Become a Wines of Portugal Ambassador

Bottle of wine on a pile of books with a backpack and blackboard in the background. The bottle says wines of Portugal. The blackboard says Portuguese 101, saude! and ola!

Become a Wines of Portugal Ambassador! This ViniPortugal course covers fundamental knowledge about Portuguese wine. Explore the history, taste a variety of wine styles, and develop your knowledge of the native grape varietals of this great winemaking region.

This 3-hour course is ideal for trade professionals seeking professional accreditation and Portuguese wine enthusiasts.

Discover the most important native grape varietals, understand traditional vinification systems, tour the unique sub-regions and taste a number of diverse wines showcasing Portugal’s diverse terroirs.

You will:

  • Develop an extensive knowledge of Portuguese wines
  • Be able to recognize the iconic wines, the famous fortified wines, the 10 main grape varieties, the typical blends and the contribution of each variety in the composition of the blend for wines of Portugal
  • Be able identify and know the main characteristics of the main regions (including Beira Interior and Azores)
  • Develop an in-depth knowledge on the harmonization of international gastronomy with Portuguese wines

Upon successful completion of a test, you will receive a certificate and the title of Wines of Portugal Ambassador.

The course is taught by ViniPortugal educator Michael Tremblay DipWSET.

Wines of Portugal Ambassador Course 
Date: Saturday September 16th, 2023 from 10:30am-1:30pm
Register Now!

Riesling Deep Dive

This event is complimentary for trade professionals and IWEG students. Limited seating available. RSVP with Sara at ssangster@iweg.org.

An Expert in the Field of Wine

Man dressed in black smiling while smelling a white wine
The market-leading WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines qualification provides expert level knowledge and develops key analytical skills for success in the global wine business. Perfect for both the trade professional and the serious enthusiast, the course will arm you with specialist-level skills and experience, plus international recognition as an expert in the field of wine.

Holders of the Diploma will be able to identify characteristics of the principal wines of the world, make informed assessments of a product’s quality and value, and identify appropriate opportunities for the products within a given market. 

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to underpin the job requirements in such roles as Food & Beverage Manager, Wine Buyer or Sales Executive.

The Diploma fulfills the prerequisite for the wine qualification requirement for entry to the Master of Wine (MW) program.

To enroll in the Diploma, you must have successfully completed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (previously known as the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits or WSET Advanced Certificate). If your first language is not English, you are strongly recommended to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level.

The 2023-25 online program will start on Monday, October 2nd, 2023. Learn more.

The IWEG experience

As the leading organization in wine, spirits and sake education in Canada, IWEG has offered the WSET Level 4 Diploma since 1988.

Our Diploma graduates over the years have gone on to become vital members of the wine and spirits industry in Canada and worldwide. IWEG holds the record for having the largest number of Diploma graduates in Canada!

IWEG has been offering Diploma studies for longer than any institute outside of the WSET School in London, which means we enjoy a long history of student success. Our passionate and highly qualified Diploma educators, who come from different fields within the trade, provide on-going support to help you master the analytical tasting skills and supplemental theoretical knowledge necessary to succeed.

Become an Italian Wine Scholar

A bottle of wine, a glass of red wine and the Italian Wine Scholar study manuals for unit 1 on the wines of Northern Italy and unit 2 on the wines of Central and Southern Italy.

The Italian Wine Scholar is an extensive two-unit specialist certification focused on the diverse wines and wine regions of Italy. It is designed by the Wine Scholar Guild to provide current, accurate information on all of the wine regions of Northern, Central and Southern Italy, and to validate proficiency in the wines and wine regions of the country.

Unit 1 is 16 hours and covers Northern Italy and Unit 2 is 14 hours and covers Central and Southern Italy. The course provides detailed coverage of Italian wines, as well as an introduction to Italian history, geography, viticulture and winemaking. The units can be taken in any order and are sold separately ($1150 for each course).

You will:

  • Develop specialist knowledge of DOC and DOCG wines of 21 Italian regions
  • Appreciate the cultural context of Italian wine
  • Consider the vineyard and winery factors that contribute to wine styles
  • Taste and assess a range of Italian wines, which illustrate regional or grape varietal typicity, as well as diversity of styles by authorized Wine Scholar Guild instructors

Prerequisite: None. However, WSET Level 2 Award in Wines is recommended, and WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is preferred.

