About the Exam

Candidates who follow this in-depth curriculum on the wines of Spain and pass the exam, earn the Spanish Wine Scholar® (SWS) post-nominal.

The exam is given in multiple-choice format. There are 100 questions covering all of the wine regions of Spain. Passing score is 75.

Candidates scoring 85-90 pass with HONORS. Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with HIGHEST HONORS.

Preparing for the exam:

In order to prepare properly for the SWS exam, you must read and study the SWS manual carefully. At first, it may seem a daunting body of knowledge to tackle…but we would like to give you a few tips.

What facts are important?

Pay close attention to superlatives (biggest, smallest, highest, lowest, newest, oldest, youngest). Note the facts associated with words such as “first” and “last”. They make for good exam questions.
Learn the Spanish wine terms and their English equivalents.
Pay close attention to the passages citing “exceptions to the rule” throughout the text. They also make for good exam questions.
Know your soils, geography, mountains and rivers.
Know your grapes and their synonyms.
Become conversant in Spain’s DOs and the primary grape(s) grown within their confines.
If any particular DO is responsible for the bulk of the production in any given region, you should know all the particulars about it (minimum alcohol, maximum yield, blending formula etc.) But, no, you do not need to know this type of specific detail about lesser DOs.
Know your history and the key individuals who have figured prominently in the development of wine culture of any given region.
Study the specifics of wine production for white, pink, red, sparkling, late-harvest, and fortified wines.
Know your sparkling wine label nomenclature (especially as it pertains to Cava) and the terms used to qualify the various styles of Sherry.
Study your maps. You need to know where the wine regions and their Dos are located.

Scheduling your exam:

You have one year from your registration date to take your exam (extension possible for a nominal fee). If you are registered for an online exam-sit and ready to take it, you may contact the WSG office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule it. Online exam candidates must be equipped with a PC or Mac Desktop or laptop computer with working microphone, speakers and webcam and possess a good internet connection. The exam cannot be taken from a tablet, nor a mobile phone or Chromebook.

Don't feel ready? know that you have the possibility to extend your enrollment for another year from HERE

SWS EXAM FAQ : CLICK HERE

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.

"Wines from Spain is pleased to have had the opportunity to witness and consult on the development of this much needed and important Spanish Wine Scholar program since its inception. The program showcases the richness of Spanish wines - their authenticity, huge diversity and premium quality - combined with the rich culture and history that gave rise to their origins. The program offers a great opportunity for those who want to widen their knowledge of the wines from Spain."

Alfonso Janeiro Diez

Head of Wines From Spain in Madrid

"Wines from Spain is pleased to have had the opportunity to witness and consult on the development of this much needed and important Spanish Wine Scholar program since its inception.…

Alfonso Janeiro Diez

Head of Wines From Spain in Madrid
"If you want to learn everything there is to know about Spanish wine – whether you are a professional or just a lover of good wine – this course will take you there. It is valuable for anyone who wants an in-depth but approachable lesson on the grapes, regions, and producers of Spain … which to me is the greatest wine country in the world!"

José Andrés

Chef and Owner of ThinkFoodGroup

"If you want to learn everything there is to know about Spanish wine [...] this course will take you there."

José Andrés

Chef and Owner of ThinkFoodGroup
"SWS is the only real complete study program on the wines of Spain. It not only covers all winemaking regions of Spain, but it also gives an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of this extremely exciting wine country.”

Jonas Tofterup, MW

Owner of Iberian Wine Academy in Málaga, Spain

"SWS is the only real complete study program on the wines of Spain. It not only covers all winemaking regions of Spain, but it also gives an in-depth understanding of…

Jonas Tofterup, MW

Owner of Iberian Wine Academy in Málaga, Spain
"The SWS Manual is probably one of the most comprehensive and educative works ever produced on Spanish wines. The Sherry chapter, in particular, covers every piece of basic knowledge there is to know about these very special wines. Sherry wines are by nature complex, but wine students will find the manual's approach to the region, the processes, and the wines are both rigorous and easy to understand".

César Saldaña

President, Consejos Reguladores de las Denominaciones de Calidad “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry”

"The SWS Manual is probably one of the most comprehensive and educative works ever produced on Spanish wines"

César Saldaña

President, Consejos Reguladores de las Denominaciones de Calidad “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry”
"The Spanish Wine Scholar Program is the industry's most up-to date and in-depth course on the wines of Spain. The level of detail and quality of the materials make this program a mandatory course for any serious student of wine. Viva España !"

Monica Marin, DipWSET

Director of Education Programs , The Wine House – Los Angeles

"The Spanish Wine Scholar Program is the industry's most up-to date and in-depth course on the wines of Spain. The level of detail and quality of the materials make this…

Monica Marin, DipWSET

Director of Education Programs , The Wine House – Los Angeles
"The in-depth SWS programme is a wonderful immersion of study through the history, culture and romance of the vinous nation of Spain.

Expertly crafted by the SWS maestro Rick Fisher, the detailed and comprehensive textbook expertly guides you through all the regions of Spain including lesser-known areas such as the Canary and Balearic Islands. From the Albillo to Zalema grape varieties there is thorough and meticulous information including geological, geographical, topographical and meteorological and how these disciplines combine to shape the mouth-watering wines of Spain.

The SWS course is an absolute must for anyone who wishes to master vinous Spain and sits proudly in its vigour and depth alongside the FWS and IWS."

Jimmy Smith, FWS, IWS, SWS, DipWSET

Owner & Head Tutor at West London Wine School

"The SWS course is an absolute must for anyone who wishes to master vinous Spain and sits proudly in its vigour and depth alongside the FWS and IWS."

Jimmy Smith, FWS, IWS, SWS, DipWSET

Owner & Head Tutor at West London Wine School
"The SWS book is a great piece of deep information, but also a well edited and visual book that will help to understand the what, the why, the how, the who and the when of the Spanish wine scene".

Ferran Centelles

Wine Manager at elBullifoundation, Spanish specialist for Jancisrobinson.com

"The SWS book is a great piece of deep information, but also a well edited and visual book that will help to understand the what, the why, the how, the…

Ferran Centelles

Wine Manager at elBullifoundation, Spanish specialist for Jancisrobinson.com
“It is great to see that with Spanish Wine Scholar, there is a reference study program specifically focused on Spanish wines. This helps to show the amazing amount of regional diversity Spain has to offer with its impressive treasures of different and rare varieties, vineyards and unique spots”

Miguel Torres Maczassek

5th Generation and General Manager Familia Torres

"It is great to see that with Spanish Wine Scholar, there is a reference study program specifically focused on Spanish wines"

Miguel Torres Maczassek

5th Generation and General Manager Familia Torres
"The Spanish Wine Scholar Program is wonderfully comprehensive and a thorough class on Spain. There’s a ton of knowledge packed into 300 pages, having the online modules really solidified the key points in the text book. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to sharpen their knowledge in Spanish wines!"

Gretchen Thomas

VP of Food & Beverage Innovations, Barcelona Wine Bar

"I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to sharpen their knowledge in Spanish wines!"

Gretchen Thomas

VP of Food & Beverage Innovations, Barcelona Wine Bar

Register Menu

About the Exam

About the Exam

Preparing for the exam:

SWS EXAM FAQ : CLICK HERE

Follow Us

Sign up to receive our latest updates

Education Programs

Study Trips

Membership

About

CONNECT

NEWSLETTER

Question? Request Info

Log in