Classes are held every Monday evening from January 8th to March 4th, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

When you think of modern wine, do you imagine a cow rambling through a vineyard in Coonawarra, South Australia? Probably not; you most likely imagine the golden sparkle of a Napa Valley winery. However, the modern wine trade has its roots in the trade routes of the 19th Century, and in this program, we trace the origins of the modern wine trade to what it has become.

In this program, we taste the wines that gave birth to the New World of Wine.

South Africa

The Dutch East India Company opened up the trade routes in South Africa that seeded the way for the modern wineries of Paarl and Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. We explore the wines and wine regions that make South Africa a rising force in the 21st century.

Australia

The United Kingdom dreamt of a colonial wine region, and it was up to the British East India Company to discover one. The origin story of Australia as a penal colony has captured the imagination of many scholars, but it’s far from complete. The story of how Australia became a wine country is captivating: By the 18th century, these wines were drunk at Queen Victoria’s table in Buckingham Palace.

Latin America

A labyrinth of trading companies backed by the Portuguese and Spanish monarchies dominated Latin America. The internecine trade wars defined the countries, intrigues, and economies. We dive into the wine cultures of the region and explore how Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Mexico have each become unique voices in the wine world.

For Online Students

For online students, a list of wines and a link to live stream this program will be supplied three months before the start of class.