Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/wine

Introduction

**Course Review: Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis** If you're captivated by the world of wine—whether as a casual sipper or an aspiring connoisseur—Coursera's course titled **"Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis"** is an excellent springboard into the fascinating complexities of viniculture. With roots tracing back as far as 6,000 BC, wine is not merely a beverage; it is a cultural artifact and a cornerstone of social interaction. This course is tailored for the novice or anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of wine tasting from a scientific and sensory perspective. ### Course Overview With an estimated global market value of $304 billion, understanding wine has never been more relevant. This course offers a structured pathway to mastering the fundamental methodologies behind tasting, appreciating, and analyzing wines of various styles. Spanning five engaging modules, this online education promises both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. **Module Breakdown:** 1. **Wine Styles** This introductory module establishes a foundational understanding of different wine categories. You’ll explore the subtle differences between classic New World and Old World wines, delving into essential sensory physiology. Key concepts such as terroir—how the environment affects wine flavor—are dissected here. Furthermore, you’ll engage in blind tasting exercises to improve your sensory analysis skills. 2. **Wine Flavor and Aroma** Next, you’ll journey deeper into the flavor profiles of both red and white varietals. With eight classic varietals to analyze, this module emphasizes the historical and cultural importance behind the wines you’re tasting. Completing a descriptive analysis of a chosen wine’s aromatic attributes and creating flavor standards will refine your sensory vocabulary. 3. **Common Wine Faults** Misunderstandings about wine faults can lead to accidental exclusions of perfectly drinkable wines. This module clarifies what constitutes a fault versus a mere defect, addressing common issues encountered while tasting. You'll learn to identify these faults and recognize the nuances that can enhance a wine’s complexity. 4. **Wine and Food Pairing** One of the most exciting aspects of wine is its ability to complement food. This module takes on the age-old debate of fitting wine with different dishes. It discusses fundamental principles of flavor profiling and introduces a personal scoring system for pairing your favorite wines with meals. 5. **Project: Fully Describe a Wine From an Unusual Region or Varietal** The culmination of your learning involves a hands-on project where you will conduct a detailed analysis of a specific wine. This reflective assignment brings together all the concepts acquired throughout the course, from aroma and flavor to pairings. You’ll present your evaluations in a peer review format, encouraging community engagement while honing your communication skills. ### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for anyone wanting to seriously engage with wine, whether for personal enjoyment, culinary arts, or even professional aspirations in the wine industry. The blend of theoretical knowledge with practical application allows learners to cultivate their palate while developing a robust vocabulary of wine terminology. The expertise of the instructors, combined with a well-structured curriculum, ensures that even the most inexperienced learner will leave with a solid understanding of wine tasting techniques. Moreover, the course fosters an interactive learning environment, allowing you not only to learn independently but also to engage with fellow wine enthusiasts. ### Conclusion **"Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques for Wine Analysis"** on Coursera is a quintessential course for anyone eager to immerse themselves in the world of wine. By understanding its complexities—from styles and flavors to faults and pairings—you are not merely tasting; you are embarking on an enriching journey through history, culture, and sensory enjoyment. Whether for professional growth or personal interest, this course truly elevates the art of wine tasting into an accessible and enjoyable experience. Enroll today, and toast to your new knowledge in wine!

Syllabus

Wine Styles

In this first module, we’ll take the first steps on our journey through the various categories of wines, starting with the flavor profiles of classic New World and Old World wines. We’ll also identify and describe flavor groups of wine and discuss sensory physiology including the visual, olfactory, textural, and taste aspects of various wines. We’ll also analyze how climate can affect the grape and wine flavor expression, and we’ll discuss the concept of "terroir". Finally, you will create a set of basic taste standards for practicing blind tasting.

In this module, the journey continues and we will compare and contrast the flavor profiles of eight classic red varietals and eight classic white varietals. We’ll also discuss the growing requirements for each varietal as well as their cultural and historic background and growing locations. At the conclusion of this module, you will write a descriptive analysis of the aroma attributes you identify in a particular wine. Finally, you’ll create flavor standards to help you develop your sensory vocabulary.

Is there something wrong with this wine? This week we’ll examine the philosophy behind what actually constitutes a fault in wine. We’ll identify the most often-encountered faults and explain how to recognize them as well as determine what caused them. We’ll also examine the Old World and New World sensibilities toward some of these faults, and discuss how some so-called faults may really be attributes that contribute to a wine’s complexity. We’ll differentiate between a fault and a defect and examine the range of classic faults and their origins. You’ll learn techniques for spotting problems and create wine defect sniff standards to practice fault recognition.

Can you drink red wine with fish? In this module we’ll discuss the often perplexing question of how to pair wine with food, and the physical, structural, textural, and aromatic aspects of both the "wine side" and the "food side" of the equation. We’ll discuss ways to improve your ability to make flavorful choices and determine the structure and "weight" of a wine. To help you predict a good food match, we’ll talk about the process of flavor profiling and how to decide whether to change a wine or food to make a pair work. Finally, we’ll discuss the "seven deadly sins" of wine and food pairing, and you’ll develop a personal wine and food scoring system.

In this final module, we’ll conclude our journey into wine tasting with a project that will demonstrate your understanding of the physiological process of wine tasting and the sensory techniques required for accurate wine analysis. You’ll apply the skills you have developed throughout this course to making a critical evaluation and description of a specific wine. Working with fellow learners in this peer review process, you will demonstrate your ability to describe the appellation, climate, winery, varietal and winemaking style as well as describe the visual, and tactile aspects of the wine. You’ll also describe the flavor and aroma of the wine, and make decisions about the best and worst food pairings for the wine.