10 Best Wine Making Classes To Help You Become A Winemaker

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Staying at home due to the pandemic has paved the way for people to try out different activities and hobbies. One of the fascinating discoveries is that there has been an increase in online winemaking classes or virtual tastings. Still, nothing beats a personal interaction with winemakers at vineyards.

But while the world is still slowly recovering, these best wine making classes are a great alternative to deepen your wine knowledge. Who knows, you might be able to come up with delicious bottles of wine at home .

1. Champagne MOOC by Comité Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne

First on our list of the best wine making classes is Champagne MOOC by Comité Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne.

This online module is perfect for you if you want to improve your champagne know-how. The program is divided into two courses, with the classic version being free of charge and the premium version for 49 euros.

The classes are taught by Jérémy Cukierman, Master of Wine 2017. Each course lasts for 5 hours and can be taken anytime or anywhere you want. Once you enroll in the champagne making classes, you will have access to 4 educational modules that are video-based. You will be given a MOOC Statement of Completion and access to extra videos for the premium version.

Whether you are a sommelier, oenologist, wine merchant, buyer, journalist, or just plain curious, the following courses offered will help you understand the champagne-making process better.

• History and Economy of Champagne - Go back in time and trace the origin of the well-loved champagne.
• The Champagne Making Process - Learn the ins and outs of crafting the perfect bottle of champagne, from choosing the grapes down to bottling.
• The Champagne Terroir - Champagne is different from the rest of the wines. This module will let you know the specific characteristics that make champagne unique.
• Diversity and Tasting - Get to know the complex flavors of champagne and what type of food it pairs well with.

2. Wine Making Certificate Program by UC Davis

Wine Making Certificate Program by UC Davis features one-on-one access to world-class educators, as well as career and networking opportunities with instructors and peers, so you can apply what you’ve learned immediately in real life.

This best wine making class can further your wine knowledge in the span of 18 months to two years. The main goal of the module is to teach the participants the scientific and technical framework of wine making, particularly the microbiological processes.

While the program is designed to be self-paced, students must submit specific requirements, such as assignments and quizzes.

3. World of Wine: From Grape to Glass by University of Adelaide

Whether you are a wine novice or a professional, this learning program will make you confident about wines’ appearance, aroma, flavor, and taste.

World of Wine: From Grape to Glass by the University of Adelaide is one of the best wine making classes where you can have an in-depth understanding of the attributes that make this alcoholic beverage enjoyable.

The technicalities of crafting wine can take years to learn. However, this course will give you the basic knowledge of the best practices and principles used to grow grapes and their impact on wine’s color, smell, and taste. Aside from this, the program also teaches you to evaluate and communicate the several sensory attributes observed in wines.

On top of the mentioned content, this best wine making class will also increase your knowledge of the structure, growth, and development of grapevines. Plus, you can effectively identify the differences of wine making techniques.

The course is taught and facilitated by top-notch professors of Oenology at the University of Adelaide.

4. Bourgogne Wines by Bourgogne Wine Board

Are you curious about Bourgogne wines? If your answer is a resounding yes, you will love this e-learning course by Bourgogne Wine Board.

Bourgogne Wines is one of the best wine making classes designed for students who want to learn this specific type of drink. In partnership with the local winegrowers, this module was first introduced to professionals in the wine industry but later became available to anyone interested.

This online learning module comprises videos, 360-degree photos, downloadable files, and quizzes that cover the following topics:

• Discovering Bourgogne Wines - Improve your knowledge about the wine’s region and its history.
• 365 Days in the Bourgogne - Learn the step-by-step process and critical stages in the production of Bourgogne wines.
• Tasting Bourgogne Wines - Covers all the essential vocabulary you will need to describe the wine’s personality.
• Advising and Supporting Your Customers - Guides you in the proper way of making your own Bourgogne wine cellar .

5. Rioja Wine Diploma by Rioja Wine Academy

This online free course has intensive modules intended for those who want to be experts in the field of wine, particularly in the Rioja region.

Topics that will be discussed include the territories, grape varietals, human elements, styles of wine, classification of Rioja wines, regulations on viticulture, aspects of wine production, and gastronomy and history.

