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Unit 1 - Independent Study Format

Unit 1 | Northern Italy | Italian Wine Scholar Online Course

The Italian Wine Scholar™ program is the industry's most respected certification course on the wines of Italy.

The Italian Wine Scholar™ education program is the most advanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date Italian wine course available. The syllabus takes a regional approach and discusses all italian wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities. The program provides committed students of wine with an unparalleled set of study tools that are designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.

The Italian Wine Scholar course is composed of two separate units:

  • The Wines of Northern Italy (Unit 1)
  • The Wines of Central & Southern Italy (Unit 2)

Students of wine who follow this in-depth curriculum and pass the exam for Unit 1 and Unit 2 will earn the Italian Wine Scholar™ (IWS) post-nominal.

Price for Unit 1 (Northern Italy): $690 

REGISTER 

The Italian Wine Scholar ™ Unit 1 (Northern Italy) online | Independent Study Format includes: 

 

Plus:

  • The Italian Wine Scholar™ online exam for Unit 1
  • A suggested schedule of study with learning objectives for each region
  • Online quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
  • Downloadable maps
  • A list of of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group hosted by students enrolled in the online program

Price for Unit 1 (Northern Italy): $690 

REGISTER NOW

The IWS Unit 1 program is also available in a instructor-led online format with professional instructor support from with acclaimed wine educators 


Student Testimonials:

  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Julia Lea
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "This is my first experience of WSG and I was pleasantly surprised how in depth the manuals were and how much I have learnt. the ability to taste as well put into context what I was learning. "
  • Jacqui Martin
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "For the ultimate study challenge - consider The Italian Wine Scholar. Immerse yourself in every region's best expression of their terroir through the grape varieties they choose to champion and why. Discover the passion behind the Italian Wine Industry. Delight in its attention to every detail - from vineyard to bottle and of course, to your glass. Open the manual and enjoy! "
  • David Lane
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "Having already completed the Spanish and French Wine Scholar courses, I was looking forward to the Italian course. I was not disappointed with Unit One and am now looking forward to Unit Two."
  • David Lane
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "Having already completed the Spanish and French Wine Scholar courses, I was looking forward to the Italian course. I was not disappointed with Unit One and am now looking forward to Unit Two."
  • Felipe Andres Avendano Callinir
    on Oct 1, 2022
    "In my opinion it helped me in my work, where we work only Italian wines, the maps help a lot, easy to use the website from the cell phone and the book is very complete, the only thing missing is to suggest some DOCG producers that you have to taste."
  • Jason Burns
    on Sep 6, 2022
    "The Italian Wine Scholar program is very clear and easy to understand and learn. I loved being able to study at my own pace with no pressure or deadlines. "
  • Stephanie Ketron
    on Aug 20, 2022
    "I highly recommend IWS for anyone who wants/needs to become more versed in the complicated, highly diverse world of Italian Wines."
  • Stephen Walsh
    on Aug 6, 2022
    "The IWS Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 opened my mind and eyes to parts of Italy I knew nothing about and provided me with in-depth knowledge on the wines from Northern Italy regions. I now read the whole wine menu in Italian restaurants and look for wines I learned about. I have chosen Vermintino and Barbara recently instead of the standard Soave or Chianti and had the pleasure to introduce and explain to my friends.The course is well structured and very well run."
  • Alejandro Espinoza
    on Jul 16, 2022
    "I find that I finally understand Italian wines, good explanations, I liked the online quizzes, and very important what you have done with the maps."
  • Dain Pascocello
    on Jun 20, 2022
    "The Italian Wine Scholar program provides all you need to master this endlessly fascinating country and its viticulture. I will definitely be recommending it to colleagues and the wine aficionados in my life."
  • Wai Chun Tang
    on Jun 6, 2022
    "The materials are very easy to use and understand."
  • Rebecca Love
    on May 20, 2022
    "Wasatch Academy of Wine always executes and excellent program. Sheral Schowe has complete control of an excellent wine cellar for wines of the program, and has visited, and has a personal relationship, with many of the wineries, producers, winemakers and owners. Dr. Sue Geary, an educator, did an amazing job of presenting and controlling the class. She is extremely organized and generous with her personal and very complete study materials. She made my learning journey a joy!"
  • Allison Armer
    on Apr 27, 2022
    "I can highly recommend WSG's Italian Wine Scholar program both Units 1 and 2 to anyone looking for a deep-dive exploration into the world of Italian Wine. It certainly opened my eyes to a world I was previously, mostly unfamiliar with and is I'm sure just the beginning of a lifelong journey."

Study materials: 

WE OFFER ALL THE NECESSARY TOOLS & SUPPORT TO MASTER THE WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY:

#1 ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR STUDY MANUAL: 

The 260-page, full-color study manual provides all the information from which the test questions are derived. You do not need to research you own study materials; everything you need to know is in the manual.

A comprehensive cover of Italy’s 9 distinct northern wine regions in the following manner:

  • History, culture and traditions
  • Location and climate with their effects on viticulture and wines
  • Topography, geography and soils
  • Grape varieties and their organoleptic profiles
  • Viticulture and winemaking
  • Wine industry trends and economics
  • All DOCs and DOCGs with their regulations, wine styles and specificities

REGIONS COVERED: Valle d’Aosta, Lombardia, Piemonte, Trentino, Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna

Italian Wine Scholar™ study manual features:



+A FOUNDATION UNIT:

A Foundation Unit provides an overview which pulls all of Italy and its wines into perspective.

