Displaying items by tag: education

Across the world, the coronavirus pandemic has temporarily closed classrooms and required students to learn their course material entirely from home. At the Wine Scholar Guild, many new enrollments have shifted to the online wine study option for the foreseeable future. In fact, many students now find themselves with more time on their hands as they are required to stay home and adopt “social distancing” to their daily routine.

It is important to note that at-home learning can require very different skills not applied in a classroom setting. Whether you are new to distance learning or eager for ideas on how to improve your studying practice, we’ve compiled 12 helpful study tips to help you make the most of your at-home wine education.

Are you ready to dive into one of the world’s greatest wine-producing countries? If so, our next Spanish Wine Scholar Instructor-Led course is about to start, and we would love to have you join us! If you still aren’t sure, then take a look at these ten reasons why you should be studying Spanish wine. 

THE ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR™ PROGRAM IS THE INDUSTRY'S MOST RESPECTED CERTIFICATION COURSE ON THE WINES OF ITALY

Master the wines of Northern Italy through self-study fully supported by a comprehensive study manual, interactive e-learning modules for each region, and 14 on-demand webinars. The Italian Wine Scholar™ Unit 1 curriculum via online learning offers an interactive program that is put into a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum retention of content and ease of use.

Students who pass the exam for Unit 1 and Unit 2 will earn the Italian Wine Scholar™ (IWS) post-nominal.

We provide stellar instruction from an acclaimed instructor, a flexible schedule of study designed for busy professionals and all the necessary tools to master the wines of Central & Southern Italy.

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)

Instructor-Led Format

Join the class anytime

Price: $790

Register Now

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

Program Preview:

The Italian Wine Scholar ™ Unit 1 Online | Instructor-Led Format Includes:

Plus: 

• The IWS Study Roadmap: A Checklist For Success, providing a suggested schedule of study
• On-demand webinars with Italian Programs Director Andrea Eby
• Live, thematic online Monthly Meet-ups with your instructor and fellow classmates
• The Italian Wine Scholar™ Unit 1 online exam
• Online quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
• A list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group organized by students enrolled in the online program
• Downloadable maps

Instructor-Led Format

Join the class anytime

Price: $790

Register Now 

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

Meet your instructor

Andrea Eby IWS, DipWSET, CSW

How does it work?

• You receive the full-color, 262-page Italian Wine Scholar study manual for Unit 1 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!
• Watch the 14 accompanying on-demand webinars, available anywhere, anytime on your computer, tablet or phone. These are available to you as recordings and can be rewatched anytime during your year-long registration period.
• Join optional Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructor and fellow classmates. We offer two distinct time zone options each month to make it easy for you to join! Monthly Meet-Ups are casual opportunity to exchange with your instructors and fellow students on thematic topics pertaining to your course material, with optional wine!
• Have a question after watching a recorded webinar? Contact your instructor via and Instructor Q&A forum or email them directly.
• Track your progress through the course curriculum via our online tracking system.
• You have one year from your registration date to take your exam for Unit 1. 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 four-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.

Instructor-Led Format

Join the class anytime

Price: $790

Register Now 

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

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.

Andrea is available for questions via the Q&A forum and via direct email. 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

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 Northern Italy’s 9 distinct 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

Plus: A Foundation Unit covering Italian wine law, history, geography, topography, climate, viticulture and wine styles

Italian Wine Scholar™ study manual Unit 1 (Northern Italy) features:

#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 Northern Italy are covered and dovetails nicely with the Italian Wine Scholar study manual Unit 1. 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

Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 Online Exam:

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.

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 over 30 countries on 5 continents, the IWS credential has true international recognition.

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

Earn the French Wine Scholar™ (FWS) post-nominal through self-paced study fully supported by a comprehensive study manual, interactive e-learning modules for each region, and 15 on-demand webinars let by your instructors. 

This format provides the convenience and flexibility of an online study program with structured and ongoing support you need to get you over the finish line. Join the 15 on-demand webinars from any location with an internet connection, at any time that suits your busy schedule. Connect with your instructors and fellow classmates during the live online Monthly Meet-Ups and anytime via the online classroom forums. 

WSG provides stellar instruction from world renowned instructors, a flexible schedule of study designed for busy professionals, and all the necessary tools to master French wines.

