From its start as a way to build demand for French wines in the US to a global program with 100 approved program providers in 30 countries, the Wine Scholar Guild (“WSG”) is a theory-focused wine education program targeting the “committed students of wine.”  Lisa Airey, Education Director of the WSG, tells us about the different levels of the program, instructor online courses, and how the WSG fits into the wine education landscape.  This episode is sponsored by Repour, the simple, effective way to preserve your wine...without planning ahead.  Extensively used by top sommeliers, wineries, and wine students, Repour prevents wasted wine and saves money.  Find out more at repour.com and listen to Episode 24, where CEO Tom Lutz gives us all the details on Repour.  Detailed Show Notes: Lisa’s background - 13 years in wine wholesale sales, education director and interim executive director for the Society of Wine Educators (“SWE”), then joined the French Wine Scholar program, which is now the Wine Scholar GuildMet Julian Camus, the WSG President while at SWE, who was trying to help find importers to the US for French producersHe created the French Wine Society to build interest and love for French wine amongst consumersFWS events would have ~500 people and sell thousands of dollars of wine for each eventWSG founded in 2008 as the FWS program, an education and credential bodyBecame an advanced program right awayFor the “serious wine hobbyist” or “committed student of wine”100 program providers in 30 countriesDifferentiation vs. other wine education bodiesWSG is specialized in France, Italy, and Spain, the 3 largest producing countries in EuropeOther programs are more generalist / globalSWE is more of a membership program with study and certification. WSG is more study/certification with membership as a sidebarExams are 100% theory - 100 questions multiple-choice (75% is passing, with honors and highest honors)WSG fills the niche of some self-study courses like WSET Diploma and Master of Wine with detailed study materials3 Course typesClassroom - instructor-led, taste along in classInstructor Online - live instruction online, if you miss a class, you can go back and replay it on-demandIndependent Study - for self-motivated who can’t make the schedules workScholar vs. Master level coursesFrench Wine Scholar coursebook is 274 pages just on French winesMaster Level programs are 125-375 pages on 1 region (Bourgogne is the largest)Master programs can be important for people in the industry that need that level of expertise for their jobsStudy tripsSome for educators and approved program providersStudy immersion trips - open to the public, have top names as hosts (e.g., Andrew Jefford), that can open doorsDigital ProgramsWent digital early in order to go globalBenefits of online learning - no travel, parking, easy to miss a session and catch upPartnered with Coravin to have a discount for members so students can purchase wine and not have to pop a corkMembershipTo foster continuous learning after programs4 webinars / month, with 150+ on-demandPronunciation programsDiscounts on Coravin, 10% off education programsCosts $100/yearScholarshipsTripled the amount during CovidProvide Instructor Online courses as scholarshipsHave 2 programs today - need-based/financial aid and Master of Wine scholarshipsOffer group rates for distributors Get access to library episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.