the Village of Belle Aire, assists her husband Charles by pouring wine as he leads the Wine Lover’s The Enrichment Academy program.
From each bottle, glass or even sip, drinking wine can be a unique experience that opens one up to having a larger understanding of the world.
Charles Wittenberg, a resident of the Village of Belle Aire, combined his career experience as a professional educator — spanning more than 34 years — with his love for wine to teach the “Wine Lover’s” program with The Enrichment Academy.
“It was a natural fit,” Wittenberg said of hosting the class through TEA. Wittenberg’s Wine Lovers class is a new addition to the TEA program lineup and gives participants the chance to develop their taste and understanding of wine. The program held its inaugural class, “Introduction to the World of Wine,” on Oct. 16 at Colony Cottage Recreation.
Future classes are scheduled to occur from October through March 2025.
Wittenberg, who has a doctorate degree in educational leadership, is an official wine expert as he has completed hours of training to become a Certified Wine Professional.
“My relationship with wine started when I was in the Navy in the ’70’s,” Wittenberg said. “I was in France, in my 20s, hanging out with some French aviators. They asked if I wanted to try some wine. I had a glass of Beaujolais. That was my first glass of wine. Not too long after I moved to Italy, I was joined by some Italian naval officers and tried Chianti. So, my first two experiences of wine were good experiences and I’ve been involved with it ever since.”
Linda Wittenberg, Charles’ wife, assists with the class as she’s become a wine aficionado thanks to spending time with Charles.
“She’s been my best friend in all this. I had a series of difficult tests to pass. I was studying all the time. We would go on trips and I would bring my books and notes and she’d read them to me while I drove,” Wittenberg said of his wife, who pours wine for registered participants during the TEA classes. “She would basically be studying with me.”
Linda remembered those long study sessions and being surprised by how much there was to learn about wine.
“We studied so much together for when he was taking his certification test. It opened a whole new world for me and exposed me to the information behind the wine making process. The places, the people … there is so much to learn,” she said. The room was filled with fruity aromas of grapes and grapefruit during the “Introduction to the World of Wine” class, as the participants sampled six different red and white wines while Charles gave class participants a chance to peer behind the curtain of how the wine is created.
He also gave a history lesson of how long humans have been drinking wine and history behind the wine-making process over the centuries, often getting so excited by the information he shared he would joyfully say. “Oh, I just love wine so much.”
“It’s such a complex topic. There is so much information to be learned about wine. Knowing where they come from and how the grapes grow will depending on the weather or location,” Wittenberg said. “There really is something for everyone. The more I learn, the more excited I get about trying new wine.”
There are nearly 10 different classes in this year’s Fall-Winter course catalog for those interested in learning a thing or two during the Wine Lover’s programs. Throughout the classes on the TEA schedule there will be a chance to gain knowledge about different wines including California wines, Italian wines, red blend wines, and sparkling wines.
Several programs focus on the history of how particular types of wine came to fruition, including details about what grapes are used to produce certain flavors.
The class also helps attendees gain a sense of “appreciation” for why a particular wine (like cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay) produced in one region will be different from the same type of wine produced elsewhere.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a raw beginner or a wine connoisseur, there is something for everyone,” Wittenberg said. “For those who have never met me, if they attend a class, they will learn, I like to have fun.”
The Enrichment Academy classes and programs are open to Villages residents and non-residents 30 or older. Go to theenrichmentacademy.org or visit any At Your Service location for information and registration.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
