Spanish Wine Scholar®

The Spanish Wine Scholar™ (SWS) study and certification program is geared for members of the wine trade and avid Spanish wine enthusiasts. Successful candidates are conferred the Spanish Wine Scholar™ title and encouraged to use the SWS post-nominal as part of their professional signatures. They will also receive the Spanish Wine Scholar certificate and lapel pin.

Download the Spanish Wine Scholar™ Brochure here

Who Should Consider This Course?

• SWS is designed to test for proficiency in ALL the wines and wine regions of Spain.
• SWS is ideal for those currently studying or completed WSET Level 3 and Level 4 as an ideal supplement 
• SWS is also ideal for those who hold an enthusiastic interest for the Spanish wine industry
• No previous experience of Wine Tasting is necessary to register on this course, but we strongly recommend that you have a passion for, or interest in, Spanish wine; that will be more important! 

Course Format:

Saturdays: 15th February 22nd February 1st March & 8th March, with the exam on 15th March.

This schedule over 5 weeks gives students plenty of time to study between classroom sessions.

• The Spanish Wine Scholar™ curriculum is comprised of 4 weekend classes over consecutive weeks, with a revision session and the exam taking place on the 5th week.
• All students receive a study book as well as access to the fantastic course E-Learning Modules
• An average of 10-12 wines will be tasted per day with some matching with typical regional cheeses and meats

Course Synopsis:

• Wine Tasting: Taste and describe wines from key Spanish regions
• Regional Food and Wine Matching: An informal guide to the key considerations when matching food and wine 
• Grape Varieties: Learn about the characteristics and styles of wines produced from ALL the Spanish grape varieties
• Regions: Full immersion in ALL the Spanish wine regions; Green Spain, Duero River Valley, La Rioja, Ebro River Valley, Central Mediterranean Coast, Catalunya, the Meseta, Andalucia & the Balearic/Canary Islands.
• Number of Wines Tasted: 50 wines will be tasted as part of the course
• Study Materials: Students will receive the Spanish Wine Scholar Study Manual, a comprehensive guide to ALL Spanish wine
• Additional Materials: Students will have access to a complete E-Learning Package. There are many multimedia modules with webinars on regional wine styles, review quizzes, forums, downloadable maps & etc.
• Duration of course: 5 days, spread as one day a week, inclusive of examination on the 5th day. Days will last from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm (except the final exam day when the course will finish around 2.00pm).
• Examination: 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. A mark of 75% required to pass
• Certification: All students who pass will be issued with a certificate suitable for framing and a lapel pin.

Course Content

• Week 1 Saturday 15th February: Introduction & fundamentals of Spanish wines.  The wines of Green Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Pais Vasco) & Duero River (Toro, Rueda, Ribera del Duero etc).
• Week 2 Saturday 22nd February: The wines of La Rioja, the Ebro River Valley (Navarra, Cariñena, Calatayud etc) & the Central Mediterranean Coast (Alicante, Jumilla, Yecla etc.)
• Week 3 Saturday 1st March: The wines of Catalunya (Cava, Priorat, Montsant, Penedes etc.) & the Meseta (La Mancha, Valdepenas, Vinos de Madrid & Extremadura)
• Week 4 Saturday 8th March: The wines of Andalucia (Sherry, Malaga etc) and the Islands (Balearics & Canaries)
• Week 5 Saturday 15th March.: Final revision session and exam (half day)