Instructor-Led Format

Start today and gain immediate access to all course materials

Price: $950 

Register Now 

The French Wine Scholar™ Online | Instructor-Led Format Includes

• A comprehensive 330-page study manual with illustrations, maps, and graphics, available in print + e-book formats
• Classroom camaraderie during themed Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructors and fellow classmates
• 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 that can be watched at any time during your learning journey
• Live, online thematic Monthly Meet-ups with your instructors
• A suggested schedule of study with learning objectives that provide detailed assessment criteria for mastery
• A list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group 
• An online exam sit (100 multiple choice questions), to be scheduled at a time that suits you, when you're ready for the exam

Price: $950

We've recently released a brand new and fully updated version of the French Wine Scholar program (the 7^th edition)! Register today to get your FWS certification!

Start today and gain instant access to all the study materials. You can join a class anytime. Registration is now open!
  

Meet your instructors

Sharon McLean, CS, DipWSET, FWS, IWS

• Certified Sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild
• Authorized educator of WSG programs and Certified Educator of WSET courses on Vancouver Island
• WSET Diploma with the highest marks in Canada
• An accredited Bordeaux instructor

Lisa M. Airey, CWE, FWS

• Director of Education at Wine Scholar Guild since 2009
• 24 years of experience in the wine industry
• Knighted by the French government for the FWS program’s significant contribution to the French wine industry
• Accredited International Bordeaux Tutor, Certified Burgundy Instructor, Certified Rhône Valley Educator

How does it work?

• Register now and gain instant access to all of the online study materials including an e-book version of the study manual.
• Your full-color, 330-page French Wine Scholar study manual will arrive by mail shortly afterwards for independent reading and study. Work through the material when you have time in your schedule. 
• You are provided access to online study modules and review quizzes corresponding to the course content found in the manual. These are available to you 24/7!
• Watch the 15 on-demand webinars, available anywhere, anytime on your computer, tablet or phone. These are available to you on-demand and can be rewatched anytime during your year-long registration period.
• Join optional Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructors and fellow classmates. We offer two distinct time zone options each month to make it easy for you to join! Monthly Meet-Ups are casual opportunity to exchange with your instructors and fellow students on thematic topics pertaining to your course material, with optional wine!
• Have a question after watching a recorded webinar? Contact your instructors via and Instructor Q&A forum or email them directly.
• 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. 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 four-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.

Instructor-Led Format

Start today and gain immediate access to all course materials

Price: $950 

Register Now 

What's Included How it works Why this format? Study Materials

Why this format?

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.

You have real human support

Sharon and Lisa are available for questions via the Q&A forum and via direct email. 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.

Classroom camaraderie during "Monthly Meet-Ups"

Enjoy the energy of the live classroom during the monthly thematic Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructor and fellow students! A pre-defined theme pertaining to your course material will be shared in advance and you're welcome to come with wine in hand! These are informal occasions to ask questions and gain additional help reviewing for your exam.

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.

Your classroom is mobile

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

Study Materials

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

FWS Study Manual in print + e-book formats

The 330-page study manual (NEW 7th Edition) 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.

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
• A Fundamentals Unit covering the history of France, its political geography, physical geography, climate, soils, grapes, training systems, and viticultural & vinicultural practices…plus an important piece on how AOCs are counted and why different sources quote different figures.
• Special 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

Monthly FWS Meet-ups with Your Instructor and Classmates

Each month, we give you two distinct times to connect with your instructors during our themed Monthly Meet-Ups! This is an informal time to round-table a specific theme as it pertains to your FWS studies. Here's an idea of past and future topics that will be covered. Wine is optional, but recommended! 

1. Thinking Pink

The world of French rosé is a study in pink and partridge eye. This roundtable will discuss why there is such diversity within this wine category and what color can tell you.

2. Champagne: From Flaw to Fantastic

Bubbles in wine were not always well-received. This roundtable will discuss the serendipitous set of circumstances that gave rise to one of the world’s most popular luxury goods.

3. Vines of the 21^st Century: Hot and Bothered!

This roundtable discussion will tackle the extremely unpredictable weather events challenging the vignerons of France. Climate change is impacting vit/vini practices from Alsace to Rhône. How does this affect the wine in our glass?

4. Chenin Blanc: Flying High Under the Radar

Chenin Blanc has a cult following among the wine cognoscenti. This roundtable will discuss Chenin in terms of extract and aromatics.

