James Suckling teaches Wine Appreciation

Called one of the “world’s most powerful wine critics,” James Suckling has tasted more than 200,000 wines over the past 40 years. In his wine tasting MasterClass, James tours legendary Tuscan vineyards and teaches you to explore the stories, history, and people behind every bottle. Deepen your knowledge of the properties in each sip, cultivate your passion, and choose, order, and pair wines with confidence. Browse Lesson Plan * 1. Introduction

03:37Meet your new instructor: Internationally-renowned wine critic James Suckling. In your first lesson, James brings you into Tuscany's Il Borro Cellars to tell you what you'll learn, why he's teaching, and how wine appreciation can enhance your life.
See more

 * 2. Tasting Techniques: Conducting a Blind Tasting

22:03James believes that blind tasting can tell you a lot about a wine. Learn how to refine your palate and utilize the 100-point scale to evaluate the quality of a wine.
See more

 * 3. Discerning Flavors and Aromas: Student Tasting Experience

28:20In order to appreciate wine, you must first be able to truly taste it. Understand the common characteristics of different varietals by discussing flavor, aroma, acidity, structure, texture, and balance.
See more

 * 4. Meet the Maker: An Introduction

05:38Every bottle has a story. Meet the maker behind the historic Marchesi Antinori, and learn about the winemaking family's role in creating the legendary Super Tuscan Tignanello.
See more

 * 5. Appreciation on Location, Part 1: A Vertical Tasting

15:04Soil and climate play an essential role in the winemaking process. James teaches you how to look for subtleties between vintages with a vertical tasting of Tignanello.
See more

 * 6. Appreciation on Location, Part 2: Barrel Tasting

05:35Tasting from a barrel can be dramatically different than from a bottle. Learn what to look for in the barrel, and how to determine a wine’s potential direction.
See more

 * 7. Primary Factors of Influence: In the Vineyard

13:51 All great wines begin in the vineyard. Learn the principles of viticulture as James teaches you the factors that influence a great wine, and the importance of soil, climate, varietals, and regions.
See more

 * 8. Storing and Curating: A Home Cellar

14:38 James shares professional tips on how to design and organize a home cellar, properly store and age important bottles, and collect with confidence.
See more

 * 9. Education and Etiquette: Reading a Wine List

15:58 Along with legendary winemaker Lamberto Frescobaldi, James demystifies the process of reading a wine list. Gain the knowledge and etiquette to properly order in a restaurant setting, as well as share from your own collection.
See more

 * 10. Breaking the Rules of Pairings: A Tuscan Luncheon

15:41 For James, breaking the rules when experimenting with wine pairing is essential to the dining experience. Learn how to pair unconventional foods and wines to bring out new and highly creative flavor combinations.
See more

 * 11. Closing