Summary:  Chablis is very much its own place, part of Burgundy but in some ways quite different. Once frost protection methods were developed, previously precarious viticulture finally became viable. Chablis is now in the capable hands of a bright younger generation, inspiring a gentle evolution in their vineyard and cellars. Let us hope that climate change will not affect the unique style of the world’s most famous Chardonnay. Presenter:

Summary:  Bourgogne is a region full of contrast. Many villages produce wines completely different neighbouring villages due to differences in geology, exposition and microclimate. There are many examples to be found – Puligny-Montrachet/Meursault & Volnay/Pommard are great examples. In the Côte de Nuits, the great communes of Chambolle-Musigny & Morey-St-Denis are another example of this fascinating contrast.

A BIT OF WINE CHEMISTRY: Lessons from Champagne Day one of the Champagne study trip initiated a discussion which continued throughout the week of factors impacting aromas and flavors in champagne. Broadly, aromas can be categorized into the impacts of grape variety, terroir, vinification, and post-production events (influencing individual bottles versus entire “batches”). This article will focus upon the biochemistry of sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and sugars in an acidic environment (esters arising from acidification of alcohol); the intent is not intended to be comprehensive. For purposes of this essay, the use of the word aroma will include the complex notes of aging characterized as “bouquet.” “Although many efforts have been made to characterize the quality and flavor of the compounds in wine… tasting remains the single universal test used… This is because the taste of a molecule, or blend of molecules, is constructed within the brain of a taster.” F. Brochet and D. Dubourdieu, 2001

Introduction  Wine Scholar Guild is pleased to bring you this 5-session course developed in conjunction with Agro-Bordeaux, a public viticulture and enology school under the authority of the French Ministry of Agriculture. The curriculum explores terroir from the ground up, and is designed to give you a thorough understanding of

Introduction  Wine Scholar Guild is pleased to bring you this 5-session course developed in conjunction with Agro-Bordeaux, a public viticulture and enology school under the authority of the French Ministry of Agriculture. The curriculum explores terroir from the ground up, and is designed to give you a thorough understanding of

Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) is delighted to announce that Christopher Martin MW has joined the team as Director of Education. As one of the very most recent individuals to achieve the Master of Wine certification in February 2024, Christopher has a strong background in education, with over 18 years of teaching a range of students from primary schools to graduate-level courses. 

After nearly two years of hard work, we are thrilled to present the Wine Scholar Guild’s latest certification course… The Spanish Wine Scholar® (SWS) Program! The program officially launches in October of 2019, but it is already garnering significant attention around the globe.

When the Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino was established in 1967, one year after the wine received DOC status (it became one of the initial DOCG wines in 1980), there were only twenty-five members. Today, there are more than two hundred Brunello producers; given the reputation of this wine for its ability to age for twenty-plus years in the finest vintages, this is hardly surprising.

Congratulations to Doug Homoky, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Doug:  I am currently a Gastroenterologist but my passion for tasting and learning about wine has been steadily growing for the past 20yrs.  The study of wine is

Congratulations to Emanuele Bertazzoni, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Emanuele: I am 41 years old and I have been working in the business for several years. Originally born and raised in Milano, Italia I have now been living in

Congratulations to Federico Lleonart, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholarexam with highest honors! About Federico: I’m a wine professional with over 20-year experience. Originally from Argentina, I’ve worked in the hospitality business for a decade as a Somm and

Walking along the path that leads to the summit of the Cartizze hill, the town of Santo Stefano gradually emerges in the distance, its bell tower and a few quaint houses standing as a punctuation mark amidst the harmonious mosaic of woodland patches and vineyards.  Like real-life topographic contour lines, the intricately arranged, labyrinthine rows of Glera vines ascend and wind through the characteristic, humpy “hogback” hills. Ciglioni – small, narrow cultivated terraced plots that have been utilised here since at least the 17th century – lend rigour and a sense of order to the vegetative profligacy of this landscape.

In 2024 Wine Scholar Guild proudly announced the Albert Sheen Memorial Scholarship in memory of our dear friend and dedicated wine traveler, Albert Sheen. The scholarship application invited applicants to discuss the challenges of climate change in Bourgogne. We received a number of truly exceptional submissions and thank all our participants for their in-depth essays and perspectives. The selection committee has selected Marek Zelewski and is pleased to share his winning essay below. Marek has been awarded a seat on our upcoming Bourgogne Masters Immersion taking place in May 2024. Albert would have been honored to witness the positive energy and enthusiasm that this scholarship has ignited. A medium-acidity, off-dry, full-bodied white with aromas of baked yellow apple, starfruit, mango and ripe pineapple, pronounced notes of lemon curd, vanilla and pie crust, paired with elevated alcohol lingering on the palate. While it sounds delicious if one’s looking for a fun wine substitute for a tiki cocktail, hardly anybody would place this Chardonnay on the map anywhere close to Burgundy. However, given the predicted increase in its average temperatures (1), fast forward to 2050 and it could well be a glass of Mâconnais. While certainly not great for those taking blind-testing exams, the consequences of climate change for the French wine industry will be way more far-reaching. 

The 6th Edition of the French Wine Scholar program has just been released! The FWS manual has been fully updated and reformatted into a perfect binding (no more spiral!) with: New, custom-designed maps New charts, graphics and rich imagery Need-to-know icons

 The wine journalist and critic, Andrew Jefford was recently interviewed by Gavin Smith for the blog of wine merchant Fine+Rare. Words from Andrew on this thought-provoking interview: "I asked him to leave out the softballs, as 'polite' or 'respectful' interviews are tedious.  He didn't actually lay

We would like to thank Peter Weygandt, one of the most highly respected importer of French wine in the USA, for taking the time to carefully review the French Wine Scholar® study manual and write us such beautiful words of testimonial. PETER'S FULL TESTIMONIAL ABOUT THE FRENCH WINE SCHOLAR® MANUAL "To anyone for whom knowledge of the subject of French wine is important, I would

Summary Sweet Bordeaux wines are undoubtedly some of the finest in the world, but have been chronically unfashionable for a really long time. In this interview we catch up with Wendy Narby who sheds some light on what the future holds for these outstanding wines, and the innovative ways in which producers are evolving their business models to ensure their survival and how they are thriving into the future. About the

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary When most people think of the great grapes of the Northern Rhone they’ll think Syrah and Viognier. But we really shouldn’t overlook these other two fine varieties - they are

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary Should you use whole bunches to make great Syrah? What does it add? Actually, what is it at all?!? We’re once again delighted to be joined by Matt Walls to discuss this really important part of the

Chris Martin MW joins the Wine Scholar Guild as our new Director of Education. Simon J Woolf spoke to him about his background and what he’ll be bringing to the role. There’s an assumption in the wine world that if you’re knowledgeable in your subject area, ergo you can teach. Chris Martin MW wants to challenge that idea. Unusually for the sector, he started out in the world of education and latterly cross-trained in wine.