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Can you create perfect pairings or are you paralyzed by the rules? Learn pairing theories and exceptions and the progression of flavors in multi-course meals. Come play with your food and wine as we taste 36 combinations and discuss each student's impressions and preferences.  Challenging food ingredients will also be reviewed and how to overcome...

Do you know the difference between viticulture and enology? Learn the species and varieties of grapes used in winemaking and the difference between clones, crosses, hybrids and grafting. Study the physical structure of the vine, the annual lifecycle and the metabolic processes.  Learn about terroir and sustainable farming. Next our studies take...

Can you create perfect pairings or are you paralyzed by the rules? Learn basic food pairing theories and see how different styles of wine interact with primary flavor components. Come taste many combinations and discuss the impact on your palate. Learn your preferences and those in the class and improve your confidence with new pairing knowledge! ...

Service is much more than proficiently performing, it is an attitude. Learn the roles and conduct of the sommelier, mis en place for service shifts, responsible alcohol service and the mechanics. Standard wine service, Champagne, decanting and tray service will be demonstrated by the instructor and performed by each student.  Tools, service...

France is one of the world's major wine-producing nations. In fact, their national Appellation d'Origine Controlee system is the basis for most wine labeling laws around the world and many of their grapes are grown throughout the world.  In this course, you will learn the cool climates, grapes and wine styles of northern France. We'll explore...

Continue enhancing your French wine knowledge. Journey with us in the classroom as we leave last week's cool climate wines of the north for this week's warm climate wines of the south. Study and taste the French wines that are often imitated but never duplicated. In this course, you will learn the warm climates, grapes and wine styles of southern...

The Greatest Wines of France French wines serve as the foundation for most people trying to understand the wines of the world. After all, the French created the first nationwide appellation system that has since become the model for the European Union. Credential seekers can check out our French Wine Scholar program, but everyone will enjoy Intro...

Understanding the regions and categories of Italian Wine can be complicated. With extensive wine production in all 20 wine regions, hundreds of indigenous varietals, climates ranging from Alpine to Mediterranean and diverse soil types, Italian wine study can be daunting. It is critical for a CSW to have extensive knowledge to understand, appreciate,...

The Greatest Wines of Italy Italian wine is hot in the USA & is a global powerhouse. Credential seekers can check out our Italian Wine Scholar North & Italian Wine Scholar South programs, but everyone will enjoy Intro to Italian Wines!  Piedmont's Barolo & Tuscany's Brunello surely make our list but come find out our other picks....

Sunshine, warm breezes, olive oil, wine and the Mediterranean Sea tie Portugal, Spain, Greece and several other countries together. Learn the similarities and differences of some of the oldest wine regions of the world and some of the trendsetting new wines, as well. We'll explore Cava, Rioja, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Rias Baixas, Jerez, Vinho Verde,...

Fresh pasta is so much more satisfying than store bought, and it only requires knowledge of a few simple techniques.  In this class, we'll make fresh ricotta and handmade pasta. We'll then create delicious, delicate, ravioli and serve them in an herb brown butter sauce.  We'll also prepare a salad and an Italian cream soda or a glass of wine...

Learn to accurately assess acid, tannin, sugar and alcohol as our Industry Leading Instructors lead you through a tasting of 16 carefully manipulated wines to help you clearly delineate the different levels of each. This workshop is fun for novice-intermediate tasters and an important tune up for advanced tasters. This workshop is part...

We're bringing the Parisian street café to Pleasanton to teach you the art of French crepe-making. We'll make both sweet and savory crepe batters, then work on the fillings to make a delicious dinner, including a mushroom crepe with béchamel sauce and dessert crepes with Nutella, strawberries, bananas and whip cream Hands-on instruction making crepes,...

The Greatest Wines of Spain  Spanish wine is hot in the USA & is a global powerhouse. Credential seekers can check out the debut of Spanish Wine Scholar in Fall 2019, but everyone will enjoy Intro to Spanish Wines!  Rioja, Priorat & Ribera del Duero surely make our list, but come find out our other picks. Join us as we explore...

Join us in unraveling the mysteries of the EU labeling scheme and compare it with the rest of the world. We will look for global patterns as we tour the world by glass. Take in the highlights of crisp wines from cool climates from Germany, Austria, Northern Italy, Northern France, Oregon and New Zealand.  The guided tasting of 6-8 wines will...