If you went into a wine shop today, could you confidently pick out a bottle of Champagne to buy? I ask whether it’s with confidence because for the amount of money a single bottle costs, shouldn’t you know what grapes are in it? Or how it even got its bubbles in the first place? Believe it or not, these are not difficult things to learn and file away into the unusual facts drawer of your brain. Truthfully, citing a few simple tidbits of info can quickly elevate you to Champagne connoisseur among friends. Why not make it official? You can become a Champagne expert through Comité Champagne and its Massive Open Online Course (aka MOOC).
As an added bonus, you could win $200 to spend on Champagne. Stick with me till the end, I’ll tell you how.
Become a Champagne Expert With This Free Course
The Champagne MOOC is a FREE course offering 40 short videos covering topics that span four modules. It’s led by Master of Wine, Jérémy Cukierman and can be completed in as little as five hours. But if you want to take your time and do it a bit at a time, you most certainly can!
The course is run by Comité Champagne, an organization that oversees all Champagne growers and producers in the northeast region of France. The depth of information appeals most to wine or hospitality professionals or those considering a career in wine. But the course is approachable and great for anyone who wants to better understand what makes Champagne so special.
The four modules are:
Diversity & Tasting: Discover Champagne’s diversity and the secrets to serving and tasting them.
The Champagne-making process: Explore the different stages of Méthode Champenoise.
The Champagne terroir: Understand why the wine-growing region is one of a kind.
History & Economy of Champagne: Delve into the region’s origins and current trends.
Get Credential as a Champagne Expert
For those wanting a statement of completion or perhaps a credential to put on a growing resume, opt for the premium version. For €49 (which works out to about $84 CAD), you’ll get access to additional videos and the opportunity to test your knowledge after completing the modules. After successfully completing the exam, you will be awarded “statement of completion” from the Comité Champagne.
How to Enroll in the Champagne MOOC
The free and premium versions of the Champagne course are available now. Head to www.champagne-mooc.com to sign up and have access to the videos and discussion forums 24/7. Once you’ve created an account, you can complete the course online, anytime, anywhere.
This is what your awaiting progress report will look like:
How to Win $200 to Spend on Champagne
In addition to being free and thoroughly in-depth, if you register and complete the course, your name will be entered for a chance to win $200 to spend on Champagne.
To be eligible, you need to be a Canadian resident, finish the course before March 31, 2021 and be sure to meet a few other requirements.
After perusing the Champagne MOOC website, I’d like to highlight and celebrate some of their messaging. Responsible consumption isn’t always a sexy thing to talk about. But it’s a pillar of my belief as someone who works within the industry. Comité Champagne is a voluntary member of the French organization Vin & Société, which encourages moderation and responsibility in wine drinking. For more information, visit Vin & Societé or Wine in Moderation.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.champagne-mooc.com to sign up and add Champagne expert to your growing list of achievements.