Take a tasting tour of the world and learn how to speak the language of wine with an acclaimed Master of Wine.
The Everyday Guide to Wine
See and sip-or, if you must, gaze and gulp-through some of the world's most delightful wines.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Steven Prince from
Wonderful course. highly recommend it.
Love this course. My wife and I are doing it a second time along with 2 other couples. Jennifer is a great teacher, and her passion for wine is so obvious. We do a lesson a month. We also live close to the Temecula, California wine Country, and the course has made it so much more informative when we are there either doing a tasting or dining. month
Date published: 2024-10-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Sherine from
Learning so much!
I am thoroughly enjoying the wine course and love, love, love Jennifer's enthusiasm! Although only on the 4th lecture, I've learned so much already. Strange that her sharing her impressive background would strike anyone as pretentious - I found the information helpful and encouraging should I hope to aspire in that direction. She seems bursting with energy and passion and I'm glad it's for a subject I find fascinating. Thank you Jennifer!
Date published: 2024-07-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Terbear from
Love it and love her!
I am only on the second class, and I have learned so much! She is so interesting and knowledgeable. Not to mention beautiful and with a lovely smile. I am looking forward to learning more from her and am now interested in working at a local winery. She is so inspiring! Thank you for a wonderful course!
Date published: 2023-07-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
KathL1 from
Makes a complex subject digestible
Some reviewers were negative about the instructor's presentation of her credential. I do not agree with those reviewers. I did not know the instructor's credential existed. By sharing the details of attaining the credential, the instructor helped me set reasonable expectations for myself.
The course organization is helpful. The instructor starts with high cut concepts and methodically drills down as the course progresses.
As to cost and volume of wine to purchase: My partner and I are on #5. Because it's just the two of us, we are breaking down that six bottle lesson into smaller units. It's just the two of us and we don't want 6 opened bottles at one time. For example, today we just tasted the Rieslings and we'll have dinner that should pair nicely with the dry Riesling. Tomorrow evening we'll have the sweeter Riesling with a good blue veined cheese for dessert. Next weekend, we'll do the middle tasting of two wines.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Whether your interest in this course was born from an interest of food or if you're finding an interest in food because of this course, please consider incorporating the book What to Drink with What You Eat. It has two core sections. Both are organized alphabetically. One by food, the other by wine. It's very efficient and incorporates feedback from food and wine professionals. If you plan your meals around your Everyday Guide to Wine course you will 1) reinforce and enhance your course learning and 2) get extra mileage out of the wine you purchase for the course. I hope the book title doesn't get cut from this review. I'm not associated with book at all, I just love it's utility.
Date published: 2023-01-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Hamalot from
Masterpiece!
My friend got this set as a gift. We got a group of 4-6 people together every week and watched a video while tasting the recommended wines. Just an amazing series and will help you appreciate (and love!) tasting different wines.
Date published: 2022-12-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Thanuja from
Great introductory course!
I took this course an year ago, just wanted to keep a postive review. It is a good holiday course for sure and it delivered with such enthusiasm by a professor who is exceptionally knowledgeable on the subject matter. Of course the full experience of the course, is possible, only if you start tasting some of the wine described practically. Happy winetasting!
Date published: 2022-12-11
Rated 4 out of
5
by
blue45 from
Everyday guide to wine tasting.
This course is well organized and covers a broad and interesting number of topics. The
The wine tasting lessons are interesting but demand a lot of preparation and some The The wine tasting lessons demand some effort and expense in assembling the wines. Of course there is no other way to present these topics so the student is left to decide on the level of participation and effort he/she wants to devote this section. Overall the course is interesting, well organized, and informative.
