The Everyday Guide to Wine

Watch The Everyday Guide to Wine

  • 2010
  • 1 Season

The Everyday Guide to Wine is a comprehensive guide to wine appreciation presented by The Great Courses. The show consists of 24 engaging and informative lectures, each around 30 minutes long, and is hosted by Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, a Master of Wine and the VP of the Wine and Spirits Education at the International Wine Center.

Throughout the series, Simonetti-Bryan guides viewers on a journey through the history of winemaking and the different regions and styles of wine production. The aim of the series is to teach viewers everything they need to know to better appreciate and select wine, whether they are an experienced oenophile or a complete beginner.

The first several lectures set the foundation for the rest of the series. Simonetti-Bryan covers the basics of wine production, including grape varieties, fermentation, and aging. She also provides a helpful primer on wine tasting, explaining how to properly evaluate the appearance, aroma, and flavor of a wine.

From there, the series dives deep into the major wine-producing regions around the world. Simonetti-Bryan covers classics like France, Italy, and Spain, as well as lesser-known wine regions such as Eastern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. For each region, she discusses the local climate, soil, and grape varieties, along with the different wine styles and traditions that have developed there.

Along the way, Simonetti-Bryan provides plenty of tips on selecting, serving, and storing wine. Viewers will learn about the different wine categories and labeling systems, how to properly aerate and decant wine, and how to create the perfect food pairing. She also provides advice on building a wine collection and investing in rare and vintage wines.

One of the standout features of The Everyday Guide to Wine is the high-quality production values. The lectures are accompanied by beautiful footage of vineyards, wineries, and wine regions around the world. The visuals help to reinforce the concepts being discussed and make the show a delight to watch.

Another strength of the show is Simonetti-Bryan's engaging and accessible style. She is an experienced educator and does an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand terms. Her passion for wine is infectious and she clearly enjoys sharing her knowledge with viewers.

Despite the depth of information covered, The Everyday Guide to Wine never feels overwhelming. The pacing is well-balanced and the lectures are filled with interesting anecdotes and examples that make the content engaging and relatable.

Overall, The Everyday Guide to Wine is an exceptional resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of wine. Simonetti-Bryan is an expert guide who is able to demystify the world of wine and make it accessible to anyone. Whether you're a casual wine drinker or a seasoned oenophile, this series is sure to expand your knowledge and appreciation of this fascinating beverage.

The Everyday Guide to Wine is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between May 7, 2010 and on The Great Courses

