Delve into the World of Wine: Classes with the French Wine Society

Do you relish the complex flavors and rich history of French wines? Would you like to learn more about French wine appelations, improve your palate, and taste some spectacular wines? The French Wine Society (FWS) is the solution. They offer intensive classroom programs in many countries, and online classes available everywhere.

The FWS was established by Julien Camus, a Frenchman born into a winemaking family in the city of Reims (Champagne), who later lived in Alsace. While working in Washington, D.C. as a Trade Attaché for the French Embassy, he saw the opportunity to share the magical world of French wine with both avid amateurs and professionals in the wine industry. Over the past 10 years, the FWS has become a leading provider of French wine study and certification programmes internationally.

There are three main programs offered by FWS:

The French Wine Scholar Programme gives an overview of the important wine regions of France. It is offered through a network of wine schools around the world, or there is a convenient online “distance learning” option which includes a hardcopy study manual. There is a final exam for both classroom and distance learning programs.

For the more experienced wine lover, the Master-Level Programme offers classes focused on a specific region of wine in much greater depth. For example, you might study the wines exclusively from Burgundy. Over time, students can earn several Master-Level Certificates, accruing expertise in each of the wine regions of France.

Finally, after studying the programs above, you are eligible to travel with the FWS Immersion Study Trips. Not your leisurely wine tour for vacationers, these intensive, informative trips offer multiple vineyard visits with winemakers each day. The trips are guided by industry experts, and sharing your passion for wine with the other students is a nice benefit.

All of the FWS programmes are endorsed by both the U.S. wine industry and French Regional Wine Councils for the advancement of wine education. And their programs are spreading around the world; while half of their clients are from the USA, they are now serving more students in Europe and Asia.

If you’re in the Washington, D.C. area, you can get to know the FWS at their 10th Anniversary Symposium on October 5-6-7, 2015 at the Embassy of France. This event offers three days of unparalleled tastings, world-class keynote speakers, first-class education and a celebration of all things French! Taste 100+ wines from iconic producers including Grand Cru Bourgogne, Classified Growth Bordeaux & exceptional wines from Jura, Provence, Loire, Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon and the Rhône Valley. For more information on classes, programs, and the 10th Anniversary Symposium in Washington, DC, please contact the FWS: Tel: 202-600-8022; Email: [email protected]; www.frenchwinesociety.org; 1777 Church St., NW #B Washington, DC 20036.

Phil Tremo is the France Today Ambassador for Washington D.C.