Wine & Spirits Certificate Programs and Day Classes

JWU’s Providence Campus offers non-credit beverage certifications in partnership with the world-renowned Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the Society for Wine Educators (SWE) and L’Ecole du Vin of Bordeaux.

These specialized programs for hospitality professionals and wine enthusiasts are tailored to varying degrees of expertise.

Scroll down for our extensive day classes in wine history and pairings, craft cocktails, mixology and beer brewing.

To register, complete the registration form in the Wine Education brochure (600K PDF). For more information, contact Adult & Continuing Education at 401-598-2336 or by email.

Certificate Programs

Level I: WSET Foundation A 6-hour, entry-level introduction to wine. Learn primary wine styles, grape varietals, tasting methods and food pairing techniques. Cost: $225
Date: Saturday,  April 13, 2013, 9am-4pm

Level 2: WSET Intermediate This intensive 9-week program focuses on Old and New World wine production and classification, as well as sparkling and fortified wines, spirits and liqueurs. Recommended as a starting point before proceeding to Level 3. Cost: $850
Dates:  Sept 20-Nov 15; Jan 16-March 13, 2013; March 21-May 16, 2013, 7-10pm

Level 3: WSET Advanced Become a true wine expert through this 15-week program covering the wine-growing regions of Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Study production methods and labeling laws as they relate to wines from around the world. Cost: $1350
Dates: Tuesdays, Jan 29-May 14, 2013 (no class Feb 26), 7-10pm

SWE Beverage Specialist Certificate Whether you’re a food service professional or just looking refine your palette, this comprehensive class will expand your knowledge of all types of beverages, from water, teas and coffees to wines, spirits and liqueurs. Cost includes study guide and exam. Cost: $595
Dates: Saturdays, Oct 13-Nov 10, 9am-noon

SWE Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Take your wine knowledge to the next level by preparing for the rigorous CSW exam, which tests knowledge of viticulture and wine production. Although CSW certification is largely meant to be self-study, this course includes 5 3-hour classes to reinforce central concepts and refine the palette through tastings. Cost includes the one-hour exam. Cost: $895
Dates: Jan 16 and 26, Feb 9 and 23, March 9 and 23, 2013, 9am-noon

SWE Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Become an expert in spirits from fermentation to distillation, including whiskey, brandy, vodka, gin, rum and tequila. Although CSS certification is largely meant to be self-study, this course includes 5 3-hour classes to reinforce central concepts and refine the palette through tastings. Cost includes the one-hour exam. Cost: $895
Dates: Offered Fall 2013

Bordeaux Wine Certificate Examine this classic wine region in this intensive 4-week course accredited by L’Ecole du Vin of Bordeaux, the official educational branch of the Interprofessional Bureau of Bordeaux Wines. Cost: $395
Dates: Saturdays, Mar 23-Apr 13, 2013, 9am-1pm

Day Classes

New World vs Old World Wines This 4-hour class compares classic Old World wines to their New World counterparts to explore production techniques and how terroir influences the final product. Cost: $125
Date: Sept 22, 2012, 9am-1pm

Sparkling Wines and Champagne What makes Champagne special and can other sparkling wines reach its complexity? You will taste a broad spectrum of sparkling wines from California, New England, Spain, Italy and France. Cost: $125
Date: Oct 6, 2012, 9am-1pm

Northern vs Southern Hemisphere Wines This class will compare classic varietals from Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to their counterparts from the Old World and the US. Cost: $125
Date: Oct 27, 2012, 9am-1pm

Beer Brewing This 5-hour class teaches the basics of all-grain brewing, including how to read a beer recipe; tasting and understanding malted grains and hops; and the secrets of time and temperature controls. You will work alongside a Certified Beer Judge to brew a 1/2 barrel batch of craft beer from scratch. Cost: $125
Date: Oct 27, 2012, 9am-2pm

Beer Appreciation Expand your knowledge of beer in this introductory course. Learn the basics of the brewing process, including beer ingredients and how to identify classic styles of beer brewed around the world. Includes guided tastings with a Certified Beer Judge. Cost: $99
Date: Feb 9, 2013, 9am-1pm

Mixology Basics A hands-on overview on how to build cocktails and mixed drinks using professional techniques and tools. A great class for budding bartenders and amateurs alike. Cost: $99
Date: Oct 20, 2012, 9:30am-1:30pm

Classic Cocktails This 4-hour class focuses on the classic cocktails and why they have enjoyed such a renaissance. Learn the proper procedures for building cocktails, then sample each others’ creations.
Date: Jan 26, 2013, 9:30am-1:30pm
Cost: $125

Crafting Cocktails This class builds on Mixology Basics to focus on the crucial importance of well-sourced ingredients and impeccable technique when crafting cocktails. You’ll have the opportunity to craft your own cocktails using mystery ingredients. Cost: $125
Date: March 23, 2013, 9:30am-1:30pm

Food & Wine Pairing Why do certain foods bring out the best in some wines and not others? This 4-hour class will help you understand the principles behind successfully matching foods to wine. Cost includes tastings. Cost: $125
Date: April 27, 2013