The Everyday Guide to Wine
Filter by Source

Seasons
Wine for Any Occasion and Any Food
24. Wine for Any Occasion and Any Food
May 7, 2010
Conclude with answers to questions about pairing wines with food and occasions. Should a wine complement or contrast a meal? What kind of wine should you serve on particular holidays? What are some myths about wine pairing? How should you serve wine to guests?
Becoming a Knowledgeable Wine Buyer
23. Becoming a Knowledgeable Wine Buyer
May 7, 2010
Discover tips on how to purchase wine, how to order the perfect bottle at restaurants, how to store wine for the short and long term, how to treat wine as an investment, and much more.
Wines of New Zealand and South Africa
22. Wines of New Zealand and South Africa
May 7, 2010
Visit New Zealand and the regions of Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, and Martinborough. Then, travel to Stellenbosch in South Africa, whose high-end Bordeaux blends are a delicious mix of Old World and New World tastes.
The Best of Australia and Tasmania
21. The Best of Australia and Tasmania
May 7, 2010
In terms of wine, Australia and Tasmania has it all: cool and warm climates, French and American oaks, white and red varieties. Australia also makes the top wine imported into the United States. Survey its popular wines, including a Riesling-like Semillon from Hunter Valley and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawara.
Sampling Argentina and Chile
20. Sampling Argentina and Chile
May 7, 2010
South American wines have grown in popularity around the world. Here, Ms. Simonetti-Bryan guides you through the Chilean regions, including Maipo, Rapel, and Curicó, as well as Argentine vineyards in Mendoza and San Juan.
Other U.S. Regions, Mexico, and Canada
19. Other U.S. Regions, Mexico, and Canada
May 7, 2010
Where are the wine pioneers of today and tomorrow? The answer: New York, Virginia, Texas, and other U.S. states, each of which, you discover, has its own approach to making quality wines. Also, take brief trips to wine regions in Mexico and Canada, where you sample one of Ontario's internationally popular ice wines.
U.S. Regions: Washington and Oregon
18. U.S. Regions: Washington and Oregon
May 7, 2010
How do Oregon producers differ from their California neighbors? What's so unique about Washington's grape vines? Learn the answers to these and other questions as you taste their versions of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.
U.S. Regions: California
17. U.S. Regions: California
May 7, 2010
California produces 90% of America's wine and is the fourth-largest producer of wine in the world. Travel through the state's rich wine regions: including Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Santa Barbara: and explore its grape varieties, including the predominant Zinfandel.
The Tastes of Spain and Portugal
16. The Tastes of Spain and Portugal
May 7, 2010
Conclude your tour of Old World wine regions with Spanish and Portuguese wines. Many of the wines you learn about and sample: including a Rioja, a Rueda, a Jumilla, and a Duoro red: bridge the gap between traditional and international modern styles of winemaking.
The Tastes of Germany and Austria
15. The Tastes of Germany and Austria
May 7, 2010
Germany is home to some of the most versatile wines to pair with food. Austria, following a scandal, has turned around its reputation and has begun producing a fantastic quality of wines. Explore both regions, with a particular focus on their variations of Riesling. Also, learn how to decode German wine labels.
Wines of Southern Italy
14. Wines of Southern Italy
May 7, 2010
Explore the wines of southern Italy. You visit Tuscany, home of Chianti; Campania, the source of the legendary Lacryma Christi (or Tears of Christ); and Sicily, whose Nero d'Avola is a rising star among red wine drinkers.
Wines of Northern Italy
13. Wines of Northern Italy
May 7, 2010
Welcome to Italy, home to over 1,000 grape varieties. You sample a Barolo and Amarone (two pillars of Italian wine), a Pinot Grigio (the quintessential crowd-pleasing white wine), and other northern Italian wines.
French Regions: Rhone, Languedoc, Provence
12. French Regions: Rhone, Languedoc, Provence
May 7, 2010
Sample beautiful wines from the Rhône Valley and the coastline regions of Languedoc and Provence. You are introduced to a youthful and floral Viognier, a refreshing rosé from Tavel, and a peppery red from Mas Belles Eaux.
French Regions: Burgundy and Alsace
11. French Regions: Burgundy and Alsace
May 7, 2010
How do you top the rich, full-bodied wines of Bordeaux? Find out in this engaging lecture that takes you through the silky and delicate wines of Burgundy (including those from Chablis and Beaujolais) and the German-influenced tastes of Alsace (including varieties of Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris).
French Regions: Bordeaux and Loire
10. French Regions: Bordeaux and Loire
May 7, 2010
French wines are the benchmarks of quality, which makes France the perfect place to begin your tour of some of the world's greatest wine regions. You explore the powerful reds and delicate whites of two wine-producing regions, learn how to read a wine label, and gain insights into how chateaux in Bordeaux are classified.
What to Drink with Dessert
9. What to Drink with Dessert
May 7, 2010
Sauternes; Tokaji; Ice Wine; Vin Santo: wines go great either with or as dessert. Survey the range of dessert wines, paying particular attention to three ways these wines can be produced: the process of noble rot, the harvesting of frozen grapes, and the drying of grapes.
Port, Sherry, and Other Fortified Wines
8. Port, Sherry, and Other Fortified Wines
May 7, 2010
Fortified wines: wines whose alcoholic strength has been fortified: are the perfect accompaniment to the beginning or end of a meal. Here, learn more about these wines as you taste your way through the distinctive characteristics of ruby port, sherry, and Madeira.
Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines
7. Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines
May 7, 2010
Venture into the world of sparkling wines, one of the least-understood but highest-quality wines in the world. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan reveals how wines like Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco originated, how they're produced, and how they taste. She even shows you the correct way to open and serve your favorite bottle.
The Reds: Pinot Noir to Cabernet
6. The Reds: Pinot Noir to Cabernet
May 7, 2010
Experience the Red Noble grape varieties, specifically Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Studied together, these varieties will expose you to the fascinating range of red wine grapes: from the light-bodied and aromatic to the full-bodied and tannin-rich.
The Whites: Riesling to Chardonnay
5. The Whites: Riesling to Chardonnay
May 7, 2010
In the first lecture on the Noble grape varieties (used in those wines you see most often), focus on the most captivating varieties of white wine: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. As you explore each wine's unique characteristics, you'll strengthen your ability to compare it with other wines and grape varieties.
Winemaking: From Harvest to Bottle
4. Winemaking: From Harvest to Bottle
May 7, 2010
Continue your look at winemaking by focusing on the grape's journey from the vine to your palate. When are grapes ready to be picked? What is the difference between wine fermented in steel and in oak barrels? Why is there heated debate over filtering wines? Discover answers here.
Winemaking: From Vineyard to Harvest
3. Winemaking: From Vineyard to Harvest
May 7, 2010
The sensation of drinking a good or bad wine relies on what happens to its source grape in the vineyard. This lecture takes you through the first half of the wine-making process and reveals how climate, altitude, weather patterns, and other factors play a critical role in shaping a wine's flavor and quality.
A Taster's Tool Kit
2. A Taster's Tool Kit
May 7, 2010
Wine tasting can seem like a mysterious ritual, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Here, learn how to properly perform the five steps of tasting: seeing, swirling, sniffing, sipping, and savoring. Also, make sense of wine-related terminology, including full-bodied, crisp, length, balance, and finish.
Why Learn about Wine?
1. Why Learn about Wine?
May 7, 2010
Ms. Simonetti-Bryan answers this question in an engaging introductory lecture that sets the stage for the subsequent lectures. Survey the millennia-old history of wine, discover what kind of wine consumer you are, explore wine culture in America, and more.
Description
Where to Watch The Everyday Guide to Wine
The Everyday Guide to Wine is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Everyday Guide to Wine on demand at Apple TV Channels and Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    May 7, 2010