sankt Laurent

We recommend buying wines from all the varieties discussed to understand the flavours and potential. You’ll have to look in the different subregions of Burgenland.

Chile is considered a ‘New World’ wine country, but it has a long winemaking history, the very first grapevines date back to the 1500s. Later, French grapes were introduced which now produce some of the greatest wines in the world. The unique geographical situation of Chile creates ideal microclimates for grape growing. In our experiment we discuss different types of bottle closures.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Matetic – Coastal Sauvignon Blanc

• Montes – Purple Angel

• Santa Rita – Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon

So far, most Chilean wine has remained phylloxera free. It is isolated from the rest of the world by the Atacama Desert to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Andes Mountains to the east.

Chile can essentially be split up into 3 major zones: North, Central, and South. The North and South are the frontier regions, where some of the most innovative winemaking is happening.

The Central area is the most classic wine-growing area, with hundreds of years of winemaking history and is also home to Chile’s largest producers – this is where you’ll find the regions like Aconcagua, Maipo, Colchagua, Cachapoal, Curico and Maule. There are exciting things happening here too, as vineyards push into the Andean east and Pacific west.

We recommend trying different varieties from different areas to discover unique wines from ungrafted vines and a hugely diverse, historic wine making nation.

Sherry is one of the most historic wines in the world. As sherry comes in so many styles, which we’ll all discuss from light and dry to rich and sticky sweet, there is always a suitable sherry wine to pair with your dish, whatever it is. We’ll demonstrate the famous and unique ageing system, called Solera, in our experiment.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• La Gitana – Manzanilla

• Lustau – Almacenista ‘Cayetano del Pino y Cía’

• El Maestro Sierra – Oloroso 15 years old

Sherry might well be one of the most undervalued wines made in the world today. We recommend trying different styles and you will learn to appreciate these wines! Since there are so many different styles you can even fit a sherry with every course.

Italy is home to a huge number of indigenous grape varieties, estimated between 400-2000. We’re going to take you from the north Trentino-Alto Adige, to the midlands of Umbria, Marche and Abruzzo and ending in the heel of Italy: Puglia, to discuss the wines made from some of the better and also less known native grape varieties. And in our experiment, we’ll explain the wine term extraction.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Cantina Tramin – Lagrein

• Gianfranco Fino – Es

• Barberani - ‘Luigi e Giovanna’ Orvieto Superiore

Try as many native Italian varieties as possible to get a better understanding of their historical background and it will help you navigate through this complex wine country.

Along the Mosel and the Rhine, we find Germany’s most celebrated grape variety: Riesling. Riesling is an aromatic grape with naturally high acidity that can produce very different styles of wine. We’ll explain the German Wine Law and classifications, plus other wine terms to help you reading and understanding wine labels. In our experiment it’s about the balance of sugar and acidity in wine.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt - Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinet Feinherb

• Clemens Busch – Marienburg Spätlese Goldkapsel

• Dr. Loosen – Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Alte Reben GG

We recommend trying different styles of Riesling, go to your wine store and read the labels. It is fun to invite friends and taste different styles from 1 producer or the same style from different producers. It’s educational, honest – and enjoy discovering the diversity of Riesling.

The Bordeaux Left Bank lies close to the Atlantic Ocean and along Gironde river. Vineyards receive more rainfall and soils are gravellier than the Right Bank. Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant as it benefits from the warm gravels and drainage to ripen fully. The finest wines were listed in the classification of 1855 which we’ll discuss, and in our experiment, we’ll talk about ageing ability.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Château Phélan Ségur – Saint Estephe

• Château Giscours - Margaux

• Château Léoville Poyferré – Saint Julien

Prices for Bordeaux can be sky high and the best wines can be hard to find. But you can find some altogether more affordable treats by looking in less celebrated areas or vintages, or classifications, like for 3rd to 5th growth wineries or Cru Bourgeois. It’s well worth getting to know this unique region.

