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Every Step of the Way

Headshot of a woman with dark long hair and red lipstick holding a glass of red wine

Seema Pal is a certified sommelier and a WSET Diploma graduate. She shared with us her life-long journey through wine education:

When I took WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, I fell in love with wine studies and I knew I could not stop there. Although the WSET Diploma program involved a fair amount of work and time, it did not feel like it to me because the course content was so interesting and I loved every step of the way!

My personal goal to take the Diploma was for due to my love of wine studies, but as this designation opens many doors to future careers, I would love to look more into a career switch into the wine and spirits industry.

My advice to the next generation of students is to start studying early for every unit (slow and steady wins the race), and discuss what you have learned to others as a way to solidify the information in your memory, but also to have the bonus side effect of potentially enticing others to pursue wine education!

Sustainable Spain: Through Tradition and Innovation

With Vicky Mareque Bueno, General Manager at at Pazo de Señorans, Rías Baixas, César Saldaña, President of the Regulating Council of the Denominations of Origin of Jerez-Xérèz-Sherry, Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Vinagre de Jerez and Marc Picón Malivern, Export Manager at Sumarroca

Moderated by Michelle Bouffard

Thursday, May 26 at 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

How is climate change affecting the production of sparkling wine in the Penedès, the fortified wine in Jerez and the still wines of Rías Baixas? Spain is an incredible resource when seeking solutions to adapt and mitigate climate change. Join Marc Picón Malivern, Export Manager at Sumarroca, Mr. César Saldaña, President of the Regulating Council of the Denominations of Origin of Jerez-Xérèz-Sherry and Vicky Mareque, General Manager at Pazo de Señorans to learn how those regions are evolving.

This conference is part of a FREE series of Tasting Climate Change webinars.

Register now!

Volunteers Needed: WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada

The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada is looking for wine-savvy volunteers!

The judging will take place this June in Niagara Falls. This year they are expecting approximately 1,900 to 2,000 entries. Volunteers must be comfortable opening and pouring wine. Duties will include pouring flights, serving judges the flights, clearing glasses, polishing glasses, and more.

In an effort to keep all volunteers, staff and judges safe, volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have at least one booster shot. Masks must also be worn when working.

Dates:
Set Up: June 16 – 18 (3 days)
Judging: June 19 – 23 (5 days) – they especially need people from the 19th to 21st

For set up days, they will be starting at approximately 9am and on judging days, will be starting much earlier at 7:45pm-ish. They will go to about 4:30pm or so each afternoon.
Lunch will be provided each day.

Please contact Sarah@WineAlign.com if you are interested.

WSET Diploma Info Session and Meet and Greet

Information sessions are open to students who 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).

RSVP!

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.

Learn the Principal and Regionally Important Grape Varieties of the World

A row of 8 various types of wine from white, rose to red in glasses

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.
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
  • 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

The course will take place on Saturdays, June 11th – July 9th at 9:30am – 4:30pm. Exam on Saturday, July 9th at 1:30pm at IWEG.

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)

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.