Learn and taste all things fortified wines while meeting other wine enthusiasts and professionals.
Fortified wines are defined as any wine to which alcohol, usually in the form of neutral grape spirits, has been added to increase the final alcohol content of the wine above 14% – hence the name “fortified.”
Fortified Wines covered:
- Sherry
- Mistelle
- Málaga
- Montilla-Moriles
- Vermouth
- Marsala
- Setúbal
- Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
- Liqueur Doux Naturel
- Port
- Madeira
- New World fortified wines
Other topics covered:
- Formal Sommelier service for fortified wines
- Tasting etiquette for fortified wines
- Professional, technical tasting techniques
- The history and development of each major fortified wine style
- Fermentation, distillation and production techniques
- You will receive more than 400 pages of material, specifically designed for this course and taste about 40 different fortified wines, including older vintage wines
We highly recommend taking at least a Level 1 Wine Seminar before taking this advanced course. There is no difference in course content and instruction between the 10-week and 5-day courses.
Schedule of 9-Week Advanced Fortified Wine Course:
This 9-week course meets once a week for a total of 36 contact hours (6:30pm to 10:30pm). Course fees are $2195, which includes registration fees, handouts, fortified wine, and instruction.
Register: Denver, CO – April 18 to June 19, 2025
Fridays, 6:30PM – 10:30PM ($2195)
Register: Denver, CO – October 17 to December 19, 2025
Fridays, 6:30PM – 10:30PM ($2195)
Schedule of 5-Day Intensive Study Advanced Fortified Wine Course:
This 1-week intensive study course meets from 8:30 AM-5:30 PM daily, Monday through Friday, for a total of 40 contact hours. Course fees are $2195, which includes registration fees, handouts, wine, lunch each day, and instruction.
Register: Denver, CO May 26 – 30, 2025
Daily, 8:30AM – 5:30PM ($2195)
Register: Denver, CO November 24 – 29, 2025
Daily, 8:30AM – 5:30PM ($2195)
PLEASE NOTE: If for any reason a class is cancelled we will phone or e-mail you 48 hours prior to the start of the class. If a class is canceled at the last minute due to bad weather (this is very rare) we will reschedule the class. However, if a class is held and you decide not to attend because you believe the weather is bad than it will be treated as a no-show. It is highly recommended that you register early, your credit card will not be charged until 7-10 days in advance of the course. We must have a minimum number of students registered in order to form any course. If you are traveling from out of town to attend, please do not make travel and hotel arrangements until two weeks in advance of the course.