Wine lies at the very origins of Western civilization. From accompanying the pharaohs on their journeys to an afterlife, to lying at the heart of our present-day secular societies, wine has been a source of inspiration for artists and writers, and a subject of fascination for philosophers and scientists.
If wine is part and parcel of Western society and civilization, how does it impact on daily life? Why has wine been a central feature of religious beliefs? What about wine, health and the French paradox? And how has wine at the table been an important feature of daily life over the centuries?
These are some of the areas for exploration and consideration through intellectual enquiry coupled with practical wine tastings. Please click here to download in PDF format. |
Course aims:
 To place wine in the context of Western civilisation, from antiquity to the present day.
To explore the place of wine in art, culture and literature.
To consider the language of wine and the history of wine writing
To understand the mechanisms of taste, how we taste and how we describe and understand what we taste
To consider the place of wine in society
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Key lectures will cover such topics as:
A global history of wine
Wine and the arts
The history of wine writing
The language of wine
Wine and society |
Each day comprises a lecture or lectures, a talk or seminar by a guest speaker, and a wine related activity, either a tutored wine tasting or a visit.
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Course highlights include:
Guest lecture by Professor Damian Robinson of the Institute of Archaeology, Oxford University, on the ‘Roman maritime wine trade’.
Tutored wine tasting ‘A taste of history’ exploring some of the great historic wines of the world.
Formal gala wine dinner in the dining room of Hertford College.
A visit to an Oxford college wine cellar.
Tutored tasting and wine writing workshop with Alastair Peebles MW.
An exploration of the history of ‘Wine at the table’ with award winning wine writer Fiona Beckett (including tasting of historic wine and food combinations) |
Requirements
No special knowledge is required to participate on the course, save an interest in wine not as an end or commodity in itself but as an essential element of Western civilization. Participants should be prepared to learn, to taste and to enjoy thoughtfully. |
About Marc Millon
Marc is the author of more than a dozen books about wine, food and travel. As well as contributing to numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic, Marc lectures frequently about wine. His first love is Italian wine and he has a small wine company, Vino Ltd, which allows him to indulge in his passion. |
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Click here to download a PDF booking form. Please complete and return to Razia Nabi:
email: oxfordgastronomica@brookes.ac.uk
post: Oxford Gastronomica, HLTM Fuller Building, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP |
Fee : £1299
Where : Hertford College,
Catte Street,
Oxford,
OX1 3BW
When : 19th - 22nd September 2010 |
Short courses |
