Italian Wine Principles

Next Course is February 22, 2025

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Join our 1-day Italian Wine Principles Course to explore the essentials of Italian wine. Perfect for all enthusiasts, this interactive class covers key grapes, wine labels, regions, and tasting techniques. Taste 12 wines, receive a digital a workbook, and insights from expert educator Scott Thomas, plus build confidence in selecting and appreciating Italian wines. Sign up now to deepen your wine knowledge!

The captivating world of Italian Wine awaits

What is the Italian Wine Principles Course?

This 1-day, introductory course provides an essential foundation in Italian wines. Designed for all levels of wine enthusiasts, this course explores topics such as deciphering Italian wine labels, mastering the correct pronunciation of Italian wine terms, and gaining an understanding of Italy's renowned wine regions. We learn key grape varieties like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Verdicchio, Montepulciano, and Garganega, while also exploring the historical context and intricacies of Italian wine styles. Additionally, the course covers professional tasting techniques and the role of terroir, examining how climate, soil, and winemaking impact wine quality.
What to Expect:

A guided tasting of 12 Italian wines, combined with 4.5 hours of engaging and interactive classroom instruction. A digital workbook to reinforce knowledge, take-home quizzes, and a certificate of achievement upon completion. As a bonus, attendees join the vibrant Grappolo Food and Wine School community, fostering a shared passion for Italian wine.
Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, participants are able to:
Navigate Italian wine labels and terminology with confidence.
Identify and appreciate key Italian grape varieties and wine styles.
Discuss Italian wine with increased fluency and cultural understanding.
Gain insight into how terroir and winemaking shape wine styles.
Choose wines confidently when purchasing
Details

Date and Time: Saturday, February 22, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Birch Road Social Club - 3845 Lipan Street - Denver
Instruction Time: 4.5 hours of classroom learning with a 30-minute lunch break
Lunch: Please bring a sack lunch
Environment: our classes are small, with a maximum of 10 students and boast a welcoming, inclusive, and encouraging atmosphere.
Investment: $225
About the Instructor

Italian Wine Ambassador, Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Educator, Certified Wine Educator, and Sommelier, Scott Thomas brings over 20 years of experience in the wine industry to this groundbreaking course. As a fine dining sommelier, passionate educator, former distributor sales manager, and current wine buyer, Scott offers a multifaceted perspective on Italian wine culture.
Having earned a Master's degree in Wine Culture from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piedmont, Italy, where he lived for over two years and traveled extensively through its 20 wine regions, Scott combines professional expertise with deep producer knowledge, personal insights, and engaging anecdotes. This unparalleled learning experience is rooted in his profound understanding of Italian wine traditions and practices.
Embrace the opportunity to learn from a seasoned educator who brings years of experience, passion, and an insider’s perspective to every session.
Next Steps

This course serves as the perfect precursor to the Italian Wine Consultant Course, equipping participants with the foundational knowledge needed to advance their studies and confidence in Italian wines.

Italian Wine Consultant Course
Specific Questions?

Drop a note here with any questions or inquiries.

Contact us

READY TO SIGN UP?

Next Course is February 22

Testimonials

"Scott is an excellent educator. The materials were well put together and relevant to both the test and to my career as a wine industry professional. From a practical standpoint, he helped synthesize and clear up a lot of the issues I was having with discussing Italian wines prior to taking the course. The tasting section was particularly informative as I don’t always have the opportunity to taste that many Italian wines side-by-side for typicity."
"My career will absolutely benefit from what I’ve learned. I’ve already started selling more unique Italian wines at work, and I enjoyed the connections made during class."
"I would highly recommend taking Scott’s class. Not only do you get the benefit of his years of expertise and knowledge, but you get inspired by a kind, passionate human being to learn more about Italy. It’s extremely well organized, and I’ve always felt encouraged to ask questions. Molto bene! "
"I love the deep dive into the regions, geography and mapping out all the wines. It was a great tool for memorizing all of the grapes."
"This class was a highlight of my career. Scott was the GREATEST teacher I have ever had!! The class was very challenging and there was a ton of information but the way Scott would break it all down was AWESOME! We were given quizzes, maps, class slides and got to taste sooooooooo many wines. The class was a great size and I just cannot say enough positive things."
"The class moved quickly. There was a lot of information packed into each class. Honestly wish it would have gone on much longer. So much fun but I appreciate how much we got from each session."
{highlights were}..."the exposure to lesser-known indigenous grape varieties and regions was exciting, and tasting benchmark examples of more famous regions was critical as well."
{benefits to your career}..."Not only on my resume but my confidence in structurally blind tasting wines will surely help in any wine related position in my future."
"The sessions were great. I think working through the grid as a group and talking about the tastings felt significantly more educational than just doing it on our own and moving through it quickly."

Italian Wine Principles

Next Course is February 22, 2025

What is the Italian Wine Principles Course?

What to Expect:

Learning Outcomes:

Details

About the Instructor

Next Steps

Specific Questions?

READY TO SIGN UP?

Next Course is February 22

"My career will absolutely benefit from what I’ve learned. I’ve already started selling more unique Italian wines at work, and I enjoyed the connections made during class."

"I love the deep dive into the regions, geography and mapping out all the wines. It was a great tool for memorizing all of the grapes."

"The class moved quickly. There was a lot of information packed into each class. Honestly wish it would have gone on much longer. So much fun but I appreciate how much we got from each session."

{highlights were}..."the exposure to lesser-known indigenous grape varieties and regions was exciting, and tasting benchmark examples of more famous regions was critical as well."

{benefits to your career}..."Not only on my resume but my confidence in structurally blind tasting wines will surely help in any wine related position in my future."

"The sessions were great. I think working through the grid as a group and talking about the tastings felt significantly more educational than just doing it on our own and moving through it quickly."