FAQs

How long is the Certified Wine Expert program?

You have twelve months to complete your course, but depending on your pace, you can earn your certification in as little as four to six weeks.

What will I learn?

Each lesson is comparable to a 3-unit course at a college or university. Our program covers a minimum of 17 course objectives in wine studies covering each of the key concepts of Wine History & World Wine Regions, Winemaking Processes, Old World & New World wines (a “deep-dive” look at nearly 30 wine regions), Wine Types & Styles, Classic Grape Varieties, Vineyard basics, Wine Tasting, Wine & Food Pairing, Wine Aroma & Sensory Evaluation, Serving Wines, Hosting Wine Events and Wine Career Opportunities. Going beyond studies, you will also go out into the world and interact with wine industry professionals by conducting interviews and participating in interactive assignments.

Do I need to know about wine?

You don’t need to know about wine before you take the course…you just need passion! Program lessons, assignments and study tools will guide you through the course step-by-step. Learn at your own pace and study on your own terms, when it’s convenient for you.

Do I get to taste wine?

As you are training for a career in the wine industry, you must know that the industry is very serious about promoting responsible drinking. You will be expected to conduct yourself as a professional at all times which means keeping a clear head and spitting wine (rather than swallowing) while performing your job. Drinking and tasting are two different things. Drinking wine or any alcohol can obviously cause one to become intoxicated and it also dulls your senses. Tasting or sampling does not require consumption of the wine. Tasting is part of understanding wine, so you may choose to take part in activities where wine is sampled solely for the purpose of sensory evaluation, only if you are of the legal minimum age for the retail purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in your state or country.

What if I don’t drink wine?

There are no restrictions on entry to the Courses. However, students who are under the legal minimum age for the retail purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in their state or country are strictly prohibited from sampling any alcoholic beverages as part of their course, but this is not a barrier to successfully completing the qualification. Similarly, students who choose not to taste alcohol for health, religious or other reasons will not find this a barrier to successfully completing the qualification. Alternative assignments that do not require consumption of alcohol are available. (Please see course terms and conditions)

How can I use my certification?

Graduates may use the designations, “Certified Wine Expert” or “CWX” and the Certified Wine Expert logo. The Certified Wine Expert designations and logos are a symbol of your professionalism, understanding of, and dedication to your industry. The Certified Wine Expert designation is officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and applications have been made to register the CWX acronym and logo. Certificate holders are encouraged to use the logo on their stationery, business cards, web pages, marketing materials, publications, etc. Using your certification and credentials you have earned as a Certified Wine Expert will assist you in preparing for job opportunities in the food service, hospitality, bartending and wine industries.

If you're serious about getting your Certified Wine Expert® credentials and building your credibility, visibility and success in a wine career of your choice, we urge you to GET STARTED!