Course Topics
The course covers the fundamentals of sensory perception (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing) and their interactions in food and wine evaluation. Students learn principles of neurogastronomy and cross-modal effects, along with protocols for sensory methods, panel calibration, and data interpretation. Case studies focus on wine profiling, the sensory analysis of virgin olive oils, and applications to other food products. Practical sessions and student presentations highlight the relationship between chemical composition, sensory descriptors, and consumer acceptance. Overview of sensory methodologies applied to specifically selected wines, including round table discussions, triangle test, and RATA, followed by the interpretation and statistical analysis of the resulting data. Critical reading of scientific literature, discussion of innovative approaches, and guest seminars connect theory with professional practice in gastronomy and food sciences.

Propaedeutic courses
None

Teaching format
Frontal lectures, exercises, labs, projects, seminars by experts, participation in events, fairs, and visits to public institutions or private companies related to the topics of the course.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and Understanding Upon completion, students will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of sensory analysis principles, including the sensory systems (taste, smell, touch) and methods used in the tasting and evaluation of food and wine. Applying Knowledge and Understanding Students will be able to apply sensory analysis methods to real-world contexts, conducting tastings, evaluating the sensory quality of food and beverages, and using industry-standard tools and techniques in enogastronomy. Making Judgments Students will develop the capacity to critically interpret sensory data, make objective quality assessments, and offer well-reasoned judgments regarding the sensory properties of food and drink. They will be able to reflect on cultural, geographic, and production factors that influence sensory experiences. Communication skills Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate sensory analysis outcomes. This includes the use of specialized terminology to describe sensory qualities and share their evaluations with both experts and non-experts. Learning Skills Students will acquire the skills needed for lifelong learning in the field of sensory analysis and tasting. They will be able to independently seek out new knowledge, follow developments in sensory science, and adapt their skills to new methods and trends in enogastronomy.

Assessment
Written exam with review questions (multiple-choice and open-ended questions on theoretical and practical concepts) to test knowledge application skills, including a test on the physiology of taste and sensory data analysis.

Evaluation criteria
Students are assessed through a written exam (multiple-choice and open questions) testing both theoretical knowledge and practical application of sensory analysis. Evaluation focuses on understanding of perception mechanisms, correct use of methods and terminology, critical interpretation of sensory data, and the ability to connect scientific literature with practical case studies. Final grades (18–30/30, with honors) reflect overall mastery and clarity.