Fast-track your understanding into the intricate world French wine!

Whether wine professional, inquisitive wine enthusiast or energetic epicurean looking to enhance your experiences through food and wine, the WSG Essentials course provides students with a solid foundation on the wines of France.

WSG Essentials programs present the often-complex world of French wine in an accessible and engaging way. Explore the culture, cuisine, history, viticulture, and winemaking principles behind the best and most influential wine regions of France.

France is home to almost individual 400 wine appellations. French Wine Essentials (FWE) introduces you to the most important regions and wine styles. Each wine is presented within a regional and cultural context while landmarks and traditional cuisine are highlighted to complete the curriculum. The comprehensive course structure includes a 101-page study guide, access to interactive e-learning, and support from expert educators to guide you through an inspiring adventure across France.

More than just an introductory course, this French wine course is a prelude to a lifelong romance with the wines of France, a launchpad to the internationally revered French Wine Scholar® Certification Program, vibrant WSG Member Community, and the first step towards wine mastery!

Our next French Wine Essentials session is scheduled to start on March 12, 2026 and will be held Thursdays until April 2, 2026.

Last day to register is: March 1, 2025

Class dates: March 12, 19, 26, and April 2

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm (some sessions may be a little shorter)

Exam date: April 2, 2026

Location: University Club-St. Paul (420 Summit Ave.)

Educators: Allison Sheardy FWS, DipWSET, MW Candidate, and Kandace Faidley, SWS, FWS, WSET3

Tuition: $550

This program includes all the necessary support and tools to understand the region and wine styles of France:

Our sessions will include 11-13 hours of classroom instruction completed with tutored tasting of over 15 wines. This course is taught by WSG certified instructors. Your tuition includes:

A detailed and comprehensive 101-page course book rich with photographs, detailed and up-to-date maps, illustrations, and infographics to optimize learning. The book is provided in print + e-book formats
One-year access to WSG’s e-learning platform including online support modules and interactive activities related to your course
Registration for the French Wine Essentials Exam
WSG Essentials digital certificate and badge upon passing the exam

How much study time is required?

In addition to classroom instruction, we recommend that you engage in an additional 15 hours of study before sitting the exam (approximately 5 hours per chapter).

The number of total hours you spend will vary greatly based on your existing wine knowledge.

You are encouraged to expand your studying techniques beyond that of simply re-reading the course book. To assimilate knowledge and facilitate deeper understanding of key concepts try to engage in active learning techniques, such as note-taking, completing the e-learning activities, explaining key concepts to others, and, of course, wine tasting!

Who is the French Wine Essentials program for?

• Inquisitive wine enthusiasts wanting to become more familiar with the intricacies of French wine
• Aspiring wine professionals
• Hospitality professionals new to the world of French wine
• Anyone wishing to become more knowledgeable about France, and its wine and food culture. The Essentials are the perfect wine classes for beginners.

Contact Allison with any questions: allisondrinkswine@gmail.com.

French Wine Essentials by WSG, March 2026

$550.00

Please provide Date of Birth OF THE PERSON TAKING THE CLASS in the INFO TO SELLER section. (We know you like to gift friends and family with wine classes, but we need THEIR date of birth. Thanks!)
Why Choose WSG Essentials?

This course enables students to:

Acquire fundamental wine knowledge in just weeks

Learn about the most important "essential" wines of France, Italy, and Spain and how they relate to local landmarks, culture, and cuisine

Recall the essential grape varieties and major wine regions of France, Italy, and Spain

Navigate seemingly complicated French, Italian, and Spanish wine classification systems

Be perfectly poised to continue your studies with the prestigious French Wine Scholar® (FWS), Italian Wine Scholar®(IWS) or Spanish Wine Scholar® (SWS) certification program

How is the curriculum presented?

To maximize learning and retention, each need-to-know wine is organized by:

Place of Origin

Grape Varieties

Wine Profile

Production Notes

Notable Producers

The Essentials curriculum is further enriched by up-to-date maps, regional landmarks, topics of interest, and local signature cuisine.

Are there any prerequisites?

No. WSG Essentials Wine Programs require no prior wine knowledge, only a willingness to learn and expand your horizons through study. The program provides all the tools required to fully grasp the essentials of French, Italian or Spanish wine.

What does the program cover?

France is home to over 400 appellations. FWE introduces you the most influential French appellations. Place of origin, grape varieties, wine profile, production, and pairing notes are all explored alongside notable producers and local signature cuisine. Appendices covering vine training systems, wine production methods, tasting descriptors, and recommended wine lists enhance your working knowledge. Each wine is presented within a regional and cultural context while landmarks and traditional cuisine are highlighted to complete the curriculum.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course students will be able to:

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 of the wines covered in the session

What’s Included:

Coursebook: Shipped to your address, the 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: Learn from the WSG Approved Program Providers and certified educators.

Student Community: Network with the other students taking the French, Italian or Spanish Wine Essentials course, form a tasting group, and build your wine network.

Final Exam: The exam is comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions. Students have 45 minutes to complete the exam. Passing score is 60%. There is no wine tasting component on the exam.

Students will take the written exam at the program provider’s location on the specified date.

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.

About Wine Scholar Guild:

Founded in 2005, Wine Scholar Guild is the only wine education provider to focus solely on the wine regions of France, Italy, and Spain, instilling a deep understanding of these wines, winemakers, and their culture.

Wine Scholar Guild offers immersive, region-specific wine education through online, in-person, and study abroad certification programs. WSG certifications set the industry standard for up-to-date and in-depth information on the most influential wine regions of the world through three distinct levels of study: Essentials, Scholar, and Masters.

In addition to certification programs, WSG membership provides live online events and hundreds of hours of recorded content produced by the world’s leading authorities in wine.

French Wine Essentials by WSG, March 2026

Date of Birth Required (only 21 and over please)

Email & Mailing Addresses Required

Special Consideration/Reasonable Adjustments

Course Description