VIT-102 Wine of Europe

This course will survey the varied wine regions and wine styles across the European continent, and will examine the unique geographic, cultural, and historical context of these unique growing regions. While learning about the wine producing regions and nations that make up the classical wine canon, the students will taste 4-8 wines per class, and will learn an analytical framework and methodology to evaluate, describe, record in a journal, and verbally communicate the wine quality and character to their classmates.

Credits

1

Department

• Environmental Conservation and Horticulture

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Fall
• Spring

Course Rotation Schedule

• Fall: In Person
• Spring: Online

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

VIT 102: Wine of Europe

Department

Environmental Conservation and Horticulture

Course Description

This course will survey the varied wine regions and wine styles across the European continent, and will examine the unique geographic, cultural, and historical context of these unique growing regions. While learning about the wine producing regions and nations that make up the classical wine canon, the students will taste 4-8 wines per class, and will learn an analytical framework and methodology to evaluate, describe, record in a journal, and verbally communicate the wine quality and character to their classmates.

Credit Hours

1

Contact Hours

Lecture	1
Lab	1
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Implement tasting strategies to characterize a wine using the five senses.
2. Identify aromas and flavors in wines and develop a vocabulary to communicate those observations to others.
3. Explain differences in wine regions across the European continent through geography, history, culture, and the diversity of wine styles.
4. Practice technical wine-tasting writing skills in a journal

Topic Outline

1. Introduction to Wine tasting, service, and analysis
2. France
   1. Champagne
   2. Alsace and Savoie
   3. Burgundy and Jura
   4. Bordeaux and Loire
   5. Rhone Valley, Languedoc, and Provence
   6. Roussillon, Southwest France, and Corsica
3. Italy
   1. Piemonte, Lombardy, Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli
   2. Tuscany, Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Abruzzo
   3. Campania, Basillicata, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicilia
4. Spain and Portugal
   1. Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Bierzo, Rias Baixas
   2. Sherry/ Jerez, Port, Madeira, Bairrada, and Alentejo
5. Germany 
   1. Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Nahe, Mosel, and Baden
6. Austria and Hungary 
   1. Kremtal, Kamptal, Burgenland, Styria, Tokay, Somlo, Eger
7. Greece and the Balkans
   1. Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania
   2. Crete, Macedonia, Cyclades, Peloponnese,
8. Review and Blind Tasting