About the course

In part one of Wines of the World, we covered the key European wine-producing countries of France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Germany and Austria. In part two, we explore Italy and Greece, and travel beyond Europe to the USA, Chile and Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. 

Over 10 modules, wine experts and educators Philip Rich and Sebastian Zotti will teach you all you need to know about each country’s wine laws, regions and appellations, and the grape varieties and wine styles associated with each.

By the end of the course, not only will you have expanded your wine knowledge, but you should also have the tools you need to confidently navigate restaurant wine lists and bottle shops, both here and abroad. Perhaps you’ll even graduate with a new favourite grape variety or wine style.

As each course focuses on different countries, it is not essential to have completed part one of Wines of the World before you tackle part two. We do recommend you study both courses though, as combined they offer a more complete picture of the global wine landscape. If you find you need a refresh on the basics, we also offer the foundational Introduction to Wine course.  

 

Wines of the World Europe and Beyond

Curriculum

    1. Welcome to Wines of the World

    1. Overview

    2. Italy's classification system

    3. Climate

    4. Resource: Map of Italy

    1. Introduction to Northern Italy

    2. Overview of Northern Italy

    3. Region: Veneto

    4. Region: Trentino-Alto Adige

    5. Region: Lombardy

    6. Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia

    7. Region: Piemonte

    8. Introduction to Barolo and Barbaresco (Piemonte)

    9. Region: Barolo (Piemonte)

    10. Region: Barbaresco (Piemonte)

    11. Other Piemonte DOCs

    12. Quiz

    13. Northern Italian wines to try

    14. Resource: Map of Northern Italy

    15. Resource: Map of Piemonte

    16. Resource: Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG regulations

    17. Resource: Valtellina subregions and styles

    1. Introduction to Central Italy

    2. Region: Tuscany 

    3. Chianti

    4. Chianti Rules and Regulations 

    5. Brunello di Montalcino 

    6. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 

    7. Region: The Tuscan Coast 

    8. Other Central Italian Regions 

    9. Region: Sardina 

    10. Quiz

    11. Central Italian wines to try

    12. Resource: Map of Tuscany

    13. Resource: Map of Chianti

    14. Resource: Chianti communes and classification requirements

    1. Introduction to Southern Italy

    2. Overview of Southern Italy

    3. Region: Campania  

    4. Regions: Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria

    5. Region: Sicily

    6. Quiz

    7. Southern Italian wines to try

    8. Resource: Map of Southern Italy

    1. Introduction to Greece

    2. Overview

    3. Climate and soils

    4. Key grape varieties and styles

    5. Region: Santorini

    6. Region: Nemea

    7. Region: Naoussa

    8. Quiz

    9. Greek wines to try

    10. Resource: Map of Greece

Wines of the World Europe and Beyond

  • $199.00
  • 115 lessons

How does the course work?

The course is a combination of written notes and videos produced and presented by our team of experts at Halliday Wine Companion. 

Once you complete each of the 10 modules, you'll be asked to answer a short quiz testing your knowledge on what you have just learned before you move onto the next module. 

Upon completion of all the modules, you become a Halliday Wine Academy graduate and receive a certificate showcasing your new-found wine skills. Something for the CV, that’s for sure.

The course should take about 3-4 hours to complete, but we recommend splitting your modules over a few different sittings to let the lessons absorb properly (and to put your knowledge to the test).

You can sign up to the course at any time.

All About Halliday Wine Academy

With Erin Larkin

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Wines of the World Europe and Beyond

Perfectly Paired Wine Academy Pack

Elevate your experience with a six or 12 pack of wines

To get the most out of your Wines of the World course, we’ve curated a global 12-pack and an Italian-only six-pack of wines for you to select from. 

Featuring wines selected by the course instructors, each is emblematic of the country and region it hails from, and are the perfect companion to your journey through Europe and 

The six pack includes:

  • Paolo Scavino Langhe Nebbiolo 2022, Piedmont
  • Pietradolce Etna Rosso DOC 2022, Sicily
  • Seghesio Zinfandel 2021, Sonoma County
  • Domaine Sigalas Aa Santorini PDO Assyrtiko 2022
  • Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2022, Martinborough
  • Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc 2022, Stellenbosch

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The 12 pack includes:

  • Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2022, California
  • Alamos Malbec 2023, Argentina
  • The Winery of Good Hope Full Berry Fermentation Pinotage 2022, Northern Stellenbosch and Paarl
  • Viña Ventisquero Queulat Gran Reserva Carménère 2021, Maipo Valley
  • Alamos Torontes 2023, Mendoza
  • Kir-Yianni Naoussa Village Xinomavro 2020
  • Cantina Pra Soave Classico Otto DOC 2023
  • Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG 2022
  • G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2022
  • Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2024, Kumeu
  • Vanita Nero d'Avola Organico 2022, Sicily
  • Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2022