Date published: 2022-11-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
steveD from
The real deal
I generally read the lowest recommendations first. Such is the case in the “Everyday Guide to Wine”. I beg to disagree with them. My overall opinion is Ms. Simonetti-Bryan presents an excellent course. Maybe you think she is too animated. Maybe she is to a degree, but she clearly is dedicated to her pursuit of teaching wine to a wide array of viewers. Watch a skilled auto mechanic teach newbies about his trade. He/she teaches with the same passion. Technically, Ms. Simonetti-Bryan is accurate in everything she says. She has the highest certification attainable in the wine industry. She has a command of chemistry, flavor profiles, geography and the science of wine. I have experience in the science (chemistry) of wines, taught wine classes, sold high-end wines and interacted with flavor scientists at UC Davis. This woman knows her stuff and presents the info with true passion. Is she a little over the top at times (like the gold top in lecture 7; maybe, but so what?). Actually, her treatment of sparkling wines is stellar. The woman has the talent to present this course. I give her a 4.8/5. I know a lot about wines and I even learned something new. She is the real deal and so is this course. Watch and learn.
Date published: 2022-08-19
Overview
About
Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan is among a small number of people to have received the highest credentials in the wine and spirits industry. She is one of only a few hundred people in the world to have achieved the Master of Wine (M.W.) title from The Institute of Masters of Wine in London, England-the highest and most difficult title to achieve in the industry. She also has a Professional Certificate in Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Specialist of Spirits from the Society of Wine Educators. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan has taught courses for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, has trained thousands of professionals in the wine and spirits industry, and has judged international spirits and wine competitions, including the Ultimate Beverage Challenge in 2010 and 2011. She has also hosted seminars with Food Network stars such as Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, and Mario Batali. In 2008, she won the Wiesbaden Tasting Trophy from The Institute of Masters of Wine. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan is a frequent guest on television programs, including Fox Business, Fox News, and Bloomberg TV. Additionally, she has been featured in publications such as Fortune, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and Wine & Spirits Magazine.
Trailer
01: Why Learn about Wine?
Ms. Simonetti-Bryan answers this question in an engaging introductory lecture that sets the stage for the subsequent lectures. Survey the millennia-old history of wine, discover what kind of wine consumer you are, explore wine culture in America, and more.
30 min
02: A Taster's Tool Kit
Wine tasting can seem like a mysterious ritual, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Here, learn how to properly perform the five steps of tasting: seeing, swirling, sniffing, sipping, and savoring. Also, make sense of wine-related terminology, including "full-bodied," "crisp," "length," "balance," and "finish."
28 min
03: Winemaking-From Vineyard to Harvest
The sensation of drinking a good or bad wine relies on what happens to its source grape in the vineyard. This lecture takes you through the first half of the wine-making process and reveals how climate, altitude, weather patterns, and other factors play a critical role in shaping a wine's flavor and quality.
30 min
04: Winemaking-From Harvest to Bottle
Continue your look at winemaking by focusing on the grape's journey from the vine to your palate. When are grapes ready to be picked? What is the difference between wine fermented in steel and in oak barrels? Why is there heated debate over filtering wines? Discover answers here.
29 min
05: The Whites-Riesling to Chardonnay
In the first lecture on the Noble grape varieties (used in those wines you see most often), focus on the most captivating varieties of white wine: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. As you explore each wine's unique characteristics, you'll strengthen your ability to compare it with other wines and grape varieties.
29 min
06: The Reds-Pinot Noir to Cabernet
Experience the Red Noble grape varieties, specifically Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Studied together, these varieties will expose you to the fascinating range of red wine grapes-from the light-bodied and aromatic to the full-bodied and tannin-rich.
32 min
07: Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines
Venture into the world of sparkling wines, one of the least-understood but highest-quality wines in the world. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan reveals how wines like Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco originated, how they're produced, and how they taste. She even shows you the correct way to open and serve your favorite bottle.
33 min
08: Port, Sherry, and Other Fortified Wines
Fortified wines-wines whose alcoholic strength has been fortified-are the perfect accompaniment to the beginning or end of a meal. Here, learn more about these wines as you taste your way through the distinctive characteristics of ruby port, sherry, and Madeira.
33 min
09: What to Drink with Dessert
Sauternes; Tokaji; Ice Wine; Vin Santo- wines go great either with or as dessert. Survey the range of dessert wines, paying particular attention to three ways these wines can be produced: the process of "noble rot," the harvesting of frozen grapes, and the drying of grapes.
