10-week Instructor-Led Format

Spanish Wine Scholar ™ online | 10-week Instructor-Led Format

Earn the Spanish Wine Scholar™ (SWS) post-nominal through 10 weeks of self-study fully supported by a comprehensive study manual, interactive e-learning modules for each region, and 10 live review webinars.

This format provides the convenience and flexibility of an online study program with interactive live “classroom” instruction delivered to a global student network via computer or tablet.

We provide true tech support, stellar instruction from world renowned instructors, a flexible schedule of study designed for busy professionals and all the necessary tools to master Spanish wines.

How it works Why this format? Schedule of study SWS STUDY TOOLS

Preview of the program:

The syllabus takes a regional approach and discusses all Spanish wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities. It provides committed students of wine with an unparalleled set of study tools that are designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.

The program was created by Spanish wine specialist Rick Fisher, Spanish Wine Scholar™ Education Director.

Wines from Spain (ICEX - Spain's Trade & Investment Government Agency) has endorsed the program in recognition of its exceptional level of depth, accuracy, detail, and academic rigor.

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

The Spanish Wine Scholar™ online | 10-week Instructor-Led Format includes:

PLUS:

The Spanish Wine Scholar™ online exam
A suggested schedule of study with learning objectives for each region
Online quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
Downloadable maps of all Spanish 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

Price: $790

Get your SWS certification in 10 weeks! Next online instructor-led session starts May 18, 2021. Registration is now open!
Get a head start! Gain instant access to online study materials... followed shortly by your study manual!

How it works Why this format? Schedule of study SWS STUDY TOOLS

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Meet your instructor:

Rick Fisher, Spanish Wine Scholar™ Education Director

• Creator of the Spanish Wine Scholar™ program
• Awarded Certified Sherry Educator through the Consejo Regulador of Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
• Creator of Bodega: Adventures in Spanish Food & Wine, a venue for the promotion and education of Spanish food, wine, and culture
• Provided education content for Rias Baixas and Drink Ribera consumer campaigns in the USA
• Traveled extensively throughout Spain

How it works:

You receive the full-color, 315-page Spanish Wine Scholar study manual for independent reading and study. Work through the material when you have time in your schedule.
You are provided access to on-line study modules and review quizzes corresponding to the course content found in the manual. These are available to you 24/7!
Attend 10 live webinars for 10 weeks via webinar accessible from computer or tablet. An opportunity to exchange freely with your instructor and fellow students. We always love to hear from you! Can’t make a webinar live? No problem. All are recorded for on demand replay in webinar or podcast formats…perfect on your way to work!
Have a question after watching a recorded webinar? Contact your instructor via and Instructor Q&A forum.
Track your progress through the course curriculum via our online tracking system.
You have one year from your registration date to take your final exam. When you are ready, please contact one month in advance, WSG Office Manager Céline Camus at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check on availability and schedule your online exam. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions. There is no tasting component. All you need is a laptop equipped with microphone and webcam and an internet connection.
We have structured the curriculum into a three-month program to keep you focused and disciplined in your study. But you have a full year to sit the exam…just in case life gets in the way.

How it works Why this format? Schedule of study SWS STUDY TOOLS

Why this format?:

1. It is manageable.

The program is designed to keep you on track…but it is also flexible enough to enable you to catch up should your schedule get interrupted…or even to suspend it should you get derailed. It is designed to accommodate the needs of a busy professional.

2. You have real human support.

Rick is available for questions via chat box during webinars and via the Q&A forum. There is also a student forum should you wish to create a study group/tasting group in your area or just interact with your fellow students. You can be as interactive or as independent as you want to be.

3. You are part of a global student community.

Your classmates will hail from every segment of the wine industry from all over the globe and offer very different insights and points of view. The intellectual ferment adds to the depth of your learning.

4. Your classroom is mobile.

If you have a computer, cell phone or tablet, you have a classroom!

