The Perfect Course for a Career in Wine

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...

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...

The proliferation of streaming services available to everyone has certainly expanded the way we can learn about wine.  Just searching for a wine type, wine region, winemaker or brand will bring up a number of options.  We can add on top of that searches for advice in...

So, you’ve decided it’s time to learn more about wine, but where to start?   25 years ago, I was in your shoes and asked myself that very question.  The answer – just dive in and take any wine course that looks interesting.  Of course, as a provider of Wine &...

A sommelier, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is, “a waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service.”  That definition is pretty basic and in today’s wine world we can add quite a bit to it.  A sommelier needs to be knowledgeable and...

The combination of advances in digital technology and the COVID pandemic have increased the demand for online classes of every type – including wine.  Grape Experience has responded by creating several ways to learn about wine Online.  These options range from...

Many people who take WSET courses go on to great wine career opportunites.  Others use their WSET education to forge lifelong relationships that open the door to exciting wine and food travel, as well as unique cultural experiences. Two people who studied WSET Level 3...

Wine, beer, cider, spirits, sake, almost every type of fermented beverage can be aged or stored in oak barrels in order to enhance its flavor, complexity, and texture. This technique has been in practice for hundreds if not thousands of years, with different cultures...

Great new wines to try in 2023 include Tyrrell’s and Mac Forbes

Two and a half years ago COVID 19 changed our world.  Wine Education was particularly rocked by the virus that, at first, prevented classes from meeting in person.  Although that shock to our education system was difficult, it has actually resulted in significant...

Chances are you’re familiar with the standard wine grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, and the rest. These staples have been used to create fantastic wines for hundreds and hundreds of years, many with their own legendary origin...

In light of our exciting news regarding the merger between Grape Experience’s East Coast WSET operations and Commonwealth Wine School (CWS) in Cambridge, MA, we caught up with CWS founder and director Jessica Sculley. In this interview, we learn about Jessica’s...

The Land Down Under, Oz, Australia … however you refer to it, this is a continent/country with an incredibly varied winemaking history and culture, but one that too often gets pigeon-holed as solely producing big, high-alcohol wines. We sat down with Mark Davidson,...

Q&A with Jim Gore, DipWSET and Founder of the Global Wine Academy As one advances through the WSET courses, culminating in the Level 4 Diploma and opening the door for aspiring candidates to pursue the Master of Wine, the curriculum becomes less exact. At the...

When it comes to California wine, the state has a wide selection of well-cultivated grapes. There is no doubt that one of the beautiful parts of the California wine industry is that there are world famous examples in this one state of just as many grapes as the entire...

3 winegrowing regions, 28,000 wineries, 52 varieties of grapevine, 2 million people, one, incredible, wine tour Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or someone who enjoys the odd droplet with their meal, a visit to Slovenia may quickly transform you from the latter into...

Grape Experience is a proud supporter of San Francisco Wine School’s Glancy Wine Education Scholarship Fund(GWEF), which provides scholarships to low income students looking to start or advance a career in wine or hospitality. Next month is the foundation’s 2019...

There is no better way to learn about wines than to travel the vineyards where the grapes are grown.  Photos in books and videos are great, but they are framed to give the best view and evoke a desired image. As a wine educator, being “on the ground” makes me see...

Q&A with Grape Experience educator and DipWSET Matthew Gaughan on why the WSET Diploma is a must for wine trade professionals. What were you doing when you started the Diploma and where are you now? I started the Diploma in Manchester in the UK when I was working...

This fall WSET and Grape Experience will debut the new WSET Level 2 Certificate in Wine.  It starts September 10 in San Francisco and September 18 in Boston.  Registration information is at Wine Courses for Beginners The following interview details the great changes...

You’ve been thinking about taking a wine course for some time, but for whatever reason you’ve been putting it off.  Well now is the best time of the year to take a wine class. Here’s why:   It's spring, the time of year for outdoor parties, picnics and outings...

People constantly ask me how they can become a wine educator (often hoping to teach WSET courses).  My first response is to ask, “why do you want to teach?” The answers fall into five categories: I want to share what I know with others I think it is the logical thing...

In January and February, all of Grape Experience educators – including myself – attended day-long workshops to learn about the new WSET Diploma in Wine that’s being introduced in August. There are some major changes to the current Diploma program in both teaching...

2019 will mark the start of several new WSET Spirits programs.  The renowned education company has created a suite of Spirits only courses focused on today's drinks business and the trends shaping it.  With three Levels (1-3) in Spirits there is a course for everyone....

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular white wine varietals, especially since New Zealand producers started exporting their crisp fruit driven styles in the late 1980s.  American Sauvignon Blancs are often labeled "Fume Blanc." This branding was started by Robert...