Distance Learning

Distance Learning

Distance Learning

Earn the Italian Wine Scholar® (IWS) post-nominal via the online, independent study format or enroll in the 10-week, instructor-led online format including live review webinars

The Italian Wine Scholar® online learning format includes for each unit:

PLUS:

A suggested schedule of study with learning objectives for each region
Live review webinars with acclaimed wine educators (*instructor-led format only)
Online quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
Downloadable maps of all Italian wine regions
Pronunciation exercises to boosts your credibility
A list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group hosted by students enrolled in the online program

Pricing for the online study formats:

Independent study format:

On-demand, start anytime

Price: $690 per unit

UNIT 1 REGISTRATION UNIT 2 REGISTRATION

10-week instructor-led format:

Unit 1: Next session starts January 10, 2023
Unit 2: Next session starts February 8, 2023

Price: $790 per unit

UNIT 1 REGISTRATION UNIT 2 REGISTRATION

Note: Unit 1 & 2 can be taken in any order

Student Testimonials:

Petar Velickovic
on Jun 2, 2023
"The book and the whole program is really amazing. This program revealed how magical Italian wines really are."
Sylvain Lambert
on May 31, 2023
"This program is an incredible source of information. Overall the work put into building this course is nothing short of impressive. You get great support from the WSG team for any question or problem. Lots of resources on the site also to help you study and integrate the infos... quizz, powerpoints, etc...Can't wait to dive into the second unit! "
Gareth Pulham
on May 16, 2023
"Very enjoyable course that helps to demystify Italian wine. I tasted some fantastic wines, learned a lot and met fantastic people. Highly recommended."
Paul Chapman
on May 16, 2023
"Excellent in all respects!"
Steven Bonfield
on May 16, 2023
"Now that I have completed all four WSG offerings , France, Spain , Italy 1 and Italy 2, I am feeling totally lost . Please WSG, give us some more ! As an enthusiastic amateur I found the whole experience suited my current level of knowledge and my desire for more I would recommend these courses to anyone who is interested in improving their knowledge and enjoyment of wine "
Steven Bonfield
on May 16, 2023
"Now that I have completed all four WSG offerings , France, Spain , Italy 1 and Italy 2, I am feeling totally lost . Please WSG, give us some more ! As an enthusiastic amateur I found the whole experience suited my current level of knowledge and my desire for more I would recommend these courses to anyone who is interested in improving their knowledge and enjoyment of wine "
Clifford C. Raisbeck III
on May 9, 2023
"Superb energy and interactive communication from instructors Tanya Morning Star and Alberto Interiano. A fun and fulfilling educational course, overall."
Thiago Borne
on May 3, 2023
"IWS provides a powerful knowledge, with an excellent program of study that will transform you into a specialist in the subject. If you are interested in being an expert in Italian wines, IWS is the best way to get there! "
Thomas Schramm
on May 3, 2023
"It is an incredible program. There is no other that has this much depth "
Andrew Macleod
on Apr 26, 2023
"The Italian Wine Scholar program is a great option for anyone wanted to delve into the fascinating world of Italian wine. Whether you're a person with years of experience or are just getting interested in wine, the depth of information this course offers will surely prove invaluable."
John Smith
on Apr 20, 2023
"Looking forward to the next Scholar programme, whichever country you choose !"
Mark Rodriguez
on Apr 7, 2023
"I am happy to have taken the course and look forward to further exploring the wine-regions of the land of vines. Cin cin."
Darren Cooper
on Mar 24, 2023
"An excellent study program for anyone interested in the fascinating subject of Italian Wine"
Claudia Hussain
on Mar 24, 2023
"I really enjoyed the course and am looking forward to doing more. I did feel that the exam was a bit too tough and stressful but maybe that was just my revision!"
Marlene Chan
on Mar 22, 2023
"Loved this course! "

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.

