We’ve been making wine for thousands of years, with the earliest records of this widely loved drink appearing as early as 7000BC.

While the process of making wine may not seem all that complicated, there are many factors winemakers must consider to create a fine drop – everything from the weather to the laws to the costs involved. It’s definitely not as simple as just crushing grapes!

In this online lesson, sommelier Kristene King Thrall explains step-by-step how wine is made.

What you'll learn in the How wine is made lesson

• How grapes are harvested for winemaking
• How grapes are crushed for red and white winemaking
• How the process of fermentation works
• The different ways that wine can be aged

Who the Wine knowledge essentials course is for

Servers and bartenders, it’s time to release your inner somm! Sharpen up your service skills and up your wine game with help from the world’s best.