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Courses
The Zürich Wine Academy recognizes the outstanding curriculums that traditional, structured wine certification programs provide students from every background. Some students feel hesitant and unprepared to commit additional time outside the classroom to study for wine course examinations due to personal or professional obligations. To address the needs of these students, we took the initiative to create a specialized non-certification wine curriculum that combines traditional broad-based wine knowledge, a standard approach to tasting wine, and a sommelier service curriculum without the requirement for outside study or a final examination. Our courses range from two to four 3-hour sessions, forgo digital presentation slide decks, and focus on interactive and hands-on learning rather than lectures.
These courses do not replace traditional wine certification programs but offer a life-friendly glide path for wine enthusiasts and professionals to attain wine knowledge and service experience without additional time commitments outside of class. For those who attend these unique classes and confirm the ambition and time commitment for structured programs, we can recommend an array of study options such as the Wine Scholar Guild courses that we provide at the Zürich Wine Academy, the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET)*, the Court of Master Sommeliers - Europe, etc.
*Please Stay tuned for updates regarding future WSET courses at The Zürich Wine Academy.
Wine Confidence Course
Zürich Wine Academy Course
About this Course
Want to increase your confidence when ordering wine at a restaurant or picking wine in a supermarket? Would you like to learn how to properly open a bottle of wine like a sommelier? Interested in learning more about wine but still unsure about committing to an entire wine certification program? Are you looking for an interactive wine course with no digital slide decks, no required outside study, and no final exam? If so, the Zürich Wine Academy’s Wine Confidence Course is the perfect solution for you! We pride ourselves in creating a fun, judgment-free learning experience. No prior wine knowledge is required!
Syllabus
The Wine Confidence Course consists of two 3-hour classes covering the following:
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Introduction to a standardized approach to wine tasting while tasting 12 high-quality wines from around the world
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Overview of the wine world and the production of wine from grape to glass
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Navigating a restaurant wine list with confidence in casual and business settings
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Opening and serving a bottle of still wine properly in accordance with Sommelier Service Standards
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Leveraging expert ratings, wine awards, and wine publications to make informed wine purchase decisions
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Hands-on demonstration of wine accessories such as bottle openers, aerators, decanters, and Coravin products
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Learning practices when purchasing wine from a wine store, supermarket, and online
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And more…
Hybrid Course Options
Zürich Wine Academy leverages state-of-the-art video and audio technology to provide an exceptional experience for classroom attendees and virtual students. We offer two learning options per course: In-Person or Live Online. In-Person students attend classes at our centralized Zürich location while Live Online students learn virtually in the Google Meet classroom. Don't worry if you miss a class as recordings are available within two business days following the session.
In-Person students taste the wines in the classroom, while Live Online students receive a special tasting kit of 50ml wine samples that will be tasted in the live virtual sessions. Students may pick up the tasting kit at the Zürich Wine Academy or we can ship it within Switzerland and Lichtenstein at no additional charge. For those outside our shipping area, we provide the list of wines we will taste and potential substitutes for you to purchase on your own. In-Person students have the flexibility to attend class online, but will forgo the tasting component occurring in the classroom.
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Examination
No exam for this course!
Recommendations
For Live Online students, we recommend a high-speed internet connection and a computer with a Dual Core processor and a minimum of 2GB memory.
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Course Policies
All attendees must be over 18 years of age. We know how plans can change. Please contact us at least seven days before the course to reschedule for a future event or receive a full refund. Cancellations within seven days of the first class will incur an administrative charge of 50 CHF. The Zürich Wine Academy will do all we can to find suitable alternative course dates, but there is no guarantee that the student’s preferred alternatives will be available
Wines of the World
Zürich Wine Academy Course
About this Course
Are you seeking to deepen your wine knowledge? Are you curious about wine from various parts of the world? Are you looking for an interactive wine course with no digital slide decks, no required outside study, and no final exam? If so, the Zürich Wine Academy’s Wines of the World Courses are the perfect solution! In our two-part course series, wine enthusiasts and professionals will explore the world of wine in an easily digestible, high-energy format. We pride ourselves in creating fun, judgment-free learning experiences. No prior wine knowledge is required!
Due to the significant amount of information, we divide Wines of the World into two separate courses: Part 1 and Part 2. The two courses' curriculum, wine regions, and overall experiences differ. Combined, they will provide a holistic view of the wine world and arm you with service skills to confidently pick and serve wines casually and professionally. You may take the Wines of the World courses in any order. After both courses, you will be well prepared to further your education with Wine Scholar Guild Courses (French, Italian, Spanish Wine Scholar) or continue to the advanced Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines. Please stay tuned for updates regarding WSET certification offerings at The Zürich Wine Academy.
Syllabus
Wines of the World: Part 1 consists of four 3-hour classes covering the following:
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Understanding the styles and quality of regionally significant wines from Burgundy, Rhône Valley, Loire Valley, Champagne, Germany, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand
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Confidently serve still and sparkling wines per Sommelier Service Standards
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Achieving proficiency in a systematic approach to wine tasting while tasting 24 wines during the course
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Determining how different sparkling wine production processes influence various wine styles
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Learning how the section of wine glasses impacts the smell and taste of wine
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Developing intermediate food and wine pairing skills
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Identifying how the environment and winemaking decisions shape the style and quality of wines
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And more…
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Wines of the World: Part 2 consists of four 3-hour classes covering the following:
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Understanding the styles and quality of regionally significant wines from Bordeaux, California, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa
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Confidently decant and serve wines per Sommelier Service Standards
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Achieving proficiency in a systematic approach to wine tasting while tasting 24 wines during the course
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Determining how different fortified wine production processes influence various wine styles
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Experiencing various wine faults first-hand and learning how to remedy the situations
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Further developing intermediate food and wine pairing skills, building on the curriculum from Wines of the World: Part 1
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And more…
Hybrid Course Options
Zürich Wine Academy leverages state-of-the-art video and audio technology to provide an exceptional experience for classroom attendees and virtual students. We offer two learning options per course: In-Person or Live Online. In-Person students attend classes at our centralized Zürich location while Live Online students learn virtually in the Google Meet classroom. Don't worry if you miss a class as recordings are available within two business days following the session.
In-Person students taste the wines in the classroom, while Live Online students receive a special tasting kit of 50ml wine samples that will be tasted in the live virtual sessions. Students may pick up the tasting kit at the Zürich Wine Academy or we can ship it within Switzerland and Lichtenstein at no additional charge. For those outside our shipping area, we provide the list of wines we will taste and potential substitutes for you to purchase on your own. In-Person students have the flexibility to attend class online, but will forgo the tasting component occurring in the classroom.
Examination
No exam for these courses!
Recommendations
For Live Online students, we recommend a high-speed internet connection and a computer with a Dual Core processor and a minimum of 2GB memory.
​
Course Policies
All attendees must be over 18 years of age. We know how plans can change. Please contact us at least seven days before the course to reschedule for a future event or receive a full refund. Cancellations within seven days of the first class will incur an administrative charge of 100 CHF. The Zürich Wine Academy will do all we can to find suitable alternative course dates, but there is no guarantee that the student’s preferred alternatives will be available