"I have devoured the Italian Wine Scholar manual and found it incredibly well written, precise and comprehensive.

I think it will be a useful and great tool in the hands of many Italian wine lovers and wine professionals across the country that want to learn and understand more about Italy, and its geography, history, culture and definitely wines."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Ciro Pirone

Director Italian Wines at Horizon Beverage Group (Boston, MA)

"I have devoured the Italian Wine Scholar manual and found it incredibly well written"

Ciro Pirone

Director Italian Wines at Horizon Beverage Group (Boston, MA)
"Committed students of wine will love the Italian Wine Scholar manual.

It’s exhaustive coverage of Italy’s regions, grape varieties and wine styles will only make you thirsty.

Plus, extensive use of images, labels and detailed maps helps bring everything to life."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Peter Marks MW

Vice President of Education at Constellation Academy of Wine

"Committed students of wine will love the Italian Wine Scholar manual..."

Peter Marks MW

Vice President of Education at Constellation Academy of Wine
"I am very impressed with the first edition of the Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 study manual which is well researched and thoughtfully laid out.

The dense information is well organized and includes graphs, color photographs and wine labels, making it both visually appealing as well as informative.

Given the sheer amount of information, it is a great idea to divide the course material into regions.

I would recommend the Italian Wine Scholar study program for anyone who really wants to learn about the complex and fascinating wine regions of Italy."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Jeannie Cho Lee MW

First Asian Master of Wine and award-winning author, wine critic and educator. Contributing Editor for Decanter

"I am very impressed with the first edition of the Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 study manual."

Jeannie Cho Lee MW

First Asian Master of Wine and award-winning author, wine critic and educator. Contributing Editor for Decanter
"I am impressed by the thoroughness of research that has gone into the Italian Wine Scholar study manual, and by the clear way it is laid out.

I am sure that this course will prove very useful for the growing numbers of wine students wishing to improve their knowledge of wines in general and Italian wines in particular."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Nicolas Belfrage MW

Author of the acclaimed books on Italian wines “Barolo to Valpolicella” and “Brunello to Zibibbo”

"I am impressed by the thoroughness of research that has gone into the Italian Wine Scholar study manual"

Nicolas Belfrage MW

Author of the acclaimed books on Italian wines “Barolo to Valpolicella” and “Brunello to Zibibbo”
"I was very excited to read your first foray into Italy…it did not disappoint.

Once again, you have compiled a wine manual that is truly scholarly. The Italian Wine Scholar manual is comprehensive, complete and very well structured.

Your format of starting with the history, moving to topography and climate, explaining in depth the grape varietals and ending with thorough explanation of the appellations is seamless. You have obviously done your homework and compiled the right scholars to help create this wine manual.

With the online program, the different avenues for learning this information, all available through your course, is truly remarkable. From video with your Italian expert (Maurizio Broggi DWS, FWS), to videos on the book material to going through power point slides, is really fantastic. It permits all students to learn through different teaching techniques. Whether it is maps, video, power point or just reading, this course contains it all."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Nicholas Poletto

Director of Education at Kobrand Corporation

"I was very excited to read your first foray into Italy…it did not disappoint!"

Nicholas Poletto

Director of Education at Kobrand Corporation
"The information is comprehensive, the writing is engaging and the format is easy to follow. Congratulations!"

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Craig Locascio

South Atlantic Director of Education and Sales Training, Breakthru Beverage Group

"The information is comprehensive, the writing is engaging and the format is easy to follow. Congratulations!"

Craig Locascio

South Atlantic Director of Education and Sales Training, Breakthru Beverage Group
"The Italian Wine Scholar study manual on the wines of Northern Italy is simply the finest guide to this complex and important region to be published in recent memory.

It is an immediate must for the trade at all levels and for any interested consumer. Bravo!"

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Martin Sinkoff

VP and Director of Marketing, Frederick Wildman And Sons

"An immediate must for the trade at all levels and for any interested consumer. Bravo!"

