The Basic Science of Wine and Winemaking
4-weeks (last 4) | Registration opens 2/14/2026 9:00 AM EST
This class will cover the basic sciences—such as biology, chemistry and earth science—of wine production. Session topics will include grapes, vineyard management, the impact of terroir, the biochemistry of wine production and the choices made in the winery. The last class will be an off-site tasting focused on a special wine topic such as women winemakers, organic wines or natural wines. The first three classes at Vassar will not involve consumption of wine. Participants will pay the cost of the wine tasting at the final off-site class.
Arnold Serotsky
Arnie Serotsky has taught biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physiology to students from seventh grade through graduate school over a nearly 60-year career as an educator. He has been traveling the wine world, collecting, studying and presenting about wines for almost as long. He also presents wine classes and tastings for the Marist University CLS, It Was a Good Year, Inc., and at fundraisers for not-for-profit organizations.