Wine Selection: How to Choose Like a Pro
What you'll learn
- To skillfully select wine based on key classifications: region, climate, grape variety, production traditions, and organoleptic characteristics.
- To navigate wine types—including still, sparkling, light-bodied, and full-bodied—and understand their characteristics and examples.
- To analyze wineries and wine estates, using ratings and reviews to make informed choices.
- To conduct basic wine tasting using a tasting chart and step-by-step analysis.
- To select wine by price, know the best places to buy it, and explore how wine culture is portrayed in books and films.
Requirements
- The course is suitable both for beginners and for those who already have an interest in wine culture. Recommended: An interest in wine and a desire to understand its varieties. Willingness to engage with information about geography, history, and culture. The option to taste wine during practical tasting exercises (optional). Everything else you will gain during the course — just come with an open mind and curiosity.
Description
Wine Selection: How to Choose Like a Pro offers a deep and captivating journey into the world of wine culture, designed for anyone who wants to learn how to understand and select wine with confidence and enjoyment. We’ll spare you complicated jargon and dull lectures—instead, you’ll receive lively, clear material that reveals the connections between a wine’s taste, its region, climate, and production traditions.
You will explore key wine classifications and learn to identify organoleptic characteristics—color, aroma, flavor, and finish—as well as understand the differences between still and sparkling wines, and between light- and full-bodied varieties. Special attention is given to crucial topics such as wine aging, the influence of barrel types and sizes, and an analysis of renowned wineries illustrated by the legendary Catena Zapata.
The course features exclusive author-created wine selection and tasting charts to help you organize your knowledge and apply it practically. You’ll also discover production methods for various wine styles—white, red, rosé, and fortified wines like Sherry, Port, and Grappa—and receive tips on where and how to purchase quality wine smartly.
Beyond technical expertise, the course immerses you in wine culture through examples from literature and film, broadening your horizons and making the learning process both informative and inspiring.
This course is perfect for beginners just starting their journey into the world of wine, as well as for those who wish to systematize and deepen their knowledge, refine their palate, and make informed choices in any wine-related situation.
Who this course is for:
- The course “Secrets of Choosing Wine” is designed for: Beginners who want to confidently select wine in stores, restaurants, or tastings. Wine enthusiasts seeking to organize their knowledge and deepen their understanding of wine culture. Travelers and gourmets wishing to become knowledgeable about wines from different countries and regions. Professionals in the restaurant and wine industry who need to competently recommend wines to clients. This course will help you develop your palate, learn to read labels, understand wine styles, and confidently navigate the world of wine.
Instructors
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 23 Reviews
- 67 Students
- 2 Courses
Alexander Popov is the founder and lead instructional designer of Grandomastery, an integrative thinking training platform for educators and advanced English language learners. He is a TESOL certified English educator and resource specialist with a Master's degree in Language Teaching Methods. With eighteen years of experience, Alexander Popov is an expert in the field of language teaching and learning.
He is also involved in various educational initiatives, including being a Global English Influencer, a member of hundrED, and the International Professors Project. His innovative approach to education is centered around embracing randomness and spontaneity to foster creativity, improvisation, and higher-order thinking skills. Through Grandomastery, Alexander Popov aims to address the limitations of traditional education and provide a platform that encourages autonomy, free-thinking, and active participation among learners.
Alexander Popov's work in the field of education has contributed to the development of the concept of "grandomastery," which involves skillfully utilizing randomness and spontaneity in various areas of life and learning. This concept has gained recognition in the language teaching industry and beyond, as it offers a unique approach to cultivating meaningful connections between learners and the language they are acquiring.
- 5.0 Instructor Rating
- 1 Review
- 1 Student
- 1 Course
Darina Serova is a renowned wine expert, educator, and blogger, best known as the founder of WineSine, a blog dedicated to making the world of wine accessible, engaging, and meaningful. With a background in environmental science and a passion for cultural storytelling, Darina brings a unique perspective to wine appreciation — blending technical knowledge with lifestyle, history, and human connection.
Her blog covers a wide spectrum of wine-related topics, including wine aging, health and safety, climate and terroir, responsible tourism, wine investment, and the intersections between wine and culture. Darina is especially known for her clear, approachable style and her commitment to demystifying wine without dumbing it down.
Beyond writing, she creates educational tools, tasting guides, and interactive learning experiences that help both beginners and advanced enthusiasts develop a confident, informed palate. Darina's work has inspired a growing community of wine lovers who value thoughtful exploration over snobbery, and her voice continues to shape the evolving dialogue around wine in modern life.