Martin Sinkoff

VP and Director of Marketing, Frederick Wildman And Sons
"In one word, the first edition of Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 study manual is …..“Exceptional”!

It is the most comprehensive study guide I have seen on Northern Italy.

With the impeccable detail that is provided within each region it allows the student to truly master Italian wines.

From an educators perspective, separating the program into two units allows the student to fully embrace comprehend Italy. Bravo!"

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Pam Kindel Connors

Human Resources Business Partner Director, Glazer's Louisiana

"In one word, the first edition of Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 study manual is “Exceptional”!"

Pam Kindel Connors

Human Resources Business Partner Director, Glazer's Louisiana
"The Italian Wine Scholar study manual is a comprehensive compilation of information for those who are truly interested in mastering Italian wines.

It is tightly edited and focused, with a great collection of maps and other graphics as well."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Paul Wagner

Balzac Communication & Italian Wine Marketing specialist

"It is tightly edited and focused, with a great collection of maps and other graphics as well.”

Paul Wagner

Balzac Communication & Italian Wine Marketing specialist
"Thanks so much for sending Unit 1: The Wines of Northern Italy.

I’ve had the chance to look over it, and I have to say I really like it.

It’s well-organized, well-written and very informative. It’s a superb resource to study and dig deep into the wines of Northern Italy.

I’m looking forward to your release of Unit 2!"

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Gregory Doody

President & CEO at Vineyard Brands

"It’s a superb resource to study and dig deep into the wines of Northern Italy"

Gregory Doody

President & CEO at Vineyard Brands
"The Wine Scholar Guild has created an impressive and comprehensive curriculum in the ever-changing and always complicated world of Italian wine.

I loved how the book(s) were laid out with good, relevant, timely information and how easy it made learning about Italian wine.

The information is presented in such a way that the program is appropriate for beginning and advanced students of wine. Bravo – well done!"

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Alfonso Cevola

Corporate Director for Italian Wines for Glazer’s. Author of the award-winning blog “On the Wine Trail in Italy”

"WSG has created an impressive and comprehensive curriculum in the ever-changing and always complicated world of Italian wine"

Alfonso Cevola

Corporate Director for Italian Wines for Glazer’s. Author of the award-winning blog “On the Wine Trail in Italy”
"For the student of wine no country is more challenging to learn than Italy.

The scale of regions, grapes, and styles of wine is overwhelming.

A thoughtful and concise manual like the Wine Scholar Guild’s “Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1” can be an invaluable tool vital to a student’s success in learning about the world’s most diverse wine country."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Tim Gaiser MS

Renowned wine expert and Master Sommelier

"...an invaluable tool vital to a student’s success in learning about the world’s most diverse wine country"

Tim Gaiser MS

Renowned wine expert and Master Sommelier
"This book is a must have for anyone seriously interested in getting to grips with Northern Italian wine regions, the main DOCs/DOCGs and most importantly the rich wealth of native grape varieties.

The book is very clearly set out, making this complex subject accessible and easy to read. The layout is simple to follow with brief paragraphs covering each region, its history, climate, soils and sub-zones as well as wine styles, key grape varieties and DOC/DOCGs.

I particularly like the beautifully illustrated regional maps with demarcated DOC/DOCGs at the beginning of each section. Plus the addition of lots of well-chosen photographs of vineyards, landscapes and wine labels helps bring to life the huge depth of technical and factual information this book contains. This is one of the most useful and accessible sources of reference material on Italian wines to be published recently which makes this invaluable for both the wine professional and dedicated enthusiast alike."

Learn more about the Italian Wine Scholar program

Susan Hulme MW

Wine educator and consultant, judge for Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and Italian wine expert

"Invaluable for both the wine professional and dedicated enthusiast alike"

Susan Hulme MW

Wine educator and consultant, judge for Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and Italian wine expert
"This is a scholarly work that is amazingly approachable and accessible, especially considering its comprehensive, encylopedic nature.

