It’s Going to Be a Great Year!

Learn About a Wide Range of Grapes and Styles

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:
    • Chardonnay
    • Pinot Grigio/Gris
    • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Riesling
    • Cabernet Sauvignon
    • Merlot
    • Pinot Noir
    • Syrah/Shiraz
  • The style and quality of wines:
    • Made from 22 regionally important grape varieties
    • Produced in over 70 geographical indications (GIs) around the world
  • How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of:
    • Sparkling wines
    • Fortified 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

Upon successful completion of a 50-question multiple-choice exam, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines – starting soon!
Date: Tuesdays, January 17th – March 7th at 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Register Now!

Taste and Describe with Confidence

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines 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.

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
  • 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)

Upon successful completion of theory and blind tasting exams, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines – starting soon!
Date: Wednesdays, January 18th – May 3rd at 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
Register Now!

Taste and Explore with John Szabo

Man in blue suit and blue dress shirt sitting at a table with his arms crosses gently. A bottle of wine and two glasses are beside him.

Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004. He holds the international Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma with honours, as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild diploma. He’s principal critic for WineAlign.com, Canada’s premiere wine resource, and co-host and producer of the podcast Wine Thieves with a global following in the trade. He writes a monthly wine advisory for Canaccord Genuity, a global financial services management company headquartered in Canada, as well as a column for Grapevine Magazine, and contributes to many international trade and consumer publications. He’s currently co-writing on a book on wine chemistry.

On the consulting side, John builds wine programs across Canada, and is currently sourcing wines for Accor/Fairmont/Sofitel Hotels in Québec. He is a regular guest speaker at events worldwide and has delivered masterclasses for virtually every major wine trade associations and has taught countless wine courses over the years, among others, for the CMS and IWEG. He has travelled to virtually every wine producing country on earth in pursuit of fine wine and to keep on top of this fascinating industry, including two visits to New Zealand. In his spare time, he tends to his new vineyard in Prince Edward County.

Join John for tasting and exploring in 2023 at the following masterclasses:

Explore New Zealand Pinot Noir with John Szabo

With the support of New Zealand Wine Growers, join Master Sommelier and IWEG visiting instructor John Szabo for an evening of tasting and exploration of New Zealand Pinot Noir. The masterclass will take place on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 at 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Sign up now!

Taste the Austrian Grand Crus of the Danube Valley with John Szabo

With the support of Austrian Wine, join Master Sommelier and IWEG visiting instructor John Szabo for an evening of tasting and exploration of the Austrian Grand Crus of the Danube Valley. The masterclass will take place on Thursday, March 30th, 2023 at 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Sign up now!

Focus on the Grand Crus of the Napa Valley with John Szabo

With the support of Napa Valley Vintners, join Master Sommelier and IWEG visiting instructor John Szabo for an afternoon of tasting and exploration focusing on the Grand Crus of the Napa Valley. The masterclass will take place on Monday, May 1st, 2023 at 2pm – 4pm. Sign up now!

New Zealand Wine Week 2023

Vineyard landscape in New Zealand

New Zealand Wine Week kicks off on January 30th until February 7th! Join us throughout the week for bitesize “wine adjacent” webinars covering research at the forefront of New Zealand wine, the wine regions and the country’s commitment to climate change. In these sessions, local producers and international trade will have conversations about sustainability, site, and Sauvignon. Take a look at the sessions and register!With the support of New Zealand Wine Growers, you can also join Master Sommelier and IWEG visiting instructor John Szabo for an evening of tasting and exploration of New Zealand Pinot Noir on February 2nd. Sign up now!

Wine Scholar Guild Scholarships

Each year, Wine Scholar Guild awards one full scholarship for each of the following programs: French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar and Spanish Wine Scholar.

These scholarships are designed to allow students with limited financial means to achieve professional certification.

This scholarship opportunity is open to all committed students of wine from around the world, both wine professionals or those hoping to enter into the wine industry. Applicants must be of legal drinking age in both the United States (21 years or older) and in their country of residence. Previous winners of the scholarships may also apply again for a different program than they were awarded in the past.

All applications must be complete and submitted by January 15, 202311:59 PM EST.

Learn more!

International Wine and Grapes Days 2023 Calendar

WSET has put together a handy calendar with the key international wine and grape days for 2023.

If you are looking for new wines or tasting inspiration, their ever-growing wine and grapes days calendar should guide you through the dates throughout the four seasons.  

In addition, they have also included some of the most used hashtags. Check it out. 

Happy tasting for 2023!