Spring Highlights
In March, IWEG partnered with the New York Wine & Grape Foundation Wines on a masterclass led by WineAlign’s Sara d’Amato. Sara provided a thorough overview of New York winemaking, touching on its unique regions, varietals, styles, regional expressions, and diversity. Participants explored appellation traits and viticultural practices of grape varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
Earlier this week, IWEG students joined Master Sommelier and IWEG visiting instructor John Szabo for an afternoon of tasting and exploration of the Grand Crus of the Napa Valley. With the support of Napa Valley Vintners, participants tasted Napa’s finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon from a selection of iconic producers that shaped this region and continue to see the standard of Napa Valley wines.
Learn More About IWEG’s WSET Diploma Program
Perfect for both the trade professional and the serious enthusiast, the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines will arm you with specialist-level skills and experience, plus international recognition as an expert in the field of wine.
Join us on May 31st to learn more about the program! RSVP by May 17th to ssangster@iweg.org.
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.
WSET Graduation 2023 Highlights
The annual flagship event celebrates the achievements of WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines graduates and prize winners from the last academic year. Watch now.
Sommelier Opportunities at New Venue
Sommelier opportunities (both junior and senior) are available at a new, high end business district venue opening June 2023.
Potential candidates should have one to three years experience as a sommelier and experience with management and analysis of beverage costs. Certification is considered an asset.
The role offer $58-70K + gratuities (based on experience) and potential for development into a wine director role (based on experience).
For further information, please contact Matthew Pauls at mpauls1973@gmail.com or 416-871-8986 (text only).
Wines of South Africa 2023 Sommelier Symposium
The 364th South African wine harvest has wrapped up, and Wines of South Africa (WoSA) Canada is pleased to mark the occasion by announcing the 2023 WoSA Sommelier Symposium.
WoSA offices worldwide will be accepting applications for participants; WoSA Canada has three spots open. One is fully-funded, with WoSA covering economy class airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport within South Africa, and itinerary activities. For the two additional spots WoSA will cover the on-the-ground expenses (accommodation, meals, local transport, and itinerary activities) but participants will be required to cover their own airfare.
The trip will bring together sommeliers from North America, Europe, and Asia for a week of travel around the Western Cape. Participants will visit the major wine-regions of South Africa, with time spent in guided tastings, winery visits, and vineyard tours. Some of the events and activities include:
- A masterclass and tasting with the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective
- Vineyard visits in the Swartland with Adi Badenhorst, the Mullineuxs, and more
- A Cap Classique masterclass with “Mr. Bubbles”, Pieter Ferreira
- Explore cool climate South Africa with a trip down the coast to Hemel-en-Aarde, with time for whale watching
- A seafood dinner with the Cape Agulhas Triangle producers
- Time to explore Cape Town’s dining and drinking scene
Guests will have the chance to socialize with other attendees, South African winemakers, and South African sommeliers.
The dates of the Symposium are September 10th through Sunday the 17th.
Who’s eligible to participate:
Sommeliers anywhere in Canada. You need to be currently working in a restaurant as a sommelier and/or wine director, or in wine retail in a buying capacity, to enter. Anyone who has taken a WoSA-sponsored trip to South Africa in the past ten years (since January 1, 2013) is not eligible.
How to Apply:
1. Start your entry by filling out this form and submitting to Keenan@propellerpr.com.
2. Before May 8th, 2023, post three bottle shots of South African wines on Twitter (@WOSACanada) or Instagram (@WOSA_ca), tagging @WOSA_ca and using the #CapeSomm hashtag.
3. On May 8th, WoSA will host a virtual seminar on South African wine, covering the country’s history, terroir, major regions, and major grape varieties. A link will be provided, as will a recording for those who are unable to sign on live.
4. On May 9th, WoSA will provide a link to an online quiz and the topic for a short, 300-word essay. Participants have until 6am EST Wednesday, May 17th to complete the quiz and submit the essay.
WOSA will announce the results on May 19th. Should the winner or runners-up opt not to take the trip, WoSA Canada will extend the offer to other entrants based on the exam/essay results.
If you have questions about the application process or the WoSA Sommelier Symposium in general please feel free to reach out to WoSA Canada’s Country Manager Laurel Keenan at Keenan@propellerpr.com.
Wines of Portugal Academy Initiation Level
Explore the history, taste a variety of wine styles, and develop your knowledge of the native grape varietals of this great winemaking region.
This 3-hour course is ideal for trade professionals seeking professional accreditation and Portuguese wine enthusiasts.
Discover the most important native grape varietals, understand traditional vinification systems, tour the unique sub-regions and taste a number of diverse wines showcasing Portugal’s diverse terroirs.
You will:
- Develop an extensive knowledge of Portuguese wines
- Be able to recognize the iconic wines, the famous fortified wines, the 10 main grape varieties, the typical blends and the contribution of each variety in the composition of the blend for wines of Portugal
- Be able identify and know the main characteristics of the main regions (including Beira Interior and Azores)
- Develop an in-depth knowledge on the harmonization of international gastronomy with Portuguese wines
Upon successful completion of a test, you will receive a certificate and the title of Wines of Portugal Certified Ambassador.
The course is taught by ViniPortugal educator Sofia Salvador.
Wines of Portugal Academy: Initiation Level
Date: Saturday June 3rd at 9:30am – 4:30pm
Register Now!
LCBO Welcomes New Spirit Of Inclusion Initiative Partner to Advance Equitable Representation in the Beverage Alcohol Industry
Partnership will increase access to scholarships, bursaries, mentorship, and employment opportunities for diverse women.
Through the Spirit of Sustainability, the LCBO is pleased to welcome IWEG as its newest Impact Partner under its Spirit of Inclusion Initiative. The program will fund 20 new scholarships to support diverse women who are beginning or continuing their education in IWEG’s beverage alcohol programs.
Through partnerships with Ontario education institutions, charitable organizations, and trade partners, the Spirit of Inclusion Initiative aims to identify and remove systemic barriers for diverse women in the industry. The program provides bursaries and scholarships, facilitates mentorships, and identifies co-op placements for diverse women to enter, advance, and thrive in the beverage alcohol industry. Established in 1977, and the only Canadian school to offer all qualifications of WSET, IWEG joins the roster of LCBO’s education partners from George Brown College, Niagara College, and Brock University.
“I am pleased that the Independent Education Wine Guild is joining us on our mission to increase equitable representation and further support students entering the winery, brewery, and distillery fields. As a purpose-led organization, the LCBO is proud of our commitment to enhance diversity within the beverage alcohol industry, and we look forward to the positive impact this partnership will create,” said George Soleas, President & CEO, LCBO.
“We thank LCBO for their generous gift that will help students and our community of professionals achieve their personal and professional goals,” Paul Miles DipWSET Executive Director, “The Spirit of Inclusion Initiative is so important as it provides the support to grow a sustainable and diverse drinks and hospitality sector.”
Learn more about the program and how you can apply for a scholarship.