French Wine Scholar™ Program
Fall 2025, 2025; 10am to 5pm.
Certification Exam on: Dates TBA; 10am.
Tuition: $1348 (includes all wine fees, printed textbooks, online course materials, exam, certificate, pin and traditional, regional lunch each day to correspond with learning).
Looking to learn about French wines sooner? Join us for French Wine Essentials, Sunday, June 2, 2024. French Wine Essentials is a foundational certification course and excellent preparation for the advanced-level French Wine Scholar Course.
This all-encompassing study paints broad strokes for the wide-angle view of French Wines, while simultaneously delving into the smallest details on the subject.
This course was curated specifically by The Wine Scholar Guild (with the full support of the French Ministry of Agriculture). It was carefully crafted for the serious wine student committed to authenticity, detail, and respect for the region. While it will academically challenge the individual, the learning environment is one of encouragement and support – with your success as the ultimate goal.
The program offers an unparalleled level of depth in regards to French wine:
Grape Varieties & Viticulture
Winemaking Process & Technique
Industry Trends and Economics
Styles and Specificities of France’s AOCs
French Wine Laws & Regulations
*There will be no additional fee for the full-color SWS study manual, 1-year access to all online materials, exam registration, or any tastings included.
Fall 2025, 2025; 10am to 5pm.
Certification Exam on: Dates TBA; 10am.
Tuition: $1348 (includes all wine fees, printed textbooks, online course materials, exam, certificate, pin and traditional, regional lunch each day to correspond with learning).
Looking to learn about French wines sooner? Join us for French Wine Essentials, Sunday, June 2, 2024. French Wine Essentials is a foundational certification course and excellent preparation for the advanced-level French Wine Scholar Course.
This all-encompassing study paints broad strokes for the wide-angle view of French Wines, while simultaneously delving into the smallest details on the subject.
This course was curated specifically by The Wine Scholar Guild (with the full support of the French Ministry of Agriculture). It was carefully crafted for the serious wine student committed to authenticity, detail, and respect for the region. While it will academically challenge the individual, the learning environment is one of encouragement and support – with your success as the ultimate goal.
The program offers an unparalleled level of depth in regards to French wine:
Grape Varieties & Viticulture
Winemaking Process & Technique
Industry Trends and Economics
Styles and Specificities of France’s AOCs
French Wine Laws & Regulations
*There will be no additional fee for the full-color SWS study manual, 1-year access to all online materials, exam registration, or any tastings included.
Who should take this course:
This high level certification course is ideal for students with a solid foundation in basic wine knowledge and/or previous wine training. Students will need to allocate time outside of class for reading and review in order to be successful in this rigorous course.
About the exam
The exam for each unit consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates need a composite score of 75% to receive the SWS credential. Students with a composite score of 85-90% pass with honors. Candidates with a composite score of 91-100% pass with highest honors.
About the Instructor:
Mimi Martin is founder and education director at The Wine & Spirit Archive. She is a Certified Wine Educator (CWE), holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits (DipWSET) and was named 2019 WSG Italian Wine Instructor of the Year. Maxine Borcherding is co-founder of Taste and Compare Academy of Wine, Spirits and Food and was the first instructor of FWS in Portland. She now shares her love and knowledge of wine in her home country of Portugal, but will return to Portland for this wonderful series.
