Become a Champagne Expert in 2024

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Knowledge is sexy. And if your lover likes wine, wouldn’t it be fun to wow them with your wine knowledge? Better yet, why not get to know the most romantic of all wine styles as a couple. With this incredible program from the people who oversee France’s Champagne region, you and your romantic partner can armchair travel your way to Champagne and become a Champagne expert – for free! (Champagne not included.)

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Learn about Champagne with the Champagne MOOC course

This unique Champagne-centered online course, offered by Comité Champagne, will help you become an authority on the sexiest of wine styles.

As a wine writer and wine educator, I can honestly say that I’m totally impressed by this online program. It was created by the organization that oversees all Champagne growers and producers. Although the course targets those already in the wine profession or considering a career in wine, it is open to everyone who wants to learn about Champagne.

How this course works

The program is broken up into four videos, each presented by Jérémy Cukierman, Master of Wine and featuring experts working in the Champagne industry. (The videos are presented in English with subtitles.)

- First, study the Champagne-making process.
- In the second module, get to know the Champagne terroir.
- The third section will present the history and economy of the Champagne region.
- The final section is a champagne-tasting course. This, the most fun section, explores the varieties of Champagne and how to taste them for evaluation. (Of course, you will have to provide your own French wine.)

What will you learn from this Champagne course?

This comprehensive course covers Champagne from the planting of the vine to the etiquette of serving Champagnes and sparkling wines. You will learn:

The range and diversity of Champagne wines
The history of the Champagne region and the wine
The stages in the life cycle of a Champagne vine
The stages of making Champagne
The sustainable efforts set forth by the industry to protect the environment
The economic impact of the industry
How to taste and serve Champagne wines
Thoughts on pairing sparkling wines with food

Bonus content includes mini videos sharing the perspectives of Champagne makers and growers, including Alexandre and Jean-Jacques Cattier. And recently added is a webinar series covering even more specific information on Champagne like the use of selected vs native yeast with members of the Comité Champagne, including Sarah Durand, Wine Education Projects Manager. The entire course to become a Champagne expert is estimated to take just under 5 hours to complete.

How to get certified as a Champagne expert

For those willing to pay for an exam, there is a premium version with an evaluation module for 49 euros, (approximately $55 USD). For this small fee, you will gain access to additional instructional videos. The premium version is considered the professional-level Champagne certification program.

The MOOC certification

And after successfully completing the module’s quizzes, you will be awarded with the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Certificate of Completion. If you are a wine professional looking to further your Champagne education, this model is an ideal opportunity to expand your knowledge from the comfort of your home.

Please note that the certification Champagne exam is only available in English and French.

How do you enroll in this Champagne Specialist program?

To enroll, go to the Champagne MOOC website and sign up. Here, you will have to choose between the two versions. Both offer four modules but a free version has limited resources and does not include the certificate of completion.

If you’re learning about Champagne for fun as a couple or to impress someone special, the free course will give you what you’re looking for. But if you’re considering a career in wine or are working in the wine industry and looking to obtain the Champagne MOOC certificate, you will need the premium version.

The online course is available 24-hours/day, so you can become a Champagne master on your own time. Cheers!

Vinyard photo by Jean-Charles Gutner, Champagne glasses photo by Osmani Tavares Barbosa, (photos courtesy of Comté Champagne)

This article was updated in May 2024.

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.