Paul Wagner – The Instant Sommelier – Choosing Your Best Wine

Navigating the world of wine can feel overwhelming with over 150,000 wines available in the U.S. market alone. If you’re unsure where to start, The Instant Sommelier: Choosing Your Best Wine with expert Paul Wagner is your go-to guide to demystifying wine selection and appreciation. With a practical, down-to-earth approach, this course will make wine tasting and selection accessible and enjoyable, even for beginners.

Paul Wagner, a renowned wine educator and author, distills over 25 years of experience into 8 comprehensive lessons designed to boost your confidence and knowledge about wines. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just starting your journey, Paul’s insights will help you select wines that align with your tastes and preferences. Throughout the course, you’ll discover essential tips for understanding wine vocabulary, tasting techniques, and how to apply your knowledge when shopping for wines or choosing a bottle at a restaurant.

What You’ll Learn:

Understanding Wine’s Key Elements: Dive into the fundamentals of wine and explore the nuances that define taste, texture, and aroma.
Wine Tasting Techniques: Discover how to engage your senses—vision, smell, taste, and touch—to evaluate wines and refine your preferences.
Choosing the Best Wines: Learn how to select the perfect white, red, sparkling, or dessert wine that suits your palate.
Wine Pairing Made Simple: Understand which foods complement different wine varieties, from whites that pair with seafood to reds that enhance richer dishes.
Wine History: Gain a deeper appreciation for the history of wine, from its ancient roots in Babylon to its modern-day popularity.
Practical Wine Tips: Master the wine service rituals in restaurants, understand how to order wine like a pro, and enjoy the wine selection process without the intimidation factor.

Course Highlights:

Vision: Learn how to assess wine color and clarity to determine its freshness.
Smell: Identify fruity and herbal notes to help pinpoint wines you’ll love.
Taste: Understand the basic flavor profiles and translate your preferences into wine descriptors.
Touch: Explore the “body” of wine, and discover how the mouthfeel can affect food pairings.

Explore Different Wine Varieties:

White Wines: From Muscats to Sauvignon Blanc, learn the subtleties of different white wines and discover how to pair them with food.
Red Wines: Understand the flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and more, and discover how to pair them with a wide range of dishes.
Sparkling Wines & Beyond: Learn about sparkling wines like Prosecco and Champagne, and how they pair with a variety of cuisines.

Practical and Accessible:

This course isn’t about rare, expensive wines—it’s about understanding what you like and discovering affordable options that suit your taste. Paul Wagner emphasizes the importance of personal preference over price, teaching you how to select wines that bring you enjoyment without feeling overwhelmed by the complex wine market.

Course Outline:

Lecture 1: How to Explore Your Glass of Wine
Lecture 2: Key Elements in Wine and How to Taste Them
Lecture 3: Choosing White Wines
Lecture 4: Choosing Red Wines
Lecture 5: Choosing Sparkling and Dessert Wines
Lecture 6: The History of Wine: From Babylon to James Bond
Lecture 7: The Wine Service Ritual in Restaurants
Lecture 8: Having Fun with Wine

With Paul Wagner’s expert guidance, this course will enhance your wine appreciation and provide practical tools for enjoying wine with confidence. All you need is a corkscrew, a couple of glasses, and an open mind to begin your journey into the fascinating world of wine.