Hot Summer

Rioja Wine Certified Educator 2022

The Rioja Wine Certified Educator course is aimed at wine experts who run teaching activities, sommeliers involved in education or key opinion leaders, wine critics, wine journalists. Applications are open through June 19th.

The course will be divided into three phases:

Phase One: Online basic level course. The accepted educators, having first passed through a selection process, will access online study modules and take a final exam that they have to complete successfully within a time limit. They will have to achieve a minimum score to continue to the next stage.

Phase Two: Trip to Rioja. A 5-day English language course in which they will get to know other trainees and take part in technical workshops, wine-tastings, visits to producers in the D.O. Region, their wineries and vineyards.

Phase Three: Final Project. The trainees will have to send in a final project on a topic that is set by the Regulatory Council and thus demonstrate first-hand what they have learned throughout the training. The project must be completed by a submission deadline.

If you are someone involved in wine education and training, with at least two years’ experience, command of languages and keen to be a Rioja ambassador, you are the ideal candidate for this role. You will be asked to submit your CV, have proven experience and provide a cover letter.

Learn more about the course. If you have any questions, contact Clément Gallois, Rioja Canada Trade Development Manager at ClementG@rwest.com.

Starting Soon: WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

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

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.

Meet the New French Wine Scholar

Image of logo with the words French Wine Scholar (FWS). In the background in a laptop with the image single and double guyot pruning system, the French Wine Scholar manual and a smartphone with Champagne flashcards.

The most comprehensive course on French wine 

The Wine Scholar Guild have launched the 7th version of the French Wine Scholar™ program! The updated study manual, new e-learning modules, and instructor resources have been carefully enhanced to create the most current program on the wines of France.
 Features include:

  • Updated 330-page study manual (in digital and print versions)
  • Interactive aerial videos of vineyard areas bringing wine regions to life
  • Regional quizzes
  • A 50-question practice exam with answer key
  • Revised e-flashcards
  • Downloadable and blank practice maps

Stay tuned for upcoming course dates. 

School of Cool: i4C

Row of glasses of chardonnay wine with a red booklet that says school of cool.

The i4C: International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration is back July 22-24, 2022 in Niagara!

Tickets and packages for the complete lineup of i4C events are available for online purchase.

The School of Cool is the perfect way to kick start your i4C weekend. This all-day event featuring Andrew Jefford from Decanter is filled with fun extras like The Great Chardo Swap, delicious White Oaks coffee breaks, an amazing lunch and so many tastings. Once word gets out about everything that’s included for just $175, these tickets will be gone! And remember, the Walkaround Tasting from 3:30 – 5:00 pm is included in your School of Cool ticket. Learn more.