OENOLOGY 7000EX - Foundations of Wine Science

External - Trimester 1 - 2024

Foundations of Wine Science comprises three broad topic areas: viticulture, oenology and sensory evaluation. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of basic viticultural, oenological and sensory principles. Topics covered include: grapevine structure and function; the annual growth cycle of the grapevine; the factors that influence crop yield; the source/sink balance of the grapevine; berry development and composition; wine classification; the unit operations involved in winemaking; the taste and olfactory system; and taste and aroma interactions. Practical sessions will focus in more depth on grapevine anatomy and the theory and practice of wine sensory evaluation.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code OENOLOGY 7000EX
    Course Foundations of Wine Science
    Coordinating Unit Wine Science
    Term Trimester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s External
    Units 3
    Contact Online lectures plus 4 day residential school during mid-Semester break
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Online quiz, vine anatomy practical report & case study, sensory examination, exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Kerry Wilkinson

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe the morphology, growth and development of the grapevine;
    2 Describe the seasonal cycle of growth of the grapevine;
    3 Describe the photosynthetic process and explain the influence of factors such as light and temperature on photosynthetic activity and grape composition, yield and quality;
    4 Explain the physical and compositional changes in the grape berry during ripening;
    5 Outline the processes involved in winemaking that occur before, during and after fermentation;
    6 Explain how the basic principles of winemaking, from crushing of the grapes to the final packaging of the wine, influence wine style and
    quality;
    7 Differentiate the basic sensory processes and their application to technical wine evaluation;
    8 Recognise and evaluate the basic sensory attributes characteristic of different wine styles and communicate these using appropriate technical terminology; 
    9 Communicate their interpretation of experimental data in written form
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-7

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    9

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    8,9

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-9

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    NA

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    7-9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The suggested textbook for this course is listed below and may be ordered directly from Patrick Iland Wine Promotions (www.piwpwinebooks.com.au).


    Iland, P.G., Gago, P., Caillard, A. and Dry, P. (2017) Australian Wine: styles and tastes, people and places. Patrick Iland Wine
    Promotions, Adelaide.




    Recommended Resources
    In addition to the required text book, students are encouraged to consider purchasing some of the recommended reference books listed below, so as to build a sound professional library. The recommended books, which deal with viticulture, winemaking and sensory evaluation, will be invaluable throughout your studies, as well as during your future career as a wine professional.

    Recommended textbooks:
    Viticulture:
    · Coombe, B.G. and Dry, P.R. editors (1992). Viticulture Volume 2: Practices (Winetitles).
    · Smart, R.E. and Robinson, M. (1991) Sunlight into wine: a handbook for winegrape canopy management. Winetitles.
    · Davidson, D. (1995) A guide to growing winegrapes in Australia' Dianne Davidson Consulting Services Ltd.
    · Dry, P.R. and Coombe, B.G. (2004) Viticulture Volume 1: Resources. Winetitles.

    Oenology:
    · Halliday, J. and Johnson, H. (2006) The art and science of wine. Mitchell Beazley.
    · Iland, P.G. and Gago, P. (2002) Australian wine styles and tastes. Patrick Iland Wine Promotions.
    · Ough, C.S. (1992) Winemaking basics. Food Products Press.
    · Peynaud, E. (1984) Knowing and making wine. John Wiley and Sons.
    · Robinson, J. Editor (1994) The Oxford companion to wine. Oxford University Press.
    · Goode, J (2004) Wine Science. Mitchell Beazley.
    · Rankine, B.C. (2004) Making good wine: a manual of winemaking practice for Australia and New Zealand. Sun Books.

    Sensory evaluation:
    · Amerine, M.A. and Roessler, E.B. (1983) Wines - their sensory evaluation. WH Freeman.
    · Peynaud, E. (1996) The taste of wine. Wiley.
    · Rankine, B.C. (1990) Tasting and enjoying wine: a guide to wine evaluation for Australia and New Zealand. Winetitles.
    Online Learning
    This course will use MyUni to provide teaching materials (e.g. lecture notes and recordings, online tutorials, assessment details and/or
    journal articles), past examination papers and other course information. Students should regularly access MyUni via the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/) for important course-related announcements.



