Diploma Module 3 - The Final Frontier...

So it's been just under 2 years since I headed down this track, in the quest to quench my desire for wine knowledge. I have just completed my final module (Module 3 - Wines of the Old World) of Diploma at The Cape Wine Academy. The final exam was written last night and now all that is left to do is hold thumbs in the hopes that I passed and then drink, I mean taste wines like a thirsty mad man over the weekend, as practice for the practical tasting exam on Monday! This I shall have no problem studying for! hahaha

Module 3 was very interesting as we covered various old world wine producing countries including: Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and Israel. I learnt a tremendous amount and it was fantastic learning not only about the various grape varieties and wine styles of these fantastic countries, but also about their cultures and history. I have decided that over the next few years, international travels will be planned around visiting the wine regions of all these countries, as its all good and well learning about them on paper and drinking their wines too, but now I need to experience it! 

Enjoying a Riesling in the Mosel, a Chasselas near Geneva, a Tokaj Aszu in Hungary, a Chianti in Tuscany, a Port in the Douro or a Tempranillo in Rioja, sounds damn fantastic to me! It will be such an experience to convert this knowledge into unforgettable and much appreciative experiences. We all know how much better a wine tastes in its natural home setting in the vineyards...  

I will admit that Module 3 to me was the most challenging of the 4 and it felt like a system overload at times, so my advice, start revising way in advance if you write this exam! 

There are many different words, regions, wine styles and quality categories for example to learn in each particular language.

So what next? Masters perhaps?? oh the love of the grape makes you do crazy things I tell you ;)

To start a wine course and to see the list of courses the Cape Wine Academy has on offer, visit their website at: www.capewineacademy.co.za or contact them on 011 024 3616.

     

Diploma Modules 1, 4, 2, 3... Go!

So I completed and better yet, passed, Module 1 of Diploma at the Cape Wine Academy. I have attended all the Module 4 lectures and will write the exam for such in 3 weeks time... hold thumbs! 

Modules 2 and 3 will be completed next year, after which I will hopefully commence with Masters thereafter, ouch! Masters sounds damn hardcore, but hey, it's all interesting and an excellent learning experience.

Thus far, I have learnt a tremendous amount and realised that no one person will ever know all there is to know about wine. It's such a vast subject with new innovative winemaking techniques always surfacing, differing cultures of countries and appellation/ wine of origin requirements, thousands of grape varieties, various climates,  varying terroir and new clones, it sounds almost impossible to keep abreast and that's what keeps it exciting ;)

Diploma is a lot more intensive then the previous Certificate course, which gives one an excellent foundation of South African viticulture, winemaking and the industry. Diploma Module 1 covered viniculture, viticulture and a brief introduction into France. Module 4 has been about wines of the new world and wow, what a thrilling experience to try different wines from around the world with a similar winemaking style to South Africa. Although new world wines are similar in that sense, per country basis, they are very different in character. It all seemed overwhelming initially, but eventually you start noticing characteristic trends of the various countries and realise the more wine you drink, the better you get! Just as time on the saddle is the best way to get mountain biking fit, sticking your nose into a wine glass and devouring it's beauty, is the best way to become wine tasting savvy. It's such a pleasing experience to be able to identify from which country individual wines in a blind flight come from! Well, it's difficult to get it right every time, but one day when I'm big and after litres and litres of more practice, I should eventually take my tasting abilities a notch up. 

I am thoroughly looking forward to Modules 2 and 3 next year, which will cover "Wines of France" and "Wines of the Old World."

For a list of courses the Cape Wine Academy has on offer, visit their website at: www.capewineacademy.co.za or contact them on 011 024 3616.

HAPPY WINE LEARNING!

Would You Like Some Cheese With That "Whine?"

Do you enjoy wine? Do you enjoy cheese? How about pairing the two together? 

For those that are interested, the Cape Wine Academy is launching a new course on 21 August 2014 at Miele in Johannesburg. Be sure not to miss out and book asap, see the advert below for details: