As the kids head back to school, let’s chat about how the adults have changed the way they learn about wine, especially with online courses. It’s a virtual world of wine learning at your fingertips.
Yesterday, I chatted with Nicole Dube on CTV’s Morning Live show.
First, tell us why online wine courses have become so popular?
Online courses offer the best of both worlds: they’re accessible to everyone no matter where you live, they’re more comprehensive than a one-off class, but not as technical and time-consuming as college courses.
Plus, there’s no drinking, then driving home, finding a babysitter and parking. Many of my students take my courses together with a spouse or partner and treat it like date night at home.
What if we want to learn about just one type of wine?
You can start with one-off classes offered online by local liquor stores or restaurants.
So for example, you might focus on classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from California, like these two I have with me today:
1881 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California, United States
St. Supéry Élu 2015
Napa Valley, California, United States
Even though Napa Valley has a huge reputation in the wine world, it’s actually a small area, producing only 4% of California wine and .4% of world wine production. Yet there are 33 different soil types there so it’s incredibly diverse.
They’d pair beautifully with a grilled steak, beef fajitas or charcuterie.
What would you suggest if we want to learn about food and wine pairing?
Then you want to look for a more in-depth course like the one I offer, The Wine Smart Course: A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair and Buy Wine Like a Pro.
I’m online with my students via video, guiding them through the tasting and pairings, we have “live” interaction and the students also get to know wine lovers from around the world, including the really thirsty bunch here in Winnipeg! I have many students from here.
Plus there are lots of templates and checklists for every possible wine and food match you can imagine, from fast food favourites and spicy dishes to multiple courses you’d serve at a dinner party.
So for example, we might dive into two Austrian wines like these, and look at juicy, mouth-watering pairings.
Lenz Moser Prestige Grüner Veltliner
Niederösterreich, Austria
Allram Strass Grüner Veltliner
Kamptal D.A.C., Austria
They go really well with a rich, cheesy fondue or a mild to medium-curry.
What if you want to get really serious about wine and become a sommelier for example?
If you dream of working in the wine industry, you’ll want a more comprehensive program.
These courses are often full-time and take years to complete, such as the Master of Wine program. Those starting on that journey may want to warm up their palate first with a course like the one I offer and then continue on with advanced studies.
In such a course, you would be looking at the differences between east and west coast sparkling wines, such as these two from BC and Ontario:
Gray Monk Estate Winery Odyssey White Brut Sparkling Wine 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada
Trius Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
They’d pair perfectly with salmon or a pasta.
Thank you, Natalie. You can find all the wines Natalie mentioned today, plus her courses at nataliemaclean.com
Published with the permission of CTV.