We’ll be diving into the world’s most famous sparkling wine: Champagne, made from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir and Meunier. The magic of Champagne – its bubbles – was originally considered an undesirable fault. But it’s the result of natural fermentation – or re-fermentation, as yeasts transform grape sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, which we’ll demonstrate in our experiment.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Pol Roger – Blanc de Blancs

• Mandois – Clos Mandois

• Drappier - Rosé de Saignée

In victory or in defeat there is always a reason to open up Champagne. From dry to sweet and from vintage Champagne to Blanc de Noirs we recommend trying different styles to get a better understanding of the descriptions of these various types of Champagne.

The story of winemaking is very old. Research is still ongoing but the Caucasus and Near East seem to be the cradle of wine making, trading and culture. We can’t drink these old wines anymore, but some of these countries still produce wine in a very traditional way. We’ll visit Georgia, Armenia, Lebanon and Greece, where we’ll guide you through the history of wine and explain the different methods of winemaking.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Thymiopoulos Vineyards - Naoussa Alta

• Sept – Obaideh

• Baia’s wine - Gvantsa's Otskhanuri Sapere

These wines are becoming more and more accessible and they can really open up your idea of what wine is. They are absolutely different from anything you had before, so be adventurous!

In the Northern Rhône, it’s all about Syrah. Hermitage is the most famous appellation and produces one of France’s most valued wines. Perfumed and sumptuous white wines made from Viognier can be found in the appellation of Condrieu, while other white wines in the region are made from Roussanne and Marsanne. In our experiment we’ll learn you tricks how to detect aromas in alcoholic beverages.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• André Perret – Saint-Joseph

• Stéphane Ogier – Condrieu ‘La Combe de Malleval’

• Delas Frères – Hermitage ‘Domaine des Tourettes’

Prizes for Northern Rhône Valley wines can be high. For more affordable wines look for less prestigious appellations or less famous producers to get an idea of the terroir and taste of the grape variety.

The northern part of Portugal is most famous for its fortified wine Port, and we’ll explain the making of the different styles Ruby and Tawny Port in our experiment. Portugal is a treasure trove of indigenous grape varieties. We’ll visit Vinho Verde, the Douro and Dão, where a new generation of winemakers is using these grapes to create authentic quality still and dry wines which are age worthy too.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Soalheiro – Alvarinho

• Quinta dos Carvalhais – Dão Branco Especial

• Quinta Vale D. Maria – Vinha da Francisca

Since there are so many native varieties and they can be blended in different ways, we recommend trying wines from all the regions discussed, to discover their unique taste. To get a better understanding of the different styles of Port, we also recommend doing a tasting of Port wines.

Rioja’s vineyards are situated along the Ebro River and Tempranillo is the most important grape variety. But the wines made from it come in so many different styles, both varietal and blends, that no two Rioja’s are ever the same. Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnacha are other grape varieties we’ll highlight and in our experiment, we explain how altitude and exposure affect the grapes.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• La Rioja Alta – Viña Alberdi Reserva

• Rémirez de Ganuza – Blanco Reserva

• Marqués de Murrietta – Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

Since there are so many different styles and blends, single variety and single vineyard wines, we recommend trying lots of them to understand the different flavours. Ask for a range of different example is a good wineshop and taste them blind.

Sweet wines can be made in several ways, and we’ll discuss the different methods that are used to make sweet wines. The real challenge is always for winemakers to create the perfect balance between sugar and acidity, and when this happens these wines can last for decades. In our experiment we’ll give insight on pairing these wines with food.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Fontodi – Vin Santo Chianti Classico

• Inniskillin – Riesling Icewine

• Royal Tokaij – Blue Label

We recommend trying all the different methods discussed and it is great fun exploring these wines and discovering which dishes could go well with them.

