10 Virtual Wine Classes & Education Resources
Just finding the right class or source of information can feel like a daunting task. You pop your question into Google and hundreds upon hundreds of options reveal themselves. This goes for all areas of education, including wine. In support of your wine education, we have sifted through to provide you with a condensed list.
Paid Classes
I love Napa Valley Wine Academy because they have classes for three tiers: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This means more options for all skill levels which is important when you’re starting out! From food pairing to deductive tasting to selecting the right wines, they have a wide array of classes to pick from.
2 | James Suckling MasterClass
Learn about wine appreciation with James Suckling, one of the “world’s most powerful wine critics” and expert wine tasters. The class takes students on Tuscan vineyard tours where you will learn to explore stories, people, and the importance of all external factors that contribute to a bottle of wine. Plus, we couldn’t forget tasting!
3 | WSET Global
If you’ve developed an interest in wine then you’ve likely heard about the WSET programs. WSET Global education courses are approached in levels and are a great option for anyone looking to work with wine or spirits. Though the courses are longer and at a higher price-point, you may leave with a higher breadth of knowledge and expertise.
4 | Champagne MOOC
Does sparkling wine peak your interest? This specialized course with Champagne MOOC teaches you about the creation of champagne, terroir, the history and heritage of champagne, and (our favorite part) tasting. We’ve heard great things and are looking forward to taking this course on for ourselves in the near future. Upgrades available for a certificate.
Introducing you to one of the most affordable courses on our list at only $9.99! This course with Sommelier, Ryan Vet, is a great option for beginners. The classes cover tasting notes and strategy, an introduction to the wine world(s), and many more topics for wine lovers from glasses to storage. The course has a 4.3 star rating on Udemy.
Free Classes
1 | Wine Folly
Whether you’re just dipping your toes in the wine (yes, we went there) or you’d like some occasional refreshers, Wine Folly has all of the free education you need. This was one of our favorite ways to start learning! The Wine Folly book is also a great option to have on hand as you experience wines at home.
2 | V is for Vino
If you have an Amazon Prime membership then you can access the episodes there or, if you don’t, you can watch on the V is for Vino website. There are currently two seasons that run through wine regions and explore different varietals. If you want a hands-on approach to the regions and the wines being tasted, they sell episode wines on the website.
One of our favorite podcasts for winos is Wine For Normal People. With over 300 episodes, they’ve likely covered many of your unanswered questions. Each episode has a unique topic that introduces listeners to a variety of wine types, regions, and the experts who are shaking them up. Plus, the hosts are very entertaining and make wine feel approachable.
4 | World of Wine: From Grape to Glass
If a certification doesn’t matter to you then we recommend jumping into the next round of World to Wine: From Grape to Glass. This course covers your wine basics from the grape growing process to the wine experience. One of the benefits is that it’s self-paced and you can always add a certification in if you decide you’d like it.
5 | Wine Scribble
If you love an upbeat personality and quick but informative wine videos, the WineScribble YouTube channel and website is great pick. Their videos are full of energy and the content covers everything from food and wine pairings to wine styles and varietal tastings. New episodes are posted every week so you’ll always have something new to watch.
We’re always looking out for new courses so let us know if you’ve taken any that you would recommend for our readers!