Hillman Tok University: Wine & Culture for Beginners (Spring 2025)
Downloadable Documents
Enhance your wine course experience with our essential resources! Download the course syllabus to stay organized and ensure you’re covering all key topics. To refine your tasting skills, be sure to use the downloadable Wine Tasting Guide, designed to help you practice and develop a deeper understanding of wine characteristics. Whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast, these tools will support your learning journey and elevate your wine appreciation. Don’t miss out—download them now and start exploring the world of wine with confidence!
Homework Assignments
New assignments will be posted regularly for students to download and complete on their own. These assignments are designed to help reinforce the material covered during the each mini-lecture series and allow students to practice applying their knowledge independently. By working through these exercises, students will deepen their understanding of the course topics and ensure they are prepared for upcoming lectures and assessments. The assignments serve as a valuable tool for self-paced learning and continued engagement with the material.
Homework #1:
General Methods of Wine Production
Students will gain an understanding of the key steps in wine production, from grape harvesting to fermentation and aging, and how each stage influences the final wine’s style and quality.
Homework #2:
Wine Tasting – Color, Aromas, & Structure
Students will learn to identify and describe the basic characteristics of wine (acidity, tannins, sweetness, body, alcohol) and understand how these elements contribute to a wine’s profile.
Homework #3:
Wine Grapes & Regional Climates
Students will explore the relationship between different wine grape varieties and their respective wine regions, understanding how terroir influences flavor profiles and wine characteristics
Homework #5:
Food and Wine Pairings
Students will learn how to pair wine with food by exploring how different food flavors can enhance or diminish the key wine characteristics.
Homework #6:
Wine Oxidation
Students will explore the basics of wine oxidation, its effect on a wine’s flavor profile, and different methods of controlled oxidation.
Homework #7:
Wine Serving Temperatures
Students will learn the ideal serving temperatures for different wine styles and how these temperatures influence its taste and texture.
Homework #8:
Palate Expansion
Students will learn how to use different strategies to expand their palate by identifying wines with flavor profiles that either align or slightly deviate from their preferences.
Homework #9:
Wine Aging
Students will understand the process of wine aging, including how time and environmental factors affect the flavors, aromas, and overall quality of wine.
Homework #11:
Wine Spoilage
Upcoming: 05/09/25
About This Course
This course is designed for those eager to explore the world of wine, whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your knowledge. Through a series of interactive lectures and tastings, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the basics of wine, including the essential characteristics of different styles, the key factors that influence flavor, and the methods of production. You’ll learn how to taste wine like a pro, developing the vocabulary to describe its appearance, aroma, and taste.
We’ll dive into the world of wine regions and grape varieties, uncovering how terroir affects the flavors and profiles of wines around the globe. Students will also discover how to pair wine with food, exploring how different flavors in food can enhance or alter the wine experience. You’ll gain insight into wine aging, spoilage, and potential allergens, equipping you with the knowledge to confidently navigate wine choices in a variety of settings.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to enjoy and discuss wine with a deeper appreciation, whether you’re selecting a bottle for dinner, hosting a tasting, or simply enjoying a glass with friends.