Learn About Wine

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Wine Education Without the Snobbery

Wine For Normal People has a podcast, a book, and online classes that focus on real wine education (yes, all the stuff you’ll get in big, serious wine books) for normal wine people who want to learn about wine in a supportive environment, where questions are welcomed, humor is appreciated, and community is king. Why shouldn’t wine be fun? It’s a hobby after all, not brain surgery.

If you’re going to drink wine anyway, you may as well enjoy the ride. So, since 2011 we have tried to make wine fun: our critically-acclaimed podcast has translated wine into relatable terms for listeners.

Quick Jump: Podcast | Classes | Speaking | Book

THE PODCAST

After working in the wine industry and being a wine lover who couldn’t get clear, understandable wine info, I was fed up! There had to be some way to make wine fun, accessible, and relatable without the BS and snobbery. I decided to fill the void. In 2011, I started the Wine for Normal People podcast. Today the show has 8 million+ all time downloads.

Behind the Mic:

I’m the main host: Elizabeth Schneider, Certified Wine Dork, and my co-host is my husband, M.C. Ice. He isn’t in the wine world. Although it would seem that I selected him for his geographic proximity, M.C. Ice (side note: he’s not a DJ or ringleader of a circus – it’s a nickname from college) is just a wine-loving normal person.

Like many of you, he’s smart, has great questions but can unknowingly make some epic mistakes in wine shopping that are awesome learning opportunities for him and for you as a listener.

FAST FACTS

The Content

The podcast is a combo of wine topics from grapes to regions to industry stuff and interviews with interesting people in the wine industry.

Who It's For

The show is for normal wine-loving people who want great wine information peppered with humor, informed opinion, and – as fans have come to know and love – “dork out” moments where I offer up technical stuff about wine.

We like to banter, have fun, and mix up our conversation with occasional pop culture references. We want people in the community who like our brand of enthusiasm, humor, and education (again, we’re for normal wine lovers, not people studying for exams!).

We’ve been cited in lots of press like The New York Times and Wine Enthusiast for our show, but we care far more about what our outstanding, smart, cool listeners think.

The Length

The show is usually around 45 to 50 minutes and new episodes are released every Monday.

Where You Can Listen

Anywhere you get your podcast! I’ve linked the most popular platforms below.

Virtual Wine Classes

Wine for Normal People Classes are like the podcast brought to you live and online, with wine, and a few other very cool normal wine people.

A wine class was what got me into wine when I first started, so I’m a big believer in the value of structured learning and I’m a passionate teacher. A framework made an enormous difference in my enjoyment of wine.

I want to get you excited about and comfortable with wine too! So in each class I’ll provide a framework with plenty of chances for dorky, down-to-earth explanation, and non-stop interaction. Every class is taught by me.

What People Say About the Classes

My wife and I have enjoyed wine for many years, and while we are not experts, we are not novices either. We have found the classes extremely informative and quite fun.
Elizabeth interacts quite a bit with her participants and answers all their questions. Participants vary widely in their wine knowledge, so the classes are helpful for those brand new to drinking wine, to those that are very knowledgeable.
Steve M. (Viriginia)
I am a NORMAL person and I love taking Elizabeth’s wine classes. They are chock full of Wine knowledge and full of value!
She provides a ton of details and information on the grape, region, territory, winemakers, etc…WAY more than any other wine tasting I have ever been to!
Danielle F. (New Jersey)
Elizabeth is my wine guru. Since I began listening to her podcasts I’ve become a huge fan and learned so much about wine. Her style is down-to-earth and honest—you know what she thinks but she gives you room to reach your own opinion. The goal is for us to learn enough to understand what we like and why. And I’ve learned a ton about the wine industry. Elizabeth’s classes are both fun and packed with information. I wish I could take them all. And her book is entertaining as well as incredibly informative. Elizabeth overdelivers to her subscribers on Patreon, posting weekly tips, holding informal hangouts and creating a vibrant community of fellow wine lovers.
Ed S. (Connecticut)
I love the WFNP classes so much! From your own home you are able to share and compare bottles of wine you may never have even thought to try and learn about the history and wine-making that make them so intriguing.
And the best part is that you'll have time to see how the wines change and pair with different foods as you finish them. I can honestly say that I'm drinking wines I enjoy much more since taking the classes and each class has been a unique and fun experience.
Alison K. (New Zealand)
As a lover of wine and deep-dive learning, the Wine For Normal People online classes are amazing! I love that you pick out your own wines within your own price point and can participate in the comfort of your own home.
Elizabeth makes the classes fun, informational, and answers everyone’s questions with expertise and humor.
Megan O. (North Carolina)
I would recommend these courses for anyone that views wine to be the adventure it is. Even those that treat wine like Coca Cola, consistency without adventure, will learn something that should increase their ability to pick a new favorite or pairing for a meal.
Mark B. (Indiana)
Taking classes with Elizabeth this last year has been a blast. Learning about wine is a hobby my husband and I can do together. The classes are very professionally done, yet in a friendly, conversational style. I always want to have the next one teed up on the calendar!
Tina K. (Massachusetts)
Elizabeth brings a real passion for the topic, tremendous expertise and attention to detail to these classes - but also with a down-to-earth sense of fun.
Taken alongside her book, podcast and Patreon content, these classes have transformed my understanding and appreciation of the world of wine.
Bevis S. (Mulbarton, UK)

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Public Speaking & Corporate Events

There are few wine experts that treat you like you’re an intelligent person who wants to learn more. Wine events are often led by people who talk down to you, above you, or who dumb down the subject at the expense of your learning.

I speak with humor, enthusiasm, and an easy-going style that inspires the audience to learn more and have fun with a traditionally staid topic.

Over the last decade, I have conducted more than 400 successful public speaking events from New York to Napa, Cleveland to Verona and everything in between!

I am equally at ease presenting to groups of 10 to 300 and my audiences have included everyone from CEOs of Fortune 10 companies, Chancellors of major universities, and executives at law firms, PR Firms, trade associations, and major charities, as well as groups of normal, wine-loving people.

Learn More

The Book

Wine for Normal People is a down-to-earth resource for anyone seeking an introduction to the world of wine. It’s the perfect book (if I do say so myself) for people also looking to get more detailed info in a straightforward, easy to understand way!

It took me a LONG time to finish it, but it’s beautiful, well-researched, and clearly full of solid information, snark, and opinions – just like the podcast!

What You Can Expect

Explanations of wine vocabulary (including how to taste), how wine gets its flavor, and a quickie tour to making wine (with the factors that actually matter called out) — no afterthoughts or back of the book glossary because these terms are essential in fully understanding the wine world
A trip around the wine world. This drills down into every major country in the Old and New Wine worlds. Plus a pretty detailed dive into the communes of France, regions of Italy, the AVAs of California, and info on stuff from Georgia to Slovenia to Lebanon to Canada! You can go as dorky and detailed or as general as you want
Practical advice on how to shop for wine in a store or restaurant, very detailed (but not prescriptive) food and wine pairing information, tips on travel and serving temperatures

AND…. All of this is delivered in the easy-to-digest normal person tone just like the podcast. I hope you can hear me talking to you in your head while you read.