Congratulations to Kumar Sandrasegaran, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors!
About Kumar:
I have been enthusiastic about wine and viticulture for about 30 years, since college. However, wine is a hobby as I work full time in the medical field. I have travelled to many vineyards, particularly in France and USA. I am also fluent in French. I like to teach about wine and have had many “wine parties” with friends and colleagues.
I hope to complete Italian and Spanish Wine Scholar programs and then sit WSET III and IV. May be one day I may work as a sommelier, though working full time as a radiologist does not give me time for a second job at present.
I have taken classes in Napa Valley Wine Academy and more recently Las Vegas Wine Academy. Gina Marano of LVWA was very helpful in getting logistics set up. Maurizio was a fantastic teacher who put in the extra mile to help us do well in the FWS. His dedication was definitely the reason I did well in the FWS.
I have passed the WSET II. I would like to complete the Wine Scholar programs and WSET in next 2-3 years. I will probably consider the Master level programs in one or more French regions.
FWS gave me a thorough understanding of French wine – more so than needed for WSET. Similarly, I expect the other courses (SWS, IWS) to prepare me well for WSET. Now, I have no issues in ordering a French with a meal and am the go-to wine person for my friends while at a restaurant. I hope one day you will have an American Wine Scholar course.
