This program includes all the necessary support and tools to understand the region and wine styles of France:

 

Our sessions will include 14 hours of classroom instruction completed with tutored tasting of over 25 wines. This course is taught by WSG certified instructor Melanie Webber, DipWSET, FWS, SWS. Your registration fee includes:

 

• A detailed and comprehensive 95-page course book rich with photographs, detailed and up-to-date maps, illustrations and infographics to optimize learning. The book is provided in print + e-book formats

 

• One-year access to WSG’s e-learning platform including online support modules and interactive activities related to your course

 

• Registration for the French Wine Essentials Exam

 

• WSG Essentials certificate upon passing the exam

 

To bring each region to life, you will taste a total of over 25 different wines over the course of the program!

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How much study time is required?

This certification has a minimum requirement of 25 hours of study time, including 12-15 hours of in-person classroom instruction.

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In addition to classroom instruction, we recommend that you engage in an additional 10-13 hours of study before sitting the exam.

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The number of total hours you spend will vary greatly based on your existing wine knowledge.

 

You are encouraged to expand your studying techniques beyond that of simply re-reading the course book. To assimilate knowledge and facilitate deeper understanding of key concepts try to engage in active learning techniques such as: notetaking, completing the e-learning activities, explaining key concepts to others and of course wine tasting!

 

Class Schedule: TBA

 

The schedule of classes is designed to give students the necessary time to truly assimilate the extensive body of material presented.

 

Who is the FWE Essentials programs for?

1. Hospitality, wholesale and/or retail wine professionals looking to enhance their knowledge of French wine

2. Aspiring wine professionals looking to start, transition to or advance their career in wine

3. Inquisitive wine enthusiasts wanting to become more familiar with French wine

4. Enthusiastic home or professional chefs, energetic epicureans or “foodies”

5. Avid travelers

6. Anyone wishing to become more knowledgeable about France and its wine and food culture

 

Why Choose WSG Essentials? This course enables students to:

• Acquire fundamental wine knowledge in just weeks

• Learn about the most important “need to know” wines of France

• and how they relate to local landmarks, culture and cuisine

• Recall the essential grape varieties and major wine regions of France

• Navigate seemingly complicated French wine classification systems

• Be perfectly poised to continue your studies with the prestigious French Wine Scholar® (FWS) certification program

 

How is the curriculum presented?

To maximize learning and retention, each need-to-know wine is organized by:

• Place of Origin

• Grape Varieties

• Wine Profile

• Production Notes

• Notable Producers

 

Essentials curriculum is further enriched by update-to-date maps, regional landmarks, topics of interest and local signature cuisine.

 

Are there any prerequisites?

No. WSG Essentials Wine Programs require no prior wine knowledge, only a willingness to learn and expand your horizons through study. The program provides all the tools required to fully grasp the essentials of French wine.

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What does the program cover?

France is home to almost 400 wine appellations. FWE Essentials introduces you to the most important regions and styles of wine found across the country. Place of origin, grape varieties, wine profile, production and pairing notes are all explored alongside notable producers and local signature cuisine. Appendices covering vine training systems, wine production methods, tasting descriptors and recommended wine lists enhance your working knowledge. Each wine is presented within a regional and cultural context while landmarks and traditional cuisine are highlighted to complete the curriculum.

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Key Learning Objectives:

Learning Objective 1: Understand the key environmental factors (including geography, topography, climate, and soils) and viticultural practices and how they impact the style and quality of each “need to know” wine.

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Learning Objective 2: Understand the key vinification and winemaking practices that impact the style and quality of each “need to know” wine.

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Learning Objective 3: Know the grape varieties, styles and quality levels of wines produced within the designated appellations.

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Learning Objective 4: Understand the basic tenets of French wine law and recall labeling terms.

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Assessment Criteria:

By the end of the course students will be able to:

• Describe the key factors that influence the growing environment and climate of each appellation

• Recall the main grape varieties (and their characteristics) associated with each wine covered in the session

• Identify the location of the profiled appellations on a map of France

• Recall viticultural, vinification and aging techniques that contribute to the style and quality of the wines

• Describe the meaning of key labeling terms

• Recall and describe the style of each of the wines covered in the session

 

What’s Included:

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Coursebook

 

Shipped to your address, the beautifully designed coursebook, rich with photographs, detailed maps, illustrations and infographics contains all the information you need to know.

 

Online Study Modules

 

1-year access to interactive e-learning activities designed to enrich the study manual and support different learning styles.

 

Expert Instruction:

 

Learn from the WSG Approved Program Providers and certified educators.

 

Student Community

 

Network with the other students taking the French Wine Essentials course, form a tasting group and build your wine network.

 

Final Exam

 

The exam is comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions. Students have 45 minutes to complete the exam. Passing score is 60%. There is no wine tasting component on the exam.

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Students will take the written exam at the program provider’s location on the specified date.

 

Certificate

 

Upon receiving a passing score, you will receive your well-deserved WSG Essentials certificate, acknowledging you have gained proficiency in the wines of France. Add this reputed certification to your LinkedIn profile and résumé or CV.

 

About Wine Scholar Guild:

 

Founded in 2005, Wine Scholar Guild is the only wine education provider to focus solely on the wine regions of France, Italy and Spain, instilling a deep understanding of these wines, winemakers and their culture.

 

Wine Scholar Guild offers immersive, region-specific wine education through online, in- person and study abroad certification programs. WSG certifications set the industry standard for up-to-date and in-depth information on the most influential wine regions of the world through three distinct levels of study: Essentials, Scholar and Masters.

 

In addition to certification programs, WSG membership provides live online events and hundreds of hours of recorded content produced by the world’s leading authorities in wine.

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