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Italian Wine Scholar™

Italian Wine Scholar™ Study & Certification Program

The Italian Wine Scholar™ program is the industry's most respected certification course on the wines of Italy.

The Italian Wine Scholar™ education program is the most advanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date Italian wine course available. The syllabus takes a regional approach and discusses all Italian wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities.

The program provides committed students of wine with an unparalleled set of study tools that are designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.

The Italian Wine Scholar study and certification program confers a post-nominal to wine professionals and enthusiasts who successfully pass the certification exams (Ex: John Smith, IWS). With a school network encompassing over 30 countries on 5 continents, the IWS credential has true international recognition.

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

  • The Wines of Northern Italy (Unit 1)
  • The Wines of Central & Southern Italy (Unit 2)

ONLINE LEARNING CLASSROOM LEARNING

STUDY OPTION 1 | ONLINE LEARNING

The Italian Wine Scholar™ online learning format includes for each unit:

PLUS: 

  • The IWS Study Roadmap: A Checklist For Success, providing a suggested schedule of study
  • On-demand webinars with Italian Programs Director Andrea Eby (instructor-led format only)
  • Live, thematic online Monthly Meet-ups with your instructor and fellow classmates (instructor-led format only)
  • Online quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
  • Downloadable maps of all Italian wine regions
  • Pronunciation exercises to boosts your credibility
  • A list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group hosted by students enrolled in the online program

Pricing and formats for the online study options:

Independent Study Format:

On-demand, start anytime

Price: $690 per-unit 

(Note: Unit 1 and Unit 2 can be taken in any order)

UNIT 1 REGISTRATION  UNIT 2 REGISTRATION

Instructor-Led Format:

Next sessions start April 20

(Note: Unit 1 and Unit 2 can be taken in any order)

Price: $790 per-unit

UNIT 1 REGISTRATION  UNIT 2 REGISTRATION

Student Testimonials:

  • Darren Cooper
    on Mar 24, 2023
    "An excellent study program for anyone interested in the fascinating subject of Italian Wine"
  • Claudia Hussain
    on Mar 24, 2023
    "I really enjoyed the course and am looking forward to doing more. I did feel that the exam was a bit too tough and stressful but maybe that was just my revision!"
  • Marlene Chan
    on Mar 22, 2023
    "Loved this course! "
  • Kaitlyn Ludwig
    on Mar 15, 2023
    "Great program! The book was very thorough and I feel like told you everything you needed to know for the test. The quizzes were informative and the Flashcards and pronunciation were key!"
  • Brianna Burns
    on Jan 21, 2023
    "The WSG does a wonderful job of portraying difficult information going down to the nitty gritty in an easy-to-follow way. I've been studying wine for a long time and I always learn something new and that keeps these programs so fun and fresh."
  • Oleg Dmitriev
    on Jan 19, 2023
    "IWS is a truly comprehensive course, that goes much deeper than general wine certifications. IWS is absolutely essential for anyone who deals in Italian wine: merchants, restaurateurs, sommeliers."
  • Ruth McCamley
    on Dec 23, 2022
    "Throughly enjoyed the course, though I think it would take years to truly be an ‘Italian Wine Scholar’!"
  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Otto Rosenberger
    on Dec 15, 2022
    "Overall, really liked the course, it is a great introduction to italian wines. Feel I know much more know than before. "
  • Doreen McCaw
    on Dec 13, 2022
    "I enjoyed the WSG Italian wine scholar distance learning option. It allowed me to study around my current work schedule. The information was clear, easy to understand and the program helped me to develop my unquenchable thirst for wine knowledge. Thank you! "
  • Liza Nivillac
    on Dec 1, 2022
    "I enjoyed the Italian Wine Scholar Program very much. I consider it one of the most detailed and comprehensive programs to learn about Italian wines. I highly recommend it. Saluti!"
  • Julia Lea
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "This is my first experience of WSG and I was pleasantly surprised how in depth the manuals were and how much I have learnt. the ability to taste as well put into context what I was learning. "
  • Jacqui Martin
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "For the ultimate study challenge - consider The Italian Wine Scholar. Immerse yourself in every region's best expression of their terroir through the grape varieties they choose to champion and why. Discover the passion behind the Italian Wine Industry. Delight in its attention to every detail - from vineyard to bottle and of course, to your glass. Open the manual and enjoy! "
  • David Lane
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "Having already completed the Spanish and French Wine Scholar courses, I was looking forward to the Italian course. I was not disappointed with Unit One and am now looking forward to Unit Two."
 

