Intro to Wine - A Foundational Wine Class

The class is open to all Columbus State Community College students.

If you are not a COLUMBUS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT, please do not sign up. Thank you

Intro to Wine 1: Understanding Wine is a foundational class designed for Columbus State students new to wine studies, offering a confident foundation in knowledge. This course introduces wine as both an agricultural product and a cultural tradition, connecting what’s in the glass to how and where it is made.

Students will explore the fundamentals of winemaking, including harvesting, fermentation, aging, and bottling, and learn how each step influences the flavor and style of the wine. The class also compares industrial producers and small grower winemakers, highlighting how scale, philosophy, and hands-on practices affect quality and character.

The course introduces terroir and appellations, explaining how soil, climate, geography, and regulations shape a wine’s identity and protect authenticity. You’ll also learn the role vineyards and vines play in wine quality, from grape varieties to basic vineyard management practices.

Wine service basics are covered, including proper opening, pouring, and presentation techniques used in both professional and home settings. A guided tasting helps students develop sensory skills and a shared vocabulary for evaluating wine by appearance, aroma, and taste.

Flavor concepts discussed include acidity, fruit, tannin, body in white and red wines, oak influence, and common wine faults such as cork taint and Brettanomyces.

By the end of the course, students will understand the fundamentals of winemaking and wine service, confidently taste and describe wines, recognize different types of wine producers, and appreciate how terroir, appellations, vineyards, and grape varieties influence the final product. This class provides a strong base for continued study in wine, hospitality, or culinary fields.

Event Details
Date: March 11
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Mitchell Hall Beverage Lab

The class is open to all Columbus State students. Tasting is limited to those 21 and older. Valid ID is required and will be checked at the door.

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