C01–C08
Taste without intimidation
Level 1 introductionLevel 1 Introduction: Taste Without IntimidationWatch introduction ↗80 cumulative lessons
From first sip to sommelier-informed reasoning.
Ten levels build progressively. Levels 1 through 7 are available now with complete lessons, preparation, background reading, videos, and quizzes; later levels show where the cellar goes next.
Level 1 introductionLevel 1 Introduction: Taste Without IntimidationWatch introduction ↗C09–C16
Grapes, climate, and style
Level 2 introductionLevel 2: From Description to ExplanationWatch introduction ↗C17–C24
Vineyard and vintage
Level 3 introductionLevel 3: Wine Begins Before the WineryWatch introduction ↗
C33–C40
France and appellations
Level 5 introductionLevel 5: France — Place, People and the GlassWatch introduction ↗- C33French Appellations: What the Label Promises
- C34Bordeaux: Rivers, Blends and Reputation
- C35Burgundy and Beaujolais: Place at Finer Scale
- C36Champagne: A Cool Place, Many Decisions
- C37The Loire: One River, Many Wine Styles
- C38The Rhône: North, South and the Exceptions
- C39Alsace, Jura and Savoie: Borders, Slopes and Choices
- C40Southern France: Beyond the Famous Names
C41–C48
Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal
Level 6 introductionLevel 6: Italy, Spain, Greece and PortugalWatch introduction ↗- C41Italy I: Reading the Label, Exploring the North
- C42Italy II: Tuscany and Central Italy
- C43Italy III: Southern Italy and the Islands
- C44Spain I: Green Spain and the Atlantic North
- C45Spain II: Rioja, Ribera and the Interior
- C46Spain III: Mediterranean Spain, Cava and Andalucía
- C47Greece: Islands, Mainland and Living Traditions
- C48Portugal: Atlantic, Inland and Beyond Port
C73–C80
The rest of Europe
Level 7 introductionLevel 7: The Rest of EuropeWatch introduction ↗- C73Germany I: Reading Ripeness, Dryness and Origin
- C74Germany II: Rivers, Slopes and Regional Diversity
- C75Austria: Origin, Grapes and Reinvention
- C76Hungary: Tokaj and Beyond
- C77Switzerland: Alpine Wine in Context
- C78Slovenia and Croatia: Borderlands and the Adriatic
- C79The Balkans and Eastern Europe: Beyond the Familiar Map
- C80Georgia and the Caucasus: Tradition, Technique and Evidence
C49–C56
The wider wine world
C57–C64
Sparkling, sweet, fortified, food and service
C65–C72
Think like a sommelier
What “sommelier-informed” means
This course builds serious knowledge and practical tasting judgement. It does not promise professional certification, which also requires prescribed theory, service standards, examinations, and practical experience.
When you are ready for that next step, we heartily recommend learning in person at the Wine School of Philadelphia ↗ or pursuing structured online certification through the National Wine School ↗.