Conduct a Product Tasting for Alcoholic Beverages

With its roots in ancient cultures as early as 6,000 BC, wine has long been part of the human experience. Today, increasing worldwide interest in wine and its complexities and varieties has created an international market valued at $304 billion annually. For the learner who is just getting started in the study of wine, this course will help you take the first steps toward understanding the physiological process of wine tasting. The first module will explore types of wine and help you set up your own tasting. You’ll also begin to build a sensory vocabulary. In module 2 you will review classic wine types of the world and set up flights of specific wines. Later we’ll examine the various faults and defects that can appear in wine as well as techniques for spotting problems. In week 4 we’ll delve into the complex world of wine and food pairings, and its “seven deadly sins.” The course will culminate in a peer review project in which you will apply the knowledge and sensory techniques you have developed throughout the course to assess a specific wine.

Go behind-the-scenes with celebrated California roaster Blue Bottle for a one-hour class on sourcing, brewing, and tasting everyone's favorite bean. From the plant to your cup, Michael Phillips brings every lesson to life while also offering options — giving you a process for making a simple cup or going the distance with pro equipment. Filmed on location at Blue Bottle's original roastery and cupping room, this class is designed to be both enjoyable while also deepening your knowledge of coffee in everyday life. From your morning ritual to even hosting your own coffee tasting at home, these insights will come alive in your own

Learn to make a dish look as great as it tastes. In this 30-minute class, freelance food photographer Daniel Krieger (New York Times, Eater.com, and more) reveals how he styles and shoots food both on the job and when he's out on his own. Each bite-sized video lesson covers his gear, ordering, shooting in daylight, and the images that make his portfolio stand out. Whether you use a DSLR or iPhone camera (or both), you'll love watching Daniel's gorgeous images come to life — and then creating your own.