Schedule of study:

Week 1 (May 17 - 21)	Welcome webinar (30 mins) Tuesday, May 18, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Meet your instructor and other students · General orientation · How to access online program and log-in to live webinars · How to use the discussion forum Self-study: Fundamentals & Green Spain
Week 2 (May 24 - 28)	Live webinar (1 hr 30 mins) Tuesday, May 25, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of The Fundamentals & Green Spain Self-study: The Duero River Valley
Week 3 (May 31 - June 4)	Live webinar (1 hr) Tuesday, June 1, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of The Duero River Valley Self-study: La Rioja & The Ebro River Valley
Week 4 (June 7 - 11)	Live webinar (1 hr 30 mins) Tuesday, June 8, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of La Rioja & The Ebro River Valley Self-study: Cataluña
Week 5 (June 14 - 18)	Live webinar (1 hr) Tuesday, June 15, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of Cataluña Self-study: The Central Mediterranean Coast
Week 6 (June 21 - 25)	Live webinar (1 hr) Tuesday, June 22, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of The Central Mediterranean Coast Self-study: The Meseta
Week 7 (June 28 - July 2)	Live webinar (1 hr) Tuesday, June 29, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of The Meseta Self-study: Andalucía
Week 8 (July 5 - 9)	Live webinar (1 hr) Tuesday, July 6, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of Andalucía Self-study: The Islands
Week 9 (July 12 - 16)	Live webinar (1 hr) Tuesday, July 13, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Check-in on progress · Review of The Islands Revision week
Week 10 (July 19 - 23)	Final live review webinar (1 hr 15 mins) Tuesday, July 20, 2021 @ 12:00 noon ET · Cross-regional review & recap · Sample test questions & exam protocols

How it works Why this format? Schedule of study SWS STUDY TOOLS

No vote

Study Materials:

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED

Modeled after the French Wine Scholar™ program, Spanish Wine Scholar™ students will receive the same complete set of study materials.

#1 THE SWS STUDY MANUAL:

The Spanish Wine Scholar™ manual is the most comprehensive and current coverage on the wines of Spain and follows a regional approach with strong tie-ins to terroir.

Each chapter is designed for maximum content retention and utilizes a systematic approach, allowing the student to compare and contrast each of the wine regions of Spain.

Manuals are current and discuss the most recent trends. They are printed in full-color, are rich in imagery and peppered with the iconic wine labels of each region.

Every Spanish wine appellation is discussed (vs. just mentioned) and triaged by "need-to-know" icons. Emphasis is given to the flavor and structure profiles of the wines.

A Fundamentals Chapter provides an overview which puts all of Spain and its wines into perspective.

#2 SWS Online Study Program:

The SWS online study program offers interactive e-learning modules that are put into a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum retention of content and ease of use.

Each region of Spain is covered and dovetails nicely with the Spanish 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!

Spanish Wine Scholar™ online study modules features:

E-learning modules loaded with videos and learning games to keep you engaged
Your place is automatically bookmarked/saved to resume where you left off
Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
Hundreds of online flashcards
Pronunciation exercises
You earn badges to track your accomplishments

#3 Detailed Spanish Wine Maps:

Your study manual will be packed with beautiful wine maps which have been designed for this program by Quentin Sadler. Electronic versions of these maps, in addition to blank practice maps are also available for download on the online course page.

#4 Professional Instructor Support:

Online Independent Study: via the Q&A forum answered by Rick Fisher, SWS Education Director
Online Instructor-led Format: via the Q&A forum plus email and live chat with instructors
In Classroom: via a local, certified instructor

How it works Why this format? Schedule of study SWS STUDY TOOLS

1 comment

Comment Link Tuesday, 05 November 2019 00:08 posted by stephanie rudolph
Hello,
I am interested in taking the Spanish Wine Scholar course; when will the next 15 week instructor led sessions begin?
Is it possible to purchase the book in advance of the course to start learning?
Currently a member of SWE and about to take the CSW exam-fingers crossed.

Thank you very much,

Stephanie Rudolph

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.

"Wines from Spain is pleased to have had the opportunity to witness and consult on the development of this much needed and important Spanish Wine Scholar program since its inception. The program showcases the richness of Spanish wines - their authenticity, huge diversity and premium quality - combined with the rich culture and history that gave rise to their origins. The program offers a great opportunity for those who want to widen their knowledge of the wines from Spain."

Alfonso Janeiro Diez

Head of Wines From Spain in Madrid

"Wines from Spain is pleased to have had the opportunity to witness and consult on the development of this much needed and important Spanish Wine Scholar program since its inception.…

Alfonso Janeiro Diez

Head of Wines From Spain in Madrid
"If you want to learn everything there is to know about Spanish wine – whether you are a professional or just a lover of good wine – this course will take you there. It is valuable for anyone who wants an in-depth but approachable lesson on the grapes, regions, and producers of Spain … which to me is the greatest wine country in the world!"

