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Rated 4 out of 5 by DaGeek from Very Good Quick Survey of Italian Wines I am giving this a 4 star rating not because of the content or the presenter, she deserves 5 stars, but some of the production choices bothered me. The producers inserted music into the pauses that was much to loud, and occasionally the music was behind Ms. Simonetti-Bryan as she was speaking. I found both annoying. Also when the spun out for an aside they frequently lighted the presenter from below giving her a bit of a haunted house appearance. If you ignore those, it was a great, quick survey of Italian wines that I enjoyed very much. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan is obviously very passionate and knowledgeable about wines, and this comes across fortissimo. I learned quite a bit in this short course, and despite the minor annoyances would recommend it.

Date published: 2023-07-26

Rated 5 out of 5 by michaelk from Great intro to Italian wines The course presents the wines typical of various regions of Italy. I was amazed how much information could be included in six lectures. Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan compared and contrasted main characteristics of some three-dozen wines, suggested food pairings, and also managed to include some details on growing grapes, wine-making, history and geography. Her light and engaging style made the course a pleasure to watch. There were some product placements, but mostly not too obtrusive. A magnetic tannin softener? Come on, Jennifer! Cannot wait for a course on Central-Europeanan and Balkan wines with an emphasis on Germany, Hungary and Greece. And how about Spain and Portugal?

Date published: 2022-11-04

Rated 4 out of 5 by JJdoc from Not yet had time to fully evaluate any of three courses

Date published: 2022-04-27

Rated 5 out of 5 by Blueberry Picker from Now we Know! Buying wine always seems so daunting. Jennifer makes the process understandable. Good information for one person or a group.

Date published: 2022-04-22

Rated 5 out of 5 by docjim2022 from More Than Wine! I learned a lot from this wonderful course. It's highly practical, as I took many varieties of wine from it, most of which I had never heard about. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan conveys her genuine enthusiasm consistently. The course is not just about wine. She also offers advice about food and wine pairings. And she even presents ideas about topics like wine causing headaches. Truly engaging content, I thought. Very spirited course!

Date published: 2022-02-10

Rated 5 out of 5 by Kurt A from Excellent Introduction to Italian Wine Excellent introduction to Italian Wine from a Master of Wine ( MW) in a format that everyone can easily follow. Kurt Aydin

Date published: 2021-11-14

Rated 5 out of 5 by RJ73 from Eye Opener! Before viewing this course, I knew very little about Italian wines (with the exception of the traditional 'Chianti in the straw bottle'. I knew domestic as well as French wines, but had stayed away from Italian wines. I decided to buy this course to learn about Italian wine. What a wonderful purchase! The instructor was absolutely marvelous, extremely knowledgeable without being a 'pompous wine snob', and really opened my eyes to the pleasure of Italian wine. She was such a wonderful instructor that we purchased several of her courses. An excellent course for the novice Italian wine drinker as well as the true aficionado. Highly recommend this, as well as her other courses.

Date published: 2021-09-09

Rated 5 out of 5 by ttm3 from a very informative course I got this course together with the one on French wines by the same teacher. I enjoyed both. Ms. Simonetti-Bryant is very knowledgeable and clear in her exposition. I hope she will do at least one more course on wines of South America, Australia and New Zealand.

Date published: 2021-09-03

Overview

No place on Earth has a more ancient and important tradition of winemaking than Italy. Thousands of years before wine became commonplace in France or the Napa Valley, Italians were producing their own unique varieties and making wine an essential part of Italian—and human—culture. Now, with the six lectures of The Everyday Guide to Wines of Italy, you can experience the dynamism of Italian wine for yourself and become your own expert in the tastes, traditions, and innovations from history’s definitive wine-making regions. Delivered by acclaimed Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, this course is a chance for you to embark on a delicious, interactive, and unforgettable tasting tour through a country that is equal parts picturesque, romantic, and mysterious.

About

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan

Working on each of The Great Courses series has been one of most enjoyable and fulfilling projects in my career. While an easy process, the content, video, filming, and editing teams are some of the most professional I've worked with, they are a complete joy to work with.

INSTITUTION

Institute of Masters of Wine

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan is among a small number of people to have received the highest credentials in the wine and spirits industry. She is one of only a few hundred people in the world to have achieved the Master of Wine (M.W.) title from The Institute of Masters of Wine in London, England-the highest and most difficult title to achieve in the industry. She also has a Professional Certificate in Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Specialist of Spirits from the Society of Wine Educators. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan has taught courses for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, has trained thousands of professionals in the wine and spirits industry, and has judged international spirits and wine competitions, including the Ultimate Beverage Challenge in 2010 and 2011. She has also hosted seminars with Food Network stars such as Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, and Mario Batali. In 2008, she won the Wiesbaden Tasting Trophy from The Institute of Masters of Wine. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan is a frequent guest on television programs, including Fox Business, Fox News, and Bloomberg TV. Additionally, she has been featured in publications such as Fortune, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and Wine & Spirits Magazine.

By This Professor

The Everyday Guide to Wines of California

The Everyday Guide to Spirits and Cocktails: Tastes and Traditions

01: Wines from Julius Caesar’s Day to Today

In this introductory lecture, Ms. Simonetti-Bryan gives you the tools you need to embark on this unforgettable journey through the world of Italian wines. First, get a brief overview of Italy’s history of winemaking and its important grape varieties. Then, use the five S’s (see, swirl, sniff, sip, savor) to compare ancient and modern wines. Finally, take a closer look at the art of pairing wine with food, and make sense of wine labels and terminology.

36 min

02: Northeast Italy - Beloved Whites to Rich Reds

Continue your tour with a visit to Venice and other areas in the northeastern corner of the country—a region famed for light-bodied white wines and deep reds. You’ll compare and contrast Champagne and Prosecco; learn how to make the perfect Bellini; compare and contrast large-volume and boutique Pinot Grigios; learn the best dish to pair with a glass of Amarone (one of Italy’s most aristocratic red wines); and more.

38 min

03: Northwest Italy - Sophisticated Wines

Venture to the Piemonte, which rests right at the foot of the Alps. Some of the intriguing wines you’ll encounter here: a Franciacorta (whose floral hints pair surprisingly well with fried foods); a Cinque Terre Blanco (Liguria’s most renowned wine); and a Barolo (often described as a “masculine” wine due to its burly tannins). Also, take a short trip to a winery’s barrel room to explore differences in aging techniques.

37 min

04: Tuscan Stars - Chianti to Super Tuscans

Discover why Tuscan wines are famous all over with world with this lecture devoted to some of the greats that this region has to offer. You’ll sample some of the tastes from this breathtaking part of the country, including a lemony Vermentino, a light-bodied Barbera, a savory Chianti Classico, and a tannic Super Tuscan (considered the most controversial red in all of Italy).

35 min

05: Central Italy - Secret Gems

Here, Ms. Simonetti-Bryan guides you through the exciting complexities of red and white wines from central Italy, a region that is only just now beginning to make a name for itself internationally. You’ll get delicious introductions to wines such as an Orvieto and a Sagrantino from Umbria, and a Lambrusco from Emilia-Romagna—all the while comparing and contrasting them to see what subtleties make each wine unique.

31 min

06: Southern Italy - Juicy Reds and Pizza Pairings

Conclude with a stop in southern Italy and its surrounding islands—a sunny and exotic region known for robust, juicy wines. The wines you’ll learn about in this lecture: a Fiano di Avellino, a Greco di Tufo, a Nero d’Avola, a Primitivo, and an Aglianico. As a fun end to the course, you’ll see how some of these wines pair with three versions of Italy’s most popular dish: pizza.

32 min