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The CSW credential signifies a mastery of the core principles and fundamentals of wine and is recognized world wide within the wine industry. The course is for current and future wine industry employees seeking,
The Course prepares participants for the CSW Exam, given under the auspices of the Society of Wine Educators, the only professional U.S. wine society to provide knowledge-based wine exams and certifications. The exam covers core principles and fundamentals of wine including viticulture, vinification, grape varieties, wine regions, labeling laws, wine tasting and faults. Passing the exam qualifies one as a Certified Specialist of Wine.
The CSW Course includes 21 hours of instruction as well as the tasting of 30 wines, the 250 page CSW Study Guide, access to the On-Line Wine Academy of the Society of Wine Educators, and the Final Exam.
Dates: nine Tuesdays: March 17, April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12,
19; June 2.
Time: 7 PM – 10 PM
Fee: $835; discount: $750, for WWS graduates, people currently working in the food and beverage industry, and couples who pay for just one Study Guide.
Additional Discount of $35 for registrations made before March 1st.
Registration: call the WWS at 914-478-5197.
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.