Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 (The North)

The Italian Wine Scholar™ education program is a course designed to provide committed students of wine with the most comprehensive specialisation study program on Italian wine bar none. Fabulous study materials and superb tastings await all students!

The programme was created by native Italian, Maurizio Broggi, DWS, FWS with the support of the Italian wine DOC/G consortia. The Italian Wine Scholar™ study program mirrors the unparalleled level of depth, accuracy, detail and academic rigor offered by the acclaimed French Wine Scholar™ and Spanish Wine Scholar™ programmes. Like FWS and SWS, the Italian Wine Scholar™ study and certification program also confers a post-nominal to wine professionals and enthusiasts who successfully pass the certification exams (Ex: John Smith, IWS).

The Italian Wine Scholar course is composed of two separate units:

• Unit 1: The Wines of Northern Italy
• Unit 2: The Wines of Central & Southern Italy
• There will be two separate study manuals and two separate exams. The Italian Wine Scholar™ credential/pin is based on the final composite score (Unit 1&2). This format makes it much easier to retain information and to pass the exam. Students register and pay for each unit separately.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER STUDYING THE IWS COURSE?

-IWS is designed to test for proficiency in ALL the wines and wine regions of Italy; perfect for those who relish a challenge!

-IWS is ideal for those currently studying or completed WSET Level 3 and Level 4 Diploma as an ideal supplement/extention

-IWS is also ideal for sommeliers, importers and distributors and for those who hold an enthusiastic and specific interest in the Italian 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 professional interest in, Italian wine; that will be more important! 

COURSE FORMAT:

Saturdays 13th, 20th, 27th of January, 3rd and 10th of February

-The Italian Wine Scholar™ Unit 1 curriculum is based around a course which is taught on 1 day a week for 4 weeks (usually consecutive Saturdays or Sundays)

-There is a further 5th day which is a final revision session followed by the examination 

-Typically you will taste 14-17 wines each day

-You will need to complete both Unit 1 and Unit 2 before you are awarded with the qualification, but you can complete them in any order (i.e you don't need to do Unit 1 before Unit 2)

THE COURSE FEE INCLUDES:

Number of Wines Tasted: 60+ wines covering ALL regions will be tasted as part of the course
Regional Food and Wine Matching: An informal guide to the key considerations when matching food and wine, including local cheese and charcuterie to be tasted each day
Wine Service and Storage: Learn the correct way to store and serve key wines
Grape Varieties: Learn about the characteristics and styles of wines produced from ALL the Northern Italian grape varieties
Regions: Full immersion in ALL the Northern Italian wine regions; Liguria, Veneto, Friuli, Valle D'Aosta, Trentino, Alto Adige, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Lombardia etc. 
Study Materials: Students will receive the Italian Wine Scholar Study Manual, a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know for the exam plus further supplementary information for your own interest
Additional Materials: Students will have access to a complete E-Learning Package. There are multimedia modules with webinars on each region, plus review quizzes, forums, flashcards, downloadable maps etc. which you will have access to for 12 months
Duration of course: 5 days, spread as one day a week, inclusive of examination on the 5th day. Days 1-4 will last around 7 hours including lunch break, the 5th Day (Exam) will finish earlier. Included on Day 5 is a special revision session designed by Laura to prepare you for the exam. 
Examination: 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. A mark of 75% required to pass Unit 1, you'll need to achieve the same in Unit 2. 
Certification: All students who pass both Units will be issued with a certificate suitable for framing and a lapel pin.