Italian Wine Essentials

Your Foundation for the World of Italian Wine

3 Wednesdays: April 23rd & 30th, May 7th (6pm-8:30pm)

Optional Exam at a later date

Love Italy? Whether you're a wine professional, inquisitive wine enthusiast, or energetic epicurean looking to enhance your experiences through food and wine, Italian Wine Essentials provides students with a solid foundation on the wines of Italy. 

Italian Wine Essentials, taught by Jo-Ann Ross, is the creation of the Wine Scholar Guild. It includes 8 1/2 class hours over 3 sessions (including an optional exam). The
15+ wines accompany the “need to know” regions, grape varieties, and wine styles. The often complicated world of Italian wine finally becomes accessible and enjoyable. This is a passport to Italian wine and a stepping-stone to the internationally acclaimed Italian Wine Scholar, a professional certification program on the wines of Italy.

We will guide you on a wine-focused journey through Italy, learning about legendary wines, foods, landmarks and cultural attractions as you “travel.” The program has been divided into three sections, each featuring a geographical area of Italy: the wines of Northern Italy, the wines of Central Italy and the wines of Southern Italy. Within each section, a tantalizing palette of wines are showcased.

Who is the Italian WIne Essentials course for?

1. Inquisitive wine enthusiasts wanting to become more familiar with the intricacies of Italian wine
2. Aspiring wine professionals
3. Hospitality professionals new to the world of Italian wine
4. Anyone wishing to become more knowledgeable about Italy, and its wine and food culture

Why choose Italian Wine Essentials?

This engaging and informative course will enable you to:

1. Acquire fundamental Italian wine knowledge in just weeks
2. Refine your tasting skills
3. Master the essential grapes and appellations of Italy’s major wine regions
4. Navigate the seemingly complicated Italian wine classification system
5. Be perfectly poised to continue your studies with the prestigious Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) certification program

Are there any pre-requisites?

No!

What does the program cover?

Italy is home to over 400 DOCs and DOCGs; Italian Wine Essentials introduces you to 39 of the most well-known appellations. Thirty-two primary appellations are covered in significant detail, with seven “Detour” appellations included to round out the curriculum. 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?

1. Classroom instruction
2. Extensive tastings
3. A beautifully designed 125-page, landscape-format course book - The Wines of Italy: Glass by Glass.
4. 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.
5. 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 Commonwealth Wine School. 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 Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) certification program!

The Italian Wine Scholar(IWS) certification program is an advanced course of study and academic in nature. Endorsed by the Italian Trade Commission (ITA), it is designed for those aiming to specialize and set themselves apart from their wine industry peers. The course is comprehensive and requires a substantial time commitment.

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

Cost: $425

Instructor: Jo-Ann Ross

All participants must be at least 21 years old.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Commonwealth Wine School, 35 Dunster Street, Cambridge, United States