  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course comprises a theoretical component supported by a practical component. The theoretical component will be delivered online and comprises: 2 sensory evaluation module (~2 hours); 4 viticulture modules (~10 hours); 4 oenology modules (~8 hours). The practical component will involve a 4 day Residential School to be held April 12th to 15th, for which attendance is compulsory. Practical sessions will focus on grapevine anatomy, variety identification and berry ripening, and technical wine evaluation (i.e. training
    in the recognition and evaluation of different wine styles and their characteristic sensory attributes).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students can expect Foundations of Wine Science to have a minimum workload of 156 hours. This will include formal contact hours (i.e. for online lectures and the Residential School), as well as study, reading and writing time and preparation for examinations.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The Foundations of Wine Science course comprises the following modules:
    • Sensory:
      The taste and olfactory system
      Taste and aroma interactions
    • Viticulture:
      The grapevine and grapevine varieties
      Grapevine morphology, growth and development
      Grapevine physiology
      Berry ripening and composition
    • Oenology:
      Wine styles and types
      Handling the grapes and juice
      Fermentation
      Preparing wine for market

    The Residential School will comprise:
         Grapevine Anatomy, Variety Identification and Maturity Sampling practicals; and
         Sensory practicals, including:
                  Basic tastes
                  Taste interactions
                  Complexing factors
                  Faults
                  Fruit characteristics
                  Still, sparkling, sweet and fortified wine styles

    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance at all Residential School sessions is compulsory.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment comprises (a) practical reports, (b an industry case-stufy assignment, (c) sensory examinations and (d) a written examination, as below:


    Assessment task Type of assessment Weighting Hurdle
    Yes/No
    Outcomes being assessed/acheived Due date
    Online Quizzes Formative 0% No 1-6 Available throughout the course
    Online Tutorials Formative 0% No 1-6 Available throughout the course
    Practical Reports Summative 10% No 1,4,9 11th April
    Assignment
    (Case Study)
    Summative 10% No 1,4,9 9th June
    Sensory Examinations Summative 35% Yes 7,8 During the Residential School
    Written Examinations Summative 45% Yes 1-7 During the
    exam period
    Assessment Detail
    Online Quiz
    Two online quizzes (one on viticulture and one on oenology,) will be available to students to enable them to benchmark their familiarity with course content, in particular leading up to the final exam. Completion of these quizzes is entirely optional; i.e. formative assessment only.

    Online Tutorials
    To provide students with feedback on their understanding of and familiarity with the course material, a series of online tutorials will be available via MyUni. Completion of these tutorials is entirely optional and assessments conducted within these tutorials are  formative only.

    Practical Reports
    The practical reports will assess the ability of students to collect, analyse and interpret viticultural data and berry compositional measurements. Students will complete three practicals, during which they will record and analyse observational and/or experimental data related to (i) grapevine anatomy, (ii) variety identification and (iii) berry composition and ripening. Students will
    be required to submit two practical reports, comprising both data (i.e. observations and/or measurements) and answers to several questions (which require interpretation of data, drawing on appropriate theoretical course content), for formal assessment.

    Assignment
    The case study assignment will require students to apply knowledge gained during the course to the interpretation of viticultural data related to an issue of industry relevance. Students will submit a written report that presents both the data and a recommendation based on their interpretation of the data (drawing on appropriate theoretical course content), for formal assessment.

    Sensory Examination
    The sensory examinations will assess students’ ability to: (i) recognise and evalaute basic wine sensory attributes and their influence on wine aroma and taste; and (ii) describe the appearance, aroma and taste attributes characteristic of different wine styles.

    Written Examination
    The written examination will assess students’ knowledge and comprehension of the theory presented during the course and may consist of short-answer, true/false, and essay-type questions. One past examination paper will be made available as an assessment exemplar via MyUni.

    Submission
    Practical reports are to be submitted in hard copy at conclusion of the practical sessions. The case study assignment is to be submitted through Turnitin (a link will be provided via MyUni).

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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