Oregon and Washington are divided by the great Colombia river and it’s this river, and its tributaries that provide many ideal locations to plant vines. Oregon is best known for Pinot Noir, while Washington is harder to pin down to just one variety, as it produces quality wines from many, mostly French, grapes. In our experiment we’ll talk about canopy management.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Domaine Drouhin – Roserock Pinot Noir

• Leonetti – Cabernet Sauvignon

• K Vintners – The Beautiful Syrah

We recommend trying these wines next to their European counterparts to get a better idea of their individual characteristics and their different aromas and flavors.

The Languedoc and Roussillon are two wine regions in the deep south of France, from Narbonne to the Spanish border, and create affordable easy-drinking wines. Both regions are known for their red wines made of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault in different percentages, according to the specific appellation rules. We’ll also investigate some common wine faults in our experiment. How you can detect them and are they fixable?

Look out for old Carignan wines! And also IGP wines are something to watch for, as the designation gives winemakers a wider range of grape varieties to work with and therefore allows them much more creative bandwidth.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Domaine de Montredon - Picpoul de Pinet

• Domaine de L’Horizon - Blanc

• Château Maris - Les Amandiers

Sicilian wines were already praised in ancient times. In the 1980s a few producers began planting mostly French varieties and some of the wines were extremely well made. In the 1990s, many producers returned their focus to the island’s native varieties like the white grapes Grillo & Catarrato, & the red grapes Frappato & Nerello Mascalese. In short, Sicilian wines are being awarded again for their quality wines as well as their uniqueness.

In our experiment we’ll discuss the different methods of sorting grapes and what effect it has on the final wine.

We recommend trying all the native Sicilian varities to understand their profile better.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Occhipinti – Il Frappato

• Tenuta delle Terre Nere – La Vigna di Don Peppino

• Benanti – Pietra Marina Etna Bianco Superiore

South Africa is the 8th among the largest wine producing country in the world. In recent years over 40% of the vineyards were replanted moving from volume production to more quality wines. Noble varieties which have been cultivated increasingly in the past few years include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which produce top-class white wines.

We take a look at South Africa and focus on where Chenin Blanc and Pinotage fit in amongst a myriad of grape varieties. And in our experiment, we’ll speak about different wine packages, from bottles to cans and what effect it can have on the wine. We’d like to recommend you trying all different varietal wines from South Africa.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• David & Nadia – Hoë-Steen Chenin Blanc

• Lowerland – Vaalkameel Colombard

• Kanonkop - Pinotage

In this episode we’ll be taking you from New York’s Finger Lakes vineyards known for their Rieslings to Virginia, where the French Viognier is a speciality. We’ll end our trip in the central and southern state of Texas, known for its spicy red wines from southern European varieties, like Tempranillo. Of course, we can’t go without mentioning hybrid grapes as well that were created in several breeding programs. In our experiment we’ll demonstrate how crosses and hybrids are made and we show the grafting of American rootstock on European varieties and saved the wine industry.

We recommend trying the European varieties from the US alongside the classic examples from Europe, to better understand the specific characters and differences.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard – Dry Riesling Reserve

• William Chris Vineyards – Parr Vineyards Tempranillo

• Barboursville Vineyards – Viognier Reserve

Half of the vineyards in Burgundy are planted with Chardonnay and the grape produces some of the most sensational age-worthy white wines in the world. Burgundy is divided into 5 primary wine-growing areas of which Chablis, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais are important for white wine production. In our experiment we will explain the wine process of malolactic fermentation.

We recommend trying wines from all the subregions. And although this region comes with a price tag and the Grand Cru wines are some of the most expensive in the world, the overall quality of the wines is very high. So, try village wines from de Côte de Beaune or Chablis and look out for more affordable regions like Rully or Pouilly Fuissé.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Brett Brothers – Pouilly Fuissé

• Joseph Drouhin – Beaune 1er Cru ‘Clos des Mouches’ Blanc

The two best-known wine regions of Catalunya are Penedès and Priorat. Penedes has been considered one of the country's best wine-producing regions after the Rioja, and it is also one of the most ancient viticultural areas in Europe. It’s maybe best known for producing the sparkling wine Cava, but the different microclimates in Penedès make it possible to create a wide range of styles of many different grape varieties.

