In part 2 of the series on wine learning, I share recommendations and options for online wine study…both free and paid courses. Online study is a very important consideration today for full-time as well as part-time students of wine.
A very common question I often get asked is ‘What options do I have to study wine?’
Wine study in India is often pricey. For the two biggest qualifications available, the WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) and CMS (Court of Master Sommeliers) there are added costs that not every student can afford.
But wine is an ever-evolving subject, and the need to keep abreast of world happenings is important. So how do those who would like to study wine get qualifications or access to authoritative information that does not break the bank?
I have attempted to put together a list of options here. These recommendations might also work for those who work a full-time job and do not have the time to enroll in full-time in-person courses.
For this delayed (apologies!) blog post, part two of my series to share honest, unbiased information on wine learning, I have trawled through my notes to put together a basic list of free and paid online courses on wine. There are many, thankfully, these days. Those that are free should be pounced upon and done with no further ado. For the paid ones, the costs are a small fraction of what many big providers would ask of you, and offer you certification, to boot. For those who already have their CMS, WSET, and Wine Scholar Guild qualifications under their belt, the list offers options to further top up your knowledge.
Of course, closer home, there are many highly qualified teachers in India who offer a range of online sessions, WSET, and more – the top one being the Sonal Holland Wine Academy run by Sonal Holland MW. These courses are made for Indian students and are priced accordingly. Click here to know more.
So, in this article, I will focus on excellent yet lesser-known institutions and teachers for online wine study. So, sharpen your pencils and power up your devices. All you really need is a large dollop of focus and motivation and you can be a pro!
Online courses: general wine study – Free
For those who already have their CMS, WSET, and Wine Scholar Guild qualifications under their belt, this offers options to further top up your knowledge.
World of Wine: From Grape to Glass
Provider: University of Adelaide
This is a solid online wine study course for those wanting to learn the basics about wine within a few short weeks – six, to be exact. It covers quite a bit, from viticulture and winemaking techniques to how to describe sensory attributes of different wine styles. The course involves some self-study but is free, with time-bound access to study materials. If you want to upgrade to the premium version, it will cost ₹16,432 but will give you unlimited access, even after the course ends.
For: beginners and intermediate levels
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au.
Wine Tasting Sensory Techniques
Provider: Coursera for UC Davis
Coursera offers some top-notch courses created by famous institutions, and this one is highly recommended.
Understanding the sensory appreciation of wine is something everyone wants to master. Now, the University of California, Davis, arguably the USA’s most famous wine institution, offers this for free (pay if you want a certificate to hang behind your desk).
This 18-hour online wine study course allows you to understand the process of wine tasting the way the pros do it. Add to this learning about the classic wine types of the world, as well as wine faults and defects as well as wine and food pairings.
Another bonus: you can pause and resume at any time.
For: beginners and intermediate wine enthusiasts.
Website: https://www.coursera.org/learn/wine
Online courses: Region-specific – Free
Region-specific courses can be completed in a short time – from a few weeks to just hours!
Rioja Wine Academy
This is a 15-hour online course that teaches you all you need to learn about Rioja – from grapes and terroir to recommended food pairings. Every module has a mini-exam at the end, with a longer exam when you finish. You have two attempts to pass, and then hey-presto! You become a Rioja-certified wine pro.
For: wine professionals and intermediate-level wine enthusiasts
Website: https://riojawineacademy.com/
Bourgogne Wine Academy
The noted Bourgogne Wine School in Beaune is much sought-after by students who want to specialize in the region. But what if it is not possible for you to attend? Worry not, there is also a free online resource aimed at wine pros which is as authoritative as it is up-to-date – the most accurate resource you can find on the region. Videos, photos, maps, downloadable files, and quizzes help you consolidate your knowledge of the region. Available in multiple languages, including English. It also has a handy offline format, should you not be able to access the internet.
For: wine professionals and intermediate-level wine enthusiasts
Website: https://www.bourgogne-wines.com
Napa Valley Rocks
Just 60 minutes to become an expert in the wines of Napa Valley! Napa Valley Rocks is aimed at wine professionals and educators to help them communicate authoritatively and accurately about the wines of the region. From soils and climate to grapes and sustainability, you can get it done in one sitting, complete the online quiz and even get a certificate to say you’re now a Napa pro!
For: wine professionals and intermediate-level wine enthusiasts
Website: https://napavintners.com/trade/napa_valley_rocks.asp
Champagne MOOC* ( Massive Open Online Course)
Offered by the official body, Comité Champagne offers an online wine study training platform that consists of 4 modules. Presented by Jérémy Cukierman MW, it is available in French and English but you could opt for subtitles in 7 languages. Presented as fun and interactive, it takes 5 hours to complete if you so wish, with a premium paid version (€49) to opt for too.
Besides the modules, there are a whole lot of valuable resources for the committed champagne student, enthusiast, or professional to access.
For: wine professionals and intermediate-level wine enthusiasts
Website: https://www.champagne-mooc.com/
Goal-focused advanced online wine coaching courses: Paid
There are highly-qualified educators who offer one-on-one coaching, now accessible to students in India through online classes.
Winchester Wine School/Enjoy Discovering Wine
Goals: WSET courses and coaching
Erica Dent DipWSET is a highly regarded teacher for wine courses, specifically the WSET – all levels – from the Winchester Wine School. From refresher courses to exam prep classes online, with a live teacher to teach, instruct and motivate, this is a great option for those taking a tilt at the WSET courses – from Level 1 to the Diploma. With the WSET now offering online exams for Level 1 and Level 2, with Erica’s prep, you can do it all right from your desk! And of course, if it’s the Diploma you are attempting, her coaching classes with fellow Diploma-super teacher Jim Gore are worth getting on the waitlist for.
Bonus: Erica holds very instructional and fun tastings for all her alumni. Get on the list!
Website: https://enjoydiscoveringwine.com
Global Wine Academy/ Jim Gore
Goals: WSET Diploma and MW coaching
If it is especially the Diploma – or the Master of Wine – you are attempting, the go-to team of coaches to sign up with is Jim Gore DipWSET, former Principal of the WSET School London and founder of the Global Wine Academy, along with Erica Dent (see above). Small online classes in-person with detailed feedback, excellent tasting technique tips, and exam prep to boot, these classes are considered the gold standard of Diploma teaching.
Website: https://www.globalwineacademy.com/
West London Wine School/Wine with Jimmy
Goals: Module-based WSET coaching
Jimmy Smith runs the West London Wine School and has created a specific e-learning wine revision portal for those wanting help studying the WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3. Revision videos, flashcards and practice exam papers are on offer to those who want to brush up on their facts before their exams. Jimmy also has a YouTube channel, where he delivers region and subject-specific refresher videos – invaluable for Level 3 and the Diploma.
Website: https://www.winewithjimmy.com/
Anne McHale MW
Goal: Coaching for the D3 module of the WSET Diploma
A multi-award-winning master of wine, Anne McHale (who was also my teacher at the WSET School for my Diploma) has a very specific course named Diplomatherapy, that she teaches live via webinars. It focuses entirely on how to tackle the D3 paper (Wines of the World) of the WSET Diploma, also known as The Beast, a paper that is known to intimidate and strike terror in the hearts of many students.
Through a series of live webinars, Anne runs through the course, teaches techniques, and offers solutions on how best to answer tricky questions. With a high rate of students who pass after her course, Anne is sought after as a coach.
Website: https://annemchale.com
