A recent News10NBC story, “Not just for hospitality majors: RIT wine classes can lead to careers or a lifelong hobby,” highlights four popular elective courses offered by the department of International Hospitality and Service Innovation, in Saunders College of Business at RIT.
- Beers Of the World
- Wines Of the World I
- Wines Of the World II
- Wine And Food Pairing I (Includes sampling of food and wines.)
Other related courses include:
All courses include weekly tastings.
Special note to prospective students: you don’t have to be 21 to take these classes! The classroom/laboratory setting allows for—very moderate—underage, well, sipping.
Julie Purpura, visiting lecturer in hospitality and tourism management, teaches Wines of the World as well as Wine and Food Pairings, courses she took as an RIT undergraduate.
“I caught the wine bug,” she says. “I love how it combines food and beverage, agriculture, packaging, marketing, culture, history, art, science, geography...and it's a global industry.”
For Purpura, teaching the courses is a form of "edutainment."
“I hope students have fun, enjoy themselves, and learn. I think students also enjoy sharing what they've learned with their families and colleagues. They love sharing stories where they impress their parents!”
Beer and wine tastings also are popular events offered by Saunders College at RIT’s Brick City Homecoming Weekend. “Beer Tasting: Local vs. The World” took place October 16, 2026, hosted by Edward (Ted) Ganster, senior lecturer, hospitality and tourism management.
“Sip & Savor Go RIT, Go Orange, Orange Wines” was held October 17, 2026, co-hosted Julie Purpura, visiting lecturer in hospitality and tourism management and Lorraine Hems, principal lecturer emeritus.