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Instructor(s)

Halliday Wine Companion

For almost 30 years, the Halliday Wine Companion, founded by James Halliday, has served as the definitive guide to Australian wine. Today, a dedicated team of wine authorities collectively taste around 9000 wines each year. With more than 160,000 tasting notes from over 3500 wineries, winecompanion.com.au is Australia's most comprehensive collection of wine reviews and ratings. Halliday magazine is printed bi-monthly and offers a uniquely approachable take on wine, food and travel, and in 2022 both Halliday Wine Club and Halliday Wine Academy were launched to serve the Australian wine community. We also publish the Halliday Wine Companion guide – the bestselling annual which sets the benchmark for winemakers, collectors and wine lovers alike. With Halliday Wine Companion, you'll never drink a bad bottle of wine again.

Ned Goodwin

Master of Wine

Born in London, raised in Australia and educated in Tokyo and Paris, Ned splits his time between Tokyo, where he lived for 14 years, and his beloved Sydney. Ned is a dux of the Len Evans Tutorial, Japan’s first Master of Wine, an educator, consultant, judge, critic and motivational speaker and presenter. He has served as wine director for one of Asia's largest restaurant groups and was also the ‘wine face’ for All Nippon Airways. In addition, he is an Asian-focused ambassador for a Champagne house, the host of Langton’s TV, has had his own TV wine show in Japan, is on the Wine Committee at Italy’s illustrious Biondi-Santi, and has his own import company, Wine Diamonds. Before Japan, Ned was a sommelier, including at Michelin-starred Veritas in New York, which had arguably the finest wine list in the world. Ned is a valued member of the Halliday Tasting Team, he's been tasting for the annual Halliday Wine Companion since 2016.

Erin Larkin

Wine Expert

Erin is an independent wine writer, judge and presenter based in Perth, Western Australia, with an individual, grass-roots approach to her work. Multi-skilled when it comes to the business of wine, she is a prolific presenter and educator across multiple platforms, and an Australian wine show judge, with a focus on, and curiosity for, WA specifically. Erin is also an active consultant for retail and private clients, with a keen eye for quality and creativity in wine, marrying classic and contemporary perspectives. She has a weekly newspaper column and a YouTube channel where she opens and discusses a vast array of wines, releasing up to two videos a week. Erin was a part of the Halliday Tasting Team up until 2022 when she joined Wine Advocate as its first Australian reviewer for Australian wines.

What our students are saying

5 star rating

Very well structured wine course

Peter Shiels

As an introduction into wine or better put, a "practical guide" this was excellent. Each module was well set out and focused on the practical elements that help to expand your knowledge, reinforce understanding and importantly, stimulate one's in...

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As an introduction into wine or better put, a "practical guide" this was excellent. Each module was well set out and focused on the practical elements that help to expand your knowledge, reinforce understanding and importantly, stimulate one's inquisitive self to further research those areas that were of particular interest. I found it interesting and easy to follow. I think it was good value for money.

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5 star rating

Introduction to Wine

Gary Dunn

Very good. Even as a long time wine enthusiast I learnt more about wine than I expected and will become more adventurous in my selections in future. Some phrases used would require definition for less experienced students but overall a very appr...

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Very good. Even as a long time wine enthusiast I learnt more about wine than I expected and will become more adventurous in my selections in future. Some phrases used would require definition for less experienced students but overall a very approachable and useful course.

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5 star rating

Well Done!

Allan Yung

The course is well structured. Great sharing by MW Ned and Erin. Complements what I learnt from WSET L2 Wine.

The course is well structured. Great sharing by MW Ned and Erin. Complements what I learnt from WSET L2 Wine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is this course created for?

    This course is created with the beginner in mind, but is also a great learning tool for more experienced drinkers. If you want to perfect the meaning of that elusive term "terroir" or become an expert at wine evaluation and the basics of food and wine matching, this course is for you.

  • Do you have any other courses available?

    We are currently working on more courses and will let you know once they’re available. For now, it is just the ‘Introduction to Wine’.

  • Do I have to complete the course in a certain period?

    The course is entirely self-paced and you can complete this in your own time. Once you've purchased the course, you can access it anytime for six months.

  • What do I get when I complete the course?

    You will be provided with a digital certificate you can use for your own personal satisfaction, or even include on your CV.

  • Do I need to buy the Wine Pack to complete the course?

    No, you don't. The Wine Pack is optional and is there to give you a selection of wines we think well represent their varietal. They will be perfect to taste while you’re learning about that varietal but you can equally open something you have already, visit a local wine bar or buy something yourself. We just thought this would make it easier.