Priorat is a small mountainous wine region and is known for its full-bodied red wines from old vine Garnacha and Cariñena aka Carignan. The vines grow on very steep slopes which consist of red slate with small bits of mica and is called Llicorella and it helps to reflect and conserve the heat.

In our experiment we’ll discuss climate change and its effect on vines. Will we still drink the same varieties from these regions in the future?

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Familia Torres – Gran Muralles

• Clos Mogador – Nelin

• Álvaro Palacios – Finca Dofí

Beaujolais is synonymous with red wine and it’s one of the few regions in the world focused on a single grape variety, Gamay. To this day the whole region is still burdened by the widespread belief that Beaujolais only produces cheap and cheerful red wines. But the best wines from the 10 Crus prove Gamay’s high-quality potential and some wine experts even say these wines can rival the Pinot Noir of Burgundy.

In our experiment we will explain the winemaking technique carbonic maceration.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Justin Dutraive – Les Tours Beaujolais Villages

• Domaine Mee Godard – Moulin-à-Vent 'Au Michelon'

• Château Thivin – Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Zaccharie

We are taking you to two wine regions you might never have heard of. The Jura and Savoie are wine regions that are located in the east of France towards the Alps. Both are known for their indigenous grape varieties, like Savagnin, Poulsard and Trousseau in the Jura, and Jacquère, Altesse and Mondeuse in Savoie. Although these wines sometimes difficult to find outside France, a new generation is taking things a bit more globally.

In our experiment we highlighted one of the most famous and age worthy wines of the world: Vin Jaune. It has some similarities with Sherry, but how is this wine really made?

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Domaine du Pélican – Savagnin Ouillé

• Domaine Berhet-Bondet – Château-Chalon Grand Cru Vin Jaune

• Domaine Pignier – Côtes du Jura Trousseau

• Louis Magnin – Mondeuse

When you think of Spain and wine, you probably think of red wine. But Rueda is specialized in white wines made mainly from the Verdejo grape. The advantage of the region’s high altitude, its extreme climate and well-drained soils, Rueda is an ideal place to grow Verdejo. Traditionally Verdejo was used to making sherry-like fortified wines, now fresh, lively white wines are mostly made here, and different aging methods result in wines that can be laid down for years.

In our experiment, we discuss storing and aging wine in concrete eggs.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Marques de Riscal – Verdejo

• Belondrade – Y Lurton

• Bodegas José Pariente – Cuvée Especial

Did you know that Australia is home to some of the oldest vines in the world? The Barossa Valley is a quite isolated place and phylloxera hasn’t yet infected vineyard soils here. It’s here where you can find the country’s signature grape Shiraz, Australia’s word for Syrah.

Wine is produced in every state, with more than 60 designated wine regions. We will discuss a handful of key regions, mainly in the southern, cooler parts of the country, and their main varieties.

In our experiment will we’ll demonstrate different vine training systems.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Langmeil – The Freedom 1843 Shiraz

• Tolpuddle – Pinot Noir

• Mount Pleasant – Semillon

In this episode we’ll discover the new frontiers of viticulture. We’ll visit Japan, which was the first Asian country to develop a grape wine culture, and of course China, which has become a major producer and will become a bigger player in future. We’ll also visit regions further north like England, where climates that were previously too cold to grow wine grapes are becoming better suited for viticulture, thanks to hybrid varieties and of course climate change.

In our experiment we discuss and explore the wine term yield.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Grace – Koshu

• Xiaopu – Marselan

• Chapel Down – Kit’s Coty Bacchus

Piemonte is nestled in the Alpine foothills and produces some of the highest ranked wines in the world. In this hilly region, vineyards are planted on the many slopes that can vary in altitude from 150 up to 700 meters. The range of elevations and exposures creates a range of sites that can suit different indigenous grape varieties, like Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto. We’ll visit some of the most famous vineyards of Italy, like Barolo and Asti.

