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Do you know your white spirits from your brown? Learn the bases and origins of several spirits, types of stills and global standards for vodka, gin, tequila, rum, brandies of the world, whiskies of the world and more. Discover the tools, terms and traits of a good bartender and their world of cocktails. Taste a sampling of brown spirits to see which...

The champagne process was an evolutionary one not a revolutionary one. Find out how the method developed from an inexpert and uncontrolled phenomenon to the precise and polished process of today. Learn why Champagne is unique among the world's sparkling wine producing regions and why it has become the world-class luxury good that it is. This week explores...

Learn about the physiology of taste and how to evaluate acidity, tannin, residual sugar (RS) and other structural elements of wine. Start building your wine description vocabulary. Attend this fun session to gain confidence in knowing what kind of wines you like and how to describe them. Or use this as the start of your journey in preparing for entry...

In this workshop, our Industry Leading Instructors guide students to work the deductive tasting grid against the clock.  Students will continue to practice their improved blind tasting skills and develop discipline to analyze every wine in the same manner every time. Students will also learn exam preparation and test-taking strategies to help...

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! ...

Champagne is not the first sparkling wine of the world but is its most famous and highly regarded. Learn a brief history of bubbly wine, various production methods, regions and styles from various grapes. Discover through a guided tasting how it varies based on climate, soils and traditions in various international regions. Despite the differences...

This fast-paced, comprehensive 1-day intensive workshop focuses on important foundational areas for personal and professional success including blind wine tasting analysis, food & wine pairing, and professional wine service techniques. Created by Master Sommelier David Glancy, this class is perfect for students studying for beginning and...

This fast-paced, comprehensive 1-day intensive workshop focuses on important foundational areas for personal and professional success including viticulture & enology as well as major wines of the world. Created by Master Sommelier David Glancy, this class is perfect for students studying for beginning and intermediate level sommelier exams...

Real men drink pink, and so do real women. Rosé, or Blush, wine consumption has been increasing rapidly in recent years. From simple and fruity to complex, ageworthy, food wines, $5-$500 a bottle and everywhere in between. In this eye opening workshop, we'll learn about the original wines of the elite and how they're coming back strong. Any red...

“The Devil made Pinot Noir” – André Tchelistcheff   We skip Blanc, Gris and all other Pinot as we fade to the dark side of Noir. The Pinot Noir grape is grown all over the world, though it is difficult and finicky. Learn its origins, other homes and characteristics. Discover how Pinot Noir wine varies based on climate, soils and...

Nectar of the Gods Sweet white wine used to greatly outnumber dry reds among the revered wines of the world. Return to sweetness, learning about the classic dessert wines of the world, other homes, various production methods, and styles.  Discover through a guided tasting how it varies based on climate, soils and traditions in various international...

Zinfandel is a California classic and accounts for almost 10% of California grape vine acreage. Learn its origins, other homes and characteristics. Compare it to its genetic relatives from Italy, Croatia & perhaps beyond. Discover how it varies based on climate, soils and traditions in various international regions through a guided tasting of...

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...

There are three parts to the Somm Essentials Exam. Students must pass all three parts to earn their Somm Essentials Certificate. Theory: The Hospitality Beverage Specialist Credential exam from the Society of Wine Educators represents the theory portion of the Sommelier Essentials exam and is taken online. Students who pass this portion will earn...

Cab is often proclaimed as King, but Chard is everywhere... Chardonnay is Pinot’s Burgundian cousin, California’s most widely grown grape and is grown all over the world. Learn its origins, other homes and characteristics. Taste it with and without oak, from cool and warm climates. Discover how it varies based on climate, soils and traditions...