5. The Evolution of the Red Bordeaux Blend

The red Bordeaux blend has changed enormously over the past 200 years. Join the roundtable to discuss the underpinnings of its success. Is it the grapes or is it the terroir?

6. France in your Glass

Join a philosophical discussion on what constitutes the quintessential French wine region! What wine is most closely associated with France, French history, and French culture.

7. Riesling: Straddling the Border

Historically, Alsace Riesling has been structurally different from its German counterpart. Are those differences beginning to blur? Join the discussion as we look at this grape on both sides of the border.

8. There’s Something in the Cellar

What happens when a wine ages? Are these changes always positive?  This roundtable will discuss the pros and cons of starting a wine cellar.

9. Books and Beyond

Have you read a French wine book has taken you beyond the printed word to change your thought processes, wine buying habits, or vacation destination? This roundtable will discuss those terrific tomes…so bring a title to share.

10. The Many Facets of Pinot

Pinot Noir is an unstable grape that is prone to mutation, yet it has turned out to be a very reliable “barometer of the soil.” This roundtable will discuss the many facets of the grape, particularly as it expresses itself in Bourgogne.

11. Late Harvest, Botrytis, Passerillage, Vin Doux Naturel

Consumer preferences are changing. How do sweet wines fit in? This roundtable will discuss sweet wine styles and the ways to showcase them to best advantage.

12. Off the Beaten Track

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find a wine from an off-the-beaten-track French appellation and tell us about it! Let’s go “off-road” and find some hidden treasure.

FWS Online Study Modules

The FWS 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 France is covered and dovetails nicely with the French 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!

French Wine Scholar™ online study modules features:

• Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
• Educational graphics, videos and pronunciation exercises 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

Instructor-Led Format

Start today and gain immediate access to all course materials

Price: $950

Register Now 

About the Program

The French Wine Scholar™ education program is the most advanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date French wine course available. 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 that are designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.

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). With a school network encompassing 30 countries on 5 continents, the FWS credential has true international recognition.

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.

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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 available. 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 that are designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.

Price: $750

Register now 

The French Wine Scholar™ Online | Independent Study 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
• 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).

Price: $750

Register now

The FWS program is also available in a Instructor-Led Online format with professional instructor support from with acclaimed wine educators Sharon McLean, DipWSET, FWS and WSG Education Director Lisa M. Airey. Many students find that this format gives the extra support and motivation to get to the finish line. 

Study Materials

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

FWS Study Manual in print + e-book formats

The 330-page, full-color study manual (NEW 7th Edition) 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.

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
• A Fundamentals Unit covering the history of France, its political geography, physical geography, climate, soils, grapes, training systems, and viticultural & vinicultural practices…plus an important piece on how AOCs are counted and why different sources quote different figures.
• Special 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

The FWS 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 France is covered and dovetails nicely with the French 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!

French Wine Scholar™ online study modules features:

• Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
• Educational graphics, videos and pronunciation exercises 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

Professional Instructor Support

• Online Independent Study: via the Q&A forum answered by French Programs Director
• Online On-Demand Instructor-Led Format: via the Q&A forum in your online classroom, directly via email, and during live online Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructors
• In Classroom: via a local, certified instructor

Price: $750

Register now 

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). With a school network encompassing 30 countries on 5 continents, the FWS credential has true international recognition.

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.

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

• Classroom instruction with tutored tastings
• A copy of the FWS study manual
• Access to the FWS online study modules & quizzes for class prep & review
• In-classroom exam sit

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, the wine selection will vary by market, the class length and class structure (weekly, biweekly, weekends etc.) will vary from location to location, but the content will be the same no matter where you take the class. For many, the classroom experience helps to hammer home the theory; a tutored tasting component brings each region to life. Many students find the set “schedule” helpful in keeping on top of their studies.

Who teaches for the Wine Scholar Guild?
Highly regarded industry professionals and educators including:

Jay Youmans MW, FWS	Mark Pygott MW, FWS	Sheral Schowe, M.Ed., FWS	David Glancy MS, CWE, FWS
Sharon Mclean, DipWSET, FWS	Jimmy Smith, DipWSET, FWS, IWS, SWS	Peter Neptune MS	Julien Boulard MW, FWS

FIND A PROVIDER NEAR YOU

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