#2 IWS Online Study Modules:

The IWS online study modules offer interactive presentations that are put into a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum retention of content and ease of use. Each region of Italy are covered and dovetails nicely with the Italian Wine Scholar study manual. Study materials are available 24/7. If you’ve got a laptop and an internet connection, you’ve got a classroom!

Italian Wine Scholar™ online study modules features:

  • Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
  • Full audio narration to offer new insight and keep you engaged
  • Your place is automatically bookmarked/saved to resume where you left off 
  • A progress bar tracks your accomplishments

#3 Professional Instructor Support

  • Online Independent Study: via the Q&A forum answered by Italian Programs Director Andrea Eby
  • Online Instructor-led Format: via the Q&A forum plus during live Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructor
  • In Classroom: via a local, certified instructor

About the program:

It was created with the support of the Italian wine DOC/G consortia.

The Italian Trade Commission (ITA) endorsed the program in recognition of its exceptional level of depth, accuracy, detail, and academic rigor.

The Italian Wine Scholar study and certification program confers a post-nominal to wine professionals and enthusiasts who successfully pass the certification exams (Ex: John Smith, IWS). With a school network encompassing 30 countries on 5 continents, the IWS credential has true international recognition.


Student Testimonials:

  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Julia Lea
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "This is my first experience of WSG and I was pleasantly surprised how in depth the manuals were and how much I have learnt. the ability to taste as well put into context what I was learning. "
  • Jacqui Martin
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "For the ultimate study challenge - consider The Italian Wine Scholar. Immerse yourself in every region's best expression of their terroir through the grape varieties they choose to champion and why. Discover the passion behind the Italian Wine Industry. Delight in its attention to every detail - from vineyard to bottle and of course, to your glass. Open the manual and enjoy! "
  • David Lane
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "Having already completed the Spanish and French Wine Scholar courses, I was looking forward to the Italian course. I was not disappointed with Unit One and am now looking forward to Unit Two."
  • David Lane
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "Having already completed the Spanish and French Wine Scholar courses, I was looking forward to the Italian course. I was not disappointed with Unit One and am now looking forward to Unit Two."
  • Felipe Andres Avendano Callinir
    on Oct 1, 2022
    "In my opinion it helped me in my work, where we work only Italian wines, the maps help a lot, easy to use the website from the cell phone and the book is very complete, the only thing missing is to suggest some DOCG producers that you have to taste."
  • Jason Burns
    on Sep 6, 2022
    "The Italian Wine Scholar program is very clear and easy to understand and learn. I loved being able to study at my own pace with no pressure or deadlines. "
  • Stephanie Ketron
    on Aug 20, 2022
    "I highly recommend IWS for anyone who wants/needs to become more versed in the complicated, highly diverse world of Italian Wines."
  • Stephen Walsh
    on Aug 6, 2022
    "The IWS Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 opened my mind and eyes to parts of Italy I knew nothing about and provided me with in-depth knowledge on the wines from Northern Italy regions. I now read the whole wine menu in Italian restaurants and look for wines I learned about. I have chosen Vermintino and Barbara recently instead of the standard Soave or Chianti and had the pleasure to introduce and explain to my friends.The course is well structured and very well run."
  • Alejandro Espinoza
    on Jul 16, 2022
    "I find that I finally understand Italian wines, good explanations, I liked the online quizzes, and very important what you have done with the maps."
  • Dain Pascocello
    on Jun 20, 2022
    "The Italian Wine Scholar program provides all you need to master this endlessly fascinating country and its viticulture. I will definitely be recommending it to colleagues and the wine aficionados in my life."
  • Wai Chun Tang
    on Jun 6, 2022
    "The materials are very easy to use and understand."
  • Rebecca Love
    on May 20, 2022
    "Wasatch Academy of Wine always executes and excellent program. Sheral Schowe has complete control of an excellent wine cellar for wines of the program, and has visited, and has a personal relationship, with many of the wineries, producers, winemakers and owners. Dr. Sue Geary, an educator, did an amazing job of presenting and controlling the class. She is extremely organized and generous with her personal and very complete study materials. She made my learning journey a joy!"
  • Allison Armer
    on Apr 27, 2022
    "I can highly recommend WSG's Italian Wine Scholar program both Units 1 and 2 to anyone looking for a deep-dive exploration into the world of Italian Wine. It certainly opened my eyes to a world I was previously, mostly unfamiliar with and is I'm sure just the beginning of a lifelong journey."

Questions about the exam?

*IWS Unit 1 online exam: You have one year from your registration date to take your exam (extension possible for a nominal fee). If you are registered for an online exam-sit and ready to schedule it, you may contact two weeks in advance the WSG office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Online exam candidates shall be equipped with a PC or Mac Desktop or laptop computer with working microphone, speakers and webcam and possess a good internet connection. The exam cannot be taken from a tablet, nor a mobile phone or Chromebook.

Read this page to learn more about the exam

 

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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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