Foundation Wine Courses

Along with the Intermediate Program, the Foundation is part of the Core series of wine courses.  By enrolling in the Core program (both the Foundation and Intermediate programs in a single semester)  the student can attend Wine School at a discounted rate.

Wine Course Curriculum

The world of wine is built on the foundation of taste. The top professionals in the food, wine, and hospitality industries understand this: the committed student of wine must learn this. To stand tall in the wine world, the student must learn to unravel the hidden flavors of wine and speak the language of the senses.

Most wine enthusiasts remain tourists of the grape: they drink and enjoy without ever knowing the greater joys hidden just below the surface. The Foundation Course is your key to unlocking that world. With it, you just may be able to turn a mere hobby into a deeply passionate and highly creative calling.

“The Foundation program is truly a unique and enjoyable learning experience… it is the only chemistry class you will fall in love with.” Bob Pigeon, Executive Editor of De Capo Press.

In an eight week semester, students will learn the techniques and knowledge to become extraordinary wine tasters. Graduates are able to identify major wine varietals in a blind tasting: a skill many seasoned sommeliers cannot accomplish.

Course Contents:

• The Science of Wine
• Understanding White Wines
• Old World and New World Styles
• Understanding Red Wines
• Wine Components
• Introduction to Winemaking
• Blind Tasting

In this eight-week program, you will be taught to taste wine with a higher proficiency than most sommeliers. The final exam of this program is a series of blind tastings along with a multiple choice exam. It is expected that our graduates will be able to identify the varietal, style, and region of every wine presented in the blind tasting.  We currently have a 93% pass rate, which is the highest in the country. At-home study prior to both the written exam and blind tasting is highly recommended.

REQUIREMENTS

There are no prior requirements to attend this program. The program is designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of experience or knowledge level.

Intermediate Wine Course

Along with the Foundation Program, the Intermediate is part of the Core series of wine courses.  By enrolling in the Core program (both the Foundation and Intermediate programs in a single semester)  the student can attend Wine School at a discounted rate.

Wine Course Curriculum

From the Italian peninsula to the docks of Bordeaux, the Intermediate Certificate of Global Wine Studies is a breathtaking exploration of the world of wine.

“It is due to The Wine School of Philadelphia that I attended and graduated from the School for Oenology and Viticulture at the University of California at Davis.” Jenny Schultz

In a whirlwind of a semester, the secrets of the global wine society are unlocked. Students learn about the wine styles, varietals, and winemaking techniques of all the important wine producing countries. Upon completion of the program, graduates have a working knowledge of the types and styles of wine available throughout the world: our students become masters of the global vineyard.

Course curriculum includes the following wine countries:

• Spain
• Italy
• France
• Germany
• Austria
• United States
• Argentina
• Chile
• Australia
• South America
• South Africa
• New Zealand

Diploma Oenotropae Program

The crowning achievement in wine education. The wine diploma program requires the student to have successfully have completed the requirements for both the Core and Advanced programs.  The final element is completing a Thesis Project under the tutelage of a Master Sommelier-Instructor.

History of the Wine School

The Wine School of Philadelphia is the oldest independent wine school in America. The school was founded in 2001 by Keith Wallace, a  graduate of the country’s most prestigious viticulture and enology program.  Mr. Wallace developed the entirety of the School’s curriculum. It was based on his work as a consulting winemaker and training wine executives.

His aim: To create an academic experience that instills in students a knowledge of wine that goes beyond memorization and recitation. The programs at the incorporate the most up-to-date and effective teaching methodology available. In fact, the Wine School’s programs have now been used by several universities, including Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania.