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Calibrate Together

Woman smiling in a big scarf holding a glass of red wine

Karen LaVigne is a WSET certified instructor at IWEG for over 10 years and the lead instructor for the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, an interactive and comprehensive introduction into wine and food pairing concepts. After a successful career in the private and public sector, she pursued her passion for quality wines, spirits and specialty foods through certified sommelier courses and completing the various levels of WSET courses up to and including the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines. She passed the Italian Wine Scholar with highest honours.

She has worked in the wine industry and hospitality sector in various capacities for almost 20 years, including in wine production, retail sales and marketing for the Ontario wine industry and for premium imported wines and products. Karen has developed wine lists for restaurants, managed private clients’ cellars and conducted themed wine and food events for corporations and for groups of individuals who simply wanted to learn more about a specific country or style of wine. She is an engaging and entertaining instructor and guides the students through the fundamentals of wine making, international wine styles and food pairing. She truly enjoys the sense of discovery shared with people who are open to trying new foods and wines or new combinations of old favourites.

Karen will be teaching the upcoming WSET Level 2 Award in Wines on Saturdays, June 25th – July 16th at 9:30am – 4:30pm. Register Now!

Broaden Your Knowledge in a Structured Way

Woman sitting a table with bottles of wine and text books while holding a glass of red wine

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
Date: Saturdays, June 25th – July 16th at 9:30am – 4:30pm
Register Now!

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines is the perfect wine course for anyone wishing to learn about a wide range of grapes and styles, as well as those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. 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.

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
  • How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of
  • 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

Build Your Confidence When Making a Cocktail

Male bartender behind a bar pouring a liquid into a cocktail with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits
Date: Mondays, June 20th and June 27th at 6:30pm – 9pm
Register Now!

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits provides a hands-on introduction to the world of spirits and cocktails. You’ll explore the main types and styles of spirits through sight, smell, and taste to develop an understanding of the key factors affecting flavours and aromas.

This 6-hour course provides a hands-on introduction to the world of spirits, liqueurs and cocktails.

You’ll learn:

  • The main types and styles of spirits
  • The basic principles of spirits production
  • How to serve spirits and cocktails
  • Factors affecting the flavour of spirits
  • How to describe spirits using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits® (SAT)

The course will be taught be Alex Boyd DipWSET.

On American Sign Language and Wine

3 images in one. The one on the left is a man smiling with a gray ponytail in front of various red wines. The middle image is a wine smiling while pouring a glass of red wine. The last is a blue image with the WSET logo.

Venturing into the world of wine can be a daunting experience. It carries its own jargon and terminology, but how much more challenging is it learning the language of wine when your first language is sign language?

WSET spoke to Laura Brown Unterstein, wine educator, sales and marketing professional and nationally certified American Sign Language Interpreter, and Peter Cook, internationally reputed Deaf storyteller and poet.

They asked them about their ambitions to create an accessible space in the wine world for Deaf enthusiasts and professionals and founding the organization “Uncorked Access” as part of that mission. Learn more.

Learn more about National AccessAbility Week (May 29 to June 4, 2022) in Canada.

Survey: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry in Canada

You are invited to participate in this research study if you are currently working or if you have recently (past 2 years) worked in the alcoholic beverage industry (including beer, cider, wine, spirits) in Canada. The purpose of this study is to scan the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) climate and practices in the industry. Your participation is crucial in piecing together a snapshot of the industry. Learn more.

WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Group pf people tasting wine in a vineyard

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.

You 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.

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 amount 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.

Learn more about the in-class WSET Diploma.

Learn more about the online WSET Diploma.

Importing Wine, Beer, Spirits For Pleasure & Profit

Join Charles Steven Trenholme for the day-long seminar Importing for Wine, Beer & Spirits For Pleasure & Profit, which provides insights into the dynamics of importing wine, craft beers & spirits into Canada. Charles Steven brings to the seminar 35+ years of experience working in various capacities including managing national sales agency, brand management, sommelier and as educators.

Charles Steven knows first-hand that there are still hundreds of suppliers around the world actively looking for importers to represent them in Canada, providing the opportunity to develop a full or part-time career in this dynamic industry. There are also sales and brand ambassador positions available for those with certified sommelier training.

Many of Ontario’s top importers & agents started their careers after attending Charles Steven’s seminar. They readily agreed that they gained valuable insight to the ins & outs of importing beverage alcohol, as well as the operations of the LCBO.

Charles Steven has offered this seminar since 1993 receiving rave reviews from The Globe & Mail, Wine Tidings, Toronto Life, Toronto Sun, The Hamilton Spectator, Wine Access, Vines Magazine as well as CBC Radio.

The seminar will take place on Saturday, June 4th at 9:30am – 4:30pm.

IWEG students and faculty can use the promo code IWEG to receive a 10% discount.

Further information and registration can be found here.

Wine Awakenings Offer

Woman sitting at table smelling a wine with various wine aroma kit tools and scents around her.

Wine Awakenings’ aroma kits are an educational tool to increase knowledge of each aroma found in wine. These learning tools can help students evaluate the subtle nuances in wines and whisky in order to develop personal scent memory.

“Wine Awakenings aroma kits are an incredible tool for wine beginners, enthusiasts, students and teachers! …aroma kits are a fun and effective way for people to develop the aroma vocabulary and train their senses.  The 60 aroma Wine Awakenings Master Kit is a must have for serious wine aficionados!”- Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, Master of Wine 

Use promo code SP01 to receive $50 off any $300 purchase. Check out the product offerings.