| WESTCHESTER WINE SCHOOL, LLC |
| “The best kind of wine is that which is pleasant to him that drinks it.” Pliny the Elder |
| Home | Course Descriptions | Private Events |
| Tasting Themes | Who We Are | Dégustations à Paris | Contact Us |
The Westchester Wine School’s Certified Specialist of Wine Course is a training course that prepares participants for the Certified Specialist of Wine Exam, given by the Westchester Wine School under the auspices of the Society of Wine Educators. The Society of Wine Educators is the only professional U.S. wine society to provide knowledge-based wine exams and certifications. Passing the exam qualifies one as a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW).
The CSW exam was designed for the wine industry by a team of industry wine educators working with the Society of Wine Educators. The exam covers core principles and fundamentals of wine required to work within the industry including viticulture, vinification, grape varieties, wine regions, labeling laws, wine tasting and faults.
The CSW credential signifies a mastery of the core principles and fundamentals of wine and is recognized world wide within the wine industry.
The Certified Specialist of Wine Course includes:
Topics covered include,
Viticulture
1. The Vine, its Growth Cycle & Metabolic Processes
2. Canopy Management
3. The Role of the Soil
4. Vine Diseases & Viticultural Practices
Grape Varieties
1. Principal Red and White Varieties of the World
Wine Production
1. Table Wine
2. Sparkling Wine
3. Fortified Wine
Wine Regions (Australia, France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand,
Germany/Austria, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Portugal, USA)
1. Label Laws
2. Quality Levels
3. Geography
4. Grapes and Wines
Wine Appreciation
1. Wine Composition and Chemistry
2. Wine Tasting and Faults
3. The Physiology of Taste
Other Topics
1. Wine & Health
2. Professional Etiquette
3. Tips on wine service and wine storage
4. Measurements used within the industry with conversions
The Certified Specialist of Wine Study Guide presents the core fundamentals with which all wine professionals should be familiar. Information is presented in a comprehensive, practical format and is designed to help participants gain a greater understanding of the often complex world of wine. Topics covered are listed above under “18 hours of instruction”.
The guide is designed for self-paced, self-study and each unit includes a set of review questions to help candidates gauge their comprehension of certain key subject areas. The study guide also includes a complete set of color maps.
The Wine Academy offers on-line study modules whose content is based on the text contained within the Certified Specialist of Wine Study Guide. Each interactive study module is comprised of a pre-test, mini-quizzes, and a posttest. Scoring is immediate. A book marking feature allows the student to pick up a lesson where last left off.
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in a 60 minute period. A passing score is 75% or above. Certificates will be issued to those who passed and you will be encouraged to use the initials of your new title, CSW, after your name. The exam will be proctored by your instructor and sent to the Society of Wine Educators for marking.
Who is the CSW Course for?
Benefits of the CSW Certification
For Wine Enthusiasts:
For Wine Industry Employees:
Who is Your Instructor?
Ned Towle, CSW, CWE, has been qualified by the Society of Wine Educators as a Certified Specialist of Wine and a Certified Wine Educator; and by the American Wine Society as a Certified Wine Judge. He is the Director of the Westchester Wine School, has worked in wineries in southwest France, and has led fun and informative courses and wine events for many years on all aspects of wine and wine regions.
Cost & Details of the Program
When: Course will be given on 7 consecutive Tuesday evenings, from 7:30 to 10:00 PM, from April 8 through May 20. The final exam will be held Tuesday, June 3rd at 7:30PM (if there is a date conflict for anyone, an additional exam date will be set.)
Where: Hilton Rye Town, 699 Westchester Ave., Rye Brook, NY 10573 (just off Interstate 287 at Exit 10, near Interstates 684, and 95, and the Hutchinson River Parkway)
Fee: $835, includes 18 hours of instruction, 30 wines, 250 page Study Guide ($150 value), access to the online Wine Academy materials of the Society of Wine Educators ($125 value) , and the Society of Wine Educators’ CSW Exam ($235 value).
$750, a 10% discount, for Westchester Wine School graduates, people currently working in the wine industry, and couples opting to pay for just one Study Guide.
Registration: Call 914-478-5197, the Westchester Wine School, to reserve your place with a credit card or check.