WINE Education
Attention: Registration for classes may close seven (7) days prior to the start date depending on enrollment numbers. If you cannot find a class you are looking for, please reach out to the Non-Credit Registration Desk at (609)570-3311 or email ComEd@mccc.edu for further information. The Center for Continuing Studies also suggests not purchasing textbooks until seven (7) days prior to the start date of a class to ensure the class is running.
Beer Tasting Master Class
In these beer tasting series, we want to take you on a journey of taste but also enrich the experience with legacy stories of beer styles, exploration of ingredients and processes, facts and anecdotes you will want to share with your friends. Whether you’re an expert or an amateur or simply an epicurean you’ll leave these series with a much better understanding and appreciation of the most popular alcoholic beverage of the world. Includes 4 beer samples per session.
Cost $375
Offered Summer 2024
Beer Sommelier Level 1
Always wanted to know more about beer and beer culture? Then this foundational training is for you! We will explore together the many cultural and technical aspects of beer. You’ll taste and smell ingredients, understand how beer is brewed. Better appreciate beer diversity and learn many fundamental things a beer sommelier or true amateur should know!
Cost $350
Offered Summer 2024
Italian White Wines from Campania in Southern italy
This region is located near Naples & Amalfi Coast. While the area produces some excellent reds, the whites of Fiano and Greco are standouts. There are other ancient varieties These are simple and rustic wines and offer great value. Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine
Cost: $75
Offered Spring 2024
Margaret River Wines From Western Australia
This is a temperate coastal area in the remote state of Western Australia; Located south of Perth, it known for its powerful chardonnays, structured Cabernet Sauvignons; This up and coming region is far from the wine production power centers of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales; Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine.
Cost:$75
Offered Spring 2024
Pinot Noir - U.S.A. vs France
This finicky and difficult grape to grow presents a challenge for many winemakers; Some of the best examples come from the USA and France. Do you prefer the fruit forward style from the US or the more elegant, refined, earthy style from France? We will discuss the differences and you decide who wins the battle of Pinots; Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine.
Cost:$75
Offered Spring 2024
Wine Spectator Top 100 Values -2023
Each year the Wine Spectator produces its top 100 wines from their blind tastings that have occurred during 2023 in additional to the top valued wines, most of which cost $25 or less per bottle; We will provide the full list of wines and discuss these values; Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine.
Cost: $ 75
Offered Summer 2024
International cabernet franc wines
Cabernet Franc is a red grape variety primarily found in France, but good examples come from USA, Canada,Australia, New Zealand , Chile, and South Africa. It is the original Cabernet grape and has a mouthwatering perfume, smooth texture that, when is blended, can tame with its famous cousin, Cabernet Sauvignon. We will discuss the history, styles and characteristics of this grape. We will taste and discuss this variety from various wine regions.
Cost: $75
Offered Summer 2024
Summer Roses
Rose wines from all international regions have come a long way since sweeter style White Zinfandel was the rage; Now they are serious fruit driven wines made in a dry style. They are refreshing and a perfect complement to summer fare. We will discuss the grape varieties style and best producers. Each class will end with a taste of these wines.
Cost: $75
Offered Summer 2024
Cabernet Sauvignons - A blind experience
Do you think the more you spend for Cabernet Sauvignon,or for any wine,it will be better quality?
Not necessarily? Maybe? Are you sure? We will taste various prices range selections BLIND!
Each bottle will be placed in a brown paper bag. You will decide which wine you like best, before the unveiling. Surprise? We will discuss the characeristics and styles of this grape.
Cost: 75
Offered Summer 2024
NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
These wines made from Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) based from town ofMontepulciano in southern Tuscany; Complex, Long lasting wines. They fall in the shadow of neighboring Chiantis, Brunellos and Super Tuscans. First D O G wines to appear on the Italian market. We will discuss the characteristics and food pairings of this varietal Each class will end with a taste of these wines
Cost:$75
WINES OF PORTUGAL
This small Iberian Peninsula country is most known for Ports and Madeira fortified wines, but their table wines, made mostly from indigenous grapes, have taken off in the last 30 years. These wines provide great value. We will discuss each varietal, producer, characteristics of each wine. Each class will end with a taste of some of the better and even lesser-known producers.
Cost:$75
WINES OF MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
This California area is part of the larger North Central CoastAVA. It includes notable sub apps of Santa Cruz Mns, Chalone and others; They are mostly known for cooler climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We will discuss each varietal, producer, characteristics of each wine. Each class will end with a taste of some of the producers.
