In eCornell Certificate Programs
Italian wines come in many different styles and are constantly evolving, making them an exciting combination of old-world tradition and modern innovations in grape growing and winemaking. From traditional nebbiolo, to the world-renowned sangiovese, to lesser-known grape varieties like trebbiano and brachetto, the Wines of Italy certificate program will take you through four major geographical zones within the country to not only explore the history of viticulture and winemaking in each of Italy’s major areas, but also to analyze the unique regional geographic features that impact the wine.
To prepare for this journey, you will first complete the “Wine Essentials” course to build a foundational understanding of viticulture, winemaking, and wine evaluation. In the next course, “Foundations of Italian Wines,” you’ll dive into the Italian wine classification systems and take a closer look at the varietals grown in each zone of Italy, including how the climate affects the grape and wine outcomes. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to examine Italian wine labels to better understand and anticipate the characteristics of a given wine. In the third and final course, “Experiencing Wines of Italy,” you’ll put what you’ve learned into practice by selecting Italian wines to taste, share, and compare.
Whether you’re working in a professional hospitality setting, entertaining, or simply enjoying, after completing the program, you’ll be able to select, experience, and recommend Italian wines with greater confidence — not to mention impress your guests!
The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.