STUDY OPTION 2 | CLASSROOM LEARNING

Each unit of the Italian Wine Scholar™ is offered by licensed program providers and delivered by an approved IWS instructor. This study format includes:

  • Classroom instruction with tutored tastings
  • A copy of the IWS study manual
  • Access to the IWS online study modules & quizzes for class prep & review
  • In-classroom exam sit

All IWS program providers teach from the same Wine Scholar Guild-developed presentations and are supplied with uniform teaching materials.

FIND A PROVIDER NEAR YOU

ONLINE LEARNING CLASSROOM LEARNING

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

SPECIALIZE IN ITALIAN WINE:

While the sheer volume of information necessary to master Italian wine is extraordinary, we have broken down our course material and Italian wine regions into two manageable units:

UNIT 1: WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY

• Valle d’Aosta
• Lombardia
• Piemonte
• Trentino
• Alto Adige
• Veneto
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia
• Liguria
• Emilia-Romagna

UNIT 2: WINES OF CENTRAL & SOUTHERN ITALY

• Toscana
• Marche
• Lazio
• Umbria, Abruzzo & Molise
• Campania
• Calabria
• Puglia & Basilicata
• Sicilia
• Sardegna

There are two separate study manuals and two separate exams. The Italian Wine Scholar™ credential and 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 for each unit separately. We highly recommend that students complete one unit before moving on to the next. 

Note: Unit 1 & 2 can be taken in any order

ONLINE LEARNING CLASSROOM LEARNING 

 

STUDY MATERIALS

#1 ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR STUDY MANUALS: 

The Italian Wine Scholar manuals follow a regional approach with strong tie-ins to terroir.

Each chapter is designed for maximum content retention and utilizes a systematic approach, allowing the student to compare and contrast each of the Italian wine regions.

Manuals are current and discuss the most recent trends. They are printed in full-color, are rich in imagery and peppered with the iconic wine labels of each region.

Every Italian wine DOC/G is discussed (vs. just mentioned) and triaged by need-to-know icons. Emphasis is given to the flavor and structure profiles of DOC/G wines

ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR™ STUDY MANUAL FEATURES:

+A FOUNDATION UNIT:

A Foundation Unit provides an overview which pulls all of Italy and its wines into perspective.

#2 IWS ONLINE STUDY MODULES:

The IWS online study modules offer interactive presentations that are put into a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum retention of content and ease of use. Each region of Italy is covered and dovetails nicely with the Italian Wine Scholar study manual. Study materials are available 24/7. If you’ve got a laptop and an internet connection, you’ve got a classroom!

ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR™ ONLINE STUDY MODULES FEATURES:

  • Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
  • Full audio narration to offer new insight and keep you engaged
  • Your place is automatically bookmarked/saved to resume where you left off 
  • A progress bar tracks your accomplishments

#3 PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT

  • Online Independent Study: via the Q&A forum answered by Italian Programs Director Andrea Eby
  • Online Instructor-Led Format: via the Q&A forum plus during live Monthly Meet-Ups with your instructor
  • In Classroom: via a local, certified instructor

ONLINE LEARNING CLASSROOM LEARNING

CERTIFICATION EXAM & POST-NOMINAL

SET YOURSELF APART FROM YOUR PEERS. SPECIALIZE IN THE WINES OF ITALY!

Individuals who follow this in-depth Italian wine education program and pass the exam, earn the Italian Wine Scholar post-nominal which may be incorporated into a professional signature (e.g. John Smith, IWS).

The exam for each unit is composed of 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates need a composite score of 75% to receive the credential, i.e. the scores from both exams are added together and averaged for final assessment.

Students with a composite score of 85-90.5 pass with HONORS. Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with HIGHEST HONORS.

More information about the exam

 

SUPPORT AND ENDORSEMENT

It was created with the support of the Italian wine DOC/G consortia.

