Wine Styles in the Real World

Lesson Outline

Level 1 Masterclass – Understanding Wine Through Structure

1. Rethinking How Wine Is Taught

• Why memorization creates confusion
• The difference between geography-based thinking and structural reasoning
• Defining wine style as structural identity

2. The Six Structural Components

• Body: weight and density
• Acidity: tension and freshness
• Tannin: grip and backbone
• Sweetness: residual sugar and balance
• Alcohol: warmth and perceived weight
• Oak influence: texture and structural expansion

3. Structural Style Categories

• Crisp High Acid White
• Textural Oak Influenced White
• Aromatic White
• Light Fresh Red
• Medium Bodied Balanced Red
• Bold Structured Red
• Sparkling

How dominant structural anchors determine placement.

4. Structural Flexibility

• Why grape variety does not determine style
• Chardonnay as a case study
• The role of climate, oak, and sweetness in shifting classification

5. Advanced Placement Drill

• Applying structural reasoning to classify wines
• Justifying placement logically and consistently

6. Operational Application

• Using structural evaluation in service
• Training teams to speak confidently
• Moving from memorization to mastery