Program Overview

French Wine Scholar® Program

THE FRENCH WINE SCHOLAR® PROGRAM IS THE INDUSTRY'S MOST RESPECTED CERTIFICATION COURSE ON THE WINES OF FRANCE.

The French Wine Scholar® program is the most advanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date French wine course. The syllabus takes a regional approach and discusses all French wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities.

The program provides committed students of wine with an unparalleled set of study tools designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention. 

ONLINE LEARNING   CLASSROOM LEARNING 

STUDY OPTION 1 | ONLINE FORMAT

Earn the French Wine Scholar® (FWS) post-nominal via the online format, including 15 on-demand webinars and live monthly program kick-offs and Q&A sessions with your instructors.

The French Wine Scholar® Online Learning Format Includes:

  • A comprehensive 330-page study manual with illustrations, maps, and graphics, available in print + e-book formats
  • 1-year access to our interactive and user-friendly e-learning platform, including online learning modules, pronunciation exercises, quizzes, and flashcards
  • 15 on-demand webinars with acclaimed wine educators
  • Live monthly program kick-off and Q&A sessions with your instructors
  • The FWS Study Roadmap: A Checklist For Success, providing a suggested schedule of study
  • A list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group 
  • An online exam sit (100 multiple choice questions)

Online Format

Program Kick Off: 

October 19

Price: $875

Register Now

STUDY OPTION 2 | CLASSROOM LEARNING

French Wine Scholar® classes are offered by licensed program providers and delivered by an approved FWS instructor. This study format includes:

All FWS program providers teach from the same Wine Scholar Guild-developed presentations and are supplied with uniform teaching materials.

Naturally, each instructor has a unique teaching style. As a result, the wine selection will vary by market, and the class length, class structure (weekly, biweekly, weekends, etc.), and price will vary from location to location. Still, the content will be the same no matter where you take the class. For many, the classroom experience helps hammer home the theory; a tutored tasting component brings each region to life. In addition, many students find the set schedule helpful in keeping up with their studies.

FIND A PROVIDER NEAR YOU

  

STUDY MATERIALS

We offer all the necessary tools and support to master the wines of France!

FWS study manual in print + e-book formats

The 330-page study manual provides all the information derived from the test questions. You do not need to research your study materials; everything you need to know is in the manual.

Comprehensive coverage of France's 14 distinct wine regions:

  • Viticultural history, wine culture, and traditions
  • Location and climate and their effects on viticulture and wine style
  • Topography, geography, and soils and their impact on the vine
  • Grape varieties and their organoleptic profiles
  • Viticulture and winemaking practices
  • Wine industry trends and economics
  • All AOCs, with their regulations, wine styles, and specificities
  • Fundamental Unit covers the history of France, its political geography, physical geography, climate, soils, grapes, training systems, and viticultural & vinicultural practices, plus an essential piece on how AOCs are counted and why different sources quote different figures.
  • Particular focus on current regional trends and challenges
  • Pie charts of pertinent AOC production numbers and area under vine by wine region
  • Learning objectives that provide detailed assessment criteria for mastery

Regions covered: Alsace, Champagne, Bourgogne, Beaujolais, Jura, Savoie, Loire, Bordeaux, South-West, Languedoc, Roussillon, Rhône, Provence, Corsica

FWS Online Study Modules

French Wine Scholar® online study modules feature:

The FWS online study modules offer interactive presentations in a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum content retention and ease of use. Each region of France is covered and dovetails nicely with the French Wine Scholar study manual. Study materials are available 24/7. So if you've got a laptop and an internet connection, you've got a classroom!

  • Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
  • Educational graphics, videos, and pronunciation exercises to offer new insight and keep you engaged
  • Auto save function for resuming where you left off 
  • A progress bar tracks your accomplishments

About the French Wine Scholar

The French Wine Scholar study and certification program confers a post-nominal to wine professionals and enthusiasts who successfully pass the certification exam (Ex: John Smith, FWS). In addition, the FWS credential has true international recognition with a school network encompassing 30 countries on five continents.

It was created by WSG Education Director Lisa M. Airey CWE, with the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture, which knighted her in recognition of the program's exceptional level of depth, accuracy, detail, and academic rigor as well as its impact on the global wine industry.

 

Student Testimonials:

  • Claire Henry
    on Aug 30, 2023
    "Fantastic program including a lot of history which essential to understand choices made by winemakers some business trends and very detailled chapter on each regions. Loved it !"
  • Wai Man Raymond WONG
    on Aug 9, 2023
    "Excellent Program! A must for all French wine lovers! Highly recommended!"
  • Mario Kruschinski
    on Aug 8, 2023
    "The FWS program material and online program was very well structured. It supported greatly the understanding an learning process."
  • Rebecca Stahley
    on Jul 21, 2023
    "I really liked the online learning modules and this enhanced the learning experience."
  • Michelle Ziino-Eck
    on Jul 18, 2023
    "The French Wine Scholar program provides a detailed overview in a concise yet detailed format. It motivates further desire to advance a person's knowledge of wini."
  • Lena Jörgensen
    on Jul 13, 2023
    "The FWS program is very educational and inspiring. The teachers are more than great and helpful in any ways. Even for me, who don´t have english as a motherlanguage, the program was perfect. I wouldn´t have it another way and I´m more than pleased with everything. I have learned more than I thought I would and I have more understanding about France and their winedistricts now. "
  • Brittney Johnson
    on Jul 7, 2023
    "This course contained a wealth of information but presents it in a way of answering the how’s and why’s of French wine. Overall I feel more confident knowing what to expect from a bottle coming from different regions and AOCs in France. "
  • Brittney Johnson
    on Jul 7, 2023
    "This course contained a wealth of information but presents it in a way of answering the how’s and why’s of French wine. Overall I feel more confident knowing what to expect from a bottle coming from different regions and AOCs in France. "
  • Amie King
    on Jun 23, 2023
    "This was an exceptional program! I learned so much about French wines, terroir, and history. It is very challenging to remember all of the necessary information, but this was one of the best learning experiences I've ever had!"
  • Nicolas Fouilleroux
    on Jun 22, 2023
    "The French Wine Scholar is a perfect way to dive into the intricacies of French wine laws and styles. It gives a great overview of historical backgrounds for each region. It also opens windows on rarer grape varieties and wines that are rarely put under the spotlights, which is a great addition to this wine journey."
  • Peter Swijsen
    on Jun 8, 2023
    "You get a really good view of everything France has to offer. The online environment is a fantastic surplus to the book. "
  • Laura Gutierrez
    on May 8, 2023
    "The French Wine Schola has meant to me a great opportunity to widen my knowledege of the wines of France. It not only dives into all the winemaking regions of this country, but it also makes you enjoy by discovering other fascinating facets of its culture."
  • gracematala
    on May 2, 2023
    "Best course you can ask for if you need to get in top wine as professional. Great Material and best course provide as well. ."
  • Juan Carlos Gallegos
    on May 1, 2023
    "FWS is the basis of all wine studies as it comprises the cornerstone and benchmark of winemaking and wine styles worldwide. It was a challenging course, but very rewarding."
  • Vanessa
    on Apr 26, 2023
    "The FWS program provides very detailed information about the French wine industry and culture. It’s very enjoyable to dig into the program."

Disclaimer: WSG offers wine study courses that are targeted to both beginners and those more experienced in the wine industry. While WSG has received many accolades, awards, and testimonials, WSG is not an accredited institution or school. WSG does not guarantee or warrant that any employer or school will recognize WSG wine study courses. While WSG knows that it is a well-recognized institution within the multi-national wine community, it cannot guarantee anyone success in their profession or vocation.

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