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Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals

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December 10, 2020 By Laurie Love

The Cabrillo College Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals course provides a survey of wine grape varietals, including a comparative sensory evaluation of wine varietals, focusing on terroir effect and world winegrowing regions. The course is intended for the beginning and intermediate wine student, culinary student, wine professional, and consumer enthusiast.

This course (CAHM 172B) together with the companion course CAHM 172A, Wine and Wine Service, form the foundation of the Cabrillo Wine Program. Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals is an 8-week course and is required for the Certificate in Wine Studies and the AS Degree in Wine Studies.

In this course, you will learn:

  • How to taste and evaluate wine
  • Basics of viticulture
  • Basics of winemaking
  • Key wine varietals of the world
  • Characteristics, winemaking options, and world regions of key varietals
  • General wine vocabulary

This online course is only meant to complement the live online course being taught at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California. You can register here for the live online course, and this Wine-ed.com course is complimentary.

Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals (CAHM 172B)
October 24, 2022 to December 12, 2022
Mondays 6:00 – 9:05 PM

For more information about the Cabrillo College Wine Program, our course offerings, and our Certificate in Wine Studies, please click here to see the Course Catalog and scroll down to the Wine section.

The Sensory Evaluation of Wine Varietals course was written by professional wine educator and writer Laurie Love, WSET Level 3, CSW, FWS, and Sommelier. Ms. Love is WSET Level 3 certified with Distinction, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and a French Wine Scholar with Highest Honors. Ms. Love also graduated from the Cabrillo College Wine Program with Honors earning three Skills Certificates in wine. She can be reached at laurie@baymoon.com. Follow Laurie’s wine blog at laurieloveswine.wordpress.com.

Course Content

Expand All | Collapse All
Lessons Status
1

Introduction to Sensory Evaluation
  • Varietal Basics

2

Deductive Tasting Technique
  • Preparing to Taste
  • Appearance
  • Aromas
  • Flavors
  • Conclusions

3

Viticulture Basics
  • Terroir
  • Climate and Weather
  • Vineyard Basics
  • Vineyard Management
  • Common Vineyard Diseases and Pests

4

Winemaking Basics
  • How Wine is Made
  • Winemaking Options

5

Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Varietal Characteristics
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Cabernet Sauvignon

6

Chardonnay
  • Chardonnay Varietal Characteristics
  • Chardonnay Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Chardonnay

7

Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sauvignon Blanc Varietal Characteristics
  • Sauvignon Blanc Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sauvignon Blanc

8

Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Noir Varietal Characteristics
  • Pinot Noir Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Pinot Noir

9

Zinfandel
  • Zinfandel Varietal Characteristics
  • Zinfandel Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Zinfandel

10

Sangiovese
  • Sangiovese Varietal Characteristics
  • Sangiovese Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sangiovese

11

Merlot
  • Merlot Varietal Characteristics
  • Merlot vs. Cab
  • Merlot Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Merlot

12

Grenache
  • Grenache Varietal Characteristics
  • Grenache Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Grenache

Primary Sidebar

Introduction to Sensory Evaluation
  • Varietal Basics
Deductive Tasting Technique
  • Preparing to Taste
  • Appearance
  • Aromas
  • Flavors
  • Conclusions
Viticulture Basics
  • Terroir
  • Climate and Weather
  • Vineyard Basics
  • Vineyard Management
  • Common Vineyard Diseases and Pests
Winemaking Basics
  • How Wine is Made
  • Winemaking Options
Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Varietal Characteristics
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
  • Chardonnay Varietal Characteristics
  • Chardonnay Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sauvignon Blanc Varietal Characteristics
  • Sauvignon Blanc Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Noir Varietal Characteristics
  • Pinot Noir Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Pinot Noir
Zinfandel
  • Zinfandel Varietal Characteristics
  • Zinfandel Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Zinfandel
Sangiovese
  • Sangiovese Varietal Characteristics
  • Sangiovese Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Sangiovese
Merlot
  • Merlot Varietal Characteristics
  • Merlot vs. Cab
  • Merlot Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Merlot
Grenache
  • Grenache Varietal Characteristics
  • Grenache Winemaking Options
  • Regions for Grenache
  • "The wine program at Cabrillo College was a great launching point for me as I entered the wine industry. The in-depth courses gave me a very solid foundation. Certain classes really ignited a passion for discussing wine academically and cultivated the skillset to taste and discuss wine systematically. I pursued various professionally recognized certifications including the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust Level 3, Italian Wine Scholar, and Certified Wine Specialist. I have since trained restaurant staff, hosted private wine tastings, poured at special events, and most recently created a wine education company. I am confident anyone interested in a very thorough education in international wines would benefit from the program offered at Cabrillo College." Chaney Janssen, IWS, CWS, WSET 3 Founder, Destined For Grapeness
    Chaney Janssen
  • "The Cabrillo College Wine Program has given me the tools that I needed to be successful in the wine industry. After my second wine class, I became a tasting room host for Wrights Station Winery up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and eventually, I became the lead host for Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room (Carmel By The Sea). I've earned a Certificate in Wine Studies which has helped me achieve my current position as district manager for Republic National Distributing Company where I lead a team in charge of wine and spirit sales for chain stores." Fanny González District Manager, Republic National Distributing Company
    Fanny Gonzalez

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