A short course in French wine
With a deeper connection to the culture behind it and an official certification to back it up.
About the program at Paris Wine Academy
We’re an official course provider for the Wine Scholar Guild®, but our French Wine Essentials program isn’t just about checking a certification box.
It’s about learning about French wine in France, with the people, places, and culture that have shaped it.
In our 3.5-day in-person program, you’ll explore the foundational regions and styles of French wine through classroom sessions, guided tastings, and cultural experiences that give context to what you’re learning. Think chef-prepared lunches inspired by the region you’re studying that day. A day trip to a working vineyard; Champagne, the Loire, Beaujolais, or the Northern Rhône, depending on the session where winemakers open their doors, not just their bottles.
You’ll be guided by a certified French wine educator, with support from our bilingual team to help you navigate it all — the course, the culture, and the in-between moments.
Because if you’re going to study French wine, it should be in France. With people who live it. And with a program designed to make it meaningful, not just memorable.
What’s Included
This is a serious program — but also a joyful one.
Classroom Instruction
Two full days of in-person learning with a certified French wine educator. Taught in English, structured around the WSG Essentials curriculum.
Field Experience
One full day in the vineyard and cellar — visiting real producers in Champagne, the Loire, Beaujolais, or the Northern Rhône (depending on session location and season).
Chef-Prepared Regional Lunches
Thoughtfully paired and rooted in the culinary traditions of the region we’re studying. Made by a French chef with deep experience in wine country kitchens.
Cultural Exploration
Cheese tastings, market walks, and/or a wine-tasting French film night with discussion curated to bring French culture off the page and into your senses.
Course Book + Digital Tools
A beautifully designed printed course manual and one-year access to WSG’s digital learning platform.
Online Prep Session
A live prep call before you arrive, to guide your study and answer questions so you show up confident, not cramming.
Exam & Certification (Optional)
Take the final 50-question multiple-choice exam on site, or simply enjoy the experience. You decide.
Events
8 – 14 JUN 2026 – (classroom and wine trips)
French Wine Scholar, Lyon
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TBA
French Wine Essentials, Lyon
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FAQs
Who is this program for?
This course is designed for curious wine lovers, from hospitality professionals and wine students to avid travelers and lifelong learners. If you want a serious foundation in French wine, but aren’t ready for a multi-week program, this is for you. You don’t need any prior wine study to enroll, just a willingness to learn (and taste).
What exactly is included in the FWE Wine Scholar Guild® certification?
We are an official WSG program provider, which means you’ll receive:
An optional in-person certification exam (50 questions, 45 minutes)
This curriculum is internationally recognized and makes a strong entry point into the French wine world.
A printed WSG Essentials coursebook (95+ pages with maps, visuals, and key concepts)
One-year access to WSG’s online platform
Instruction from a certified WSG educator
Do I need to organize my own travel and accommodation?
Yes, but we’re here to help. Your travel to/from Paris or Lyon and lodging are not included, but we provide clear recommendations for where to stay near the classroom. We also help guide train logistics (for example, if you’re arriving from CDG). Once enrolled, you’ll join a private WhatsApp group for student coordination and support.
How much does it cost, and what am I really getting?
Tuition is €3750. That includes classroom instruction, a full vineyard visit, chef-prepared meals during classroom days, a cultural immersion activity, your course materials, exam registration, and a live online prep session before you arrive. You’re not just getting a certification: you’re getting a lived experience of French wine, taught where it’s made, by a team that bridges culture, language, and professional insight.
Paris Wine Academy 