Jancis Robinson Teaches AN UNDERSTANDING OF WINE on BBC Maestro

Launching tomorrow, Thursday 10 February 2022, on www.bbcmaestro.com 

Voted one of the world’s most influential wine critics, Jancis Robinson OBE imparts 45 years of wine knowledge and expertise in this exclusive course.

What makes a good wine? An Understanding of Wine welcomes amateurs and aficionados alike into Robinson’s world to find the answer. Tasting more than 10,000 wines annually, Robinson has distilled her expert knowledge to help anyone who wants to get the most from wine, whether it’s experimenting with orange wines, discovering new food pairings, or choosing a different sparkling wine option this Valentine’s Day. Develop vital wine appreciation skills from the first person outside the wine trade to pass the rigorous Master of Wine exams. Jancis Robinson was awarded an OBE, advises on the Queen’s cellar, and is the only wine writer to make the James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame. She writes daily for JancisRobinson.com and weekly for the Financial Times.
 

Robinson’s course offers lessons focused on debunking common wine myths, breaking down tasting techniques, and deciphering both labels and the language of wine. While choosing a bottle can, at least initially, feel like a daunting experience, Robinson’s expert advice will bolster viewers with the knowledge needed to select with confidence. Rather than strict, unyielding instruction, An Understanding of Wine showcases Robinson’s much-lauded approach of demystifying the rules and affectations around wine, allowing viewers to discover their own palate preferences and, in turn, enhance their future wine selection.

The course provides aficionados with a panoramic view of the world of wine, delving into different vintages, wine pricing, the natural wine movement, sustainability in winemaking, the impact of climate change, and expert advice on investing in wine. Robinson also addresses key factors shaping the modern wine market, including the backlash against the use of glass for inexpensive wines and how the plant-based movement has created a need to re-examine classic pairing approaches. Robinson peppers the course with fascinating prompts and learnings from across her four decades of wine writing, empowering viewers to heighten their tasting experience when next presented with a blue-chip or unicorn wine.

“By the end of this course, I hope I will have helped you find the wine that you like (because there are no rights and wrongs in wine appreciation) and get the most from every single sip. To me, wine is extraordinary because it is just the fermented juice of a single fruit – yet it appears in so many different colours, styles and flavours. There aren’t many products that tell you exactly when it was made, which little spot on the globe it came from and the name of the producer. Good wine doesn’t have to be expensive – while the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive wine has continued to widen, the quality has narrowed considerably. We should take advantage of the large array of mid-level wines produced today.” 

A passion for wine can develop at any stage, and all those interested in learning more about the wine they already enjoy can benefit from these lessons. The full course consists of 25 lessons over 5 hours and has been designed for viewers to learn at their own pace.  Along the way, Robinson will explain wine terminology, broaden technical knowledge, clarify common misconceptions, and expand understanding of grape varieties – enhancing all future bottle selections, food and wine pairings, and case investments.

Previous praise for Jancis Robinson

“Over the past three decades the place of wine in British society has been transformed. Robinson not only witnessed the revolution, but crucially shaped it.”  – The Guardian

“Robinson’s holistic approach to wine appreciation has provided all of us with a necessary voice that serves a range of audiences. Her clear and concise writing has broadened our understanding of a complex industry and delighted us with stories of the characters behind grapes and wines. Most of all, she reminds us that it’s just wine and it’s meant to be enjoyed.” – James Beard Foundation

“Robinson is one of the wine world’s greatest achievers...the Jancis effect – inspiring generations of readers to embrace the joy of wine – is unique.” – Noble Rot