French Wine Essentials

Are you interested in digging deep into the wines of Franch, but aren’t ready to commit to several months of intense study? We have the class for you.

The French Wine Essentials (IWE) course provides an introduction to France and its wine regions in addition to core information on 39 of France’s best-known wines. This is a passport to French wine and a stepping-stone to the internationally acclaimed French Wine Scholar, a professional certification program on the wines of France. 

We will guide you on a wine-focused journey through France, learning about legendary wines, foods, landmarks and cultural attractions as you “travel.” Throughout the program, a tantalizing palette of wines are showcased.

Who is the FWE course for?

  • Inquisitive wine enthusiasts wanting to become more familiar with the intricacies of French wine

  • Aspiring wine professionals

  • Hospitality professionals new to the world of French wine

  • Anyone wishing to become more knowledgeable about France, and its wine and food culture

Why choose FWE?

This engaging and informative course will enable you to: 

  • Acquire fundamental French wine knowledge in just weeks

  • Refine your tasting skills

  • Master the essential grapes and appellations of France’s major wine regions

  • Navigate the seemingly complicated French wine classification system

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

Are there any pre-requisites?

All you need to enter the program is a basic understanding of wine coupled with an interest in learning more.

What does the program cover?

France is home to 400 individual wine appellations; the FWE course introduces you to the most well-known appellations. In addition, Grape varieties, wine profiles, and labelling terms are all explored. Each wine is presented within a regional and cultural context. Local landmarks and traditional cuisines are also highlighted. 

What is included?

  • Classroom instruction (a series of three to four 2.5 – 3 hour classes, or as an immersive full-day program)

  • Extensive tasting (20-30 wines, depending on your Approved Program Provider)

  • A beautifully designed 101-page, landscape-format course book - The French Wine Essentials Textbook.

  • Access to high-quality e-learning activities designed to enrich the course book and support different learning styles; these activities include interactive e-learning modules with additional cultural highlights and quizzes.

  • An optional exam

What about the exam?  

Enrollment in this engaging and informative course includes an optional exam sit. The optional exam is comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions. Students will be offered the opportunity to sit the exam at their local wine school, and the passing score is 60%.

What’s next? 

Upon completion of the course you will be ideally positioned to continue your learning with the esteemed French Wine Scholar (FWS) certification program! 

The French Wine Scholar (FWS) certification program is an advanced course of study and academic in nature. The course is comprehensive in nature and requires a substantial time commitment. 

Prior knowledge of French wine is recommended. This is a certification program. Successful completion (passing the exam) confers an internationally recognized post-nominal (e.g. John Smith, FWS). 

Our Wine Scholar™ Study and Certification programs offer students of wine the opportunity to specialize in the wine country of their choice. These advanced wine education program provide current, accurate and in-depth information on the wines of France, Italy and Spain.

They are designed for advanced students of wine whether professionals or serious wine hobbyists. Individuals who follow these in-depth programs and pass the exam earn the French, Italian or Spanish Wine Scholar title and corresponding post-nominal, which may be incorporated into a professional signature (e.g. Jane Doe, FWS).