by Adam Chase | Jul 22, 2024
Over the past decade the demand for Online wine courses has dramatically increased. The COVID pandemic only accelerated both this demand, as well as the quality of online materials. The main issue has always been how to handle the tasting element, but at Grape Experience this is not an issue at all. We have solved the tasting issue! We now have a suite of courses that give students flexibility to combine both online and in person WSET wine courses even if they never go to a classroom – although even our in-person courses now have Online component options.
In Person Courses with Online Support
All Grape Experience in person courses now come with an exclusive and unique Online Classroom component. A student can attend a course session and then review it through our Online Classroom where educators talk directly to the viewer. This isn’t a grainy, hard to hear video. Rather it is a customized review of material with hints about what is important for the exam. If a student misses a session, they have the chance to review what was covered at a time that is convenient for them. We are distinctive among wine schools in offering what has become a game changing service!
Online Courses with Live Web Sessions and Tasting Kits
For a student who lives too far from a classroom or can’t make the schedule of our WSET Level 1, 2 and 3 Wine courses we have a new option. An Online course that can be done at the student’s own pace and schedule. These courses also have live webinars where students can meet each other and engage directly with the teacher. If they miss a webinar, no worries, we record them, and they can be viewed at the student’s convenience. The course teacher is always available for questions at any time.
We provide a tasting kit for all students in these Online classes so they can experience many of the same wines they would get in an in-person course. The kits are used during the live session so that students can check their palates against other students and the teacher – whether they choose to do that live or at a time of their choosing.
There has never been a better time to take a WSET wine course. We have made the program customizable to anyone through technology. Our 20-year track record of focusing on the student is evident not just in the technological advancements but in our availability to be available in real time should the student ever have questions. You can see more at either https://www.grapeexperience.com/beginner-wine-courses/ or https://www.grapeexperience.com/advanced-certificate-wine/
We hope you can join us in a journey to become a sommelier, wine expert or just increase your knowledge of this incredible product!
by Adam Chase | May 23, 2024
The statistics on US and global wine sales are at best mixed. It appears consumers are drinking less wine – although the wines they do drink are higher quality and higher prices. The new generations that have come of legal drinking age in the last 10 years – Millennials and the older portion of Gen Z – look at all alcohol with an eye to its detriment to health. When they do choose alcoholic beverages, they often tend to be ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers.
If you are looking to enter the wine industry the trends described above may give you, as well as potential employers pause. You may be thinking “will there be openings in the industry for me?” While potential employers may be skittish on adding staff. Still, there are things you can do to maximize your chances at being hired.
First, think about what you do well and like to do. Do you enjoy selling customers on wine? If you enjoy customer service and talking to people about wine, you might want to consider a retail sales job. Start by identifying wine shops in your area which you like, have strong reputations and often seem busy, particularly on weekends. Go in and talk to staff there. Ask them what it is like to work there, what owners look for in hiring and whether there is any part- or full-time opportunities.
Try to get a name and contact for the shop owner /manager. If they are not there when you make your first contact, then contact them and ask for opportunity to have an informational interview with them. Ask them how they got into the industry and what they would recommend for you. If you have a good feeling about them, ask if there are any even part time needs and be prepared to start at the bottom and work unpopular hours. If you do enough of these interviews you are bound to land some part time work.
If you are more into winemaking you need to research the vineyards in your area. Find out who is in charge of bringing on interns and do the same type of informational interview. Be willing to work for free as a starting point. If they have no internships, ask if there are select days during the harvest where they may need extra help and let them know you are willing to come in at a moment’s notice. Finally, if they seem to have no opportunities, ask who else – and what other vineyards – you should speak to.
Your success in any interview and ultimately entering the industry will be more successful if you have some respected wine education credential. The educational experience not only tells the person you speak with that you know something about wine, but it also has a few other advantages:
- It gives you more confidence at presenting yourself in an interview
- It enables you to dig deeper in responding to questions
- The classes allow you an opportunity to network with other students and teachers about opportunities.
The idea of creating confidence is behind all WSET course which is why we feel so strongly about them. In a down wine market this type of education is even more valuable. You can see everything we offer at https://www.grapeexperience.com.
by Adam Chase | Mar 7, 2024
The WSET Level 3 Certificate in wine is one of the most enduring and popular courses in wine education. Level 3 has been part of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) curriculum for over 50 years and is respected and by every profession in the wine industry: sommeliers, retailers, importers, distributors, producers, and wine writers. It is the perfect course for a wine professional or someone looking to join the industry. It is also ideal for consumers who want a deeper dive into what is driving today’s wine styles.
The beauty of the WSET Level 3 program is that it has continued to evolve as consumer tastes, climates, technology, and trends have changed. The course provides a deep and broad foundation on what drives production decisions – natural factors and human choices – that ultimately result in specific styles. In doing so it delves into every major wine region and in the last 20 years that means greater attention to wines produced outside of Europe.
WSET Level 3 also focuses on tasting a huge range of wines –from global locations, price points and volume levels. The aim is to help identify the objective elements that define quality, while also understanding through a tasting experience how natural and human factors manifest themselves in the glass.