This course includes:

  • A study manual and workbook
  • A full-year access to all Italian Wine Scholar online resources (videos, interactive quizzes, webinars, pronunciation exercises etc.)
  • Exam registration fee
  • Tutored tasting of over 40 wines per unit  
  • Diverse hands-on group activities designed to enhance recall and address different learning styles

The course is taught by authorized Wine Scholar Guild instructors Aleksandar Simic, Nancy Reynolds, Robert Miller and Kim Berdusco.

Italian Wine Scholar (Unit 2) 
Date: Thursdays, September 21st – November 9th at 6pm – 8pm
Register Now!

Broaden your Knowledge in a Structured Way

Man with glasses holding up a glass of a brown liquor

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines is an intermediate-level course for those entering a profession in the wine industry as well as for enthusiasts who wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence.

This 17-hour course provides fundamental product knowledge and systematic tasting skills. Expect to spend 11 hours on preparation and review outside of the classroom.

You’ll learn:

  • How to taste and describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
  • How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking and maturation options influence the style and quality of wines made from eight principal grape varieties
  • The style and quality of wines
  • Key labelling terms used to indicate origin, style and quality
  • Principles and processes involved in the storage and service of wine
  • Principles of food and wine pairing

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
Date: Tuesdays, September 12th – October 31st at 6pm – 8pm
Register Now!

Develop a Broader and Deeper Understanding of Wine

Woman in front of a row of vines in a denim jacket, black scarf and pink shift. She is smiling with sunglasses on her head and a glass of red wine in her hand.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is an advanced-level course is for industry professionals as well as dedicated enthusiasts who want to develop a broader and deeper understanding of wine. You’ll have a thorough understanding of grape growing and wine making and the factors that account for the style, quality and price of the principal still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world. You’ll learn how to use your tasting notes to make objective conclusions on a wine’s style, quality and readiness for drinking.

This 40-hour course provides in-depth and detailed understanding of how human and natural factors in vineyard and winery affect wine style, quality and price. It further develops systematic tasting and description skills. Expect to spend 50 hours of preparation and review outside of the classroom.

You’ll learn:

  • Grape varieties, wines and wine-growing regions in detail
  • The key factors in the production of wine: location, grape growing, winemaking, maturation and bottling
  • How these key factors influence the key characteristics of the principal still wines of the world, sparkling wines of the world and fortified wines of the world
  • How to apply your understanding to explain wine style and quality
  • How to make appropriate wine recommendations
  • How to taste wines, describe their characteristics and evaluate their quality, using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines 
Date: Saturdays and Sundays, September 30th – October 29th at 10:30am – 4pm
Register Now!

Rogers & Company Needs Volunteers

Rogers & Company (Château, Villa & Estate Wines) is hosting its annual portfolio show on Monday October 23, 2023 and are looking for volunteers to help make this event a success yet again.

Rogers & Company is a leading importer and distributor of premium wines in Ontario. From small beginnings in 1984 to our current portfolio of more than 120 wineries, Rogers & Company’s focus has remained clear: to represent only wines of quality and distinction from wineries that serve as benchmarks of quality for their respective regions of origin.

All volunteers will have the opportunity to taste wines and meet principals from the wineries they represent.

Event Date: Monday, October 23, 2023

Volunteer Slots: 1:30 pm to 4:30pm (Trade) and 6pm to 9pm (Private Clients)

Please aim to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the event.

Location: George Restaurant – 110C Queen St. E (2 blocks East of Queen and Yonge)

If you are interested in volunteering,  please e-mail Julia Clarke at j.clarke@rogcowines.com or call 416 961 2294 ext. 226.

Unlock Chablis

Unlock Chablis is a new interactive game that immerses users into the heart of Chablis. The game takes you on a virtual journey to one of the purest expressions of Chardonnay in the world. As you play, you will discover the history, heritage, and iconic wines of the region. 

Developed and tested by the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), the game strikes a perfect balance between challenging and entertaining.

The game is now available via unlock.chablis-wines.com.