Course Offerings

Embark on a journey through the world of wine in a new 13-week course designed for both enthusiastic beginners and aspiring professionals. Essentials of Wine from Wake Tech blends interactive tastings, expert-led lectures, and online content to provide a solid foundation in wine styles, grape varieties, regions, production methods, and tasting techniques.

Each week students will explore key wine-related topics, including major wine-producing regions. In selected classes throughout the course, students will meet in-person at campus locations to taste representative samples while building sensory evaluation skills. The remaining weekly synchronous instructor-led sessions will be held in an online format. Additional asynchronous online modules will supplement classroom learning, along with independent reading and other flexible study options. At the conclusion, students will have the opportunity to sit for the Certified Wine Specialist (CWS), a respected credential in the restaurant, hospitality, and wine industries. Students will have access to study materials, workbooks, and online content from the Society of Wine Educators (SWE) to preparation for the certification exam.

Whether you're pursuing a career in wine or simply want to deepen your appreciation, Essentials of Wine is your gateway to confident and informed wine enjoyment.


More from the Society of Wine Educators (SWE):

The Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Exam is a rigorous exam, which tests a candidate’s wine knowledge and mastery of key elements within the worlds of viticulture and wine production. This certification is widely recognized and regarded by the international wine industry.

The CSW Exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, with all question content drawn exclusively from the CSW Study Guide. Candidates are provided with one (1) hour in which to complete the exam.