It exhibits an exquisite attention and precision to detail that is extraordinary.

Also rich in historical context fleshed out by informative, fun facts and trivia, it presents an enjoyable journey through the intricate, convoluted maze that is Italian wine."

Len Presutti CWE

Corporate Wine Educator at Martignetti Companies

"a scholarly work that is amazingly approachable and accessible, especially considering its comprehensive, encylopedic nature"

Len Presutti CWE

Corporate Wine Educator at Martignetti Companies
"The first edition of the Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 study manual is rich in details and a great read"

Chris So

Founder of WINELIST.HK, a wine media, education and consultancy company in Hong Kong

"The first edition of the Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 study manual is rich in details and a great read"

Chris So

Founder of WINELIST.HK, a wine media, education and consultancy company in Hong Kong
"The manual is superb, and has been very helpful to us. Especially the “Foundation Chapter”. We have used it extensively to better understand the Laws, especially recent changes and the EU impact on these changes.

We are extremely proud to be the importers of several important Italian producers, with new ones coming into the fold almost every month! Gaja, Il Poggione, Anselmi, Berlucchi, Nino Franco, Cusumano, Nonino, Simonit & Sirch, and just recently, Feudi San Gregorio. Angelo and Gaia Gaja have elected to change the nomenclature on several of their labels with the most recent releases, so this information from your extensive and well-put together research has been invaluable in understanding these changes.

The maps, photographs and illustrations are very well done, and help keep the material fresh and fun to read. Italian wine is a complicated topic and your fine work cuts through what could be an overwhelming course of study and makes it very approachable.

Cheers to a fantastic job on this. I sincerely hope we get to meet in person someday so I can thank you directly."

Timothy C. Clark

National Wine Educator at Terlato Wines

“Italian wine is a complicated topic and your fine work cuts through what could be an overwhelming course of study and makes it very approachable”

Timothy C. Clark

National Wine Educator at Terlato Wines
"Thanks to its complex orogenesis, topography and climatic variation, Italy boasts a combination of distinct terroirs and the largest number of indigenous grape varieties—some well-known and established, others lesser-known and even endangered.

Through the comprehensive Italian Wine Scholar manuals, the student of Italian wine is able to dive deeply into the diverse world of the wines of Italy and appreciate how the vine is intrinsically part of the Italian landscape and deeply rooted in Italian culture."

Gianmaria Trenti

Winemaker at Edmund Mach Foundation in Trentino

"Through the comprehensive IWS manuals, the student of Italian wine is able to dive deeply into the diverse world of the wines of Italy"

Gianmaria Trenti

Winemaker at Edmund Mach Foundation in Trentino
"Seeing the appellation of Lugana and our label Menasasso in the WSG's Italian Wine Scholar study manual has a profound meaning for me, it is one of the greatest recognitions achieved during my life in the world of wine and one of the most important achieved by the appellation I had the honor to lead."

Luca Formentini

Owner of Selva Capuzza and Vice-president of the Consorzio of Lugana

"Seeing the appellation of Lugana and our label Menasasso in the WSG's Italian Wine Scholar study manual has a profound meaning for me"

Luca Formentini

Owner of Selva Capuzza and Vice-president of the Consorzio of Lugana
"Italian Wine Scholar is a fantastic study resource for students and professionals to gain deeper knowledge or to review the multifaceted wine regions and styles of Italy. IWS presents a holistic framework including history and culture to help bring the wines and their regulations into context. I highly recommend IWS to anyone wishing to solidify their knowledge of Italian wines."

Susan R Lin MW

Head of Wine Expertise & Business Development at Belmont Wine Exchange

"I highly recommend IWS to anyone wishing to solidify their knowledge of Italian wines"

Susan R Lin MW

Head of Wine Expertise & Business Development at Belmont Wine Exchange

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