Fast-Track Your Wine Education
Become a wine expert in just six-weeks.
Certification Programs
Explore WSG Essentials Certification Programs
Specialize in the wines of France, Italy and Spain with three distinct levels of study.
France
Unlock the Secrets of French Wine
Starts January 15, 2025
25 hours of study
Italy
Your gateway to the captivating world of Italian wines
Starts January 15, 2025
25 hours of study
Spain
Uncover the secrets of Spanish winemaking and culture
Starts February 19, 2025
25 hours of study
Program Overview
WSG Essentials Programs present the complex world of French, Italian and Spanish wine in an accessible and engaging way, highlighting ‘need to know’ appellations and wine styles.
Whether wine professional, inquisitive enthusiast or energetic epicurean looking to enhance your experiences through food and wine; Wine Scholar Guild Essentials provide students with a solid foundation on the wines of France, Italy and Spain.
Explore the culture, cuisine, history, viticulture and winemaking principles behind the most influential wine regions in the world.
Not just an introductory course, WSG Essentials are a launchpad to the globally-recognized WSG Wine Scholar® certifications, a vibrant WSG Community and the first step towards wine mastery.
Expert-Led Education
Learn from world-renowned wine professionals, experts and Masters of Wine with decades of industry experience and insight to share.
In-Depth Regional Focus
Gain comprehensive knowledge of specific wine regions, mastering the intricacies of terroir, grape varieties and wine styles unique to each area.
Flexible Learning Options
Study at your own pace with online courses, or choose in-person classes to fit your schedule and learning preferences.
Why People Choose Wine Scholar Guild
Harry
"Pursuing the FWS program helped me develop French wine events for consumers, as well as seminars targeted to the trade, while also collaborating with Andrew Jefford as the VIWF’s keynote speaker when France was the festival theme in 2020."
Harry Hertscheg
Trish
"Having the chance to learn about the history, geology, geography, grapes, viticulture of a region in a self-study format was exactly what I was looking for. I think that after completing the FWS program I feel confident in my understanding of French Wines and talking about them with other wine enthusiasts. "
Trish Nunan
Nicolas
"The FWS is a good way to remain humble about one’s knowledge, though being a Frenchman, I learned some things too!"
Nicolas Fouilleroux
Julie
"FWS provides an excellent and thorough knowledge base about France, and I’ve already been able to field a number of more esoteric questions about lesser-known French wines."
Julie Seibert
Lucas
"The position of Assistant Head Sommelier is a new chapter every day: leading a team of sommeliers, bringing ideas, and keeping consistency in every single service. The French Wine Scholar course was really deep and included a lot of key knowledge. It is a very well-made online course, which fit my timing and shifts."
Lucas Reynaud-Paligot
