question on wine education

brunello_CH · Post by **brunello_CH** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:17 pm

Hi all:

I am considering doing some part time study on wine. Can anyone comment on the people below, or perhaps suggest a different insitution which provide distance learning and are reconized internationally?

www.wineacademy.com

Thanks a million,
Chris

KMP · Post by **KMP** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 1:01 pm

You could always try here!

Good luck,
Mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 1:40 pm

brunello_CH

I have completed the IWA course in Australia and found it to be fantastic. I can highly recommend them.

You might also consider the WSET. They are recognised around the world.

Good luck.

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 1:42 pm

Sorry, that was me. Not logged in.

Judy Melling · Post by **Judy Melling** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:53 pm

The IWA was shocking in my experience.

The wine aroma kit is also rubbish with hald the aromas having faded already.

Not a happy camper!

Cheers
Judy

vintry · Post by **vintry** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:42 pm

I have just completed the first part of the WSET course and I would highly recommend it. It is a course conducted under the umbrella organisation of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust based in London.

The course comprises of 3 parts, the intermediate, advanced and the diploma, after which you can then apply to Institute of Masters of Wines to pursue the exams for the MW. This is the only recognised academic program by the institute for admission to the Institute.

Of course, the vast majority of people would not follow through all the way but the intermediate course is a conducted in a very structured and educational manner over 6 weeks once a week for two and a half hours.

I must emphasise that the majority of wines being tasted over the course are Old World with a smattering of new world wines, reflecting the geographical origins of the course. I find that this is refreshing as it offers a truly comprehensive insight into the wines of the world.

I am happy to provide you with the contact details of the education provider in Sydney or alternatively in Brisbane.

Hope this helps....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:47 pm

Wine is to be enjoyed not something to get too intellectual or technical.

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:59 pm

I could not disagree more with the 'guest'.

Learning about wine can inhance your enjoyment of wine.

Not only do you understand what you are drinking and why it tastes the way it does, but you can find some real pearls this way. With so many different wines in the world today a little education can help find the wines that will give you the greatest pleasure.

There are far too many self proclaimed experts in the world of wine. Like a** holes everyone has an opinion.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not encounter someone who could benefit with a little more education about wine.

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:02 am

Guest wrote:Wine is to be enjoyed not something to get too intellectual or technical.

Enjoyment normally results in the urge to repeat the enjoyment. This in turn leads to further experiences, some of which are good, and some of which aren't. Which usually prompts the question 'Why?' Why was this wine enjoyable, and that one not so much? Well, because, this wine is made from a low-cropping vineyard, with non-irrigated vines, hand-picked grapes, gentle pressing, careful, traditional handling, and 14 months aging in a mixture of new and old French barrels. Really? What's low-cropping? What's traditional handling.

And before you know it, your simple seeking after enjoyment becomes a quest for knowledge. 'Intellectual and technical' come with the territory. If you're just thirsty, drink water.

cheers,
Graeme

brunello_CH · Post by **brunello_CH** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:30 pm

Hi all:

Thanks for the reply, I think I might give wset a try. Just did a search on internet and found a group call VinTuition which provide the level 2 course. Would anyone know how much they cost and will that include the level 2 exam? I think I have just missed out on their June class as they started last week according to information from vintage cellar site..

regards,
Chris

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:47 pm

brunello_CH wrote:Hi all:

Thanks for the reply, I think I might give wset a try. Just did a search on internet and found a group call VinTuition which provide the level 2 course. Would anyone know how much they cost and will that include the level 2 exam? I think I have just missed out on their June class as they started last week according to information from vintage cellar site..

regards,
Chris

Costs about 600ish for the intermediate course - 6 weeks.
The advanced is ten weeks and about 900ish

email "Linda Lambrechts" <wineknows@tpg.com.au>

GW

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:48 pm

Yes, you may have just missed it. Give Vintuition a call, she is very helpful.

I am not sure what Level 2 means but you should do the Intermediate qualification first.

It is a good grounding in the WSET style of course and is still very challenging.

I am about to do the Advanced course. My experience with the Intermediate has been very good. It will cost about $600 including wines and exam. Advanced and Diploma get much more expensive.

Can I also suggest you don't discount the IWA. Their approach is great if you have the desire to learn. Their approach to sensory evaluation was a breath of fresh air to me. Much more accountable for the words you use to describe wine. The IWA course also does more hands on Wine Making and Viticulture than other courses.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:54 pm

Level 2 = Intermediate.
Level 1 is the bar keepers basic course which tells you how to open a bottle with a cork in it sort of thing. Not offered here.
GW

Grant Dodd · Post by **Grant Dodd** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:19 pm

I did the advanced course last year. It went for 15 weeks and the cost was $1400. Fairly Euro-centric,which was what I wanted anyway. Value??? Not sure. You could teach yourself the technical stuff out of a book,however,I did appreciate the tutoring of the two MW's who ran the course. Wine ranged from excellent( the Burgundy night) to poor( the America's night), overall quite good though. I learned quite a bit,just can't make up my mind about the VFM.

Cheers

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:47 pm

Billy Bolonski wrote:Yes, you may have just missed it. Give Vintuition a call, she is very helpful.

I am not sure what Level 2 means but you should do the Intermediate qualification first.

It is a good grounding in the WSET style of course and is still very challenging.

I am about to do the Advanced course. My experience with the Intermediate has been very good. It will cost about $600 including wines and exam. Advanced and Diploma get much more expensive.

Can I also suggest you don't discount the IWA. Their approach is great if you have the desire to learn. Their approach to sensory evaluation was a breath of fresh air to me. Much more accountable for the words you use to describe wine. The IWA course also does more hands on Wine Making and Viticulture than other courses.

intermediate only?
perhaps you should learn more then, before disparaging other peoples knowledge?

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 11:43 pm

intermediate only?
perhaps you should learn more then, before disparaging other peoples knowledge?[/quote]

What disparaging??

Can we not disagree??

It would be nice if you had the guts to identify yourself.

I stand by the fact there are many people who could do with more wine education.

What do you think about this ISSUE?

simm · Post by **simm** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:14 am

vintry wrote:I have just completed the first part of the WSET course and I would highly recommend it. It is a course conducted under the umbrella organisation of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust based in London.

The course comprises of 3 parts, the intermediate, advanced and the diploma, after which you can then apply to Institute of Masters of Wines to pursue the exams for the MW. This is the only recognised academic program by the institute for admission to the Institute.

Of course, the vast majority of people would not follow through all the way but the intermediate course is a conducted in a very structured and educational manner over 6 weeks once a week for two and a half hours.

I must emphasise that the majority of wines being tasted over the course are Old World with a smattering of new world wines, reflecting the geographical origins of the course. I find that this is refreshing as it offers a truly comprehensive insight into the wines of the world.

I am happy to provide you with the contact details of the education provider in Sydney or alternatively in Brisbane.

Hope this helps....

Hi vintry,

I myself would be keen on those details in Sydney. Please PM me if at all convenient.

cheers,

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:40 pm

Billy Bolonski wrote:intermediate only?

What disparaging??

Can we not disagree??

It would be nice if you had the guts to identify yourself.

I stand by the fact there are many people who could do with more wine education.

What do you think about this ISSUE?

I could not disagree more with the 'guest'.

Learning about wine can inhance your enjoyment of wine.

Not only do you understand what you are drinking and why it tastes the way it does, but you can find some real pearls this way. With so many different wines in the world today a little education can help find the wines that will give you the greatest pleasure.

There are far too many self proclaimed experts in the world of wine. Like a** holes everyone has an opinion.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not encounter someone who could benefit with a little more education about wine.

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