Behind The Bottle: A Journey Into Wine Education

We are often complimented on our wine knowledge….

Customers and friends alike are always in awe when we magically seem to know all about a wine without always having tried it. While tasting as many wines as possible is absolutely necessary in our line of work, sometimes we just haven’t gotten around to a particular bottle... yet. But we can still tell you our best ideas of what it might taste like.

This is the result of good wine education.

Since it’s the beginning of a new year, I’d love to share my experience of becoming a wine professional and the education that comes along with it. At Vine Styles, we strive to make your experience of shopping for wine enjoyable and exciting, helping you connect with each bottle you carefully select. We want to help you understand that we aren’t crazy when we ask if you taste wet stone, mushrooms, or even horse sweat in your wine. We want to help you appreciate those sorts of flavours and understand why they make wine so fascinating.

Everyone's Journey is Different

I found myself at a crossroads during a very difficult time in my life. I had always practised the art of self-preservation, choosing to pursue what I was "good at" rather than what I was passionate about. While I excelled in my career, it was ultimately not good for me.

It was during a cerebral moment—enjoying a delicious glass of a red Rhône blend—that my husband encouraged me to pursue something I found truly beautiful: wine. Wine is endlessly fascinating. It’s one of the few things in life that touches on almost all aspects of humanity. It intertwines with art, culture, geography, geology, politics, religion, history, and so much more.

 

Humans have consumed alcohol since the beginning of time—since we were primates discovering the psychological effects of fermented fruit. As humanity evolved, so did our relationship with alcohol, embedding it deeply into the cultural and historical fabric of humanity. For me, this fascination naturally evolved into a desire to truly understand wine—not just as a beverage but as a reflection of history, culture, and craftsmanship.

Now, where to start?

I began with free or low-cost online materials, like Wine Folly, which is an excellent starting point for anyone curious about wine. It’s a great resource for exploring different grape varieties and learning what to look for in wine. But I wanted more. I sought a course on wine that was internationally recognized. That led me to two primary streams of wine education:

Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

WSET is an excellent place to start for those looking to deepen their wine knowledge. They offer levels 1–3 in wine education, with additional courses focusing on spirits and sakes. Once you’ve completed all three levels, you can pursue the Diploma, a rigorous one-year program that dives into viticulture, winemaking practices, and regional intricacies. This path is ideal for those looking to work in the wine industry, particularly in retail or at a winery.

Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS)

If you’re leaning toward the restaurant side of the industry, the Court of Master Sommeliers is the way to go. You may have heard of it from the Netflix documentary Somm. Before diving into the CMS Level 1 course, I recommend completing at least WSET Level 2, as CMS tends to be more challenging for beginners. Their path is incredibly detailed, preparing professionals for roles as sommeliers and beyond.

These two education paths are among the most prestigious worldwide, offering a strong foundation for anyone passionate about wine.

I wish I knew about oenology when I was planning my life. Oenology is the science and study of wine and winemaking. Oenology programs delve into the scientific processes of fermentation, viticulture, and winemaking. Universities like UC Davis in California or Bordeaux Sciences Agro offer some of the most renowned programs in the world. If you have the money and time, this is something truly worthwhile to pursue.

You Don’t Need to Drink to Learn How to Taste—but It Helps

When it comes to tasting, the above-mentioned courses provide a detailed approach. However, what it really comes down to is olfactory sensory education.

In other words, go and smell the roses—literally. Smell that ripe plum, that wet rock, or even pencil shavings. Start building your “aroma library” by acting like a bit of a crazy person and smelling everything around you.

That way, when you catch the scent of pencil shavings in a wine, you can confidently pull it from your brain’s index of aromas and maybe even make a case for it being a Bordeaux blend from Pauillac.

Instead of immediately declaring, “Riesling! This is obviously Riesling! I love Riesling,” ask yourself: how do you know it isn’t Gewürztraminer? Do you know what sets them apart? The best way to understand what you’re tasting is to use a systematic approach.

Break it down into four key areas:

1. Appearance
   What does the wine look like? Is it bubbly, clear, or cloudy? What’s the colour? (If it’s red, it’s probably not Pinot Grigio.)

2. Nose
   Does it smell drinkable, or does it seem off? (Think wet dog, nail polish remover, or vinegar.) How intense is the aroma? And here’s the fun part: what do you smell? Red or black berries, citrus, forest floor, mushrooms, honey, apricot, or something else entirely?

3. Palate
   This gets a bit more complex. Is the wine dry, sweet, or somewhere in between? (You’ll perceive sweetness at the tip of your tongue.) How full does it feel in your mouth? (That’s the body.) Does it have acidity that makes your cheeks water? Are there tannins that dry your mouth out a little?

4. Conclusion
   Once you’ve gathered all this information, try to make an educated guess. Then comes the reveal—did you get it right?

My instructor always reminded us, “Think like a detective and argue like a lawyer.” People will try to convince you that their tasting notes are more accurate than yours. Stay confident in your observations and trust your palate.

At the end of the day, wine is more than what’s in the glass—it’s a story waiting to be told, a mystery waiting to be solved, and an experience waiting to be shared. So, whether you’re chasing the scent of pencil shavings in a Bordeaux or savouring the aroma of wet stone in a Riesling, remember that your journey is uniquely yours.

Cheers,
Jen Sarpe dipWSET

P.S. If you’re feeling like you’d like to stretch your legs in blind tasting, make sure to check out our “Blind Tasting” Section in-store. Grab yourself a bagged bottle as well as a tasting sheet to take your notes! (It’s super fun!)

All photos used here are from my personal wine journey.