Wines of the World Course (Non-Credit)
About the Course
This non-credit course introduces students to the wine industry, enabling them to engage in wine activities knowledgeably and successfully. The course will cover viticulture and the sensory evaluation of wine, with emphasis on Old World and New World traditions, food pairing, and trends in the wine business. Students will learn how climates, topographies, and other natural conditions make some regions more suited to certain wine cultivation than others, and how these conditions are replicated worldwide. After completing the course, students will understand the important role wine plays in hospitality enterprises, retail, and social dining experiences.
All students enrolled will receive a one-year free subscription to Wine Spectator.
Returning Fall 2027:
Our non-credit Beer, Cider, and Mead Course will be offered in the same format and at the same price point as our Wines of the World Course. Classes will meet on Tuesdays from August 24 to December 7, 2027, from 4:40 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. in Room 102 of the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Building. Participants must be 21 years of age or older to attend, and a valid photo ID is required.
Registration opens June 2027.
Program Information
Pricing
General Public - $429 (+ Cvent fees)
Penn State Affiliate - $399 (+ Cvent fees)
Registration Information
This class combines Penn State students taking the class for credit with adults from the community taking it for non-credit. Non-credit students can test their learning each week with online quizzes.
Registration is available here: https://cvent.me/M3b883
The deadline is 11:59 p.m. on January 13.
To register after this date, contact Keriann Smith at [email protected]
If you need to cancel your registration, please email your written request to [email protected] no later than January 18, 2027. A $50 administrative fee will be charged for your cancellation.
Class Requirements
This class meets on Thursdays, January 14 – April 29, 2027, from 4:40 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. in the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Building, Room 102.
Must be 21 or older to attend; photo identification is required.
Contact Us
For registration questions, contact Keriann Smith at [email protected].
For program content questions, contact the School of Hospitality Management's Marvin Ashner Endowed Director and Associate Professor, Donna Quadri-Felitti, at [email protected].
Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. Auxiliary and Business Services is committed to building a community of belonging for all.