Guided Discovery
Alex Boyd DipWSET is a hospitality professional with more than 10 years industry experience. In his current role as Restaurant Supervisor at the Delta Toronto he is responsible for development and implementation of beverage programs in the Delta Hotel’s food and beverage outlets as well as developing and delivering educational content and tutored tastings. He has developed extensive knowledge of wine & spirits, academically through the WSET curriculum, completing the Diploma in 2018, and many years in customer facing roles, including curating and maintaining a list of more than 250 whiskies at Char No. 5, the Delta Hotel’s lobby bar.
Born and raised in New Zealand, his career in the hospitality industry has taken him from the South Island to the Okanagan and through the Canadian Rockies before landing in Toronto in 2014 as part of the opening team at the Delta Toronto. What started as professional curiosity quickly developed into personal passion after enrolling in the WSET Level 2 while living in Alberta, continuing with the Level 3 and the Diploma program at IWEG. Outside of work, he likes to spend time with his lovely wife, Coco, and their Border Collie, Pepper. While he has a particular passion for Scotch whisky, he also enjoys the creative side of cocktail bartending, working on flavour combinations and presentations inspired by experiences and flavours from exploring the world around him.
Teaching approach:
‘My teaching career actually began in one of my first jobs out of high school, as a cross country ski instructor. My approach is rooted in guided discovery, giving students the opportunity to make connections and grow their knowledge organically. Above all I try to bring my own passion for the subject matter to bear to inspire the same in my students.’
Alex will be teaching the upcoming WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits on Mondays, June 20th and June 27th at 6:30pm – 9pm. Register Now!
Build Your Confidence When Making a Cocktail
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)
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).
WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines
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.
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.
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
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.