BEGINNER
Certificate Wine Course
An in-depth course on South African wine, which covers red and white wine viticulture, winemaking, sweet and sparkling wines, fortified wines and distillation. Understand the wine of origin system of the Cape and learn how to assess what’s in your glass by tasting through the main South African grape varieties. All this knowledge comes together in a theory exam and blind wine tasting exam. On completion, you will understand various vineyard and cellar processes that are involved in the production of wine as well as gaining confidence in the formal sensory assessment of wine and the influence of the grape variety on character, style and quality. Recommended as the next step after the South African Wine Course and for second year tertiary hospitality and tourism students, and anyone serious about furthering their career in the wine, hospitality or tourism industry.
COURSE OUTLINE
Lecture 1 – Viticulture
Seasons of the vine: how to establish a vineyard | Pests and diseases
Lecture 2 – Viticulture
Viticulture practices | Wine growing areas of South Africa
Lecture 3 – Winemaking
From arrival at the cellar to the final product | Art of blending | Wood treatments | Innovations in winemaking
Lecture 4 – Sweet and Fortified Wines
Understanding Sherry and Port styles as well as other Fortified Wines | Special & Noble Late Harvest wines – definition of different styles
Lecture 5 – Sparkling Wines
Understanding methods of production | different styles | service and social etiquette
Lecture 6 – Brandy
Brandy distillation | Process of production | Different styles
Practice Tasting Exam – Tutored Wine Tasting
Understanding how to objectively taste and assess wines
Practical Exam coaching and practice.
ASSESSMENT
1 x Two-and-a-half-hour theory examination
1 x One hour tasting examination (local natural wines and single varieties only)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of the South African Wine Course or Front of House Course is a pre-requisite to register for this course.
