September 11: Wine Enters the Curriculum at the University of Guelph

In his previous life as a restaurateur, University of Guelph professor Bruce McAdams realized he didn’t know much about wine.

“I was buying wine and making a wine list as a manager of a restaurant and I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. I didn’t know anything about wine,” McAdams said.

He certainly could have benefitted from the two separate wine appreciation and knowledge courses he has helped bring to the U of G campus starting later this month.

Aimed at both the casual wine lover (Level 1) and those working in the industry or wine lovers seeking more in depth knowledge (Level 2), the courses will be offered by the U of G’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The courses are registered with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), one of the world’s leading wine organizations and educators and its course certifications are recognized throughout the world, McAdams said.

Level 1 is aimed at the “wine novice,” McAdams said, and consists of eight hours spread over two days, Sept. 29 and Sept. 30.

“It’s geared towards the general public who like wine, but when they go into the wine store they’re a little lost and can’t make the informed decisions on wine they want to,” he said. “It’s sort of the basics.”

Level 2 runs for 10 Mondays beginning Sept. 24 and is aimed more at serious wine lovers as well as those working or wanting to work in the hospitality and restaurant industry.

You don’t need the Level 1 certification before you take the Level 2 course.

“It’s for people in the industry or people advanced in their enjoyment of wine. This gives them knowledge and accreditation,” McAdams said.

Both courses are being taught by “world class sommelier” Will Predhomme, the senior sommelier for Canoe Restaurant and Bar, the downtown Toronto eatery is widely considered one of the top restaurants in Canada.

While he holds a marquee station at a prestigious fine-dining restaurant, Predhomme is a down to earth guy who said he wants learning about wine a casual, enjoyable affair, not an intimidating one.

“Wine doesn’t need to be pretentious. It’s a beverage. It’s grape juice,” Predhomme said.

He said he teaches the course in a laid back, uncomplicated manner.

The Level 2 course would also be good for students, McAdams and Predhomme agree.

Fourth-year students in the U of G’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management have access to a course on wine, but it doesn’t lead to any particular certification.

“We’ve offered wine courses before, but they have been in the curriculum. Not accredited courses by the WSET and not really open to the public before,” McAdams said.

Students taking the Level 2 course would definitely have a feather in their cap when they go looking for work in the restaurant industry, McAdams said.

For more information on the course, and registration, visit the School of Hospitality and Tourism website.

Article taken from Guelph Mercury