• Taste 30 Wines in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere
• Enjoy 10 hours of tuition and in depth course material
• Meet friendly people also keen to develop their wine interest further

If you already know a bit about how grapes are grown and wine is made and are keen to learn more, these courses should be just right for you! They will help you to acquire an in-depth knowledge of some of the main wine producing regions of the world, develop your skills as a wine taster and become fully confident about buying, storing and serving wine and matching wine with food.

There are eight courses, each consisting of 5 two-hour sessions. 6 wines will be provided to illustrate the main points of each session. These will be of a higher average quality than those provided on the introductory course.

COURSE 1- Classic Grape Varieties - £150 for 5 sessions

Your chance to become an expert wine taster!

At each session, you will taste 3 white and 3 red wines ‘blind’. Each trio of wines will be made from the same grape variety and sourced from some of the best producers in the world. Session topics will be:-

• Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Riesling and Merlot
• Viognier and Syrah/Shiraz
• Pinot Gris and Tempranillo

A copy of Michael Schuster's excellent book "Essential Wine Tasting" (r.r.p. £15.99) will be provided

COURSE 2 - The Classic Wines Of Northern France - £150 for 5 sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• Loire Valley
We explore the many different styles of wine produced along the Loire Valley, looking particularly at those which show how the best qualities of Chenin, Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are expressed in this very cool region.
• Alsace
We look at the way in which Alsace's location, climate, terrain and food combine to produce varietal white wines of such definition and character.
• Red Burgundy
The most 'difficult' of the noble red grapes, Pinot Noir, can perform better here than anywhere else in the world. We examine the quality factors.
• White Burgundy
What is it about this region that enables it to produce some of the greatest white wines in the world? Why is the quality so variable? What makes the Grands crus and the Premiers crus so special?
• Champagne & Other French Sparkling Wines
Is Champagne's pre-eminence deserved? Similar grapes and production methods are employed in other parts of France. We examine why it is that, although there is plenty of very ordinary Champagne, no other region seems able to produce anything as good as the best.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

COURSE 3 - The Classic Wines Of Southern France - £150 For 5 Sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• Northern Rhône Valley
The Viognier grape has its finest expression here in the wines of Condrieu; elsewhere blends of Marsanne and Roussanne make fine whites to go with food. However, it is for its red wines, made exclusively from Syrah, that the region is best known. In the right hands, the vineyards of Hermitage and the Côte Rotie can produce wines of world class.
• Southern Rhône Valley
In this Mediterranean region, the warm and spicy Grenache realises its full potential in the wines of Châteauuneuf-du-Pape. But we take a look also at the lesser-known villages such as Gigondas and Vacqueras and at the vin doux naturel of Beaumes de Venise.
• The South-West, Languedoc-Roussillon & Provence
It has become increasingly important in recent years not to ignore the vast amount of wine produced outside of the classic regions. Languedoc-Roussillion, the Sud-Ouest, Provence, the Jura and Savoie make some very fine wine indeed, and standards have risen beyond recognition. We look at both the 'new-wave' wines and those which respect the traditional styles and grape varieties of their regions.
• White Bordeaux
The under-rated dry white wines of Bordeaux have made great strides in recent years, and there are some very good Graves to be tasted. Likewise the sweet wines of the satellite villages of Sauternes.
• Red Bordeaux
With their ability to produce some of the finest reds in the world. the Médoc, Saint Emilion and Pomerol remain eternally fascinating to winelovers. Climate and geography dictate two different styles, one based on Cabernet Sauvignon and one on Merlot. Subtleties of terroir and vintage then determine variations in style and quality.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

COURSE 4 - The Wines of Italy- £150 For 5 Sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• Italy - The North West
Home of Barolo which is made from the Nebbiolo grape; its best examples are among the world's great wines. There are other important reds in the region, Barbaresco, Dolcetto and Barbera, all of which have benefited from recent improvements in wine making techniques, and there are also a number of indigenous varieties which have been rescued from oblivion. Sweet sparkling and semi-sparkling wines from the Moscato grape are a regional speciality.
• Italy - The North East
The Veneto, Friuli and Alto Adige produce a huge range of wine styles. The sometimes under-rated Valpolicella and Soave regions in the Veneto surprise many with the quality of their better wines and their reciotto styles are a revelation. The wines of the Friuli and the Alto Adige are not often seen in the U.K., which is a great pity because they are unusual (particularly those of the Friuli) and full of character.
• Italy - Tuscany
Thought by many to be Italy's finest region. Its great wines (from Sangiovese) are a perfect expression of terroir and grape variety . The addition of international varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah has led to the creation of a number of luxury cuvées labeled as Vino da Tavola or I.G.T., but known collectively as 'Super Tuscans'.
• Italy - The Centre
There were always some good wines in these regions, but they were hard to find, and the general standard was fairly low. There is now a huge increase of interest in the better wines, stimulated by the advent of the 'flying winemakers' who have so markedly improved quality at the lower end of the scale.
• Italy - The South & Islands
There were always some good wines in these regions, but they were hard to find, and the general standard was fairly low. There is now a huge increase of interest in the better wines, stimulated by the advent of the 'flying winemakers' who have so markedly improved quality at the lower end of the scale.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

COURSE 5 - The Wines Of Spain- £150 For 5 Sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• The North West + Spanish Sparkling Wine

In this session, we start by giving you an overview of Spain's wine producing regions. We then look at the distinctive wines of the cool north-west or "Green Spain", such as Bierzo, Chacoli, Rias Baixas and Somontano. In this session, you will also learn how Cava, the famous sparkling wine of Spain is produced.