Cost:$75
CHAMPAGNES AND OTHER SPARKLERS
Before the holiday season this popular class is a great finale to the 2023 year. We will review the process of how this sparkling beverage is made. Principle grape varieties used are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; We will discuss each producer, characteristics of each wine. Each class will end with a taste of some of the producers.
Cost:$75
Gewurztraminer from around the world
This ageable, spicy, white grape is grown in many countries; the best examples from France, Germany to USA; the grape aromas are varied from lychees, orange, citrus and many others; we will explore the various styles from each country; Each class will end with a taste of these wines
Cost:$75
Wines from Lodi, California
Lodi AVA is located 35 miles south of Sacramento and grows about 20% of the States’ wines. Affordable white and red wines are produced. We will discuss the history and grapes of up-and-coming wine areas. Each class with end with a taste of wines .
Cost:$75
Wines from michigan
Michigan has two grape growing regions which are located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan; while initial focus was growing French American hybrids, they now concentrate on cool climate vinifera grapes such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir We will discuss the various styles from these regions, food and wine pairings; Each class with conclude with a tasting of these wines.
Cost:$75
international malbec
The Malbec grape is best known in Argentina but is also grown in other parts of the world. We will discuss the history of the origin of this varietal, styles and characteristics, growing regions, food pairings. Class will end with a taste of some of the noted wines from Argentina and other regions.
Cost:$75
Wines from Hungary
When many think of Hungarian wines, they think of Tokaj, the well-regarded sweet wine; But Hungary produces some outstanding sparkling, red and white still wines from both international and native grape varieties such as the red Kekfrankos. We will discuss each wine and varietal. Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine.
Cost: $ 75
Pinot Gris from Around the World
Pinot Gris is a white wine in the Pinot family. Many feel it is an alternative to Chardonnay. Pinot Gris is made in many parts of the world from Alsace in France, New Zealand, Germany, USA regions. Depending on where it is made, the styles are different. We will discuss this grapple and its various styles. Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine
Cost: $ 75
Lesser-Known Grapes and Regions
There are over 25,000 grape varieties in the world. Many are unknown to us but there are interesting varietals and lesser-known regions from which they are grown. We will discuss each wine, region, and similarities to varieties you are more familiar. Each class will conclude with a tasting and discussion of each wine.
Cost: $ 75
Bordeaux Lesser-Known Estates
Bordeaux wines are one of the most coveted and sought after wines; There are over 10,000 chateaus some wines can be very expensive but there are values as well. Many of the these lesser known estates offer excellent value. Most whites and reds are blended. We will discuss the various sub regions, characteristics, food pairings of each varietal. Each class will end with a taste of these wines
Loire Valley
Loire Valley are better known for their white wines, Sancerre, Vouvray, etc but also make excellent red wines from Cabernet Franc from appellations of Chinon, Saumur Champigny. These wines, which include some made in a dry rose style, are easy to drink and pair well with food. We will discuss the region and variety and how it differs from other regions in the world. We conclude each class with a tasting and discussion of some of the wines.
Blended red and white wines
When you think of blended wines, many feel they are mostly red styles but there are many wineries in all parts of the world that use blended white varieties. The styles vary from light and crisp to a larger mouth feel. We will discuss the varieties, styles, countries such as France, US, Argentina, and others. Each class will conclude with a taste of some of better examples.
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of American Whiskey primarily from Kentucky. It, is a barrel aged, distilled liquor made primary from corn. The name is derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, although is derivation is uncertain. We will discuss the various styles and aromas. There is a similarity in tasting wines and spirits. Sometimes we need a break from tasting wines. Class will end with a taste of some of the noted whiskeys.
PICNIC WINES—BOTTLES, CANS, AND COOLERS
Summer months are a great time for beaches, picnics, hiking, and other outdoor activities. We will explore the easy to pack beverages with smaller wine/sparkling bottles, canned wines and lower alcohol coolers, perfect for hot summer days or evenings consumption; we will discuss each category and the contents of each beverage; each class will end with a taste of these beverages
Obscure Red and White Wines
It is always interesting to try different grape varieties and ones of which the student may not be familiar; varieties such as aligote, godello, malagousia & vranec & others come to mind as grapes worth seeking out; we will discuss each grape, history, and profiles; will any one of them taste like a more familiar grape. Each class will end with a tasting of several examples.