Reviewed by Mathew Benoit, COO of Learn Brands · October 2026
A shopper wants a Pinot Grigio but the bottle in their hand says Soave. A guest asks if Montepulciano d'Abruzzo comes from Montepulciano. A table wants bubbles and can't choose between Prosecco and Franciacorta. Italian wine fills shelves and wine lists, and its labels mix place names and grape names, so these questions come up every shift.
Italian Wine: From Label to Glass is a free Italian wine course that teaches you to read an Italian label, know the major regions and the native grapes behind them, and pair and serve Italian wine with confidence. It takes about 30 minutes, self-paced, across seven short narrated lessons.
What you'll learn
Seven lessons that move from the label to the regions to the table.
How Italian wine works (Lesson 1). Why some Italian labels name a place, some a grape and some both, the label levels DOCG, DOC and IGT, what Classico and Riserva mean, and how to read a label line by line.
Piedmont (Lesson 2). Nebbiolo and the two great wines made from it, Barolo and Barbaresco, plus everyday Barbera and crisp Gavi.
Tuscany (Lesson 3). Sangiovese, Chianti Classico and its black rooster seal, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the Super Tuscans.
The Veneto and the Northeast (Lesson 4). Valpolicella, Ripasso and rich Amarone made from dried grapes, fresh Soave, and Pinot Grigio.
Prosecco and Italian bubbles (Lesson 5). How Prosecco is made in big tanks, what Superiore and Extra Dry mean, Franciacorta made in the bottle, red sparkling Lambrusco, and sweet, gently fizzy Moscato d'Asti.
The South and the Islands (Lesson 6). Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Primitivo (the same grape as Zinfandel), Aglianico, Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Etna's volcanic reds, and Vermentino for seafood.
Pairing, selling and serving (Lesson 7). Simple pairing rules (what grows together goes together, match the weight, tomato sauce needs bright acid, tannin loves protein), how to recommend a bottle, serving temperatures, and what one standard drink of wine looks like.
How the course works
Each lesson is a short narrated walkthrough with photos from Italian vineyards, cellars and tables, narrated in an Italian accent so every place name sounds right. Five games keep it moving: sort places from grapes, build a Tuscan blend, match each place to its grape, name the region from a clue, and ask the right questions to find a guest's need. You tap through an Italian label to learn each part. At the start you pick your role, store staff, server or bartender, distributor rep, or wine fan, and the course adds tips for that role in every lesson plus a practice conversation made for it, from answering a Chianti question in the aisle to pitching Italian wines by the glass.
It closes with a 15-question final quiz. Twelve correct passes. It is online and self-paced, and it works on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
Who this is for
Wine shop and liquor store staff, servers and bartenders who get asked about Italian wine, and distributor sales reps who sell it to stores and restaurants. It also fits anyone who wants to stop guessing in the Italian aisle and pick a bottle with confidence.
What you walk away with
You'll be able to read an Italian wine label, tell a place name from a grape name, know Piedmont, Tuscany, the Veneto, Prosecco country and the South apart, pair Italian wine with food, and recommend the right bottle to a guest.
Free to enroll. Self-paced. Certificate on completion.
Who built this course
Italian Wine: From Label to Glass was created by the Learn Brands education team under the direction of Mathew Benoit, COO and Creative Director of Learn Brands. Mathew grew up working in his family's liquor store and spent more than ten years on the distributor side of the beverage alcohol business, including eight years as a marketing director and work representing national brands. The course is built from what store staff, servers, and sales reps actually get asked on the floor.
How we checked the facts
Label levels were checked against the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, and each region against its own wine consortium: Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, Barbera d'Asti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Valpolicella, Soave, Prosecco DOC, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Franciacorta, Abruzzo, Etna DOC and Sicilia DOC. Every photo was checked by eye to make sure it shows what the lesson says.
Responsible service
The course covers responsible service as general education. Alcohol service laws vary by state and city, and many states require an approved seller or server permit. Check your local requirements before you sell or pour.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Italian Wine FAQ
Is this course free?
Yes. Italian Wine: From Label to Glass is part of the free Core Education Suite, free to take and free to assign to your team. No cost, no subscription, no card required. A certificate is issued on completion.
How long does it take?
About 30 minutes, self-paced: seven short narrated lessons, five games, and a 15-question final quiz. You can stop and pick up where you left off.
Do I need to know anything about wine first?
No. The course starts with how an Italian label works and builds from there. If you want a general wine primer too, Wine Essentials covers the basics.
What do DOCG, DOC and IGT mean on an Italian label?
They are Italy's label levels. DOCG is the strictest, with set places, grapes and aging, and a numbered strip on the neck. DOC is a controlled place of origin with slightly wider rules. IGT covers a broad region with more freedom and often names the grape. Lesson 1 shows you how to read them.
What is the difference between Prosecco and Franciacorta?
Both are Italian sparkling wines. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape in the northeast, with the bubbles made in large tanks, which keeps it fresh and fruity. Franciacorta comes from Lombardy and gets its bubbles in the bottle, the same way as Champagne. Lesson 5 covers both.
Can I enroll my whole team?
Yes. Create a free company account, assign the course, and track who has started and finished from the Learn Brands dashboard.
Get certified
Selling or serving wine? TIPS Off-Premise Alcohol Server Training covers responsible sales for wine and liquor stores, and TIPS On-Premise Alcohol Server Training is the responsible service certification many bars and restaurants require. Buying for a team? Register your business free and assign seats across your whole staff.
Related courses
Keep going with French Wine: From Label to Glass, Spanish Wine: From Label to Glass, German Wine: From Label to Glass, New World Wines: From Label to Glass, The Science of Wine and Wine Essentials: A Complete Beginner's Guide, add Cheese 101: From Milk to Board for pairings, and sharpen your palate with The Professional's Guide to Alcohol Tasting. Browse the free Core Education Suite.
About the reviewer
Mathew Benoit is COO of Learn Brands. He has a family liquor store background, spent more than eight years as Marketing Director at the distributor Vinocopia, and has represented brands nationally. Read Mathew's full bio.
