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"The French Wine Scholar manual has once again proven why the Wine Scholar Guild is one of the best wine education programs in the world. What I particularly found helpful was the background information at the beginning of the manual.  The detailed information on the vineyard cycle, the effect of temperature and wind, the vineyard pests and plagues, understanding different trellising methods, etc., all helps build a solid foundation permitting a deeper understanding of wine.  The manual clearly explains the methods for both vineyard and winery work, which allow the student to fully appreciate the French wine regions.  

I have found many students are visual learners, and the quality of maps used by the French Wine Scholar manual are incredible. It really helps in understanding the material more thoroughly.  

I found the manual to be very well organized, enjoyable level of detail and a study guide I will continue to recommend.  Thank you for sharing this manual with me."

Nicholas Poletto

Director of Education at Kobrand Corporation

“The Wine Scholar Guild’s French Study Manual is simply the best and most comprehensive guide to French wine available today.  Indispensable for any wine trade professional who works with French wine.  Bravo!”

Martin Sinkoff

VP and Director of Marketing, Frederick Wildman And Sons

"The French Wine Scholar program… is the best, most comprehensive course of study for French wine, bar none. The program is well thought out and presented. Anyone wanting to learn about French wines needs to take this program; there is no better program out there"

Kevin Cleary

Owner/Director at Vermont Wine School

"Wine Scholar Guild is the new standard bearer for teaching wine to students of all learning styles.

The combination of their text book, online learning modules, quizzes and webinars combined with our presentation of their slides and wines of the regions makes in-depth learning great fun. 

Their various Master programs are insanely challenging.

I cannot think of a better way to dive in deep on the wines of France to prepare for the Advanced & Master Sommelier exams, WSET Diploma or MW"

David Glancy MS, CWE, FWS

Founder of San Francisco Wine School

"The French Wine Scholar Program is the most comprehensive approach that I have seen in regards to the wines of France, arguably the most important of all the wine-producing countries in the world. The level of detail and quality of the materials make this program a must-do for any serious student of wine"

Peter Neptune, MS, CWE, FWS

Founder of The Neptune School of Wine

"The French Wine Scholar Program is the industry's most comprehensive, in-depth course on the wines of France"

Jay Youmans, MW

Founder of Capital Wine School

"French wines are not easy to understand but for those committed to learn the result is uniquely rewarding.

The Wine Scholar Guild’s French Wine Scholar Study Manual provides a 360 guide that will take the student on an unparalleled journey through history, terroirs, winemaking, food paring and much more.

My most sincere appreciation goes to the WSG team for their great work to make French wines so much fun and easy to learn, for wine trade professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Bravo and “merci”!"

Xavier Barlier

Sr. VP, Marketing & Communication at Maisons Marques & Domaines

"The 6^th edition of the French Wine Scholar study manual is a magnificent piece of work! It’s beautifully arranged in distinct segments in an easy to read format, with bring-to-life photos and graphics.

The regions are thoroughly presented starting with the history, then moving to climate, geology, grape varieties, wine styles, appellations and culminating with serving suggestions.

Numerous distinguished wine experts contributed to this newest edition with all the latest information. I only wish I had this book when I began studying French wine!"

Peter Marks, MW

VP of Education at Constellation Academy of Wine

"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 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

"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."

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Peter Marks MW

Vice President of Education at Constellation Academy of Wine

"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

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

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Craig Locascio

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

"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."

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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!"

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Gregory Doody

President & CEO at Vineyard Brands

"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."

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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

"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

"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

"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