What is the definite book or course on basic wine education? I read the CSW study guide and found it to be poorly written and reasoned.
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I am not sure there is a "perfect" basic wine education course. At entry level, the focus is on facts and details, which can be bewildering in the complex world of wine. I suppose that any such program can be criticized for the information the authors choose to include or omit, as content is a matter of preference and emphasis. Without a doubt, any serious academic program needs to exercise enormous care to be certain errors do not appear in their study guides, and to assure that there are no ambiguities in their test questions. The certification you mention, Certified Specialist of Wine, is awarded by the Society of Wine Educators (SWE). They have a successful, well-developed program aimed primarily at candidates in North America. You could also consider the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (wsetglobal.com), which offers instruction via numerous affiliates in the U.S. and around the world. If you prefer to focus on France, the French Wine Scholar Online Program (FrenchWineSociety.org) is a superior, detailed course with the flexibility of distance learning. They also offer higher tiers, as do SWE and WSET, and I currently teach (for full disclosure) their Rhône Master-Level Program as well as seminars on specific topics. You may find - if you have the time - that a mix of programs enables you to achieve a complete understanding of the subject and establishes a truly solid foundation if you choose to go further.