In our experiment we explore sulfites. What are sulfites and why are they used?

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Gaja – Barbaresco

• Giacomo Conterno – Barolo ‘Francia’

• Braida – Ai Suma Barbera d’Asti

• Stefano Almondo – ‘Bricco delle Ciliegie’ Roero Arneis

Sparkling wines might be some of the most technical wines in the world, since you need 2 fermentations, one to make the wine, the other to make the bubbles. And there are different ways to make sparkling wine. We’ll highlight the following methods: the traditional method, the transfer method, the Charmat or tank method, and the ancestral method and explain their differences.

Just for fun, we’ll even explore the cheapest way to make a sparkling, made with carbonation in our experiment.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Bepin d’Eto – Prosecco Spumant DOCG

• Banfi - Brachetto d'Acqui Spumante

• Nivole - Moscato d’Asti DOCG

• Cleto Chiarli – Premium Vecchia Modena

• House of Arras – A by Arras

• Sebastian Brunet – Vouvray Pet Nat

Tempranillo does not only flourish in Rioja. The Spanish wine region Ribera del Duero is known for producing some of Spain's most admired red wines from this grape together with several Bordeaux grape varieties. Ribera del Duero has an extreme continental climate and most of the vineyards can be found up to 950 meters above sea level. Thanks to, the altitude, cool nights help maintain the grapes’ freshness and acidity and extend the ripening process.

In our experiment will we’ll discuss the extreme diurnal shifts. We’ll explain what those are exactly and how they affect the vines and the final product, the wine?

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Valdaya – Mirum

• Dominio del Pidio – Albillo

• VivaltuS

The southwestern part of France and the island of Corsica are very popular tourist destinations, but their wines aren’t so well known. They are treasure troves of undiscovered appellations and little-known grapes. Like Côt in Cahors, Fer Servadou, also known as Braucol grows mostly in the appellations of Marcillac and Gaillac. In Corsica the most known varieties are Italian but have local names. Nielluccio is Sangiovese and Sciacerrello is Mammolo.

In our experiment we try to master the art of blending.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Clos du Cedre – GC

• Domaine du Moulin – Florentine

• Abbatucci – Faustine

Historically, Canada is mostly famous for some of the most delicious ice wines in the world. Because of the cold climate, hardy hybrid grapes have been dominant, but now more and more vinifera grape varieties are being planted successfully. And with climate change being an ever-greater factor in the wine world, within the next 20- or 30-years Canada as cool climate country could potentially take center stage. We’ll discuss the most known hybrid and vinifera varieties and explore this wine country on the rise.

In our experiment it is all about snow.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Benjamin Bridge – Tidal Bay

• Henry of Pelham – Baco Noir

• Check Mate – Silent Bishop Merlot

After the episode on the white wines of Burgundy, we’ll now take you on a trip through the Côte d’Or to find some of the best red wines in the world. These wines are made of Pinot Noir, an ancient native grape variety. The grape is only a few generations removed from the wild vines that grew naturally in the area. We’ll explain the importance of terroir and the classification levels, including an overview of the Premier and Grand Crus.

In our experiment we dive deeper into soils.

Tasted wines in this lecture:

• Benjamin Leroux – Bourgogne AOC

• Domaine Charlopin-Parizo – Gevrey Chambertin ‘La Justice’

• Domaine Henri Boillot – Volnay 1er Cru

• Joseph Drouhin – Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

This episode is very different from all the others. Now that we covered the most important wine regions in the world, exploring new places and the classics, we would like to help you further on your way to developing your own ideas about wine. You’ll learn how to choose wines from a wine list, pair wines with food and get tips on how to store your wines, serve them and even create your own collection. And of course, we’ll discuss wine ratings.