Congratulations to Alexander Lomas, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors!
About Alexander:
I am wine professional based in Newcastle upon Tyne in England UK. I currently work as a lead tutor at www.newcastlewineschool.com where I host informal tastings open to everyone of all levels and covering all styles, from all countries at varying price levels. I also host both corporate, commercial & private events in addition to wine articles on a freelance basis. My background began in Hospitality initially qualifying in Hotel Management before moving into the family restaurant business as a head Chef/Director. After a number of years I took a break from restaurant life pursuing the other side of my career in the arts, whilst maintaining a keen interest in wine eventually leading to WSET certification, and my current role at Newcastle Wine School where I have gone full circle, student to teacher. I’m passionate about teaching wine and understanding its history, individual culture and origin and the way that’s brought together when enjoyed in a mutual tasting experience with other wine lovers. Newcastle Wine School is focused on unbiased wine education and with no affiliations have the freedom to taste all types of wine based solely on their merit. My aim is to continue learning, sharing & enjoying wine and my FWS knowledge will definitely contribute to that.
I have studied numerous other Wine & Beverage related qualifications successfully including the WSET certifications of which I am currently studying the highest Level 4 Diploma. I also attended Plumpton College the UK’s leading viticultural centre to study viticulture & Enology.
I really enjoyed the FWS and it has definitely added value to my overall education. I love the fact that smaller appellations are included along with a comprehensive overview of history, geology & culture - for me these are the very thing that help you understand wine and which stitch everything together.
WSET Level 4 Diploma (Currently Studying)
FWS Highest Honours (WSG Online program)
WSET Level 3 (Distinction)
WSET Level 2 (Distinction)
Plumpton College
WINE SKILLS: Principles of Vine-growing, Viticulture & Enology (Distinction)
OTHER
SQA Certified Diploma in Gin: Edinburgh Whisky Academy EWA
Certified Beer Server: Studied with the Cicerone Program Online
National Diploma HCIMA Hotel Management: Durham New College
I am not currently enrolled on any other WSG programs however it is my full intention to do so. I am currently in the middle of my WSET Diploma and studying the FWS has definitely been helpful in complimenting these current studies, you can never know too much! It was my first time studying with the WSG but definitely won’t be my last and has encouraged me to follow some of the other programs in the future.
There is always more to learn about wine and for me its a continuous journey. Studying multiple styles of certification is the key to real understanding and the FWS is a great place to start. Having lived in France for a couple of years it has always been a relatively strong point in my knowledge but studying the FWS I found it a refreshing holistic view of the country and much more than just the main appellations. In addition to the course content though WSG offer something else which is important in today's working environment, accessibility - offering a variety of study options. I was able to study the entire course and participate in a proctored exam from the comfort of my home office which proved especially important in the recent uncertain times.
The FWS is another step forward in my aspiration to a comprehensive understanding of wine and my ability to share this with others. There's no doubt it has added value not only to my current roles but within the industry as a whole and I’d certainly recommend the program to both professionals & enthusiasts alike, passionate about all aspects of wine and I look forward to studying with WSG again in the future.