The Italian Trade Commission (ITA) endorsed the program in recognition of its exceptional level of depth, accuracy, detail, and academic rigor.


Student Testimonials:

  • Darren Cooper
    on Mar 24, 2023
    "An excellent study program for anyone interested in the fascinating subject of Italian Wine"
  • Claudia Hussain
    on Mar 24, 2023
    "I really enjoyed the course and am looking forward to doing more. I did feel that the exam was a bit too tough and stressful but maybe that was just my revision!"
  • Marlene Chan
    on Mar 22, 2023
    "Loved this course! "
  • Kaitlyn Ludwig
    on Mar 15, 2023
    "Great program! The book was very thorough and I feel like told you everything you needed to know for the test. The quizzes were informative and the Flashcards and pronunciation were key!"
  • Brianna Burns
    on Jan 21, 2023
    "The WSG does a wonderful job of portraying difficult information going down to the nitty gritty in an easy-to-follow way. I've been studying wine for a long time and I always learn something new and that keeps these programs so fun and fresh."
  • Oleg Dmitriev
    on Jan 19, 2023
    "IWS is a truly comprehensive course, that goes much deeper than general wine certifications. IWS is absolutely essential for anyone who deals in Italian wine: merchants, restaurateurs, sommeliers."
  • Ruth McCamley
    on Dec 23, 2022
    "Throughly enjoyed the course, though I think it would take years to truly be an ‘Italian Wine Scholar’!"
  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Mark Annett
    on Dec 17, 2022
    "Italian Wine Scholar unit one is a great course to immerse yourself in learning about the great wine regions of northern Italy. For a wine fan you may just find yourself wanting to explore the many legendary regions in person."
  • Otto Rosenberger
    on Dec 15, 2022
    "Overall, really liked the course, it is a great introduction to italian wines. Feel I know much more know than before. "
  • Doreen McCaw
    on Dec 13, 2022
    "I enjoyed the WSG Italian wine scholar distance learning option. It allowed me to study around my current work schedule. The information was clear, easy to understand and the program helped me to develop my unquenchable thirst for wine knowledge. Thank you! "
  • Liza Nivillac
    on Dec 1, 2022
    "I enjoyed the Italian Wine Scholar Program very much. I consider it one of the most detailed and comprehensive programs to learn about Italian wines. I highly recommend it. Saluti!"
  • Julia Lea
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "This is my first experience of WSG and I was pleasantly surprised how in depth the manuals were and how much I have learnt. the ability to taste as well put into context what I was learning. "
  • Jacqui Martin
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "For the ultimate study challenge - consider The Italian Wine Scholar. Immerse yourself in every region's best expression of their terroir through the grape varieties they choose to champion and why. Discover the passion behind the Italian Wine Industry. Delight in its attention to every detail - from vineyard to bottle and of course, to your glass. Open the manual and enjoy! "
  • David Lane
    on Nov 30, 2022
    "Having already completed the Spanish and French Wine Scholar courses, I was looking forward to the Italian course. I was not disappointed with Unit One and am now looking forward to Unit Two."
  

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Italian Wine Scholar - Endorsements

  • "We are delighted to support this educational program dedicated to the Wines of Italy"
    Italian Trade Commission
  • "I nostri complimenti per il Vostro lavoro: eccellente"/“Our compliments for your work: excellent"
    Consorzio Vini del Trentino
  • The manual is really well-made, the information on the territory very detailed and accurately researched."
    Consorzio Vini Alto Adige - Südtirol
  • The clear and precise teaching methodology demonstrated by the Italian Wine Scholar manual is very important to convey a full understanding of the history of our land and its characteristics. The manual is very well done… perfect for all those who want to deepen their knowledge about the wines of Italy. Silvano Brescianini – Presidente del Consorzio Franciacorta
    Consorzio Franciacorta
  • Consorzio Barbera d'Asti e Vini del Monferrato

Disclaimer: WSG offers wine study courses that are targeted to both beginners and those more experienced in the wine industry. While WSG has received many accolades, awards, and testimonials, WSG is not an accredited institution or school. WSG does not guarantee or warrant that any employer or school will recognize WSG wine study courses. While WSG knows that it is a well-recognized institution within the multi-national wine community, it cannot guarantee anyone success in their profession or vocation.

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