For individuals studying to be a sommelier, WSET Level 3 provides the theory needed to be confident about wine facts and make the most out of food and wine pairings. For anyone else in the industry that same confidence allows them to make better decisions and have substantive conversations with colleagues, producers, or consumers.
WSET Level 3 also attracts consumers who have a love of wine, food and culture because it goes beyond surface facts and really focuses in on how and why wines differ from each other. The level of knowledge that one has after taking Level 3 is something that will last and develop for a lifetime.
For all these reasons and more WSET Level 3 is the perfect course for anyone with a desire to work in or just better enjoy wine. You can see the next WSET Level 3 offerings at Grape Experience by clicking on this link: https://www.grapeexperience.com/advanced-certificate-wine/
by Adam Chase | Nov 16, 2023
The holiday season is here and if you are wondering what to give the people in your life who are into wine or those people who are just lovers of food, wine and culture we have some ideas. A wine class is always a fun experience for someone who just wants to experience wine at a deeper level. But for many people that might be too big a leap so how about a bottle of wine from somewhere unexpected?
Wine Classes
There are so many classes available out there and if there was anything good coming out of the pandemic it was the emergence of a wide array of courses that can be taken remotely. At Grape Experience we offer WSET Level 1 Wine and Level 2 Wine (along with Sake Level 1) in a hybrid format. For these two beginner wine courses participants get free tasting kits and several live online class sessions. These live sessions are also recorded so if you miss the live class you can watch it on your own schedule.
Both Level 1 and Level 2 are fun beginner courses. They look at the major styles of wines and how they differ throughout the world. Partcipants come out with greater knowledge and confidence about choosing wines and how to pair them with food.
Purchasing a Gift Bottle
A gift of a bottle of wine is always appreciated but to make it not just something ordinary there are many things you can do:
- Find a region that may be unusual: The country of Georgia, Greece, Uruguay, Corsica, Israel, Tasmania are all possibilities.
- Find a know style of variety from an unexpected place: English Sparkling Wine, Alsation or German Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo from Virginia, Cabernet Franc from New York all come to mind
- Purchase a style that the recipient might not but for themselves such as sweet wines from Tokaji in Hungary, White Port or Sparkling Shiraz from Australia.
They key is to be creative here so that the person gets something that is memorable.
There are so many options for anyone who is interested in food, wine, pop culture or just understanding trends in each of these areas. Have fun with your gift choices!
by Adam Chase | Aug 28, 2023
The question that I am most frequently asked is, “how do I become a sommelier?” or “how do I become a wine expert and get a wine job?” Although there is no silver bullet answer that I can give, there are three elements that anyone can work towards that will make entering the wine industry more successful and enjoyable: confidence, knowledge, and tasting for quality.
Confidence is something anyone can achieve by building a knowledge base and developing a key set of skills. The more you study wine the more you realize there is more to learn. However, by building a foundation of information on wine production, you gain confidence. That confidence helps you express yourself and react to others’ ideas with conviction. It also provides a solid base on which to continue to learn – be it in a classroom, during winery visits and on the job. Confidence will help you appear stronger to potential employers by being able to understand, answer and build off their questions.
So how do you get that confidence or the knowledge base from which confidence comes? There are two skills that are critical: explanation and discussion of winemaking concepts and learning how to taste wine for quality.
Many people want to be in the wine industry because they like the pleasure and taste of wine. They find theory interesting to a point but then lose interest. The truth is that most of wine work does not involve tasting but rather focuses on theory. If you work in wine retail or distribution it is unlikely that you will taste all of wines in your portfolio or inventory. Even sommeliers who, at lease initially, taste most of the wines on their list, may not have tried everything or the latest vintage that has been produced. The way to fill that gap is to understand the theory behind that wine.
Confidence comes from looking at any major wine label and, without having tasted the contents of the bottle, be able to convey what that wine should taste like and why. The best way to achieve this is to take a comprehensive wine survey course. There are several classes that may fit the bill, but we recommend the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 course. This program has been taught around the world for over 50 years and is specifically designed to build expertise and confidence. You can find out more at: Wine Courses for Beginners
Tasting is the element that most people both look forward to and at the same time dread! First, let’s define tasting at the professional level. This type of tasting is not about “do I like this wine” or “do I want to purchase a bottle.” Rather, it is about is this a good wine for the purpose for which it was made and is it representative of its region and style type. There are several wines that are made for mass market retailers or restaurants that are not meant to be complex or age worthy. It is just as important to distinguish quality here as it is when looking at premium wines.
Why do people dread tasting? The answer is lack of confidence. Most people doubt their ability to taste accurately thinking “what if I mistake a Grand Cru Burgundy for a Napa Cab?” The issue isn’t tasting blind but rather understanding the key components that make up a wine: appearance (color), Nose (aroma), Palate (acid, tannin, body, finish, etc.). All of this can be learned and the way to make it easier is to have a specific system and process to do so. WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting does just that. Other courses should do so as well, or they are not worth taking.
By building confidence through theory and tasting skills you will not only enjoy wine more and make yourself more suitable for a wine job, but you will also be better informed as to what part of the industry – if any – you would like to join.