José Andrés

Chef and Owner of ThinkFoodGroup

"If you want to learn everything there is to know about Spanish wine [...] this course will take you there."

José Andrés

Chef and Owner of ThinkFoodGroup
"SWS is the only real complete study program on the wines of Spain. It not only covers all winemaking regions of Spain, but it also gives an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of this extremely exciting wine country.”

Jonas Tofterup, MW

Owner of Iberian Wine Academy in Málaga, Spain

"SWS is the only real complete study program on the wines of Spain. It not only covers all winemaking regions of Spain, but it also gives an in-depth understanding of…

Jonas Tofterup, MW

Owner of Iberian Wine Academy in Málaga, Spain
"The SWS Manual is probably one of the most comprehensive and educative works ever produced on Spanish wines. The Sherry chapter, in particular, covers every piece of basic knowledge there is to know about these very special wines. Sherry wines are by nature complex, but wine students will find the manual's approach to the region, the processes, and the wines are both rigorous and easy to understand".

César Saldaña

President, Consejos Reguladores de las Denominaciones de Calidad “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry”

"The SWS Manual is probably one of the most comprehensive and educative works ever produced on Spanish wines"

César Saldaña

President, Consejos Reguladores de las Denominaciones de Calidad “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry”
"The Spanish Wine Scholar Program is the industry's most up-to date and in-depth course on the wines of Spain. The level of detail and quality of the materials make this program a mandatory course for any serious student of wine. Viva España !"

Monica Marin, DipWSET

Director of Education Programs , The Wine House – Los Angeles

"The Spanish Wine Scholar Program is the industry's most up-to date and in-depth course on the wines of Spain. The level of detail and quality of the materials make this…

Monica Marin, DipWSET

Director of Education Programs , The Wine House – Los Angeles
"The in-depth SWS programme is a wonderful immersion of study through the history, culture and romance of the vinous nation of Spain.

Expertly crafted by the SWS maestro Rick Fisher, the detailed and comprehensive textbook expertly guides you through all the regions of Spain including lesser-known areas such as the Canary and Balearic Islands. From the Albillo to Zalema grape varieties there is thorough and meticulous information including geological, geographical, topographical and meteorological and how these disciplines combine to shape the mouth-watering wines of Spain.

The SWS course is an absolute must for anyone who wishes to master vinous Spain and sits proudly in its vigour and depth alongside the FWS and IWS."

Jimmy Smith, FWS, IWS, SWS, DipWSET

Owner & Head Tutor at West London Wine School

"The SWS course is an absolute must for anyone who wishes to master vinous Spain and sits proudly in its vigour and depth alongside the FWS and IWS."

Jimmy Smith, FWS, IWS, SWS, DipWSET

Owner & Head Tutor at West London Wine School
"The SWS book is a great piece of deep information, but also a well edited and visual book that will help to understand the what, the why, the how, the who and the when of the Spanish wine scene".

Ferran Centelles

Wine Manager at elBullifoundation, Spanish specialist for Jancisrobinson.com

"The SWS book is a great piece of deep information, but also a well edited and visual book that will help to understand the what, the why, the how, the…

Ferran Centelles

Wine Manager at elBullifoundation, Spanish specialist for Jancisrobinson.com
“It is great to see that with Spanish Wine Scholar, there is a reference study program specifically focused on Spanish wines. This helps to show the amazing amount of regional diversity Spain has to offer with its impressive treasures of different and rare varieties, vineyards and unique spots”

Miguel Torres Maczassek

5th Generation and General Manager Familia Torres

"It is great to see that with Spanish Wine Scholar, there is a reference study program specifically focused on Spanish wines"

Miguel Torres Maczassek

5th Generation and General Manager Familia Torres
"The Spanish Wine Scholar Program is wonderfully comprehensive and a thorough class on Spain. There’s a ton of knowledge packed into 300 pages, having the online modules really solidified the key points in the text book. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to sharpen their knowledge in Spanish wines!"

Gretchen Thomas

VP of Food & Beverage Innovations, Barcelona Wine Bar

"I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to sharpen their knowledge in Spanish wines!"

Gretchen Thomas

VP of Food & Beverage Innovations, Barcelona Wine Bar