Extreme Wine is a unique course that combines the rigorous theory and systematic approach of the WSET Intermediate Certificate with the proprietary Chêne Bleu certification as well as hands on practice in the vineyard and winery. No other course offers the breadth and depth of wine education in such inspiring and luxurious surroundings as the La Verrière wine estate in a five day total immersion. We apply a “best of” philosophy to every aspect of the programme; the quality of the instructors, the comprehensiveness of the curriculum, the quality of wines tasted so that students can benchmark against the greats, the opportunities to match top-class wines with food prepared by our Bocuse-trained chef, the luxurious accommodation and the extreme friendliness of our hosts. The small group (up to 14) and bespoke instruction makes the course suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced enthusiasts and collectors. At Extreme Wine, we aim to combine serious fun with extreme luxury to bring wine alive and give graduates the confidence to navigate independently through the complex and often mysterious world of wine. To find out more visit www.chenebleuextremewine.com or email extremewine@laverriere.com Next course 5-9 Sept. Places limited to 14 so early booking highly recommended! - Read more

The world of wine is a fascinating culture with a cult-like following. There's much to learn about wine, how it's made, what vineyards produce the best grapes and how to spot the top vintages. If you don't have the time to take all that in, you can skim the surface and sound like a wine pro in a matter of days. Set aside that foamy beer and follow this guide to becoming an instant wine connoisseur. - Read more

Napa Valley Wine Radio is produced by Goosecross Cellars and delivers food and wine education from an insiders perspective. You can listen to down-to-earth ideas and suggestions for enhancing your enjoyment of food and wine everyday. - Read more

The International Sommelier Guild brings together the resources of the top educators,
industry leaders, premier restaurateurs, wine merchants, wineries and writers.
The school is the professional body that accredits Sommeliers with direct instruction.
- Read more

The Guild is committed to promoting wine education and the appreciation of wine and its health benefits. In addition, they sell racks, cellars, wine accessories, books, mult-media items and more - Read more

Information about wines from Wineries around the world. The focus of the site is to provide information about wine as to how long it should be keep from the vintage date, when to best to consume and when to drink at full maturity. - Read more

Stephen Reiss is a PhD and certified wine expert who has put together a website geared towards educating wine drinkers of all levels. He writes about grapes & regions, red and white wines, how to serve wine, quizzes and more. - Read more

The 5 Principal Elements of Wine Tasting

There are five principal elements to look for in the taste of a wine. It is important to learn to focus on each one individually while tasting, and soon you will have the necessary analytical skills with which to complete a full evaluation of the quality of any wine.

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Understanding the Art of Wine Tasting

Whether done to enhance your appreciation of wine, to impress your boss at a dinner party or to just not look like a fool if you ever visit a winery, there is much more to wine tasting than meets the eye... or palate in this case. This article is going to explore the art of wine tasting and some important factors to consider when trying wine.

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The Duties of a Wine Spectator

Being able to become a wine spectator is a unique experience. There is certain etiquette you will need to follow when you are tasting different types of wine. You must follow the rules accordingly; otherwise you can find yourself in trouble. The duties of a wine spectator are considered prestigious. Many professional wine tasters enjoy these wine tasting events. It allows them to sample wines that are a step up.

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How to Read Wine Labels

In France, wine is labeled by region. Burgundy wine comes from the Burgundy region, but it might be made of a blend of several kinds of ...

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What is a Sommelier and What Do They Do?

These questions can be on wine regions, vintages, production techniques, famous producers, you name it. And the test covers not only all of WineWorld but ...

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A Short History of the Merlot Wine Grape - Where it Came From

The popularity of Merlot plummeted when it got bad press in the move Sideways. However Merlot's a wonderful wine grape producing some of the most wonderful wines in the world. Read here where Merlot came from and how it grows. There's a lot that has to happen before you pull the cork from your next Merlot wine bottle.

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A Short History of the Verdelho Wine Grape

Verdelho is a sweet white variety that originates around Portugal and is now grown all around the world. The wine has an intense fruit nose ages beautifully. Here's some history on this wine grape variety.

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A Short History of the Viognier Wine Grape

Since 1965 the grape and its wine has increased in popularity and in its ... Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Japan. ...

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Sauvignon Blanc Wine

Sauvignon Blanc wine is crisp, high in acidity and light- to medium-bodied, ... The grape is important in California, New Zealand and Northeastern Italy, ...

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Characteristics of Vintage Wines

In Australia and New Zealand, it must contain 85% of grapes harvested in that year. In the absence of an AVA label, the wine must have at least 85% of its ...

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Wine Tasting Made Very Simple

There's a lot of mystique, history and just plain nonsense written about wines and wine tasting. Here's a quick and easy guide on what to look for when you've got some wines in front of you waiting to be drunk.

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Early Wine Research

Col. Haraszthy held the vines for a year, hoping the legislature would reconsider his report. They refused again. Disgusted and disappointed, he returned from the State Capitol and looked at his priceless stock of vine cuttings. His desire to be of further service to the California wine industry came to an end. To realize something from his investment he offered the vines for sale.

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The University of California and Early Wine Research

Continuous research in both field and laboratory was conducted and annual reports were issued by the university, which was constantly enlarging its scope of activity.

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Tips on Wine Tasting Etiquette

Don't let inexperience keep you from enjoying California's Wine Country to the fullest! This short article includes all the best tips to ensure your first wine tasting experience is comfortable, confident and relaxed.

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