ITTC Hosts Wine Tasting & Tea Art Workshops

East Meets West: A Fusion of Tastes

    The International Training and Testing Centre (ITTC) of City University of Macau organized two cultural taste workshops for the Faculty of International Tourism and Management in February and March 2026. The workshops focused on wine tasting and Chinese tea arts, respectively, inviting industry experts to lead the sessions. The aim was to enhance students' cultural literacy, life refinement, and professional skills through expert explanations and hands-on experiences.

Wine Tasting Workshop: "Know Before You Taste, Understand Before You Savor"

    On February 10, the centre invited Ms. Wang Zijie and Mr. Zhong Jiancong, experienced WSET® wine educators, to host a "Lunar New Year Wine Tasting Workshop" for 30 students from the Faculty of International Tourism and Management. The instructors guided students through the origins of wine, the winemaking process, and grape structures, helping them master the four fundamental wine tasting techniques: "look, smell, taste, and evaluate." During the workshop, the instructors invited students to try opening a wine bottle, allowing them to experience the correct and safe way to uncork wine while learning the details and professional attitude required in a sommelier's service process. Several red and white wines, along with snacks, were arranged for participants to explore the connections and pairings between wine and food. Finally, the instructors shared insights into industry prospects and career development, inspiring students' interest and aspirations in wine-related fields.

Tea Art Workshop

    On March 4, the centre, in collaboration with the Faculty of International Tourism and Management, held a tea art workshop focusing on Dancong tea. The workshop featured tea art expert Mr. Guo Chengzhang as the speaker, allowing participants to delve into the essence of Chinese tea culture and the philosophy of tea appreciation. Starting with the origins, varieties, and production processes of tea, the workshop provided a detailed introduction to the history of the gaiwan (covered bowl) and focused on the regional characteristics, production standards, and tasting essentials of Dancong tea. The instructor demonstrated the brewing techniques for gaiwan tea on-site, guiding participants to savor the color, aroma, taste, and appearance of the tea. Through this, participants experienced the "Tao, Art, and Beauty" philosophy embedded in Chinese tea culture, as well as the profound concept of the harmony between "Heaven, Earth, and Man," achieving harmony and focus in body, mind, and spirit.

    These two workshops, with "tasting" as their common theme, connect the cultures of wine and tea, allowing students to experience the joy of cultural fusion beyond the classroom. The workshops also expanded students' knowledge, sparked their interest in related fields, and laid a solid foundation for their future personal development.

    The International Training and Testing Centre of City University of Macau is committed to promoting continuing education and professional development. It actively collaborates with various faculties and departments within the university to offer diverse training courses and workshops that meet societal needs, providing current students with rich extracurricular learning opportunities and building a diverse, lifelong learning platform.