30 min
10: French Regions-Bordeaux and Loire
French wines are the benchmarks of quality, which makes France the perfect place to begin your tour of some of the world's greatest wine regions. You explore the powerful reds and delicate whites of two wine-producing regions, learn how to read a wine label, and gain insights into how chateaux in Bordeaux are classified.
33 min
11: French Regions-Burgundy and Alsace
How do you top the rich, full-bodied wines of Bordeaux? Find out in this engaging lecture that takes you through the silky and delicate wines of Burgundy (including those from Chablis and Beaujolais) and the German-influenced tastes of Alsace (including varieties of Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris).
32 min
12: French Regions-Rhone, Languedoc, Provence
Sample beautiful wines from the Rhône Valley and the coastline regions of Languedoc and Provence. You are introduced to a youthful and floral Viognier, a refreshing rose from Tavel, and a peppery red from Mas Belles Eaux.
31 min
13: Wines of Northern Italy
Welcome to Italy, home to over 1,000 grape varieties. You sample a Barolo and Amarone (two pillars of Italian wine), a Pinot Grigio (the quintessential crowd-pleasing white wine), and other northern Italian wines.
37 min
14: Wines of Southern Italy
Explore the wines of southern Italy. You visit Tuscany, home of Chianti; Campania, the source of the legendary Lacryma Christi (or "Tears of Christ"); and Sicily, whose Nero d'Avola is a rising star among red wine drinkers.
30 min
15: The Tastes of Germany and Austria
Germany is home to some of the most versatile wines to pair with food. Austria, following a scandal, has turned around its reputation and has begun producing a fantastic quality of wines. Explore both regions, with a particular focus on their variations of Riesling. Also, learn how to decode German wine labels.
29 min
16: The Tastes of Spain and Portugal
Conclude your tour of Old World wine regions with Spanish and Portuguese wines. Many of the wines you learn about and sample-including a Rioja, a Rueda, a Jumilla, and a Duoro red-bridge the gap between traditional and international modern styles of winemaking.
31 min
17: U.S. Regions-California
California produces 90% of America's wine and is the fourth-largest producer of wine in the world. Travel through the state's rich wine regions-including Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Santa Barbara-and explore its grape varieties, including the predominant Zinfandel.
35 min
18: U.S. Regions-Washington and Oregon
How do Oregon producers differ from their California neighbors? What's so unique about Washington's grape vines? Learn the answers to these and other questions as you taste their versions of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.
32 min
19: Other U.S. Regions, Mexico, and Canada
Where are the wine pioneers of today and tomorrow? The answer: New York, Virginia, Texas, and other U.S. states, each of which, you discover, has its own approach to making quality wines. Also, take brief trips to wine regions in Mexico and Canada, where you sample one of Ontario's internationally popular ice wines.
32 min
20: Sampling Argentina and Chile
South American wines have grown in popularity around the world. Here, Ms. Simonetti-Bryan guides you through the Chilean regions, including Maipo, Rapel, and Curicó, as well as Argentine vineyards in Mendoza and San Juan.
30 min
21: The Best of Australia and Tasmania
In terms of wine, Australia and Tasmania has it all: cool and warm climates, French and American oaks, white and red varieties. Australia also makes the top wine imported into the United States. Survey its popular wines, including a Riesling-like Semillon from Hunter Valley and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawara.
32 min
22: Wines of New Zealand and South Africa
Visit New Zealand and the regions of Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, and Martinborough. Then, travel to Stellenbosch in South Africa, whose high-end Bordeaux blends are a delicious mix of Old World and New World tastes.
34 min
23: Becoming a Knowledgeable Wine Buyer
Discover tips on how to purchase wine, how to order the perfect bottle at restaurants, how to store wine for the short and long term, how to treat wine as an investment, and much more.
30 min
24: Wine for Any Occasion and Any Food
Conclude with answers to questions about pairing wines with food and occasions. Should a wine complement or contrast a meal? What kind of wine should you serve on particular holidays? What are some myths about wine pairing? How should you serve wine to guests?
31 min
