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**Sunday, October 4th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Introduction class held over Zoom
Sunday, October 11th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, October 18th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, October 25th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, November 1st 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, November 8th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, November 15th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, November 22nd 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, November 29th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, December 6th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday, December 13th 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
EXAM: Sunday, January 17th 2027 10:00am - 11:30am
Master the wines of France, region by region. The French Wine Scholar program is the most advanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date French wine course available, designed by the Wine Scholar Guild and endorsed by the French National Wine Office and the French Ministry of Agriculture. Over 12 weeks at The Oenophile Institute, you'll explore every French wine region as an integrated whole — the impact of history, the significance of geological events, the importance of topographical markers, and the influence of climate on the wine in your glass.
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Coursebook
A 300+ page beautifully designed coursebook, rich with photographs, detailed maps, illustrations and infographics contains all the information you need to know.
Online Study Modules
1-year access to interactive e-learning activities designed to enrich the study manual and support different learning styles.
Expert Instruction:
11 weekly sessions (33 hours of instruction) with guided, tutored tastings led by a WSG-approved instructor.
Final Exam
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Students have one hour to complete the exam. There is no wine tasting component to the exam.
Passing score is 75. Candidates scoring 85-90 pass with "Honors." Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with "Highest Honors."
Certificate
Upon receiving a passing score, you will receive your well-deserved WSG Essentials certificate, acknowledging you have gained proficiency in the wines of France, Italy or Spain. Add this reputed certification to your LinkedIn profile and résumé or CV.
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Passionate wine enthusiasts and aficionados, students of wine, avid travelers and life-long learners craving deeper knowledge and expertise of French wine styles and regions.
Aspiring sommeliers seeking a leg up and competitive advantage in the industry.
Professionals in the hospitality sector aiming to elevate their expertise.
This isn't a survey course. The FWS curriculum covers French wine law, grape varieties, viticulture, winemaking, and all of the French wine regions — a core body of knowledge that matters whether you sell wine, buy wine, or teach about wine.
It's also one of the strongest specializations you can add after WSET Level 3, and an excellent supplement for students moving toward advanced programs like the WSET Diploma, Master of Wine, or Certified Wine Educator.
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Describe the key factors that influence the growing environment and climate of each appellation
Recall the main grape varieties (and their characteristics) associated with each wine covered in the session
Identify the location of the profiled appellations on a map of France, Italy or Spain
Recall viticultural, vinification and aging techniques that contribute to the style and quality of the wines
Describe the meaning of key labeling terms
Recall and describe the style of each
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In addition to classroom instruction or live review webinars, your instructors recommend that you engage in an additional 100 hours of study before taking the exam.
You are encouraged to expand your studying techniques beyond that of simply re-reading the course book. In order to assimilate knowledge and facilitate deeper understanding of key concepts try to engage in active learning techniques such as: note-taking, completing the online e-learning modules, explaining key concepts to others and of course tasting!
$1350 | 24 hours | 30+ Wines
Deposits & Payment plans now available.
Please email Jordan for details.
Registration must be completed by September 25th, 2026.