• The North East
Cataluna was the first of Spain's wine producing regions to introduce modern methods of viticulture and vinification. You will taste wines from Alella, Costers del Segre, Monsant, Penedes, Priorat and Tarragona.
• Rioja & Navara
Rioja is the pre-eminent wine region of Spain. We look the reasons for this, tasting examples of old and new style wines from top producers. You will also taste wines from Rioja's eastern neighbour, Navarra.
• The Centre
Some of Spain's most fashinable wines are produced in hard continental climate of the centre of the country. You will taste examples from Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro.
• The South
In this session you will taste wines from the inland regions of La Mancha, Valdepenas and the coastal regions around Valencia. You will also learn how the fortified wines of Jerez, Montilla and Malaga are made.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

COURSE 6 - The Wines Of Australia & New Zealand - £150 For 5 Sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• Australia - South Australia
Australia is not a big wine producer, - it makes only 2% of the world's total, yet it has had an enormous influence on the world of wine. We examine some of the reasons for this.
• Australia - Victoria & New South Wales
These states produce a wide diversity of wine styles. We compare and contrast the wines of the cooler climate Yarra Valley, Mornington Penninsula, Geelong and Central Victorian High Country with those of Rutherglen and the Hunter Valley.
• Australia - Tasmania & Western Australia
These are cool regions, by Australian standards, and this is evident in the styles of wine that they can produce.
• New Zealand - The North Island
For a relatively small country, New Zealand produces an astonishing arrange of wine styles. This is due to the country's elongated shape which, if transposed to European latitudes, would stretch from the Rhine Valley to Southern Spain.
• New Zealand - The South Island
Here the climate is cooler and Sauvignon Blanc is the star. However, it is important to taste the other varieties too.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

COURSE 7 - The Wines Of South Africa & The Americas - £150 For 5 Sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• South Africa
The past decade has seen South Africa emerge from vineous isolation and take its place alongside the other New World produces. The Cape has a climate that is good for many other varieties apart from Chenin and Pinotage, and we take a look at some of them.
• North America - California
California was the first serious challenger to European wine domination. Its producers are driven by a keen home market and classic varieties are important. Merlot, indeed. has been elevated to cult status. However, the region's own Zinfandel grape is in the vanguard of competition to the classics and keeps the creative (grape) juices flowing.
• North America - Oregon, Washington State & Canada
As the wines of these regions show, all that is best in the west doesn't necessarily come from the 'Sunshine State'. Oregon is particularly notes for its fine Pinot Noirs which do well in this relatively cool climate.
• South America - Argentina
Argentina is the 5th biggest wine producer in the world. This fact always comes as a shock to British wine lovers, because Argentina does not have as high a profile in the U.K. as, say Chile or Australia or New Zealand. In the past, the emphasis was on quantity rather than quality, but the lure of lucrative foreign markets has recently led to greatly improved standards.
• South America - Chile
Often referred to as a 'viticultural paradise', Chile has made the most of its natural assets and established itself as the most forward-looking of the South American wine producers.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

COURSE 8 - The Wines Of Central & Northern Europe - £150 For 5 Sessions

(Click on session titles to see more detail)

• Austria
The last 20 years has seen the enhancement of Austria's wine reputation following the wine scandals of 1985. We will look at the growth of varietal wines, especially whites, with particular reference to 'Gruner Veltliner' together with exciting reds like 'Zweigelt' and 'Blaufrankisch'.
• Switzerland
A country where consumption far outweighs local production and indigenous varietals offer different flavours and aromatics in both white and red wines. We will look at unusual swiss grapes as well as international varietals.
• Hungary, Slovenia & The UK
As the wines of these countries show, there are interesting and surprisingly good unusual grape varieties and wine styles in many of these little known wine regions. Dry and sweet still wines as well as sparkling wines can be a real find.
• Northern Germany
The wines of the Ahr, Mosel, Rheingau, Nahe, Pfalz and Rheinhessen between them offer a range of fresh crisp dry whites, delicate sweet whites and some red wines. Complicated wine labelling and wine laws will be explained during this session!
• Southern Germany
The dry white wines of Franken, and the dry red and white wines of Wurttemberg and Baden are surprisingly good. We shall taste a range of well known varietals with interesting aromatics and flavours, attributable to the local 'terroir'of the different regions.

A comprehensive course manual will be provided.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

A basic knowledge of the different styles of wine and methods of production acquired by attending one of our introductory courses or by reading/experience.

WHAT SHOULD YOU GET OUT OF THE COURSES?

By the end of each course, you should have a thorough understanding of how the different styles of wine are produced in the regions covered. You will have developed your skills as a wine taster significantly and be able to assess the relative quality of wines tasted as well as spot common faults.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO MISS A COURSE SESSION?

No problem! You may either send a substitute or pick up the session missed on a subsequent course. Just let us know and we will make the arrangements.

COURSE FEES

£150 for 5 sessions. Price includes all tasting samples supplied and books or comprehensive course manuals.

EQUIPMENT

You will need to bring 6 wine glasses to each session. If you really want to sharpen up your taste buds, a set of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) glasses used by the professionals is recommended (the tutor will have boxed sets of 6 crystal ISO tasting glasses on sale at £15).

COURSE TUTORS

Senior members of the Wine Education Service team. All are professionally qualified, have extensive lecturing experience and travel widely to keep up to date. Most are members of The Association of Wine Educators and/or The Circle of Wine Writers.

• Intermediate Course Venues and Dates