The 15-hour best wine making class will teach participants about the flavor and characteristics of the wines and how they developed over time. There will also be an assessment at the end of each module wherein you have to pass or score 100% before proceeding to the next part.

At the end of the class, there will be a final exam. You must score at least 75% to be awarded the Rioja Wine Diploma.

6. Winemaking Certificate by Penn State Berks

The Winemaking Certificate is one of the best wine making classes that Penn State Berks offers. It has a seven-week curriculum wherein courses range from 14 to 28 hours in length.

The class aims to provide the participants with an in-depth understanding of the processes in wine making, grape growing, chemistry, winery equipment, mixology, bottling, packaging, and labeling of the final product.

The course material includes videos, Zoom discussions with instructors, and on-site winery visits. This best wine making class is taught by Bob Green, a professional in the field of wine with over 30 years of experience. This winemaking certificate offers the following courses:

• Wine Chemistry
• Wine Sanitation
• Introduction to Wine Production
• Wine Sensory Evaluation
• Wine Fermentation
• Wine Juice and Handling Equipment
• Winery Regulations

7. Wine Making Online Certificate Course by Courses for Success

The Wine Making Online Certificate Course aims to make students confident when crafting wine at the comfort of their home. This best wine making class channels your inner creativity and knowledge on fermenting unique wines without the need to grow a vineyard.

Todd York, the course’s instructor, will teach you how to use a home fermenting kit to make incredibly delicious fruit wines . At the end of the class, you will be expected to have produced at least three different wines with rich flavors and aromas.

Here are the primary contents that you can learn from this course:

• Wine Supplies and Ingredients
• Wine Tools, Equipment, and Chemicals
• Wine Making Kits
• How to Make Merlot-Style Wine from Watermelon
• Making the Dry Italian Wine Known as Amarone
• Apple Wines
• Wine Degassing, Bottling, and Racking
• Cleaning and Maintaining Wine Equipment
• A Comprehensive Wine Tasting Guide and Food Pairings
• Blending Wines
• Understanding and Using Hydrometers

8. Making Homemade Wine: A Step-by-Step Guide by Mark Dotta

Making Homemade Wine gives you practical information to enjoy and understand wine while crafting your custom dry or sweet red wine.

In this best wine making class, you will understand and familiarize various winemaking terminologies and equipment. You will also know the dynamics of making wine from scratch using grape juice that can be sourced from your local wine supply store.

On top of this, the module will help you learn how yeast produces alcohol during fermentation, how to bottle and store your wine, and to create an aesthetically pleasing bottle with a wine label .

9. Beginner’s Guide to Wine - Universal Class

Since winemaking can be challenging, the Beginner’s Guide to Wine by Universal Class will slowly guide you until you can do it independently.

You will begin your journey by getting in touch with the basic terms and principles of wine. Then you will be taken around the world to study the variety of wines from France, Italy, Spain, the United States, Portugal, Australia, Austria, Greece, and other countries.

You will know the entire winemaking process, from picking grapes to bottling the wine. This best wine making class will also teach you how to taste wine properly and select the best bottles when dining in restaurants or bars.

10. Wine Styles Tasting Course by Wine Folly

Wine Styles Tasting Course by Wine Folly offers a selection of hand-curated regional wines, tasting tips, maps, and video experiences to help you widen your wine knowledge.

This program is designed by Madeline Puckette, winner of the International Wine and Spirit Competition—“Wine Communicator of the Year”. She is also a James Beard award-winning author and 10+ year certified sommelier.

In this course, you will learn how to properly taste different types of wine while learning the basic concepts involved in wine making. You will also discover your wine style without the need to have a unique nose or palate.

This supplementary class to winemaking includes hand-curated bottles, a tasting booklet, maps, and a 2-hour course content.

Conclusion

Have you decided which best wine making classes to join next? This list is just a portion of hundreds of other wine e-learning programs that you can access online, so you can continually expand your understanding and enhance your skills in wine making.

Invite your friends to join you and let us know which winemaking class piqued your interest the most.