Program Overview
Ready to take your wine or spirits expertise to the next level? Take courses to earn Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET®), Society of Wine Educators (SWE) or L’Ecole du Vin of Bordeaux certifications at Johnson & Wales University.
Build expertise. Advance your food & wine career. Earn credentials as a (note that offerings may vary by campus):
- Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)
- Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS)
- French Wine Scholar (FWS; North Miami and Charlotte only)
Refund Policy: In order to receive a full refund, you must cancel your registration up to one full week (7 days) prior to the scheduled class. JWU reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment.
Johnson & Wales is an accredited WSET® Approved Program Provider, offering 3 levels of courses at our Providence, North Miami and Charlotte campuses. In addition, Providence and North Miami offer casual day classes in wine appreciation.
WSET FOUNDATIONS LEVEL 1 AWARD IN WINE ($250 | One-day session | Dates and times vary)
The Foundations Certificate is an entry-level introduction to wine that is ideal for consumers, restaurant or retail sales professionals who are new to wine. It is also a great course for those wanting to learn the primary wine styles, grape varietals, tasting techniques, food and wine pairing and service. The one-day, 8-hour class with wine tasting and food/wine pairing exercises concludes with a short multiple choice exam.
WSET LEVEL 1 AWARD IN SPIRITS ($225 | One-day session | Dates and times vary)
This one-day course is an entry-level introduction to spirits. The qualification is ideal for consumers, retail and hospitality professionals who need a basic familiarity with the main styles and categories of spirits. Successful candidates are able to list the principal spirits categories, state their defining characteristics, and know the key principles involved in the storage and service of spirits. This knowledge helps them answer customer queries and provide recommen- dations for spirits service. The seven-hour class with spirit tastings concludes with a short multiple-choice exam.
WSET INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 2 AWARD IN WINE AND SPIRITS ($795 in person | $550 online/hybrid | 9-week session | Dates and times vary)
This intensive 9-week (20 hours in class) program provides a fascinating look at the wine production and classification of all of the major wine growing regions of the Old and New World. Sparkling and fortified wines are included as well as a separate focus on spirits and liqueur. Fifty wine and spirits are tasted. This course is recommended as a starting point for those lacking experience before proceeding with the advanced-level course or the CSW.
WSET INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 2 AWARD IN SPIRITS($750 in person | $550 Fall/Winter online/hybrid | $495 Spring online/hybrid | 9-week session | Dates and times vary)
This course, intended for people such as bar service, retail and wholesale business staff who have little or no prior knowledge of spirits, provides a comprehensive level of focused product knowledge for avid consumers. A representative number of spirits are tasted using the Systematic Approach to Tasting. Successful candidates are able to give information on the characteristics of the principal spirits and aromatized wines as well as their methods of production. They confidently provide guidance on the use and service of spirits and make informed recommendations when selecting spirits and liqueurs to meet customers’ taste and price requirements. This course is recommended for those lacking the knowledge to proceed to take the CSS certification course.
WSET ADVANCED LEVEL 3 AWARD ($1,450 in person | $950 online/hybrid | Dates and times vary)
This course is designed for wine enthusiasts and professionals who are qualified at the Level 2 Awards. Typically, students in this program are trade employees who advise management, answer consumer questions, and need to make informed selections of wines in the hospitality, restaurant, retail and wholesale industries. This program will examine, in great detail, the process of wine production. You will study production methods and label laws as they relate to wines from around the world; gain a thorough knowledge of wines from different regions of Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; and study champagne, sherry and port wines. In short, you will gain the knowledge needed to be successful in your field. More than 70 wines are tasted in class.
FOOD & WINE PAIRING ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
A 4-hour class designed to look at new paradigms for pairing wines and food. Food tastings will accompany wines to illustrate the points that are made.
BEER APPRECIATION ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
A 4-hour introduction to beer. Learn the basics of the brewing process and how to identify the various classic styles of beer brewed around the world. Tastings will provide the foundations of beer and food pairing.
MIXOLOGY BASICS ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
Gain a hands-on overview on building cocktails and mixed drinks using professional techniques. Learn precise methods for building and presenting drinks.
CRAFTING COCKTAILS ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
Designed for participants who have already taken the Mixology Basics class, this class focuses on best techniques and demonstrates how to approach crafting cocktails.