Culinary Arts


James Suckling

Lesson time 03:26 min

Meet your new instructor: Internationally-renowned wine critic James Suckling. In your first lesson, James brings you into Tuscany's Il Borro Cellars to tell you what you'll learn, why he's teaching, and how wine appreciation can enhance your life.

James Suckling
Teaches Wine Appreciation
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There's so much about wine that you need to know. There's so much to learn and discover. And with each bottle, each glass, there's a new discovery. I'm here in Tuscany. And this class is going to be like staying with me for the week. We're going to taste wines together, eat, meet my friends and family. I'm going to teach you how to enhance your wine appreciation. You can have a few tips-- how to swirl the glass, what to say at dinner, even how to host your own tasting. But at the same time, I want you to take something away from my passion and my knowledge. You're going to see how I approach wine as a wine critic, how I taste and drink wine as a wine lover, how I look forward to every glass, every bottle, and all the information behind it. You're not going to become a master sommelier or a master of wine. And you don't have to be one. All you have to do is love wine. I've been tasting wines for almost 40 years. Each year, I taste 18,000 wines with my son and two other tasters. And we talk about color, the aromas, the body, how things interplay. That's what you do as a taster. And that's what I'm going to teach you. And what I hope you take away from this is a better understanding of wine. But even more important, I want you to understand what's in that glass, what went behind it, who made it, where it came from, and why it's so good. Also, in this class, we're going to meet some amazing wine makers, people that have been making wines in their family for 600 years. We're going to visit one of the most iconic vineyards in the world, the place in Chianti Classico where they make Tignanello and Solaia. And we're going to be with Albiera Antinori, the owner. And then, finally, we're going to taste vintages of Tignanello. One of my biggest hopes in this class is that you're going to walk away and go to your wine shop, and you're going to talk the talk with the wine merchant. With the guy on the floor, you're going to feel confident about making that great buy for a great bottle of wine. But at the same time, again, great wine doesn't have to cost a lot of money. You know, people often ask me, what should I invest in to learn about wine? The first thing you've got to do is invest in a corkscrew. And after that, you've got to open bottles, and you've got to drink a lot of wine, preferably with friends and family. I'm James Suckling, and this is my MasterClass.

Discover the story in every bottle




This course is really helpful in better understanding the intricacies of wine. It helps me appreciate wine much better.

This was great. Very refreshing for someone who is a beginner. Can't wait to start my own collection!

I enjoyed this MasterClass and found it very entertaining, but did not actually learn much more about wine than I already knew. I wish it was a bit longer and went deeper into different varietals, tasting methodologies, etc but still am glad I watched it.

how to choose , how to distinguish between types, how to taste , how to store wine.


Ekin Ö.

Ahh, this is exciting. I started appreciating wine when I was in Tuscany. Now I feel the same warmth!

Nathan J.

I guess the name definitely adds another layer of complexity for the artist

Angela D.

I grow a few grapes (for eating and jams) and pick wild grapes (for juice and jelly) ... but don't drink... I am sure I will learn a lot however and am very excited to take this class!

Imran Q.

Please fix this problem ASAP I’m getting really impatient to inform everyone that MasterClass is a big scam

Daniella S.

so crisp and so much to live in this world. the grape is a world in itself.

Eric T.

So looking forward to this class! Question, has anyone else had difficulty finding some of the wines on this list for the class?

Kenneth O.

I am curious about the science behind wine. I am looking forward to this class.

Bonnie N.

Truly enjoyable. I noticed that there was no difference in glassware throughout the various tastings. Does this make any difference?

Mark D.

A small technical issue. Til now I can cast al the masterclasses to the tv accept this masterclass. Is it in an other video format?

Patricia S.

Having lived in Italy and France and now going back with my husband. I can't wait to learn more about wine with him through this course. Taking him to Tuscany and visiting some of the most famous vineyards as well.