French Wine Scholar®

• Passionate wine enthusiasts and aficionados, students of wine, avid travelers and life-long learners craving deeper knowledge and expertise of French wine styles and regions.​
• Aspiring sommeliers seeking a leg up and competitive advantage in the industry.
• Professionals in the hospitality sector aiming to elevate their expertise.

Embark on a curated journey through France's revered wine regions. Benefit from:​​

• Comprehensive coverage of French grape varieties, appellations, viticultural and production methods, wine styles and wine legislation​

• Globally recognized certification and FWS post-nominal to use and enhance your resumé and professional profile​

• Dynamic learning through interactive modules and expert-led webinars

• Complement your general wine studies with region-specific knowledge
  

Navigate France's wine diversity like a pro. You will dive into:  

• All French wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities 
• Geography, topography, climate and soils  
• Regional appellations, wine legislation and classifications  
• Key grape varieties and wine styles  
• Viticulture and winemaking  
• Historical, cultural and gastronomic insights 

This certification has a minimum requirement of 100 hours of study time, including around 20 hours spent in the classroom (classroom study format) or viewing online review lectures (online study format). 

The number of total hours you spend will vary greatly based on your previous wine knowledge. 

Independent Study Format:

You may register for the online Independent Study format and start at any time. Upon registration, you will receive immediate access to your online classroom and digital resources. The printed copy of your study guide will arrive in the mail in 10-14 days.  

This online format is entirely self-paced. We provide you with guidelines for success and a suggested study schedule. You can also contact your educators and fellow classmates via the online forum at any time. 

You have 12 months to study and sit the exam for each unit. Your enrollment can be extended for a fee, if necessary.  

Educator-led Study Format:

You may register for the online Educator-led Study format and start at a set date with a cohort of students. Upon registration, you will receive immediate access to your online classroom and digital resources. The printed copy of your study guide will arrive in the mail in 10-14 days.  

This format also includes live review sessions with your educators, offered at 12:00 noon EST once every month. The review webinars are on-demand and can be viewed and rewatched at any time. You can also contact your educators and fellow classmates via the online forum at any time. 

You have 12 months to study and sit the exam for each unit. Your enrollment can be extended for a fee, if necessary.  

Whether taken online or in the classroom, the exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Students have one hour to complete the exam. There is no wine tasting component to the exam.

Passing score is 75. Candidates scoring 85-90 pass with "Honors." Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with "Highest Honors." 

Have more questions? Check out our Exams FAQ for more. 

For online format students: you have up to one year from your date of registration to sit the exam. When ready to sit the exam, contact us at least one week in advance of the desired exam date here and we will schedule your test.

You will need a computer with reliable internet connection, a webcam, working microphone and speaker. The exam cannot be taken from a tablet, mobile phone or Chromebook.

If you are studying at a Course Provider, your exam date will be communicated to you in advance. For classroom students, you must take the paper exam in person. 

Successful candidates will be able to: 

• Accurately identify and summarize the major wine regions of France  
• Describe the characteristics of grapes and wine styles from each region  
• Understand the influence of climate, geography, topography and terroir on French wine  
• Understand the influence of viticultural and winemaking practices on the wines of France  
• Understand the influence and significance of history and culture on the evolution of French wines 
• Speak intelligently and with authority about French wines with family, friends and professional contacts 

Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your coveted French Wine Scholar Certificate, lapel pin, and will be authorized to use the FWS post-nominal on your résumé, professional platforms and correspondence. ​Example:

Susan Smith, FWS

You will learn from the most notable names in the industry — seasoned wine professionals and educators accredited by the Wine Scholar Guild.​​