The Study Guides
Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Study Guide
The Guide presents the core fundamentals with which all wine professionals should be familiar. The information required to successfully pass the CSW exam is contained in a 250 page study and reference guide. Information is presented in a comprehensive practical format and is designed to help certification program participants gain a greater understanding of the complex world of wine. The syllabus covers the following subjects:
- Viticulture and Grape Varieties
- Wine Production
- Wine Regions of the World
- Wine Composition and Tasting
- Additional Resources
This also includes information on wine and health, wine etiquette, wine service and storage, commonly used measurements and conversions and a recommended bibliography and supplementary reading list.
The guide is designed for self-paced, self-study and includes an informative set of color maps.
Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide
The CSS certification level was established at the 2008 New Orleans annual conference and the new study guide was presented to help the examinees prepare for and pass the CSS certification exam. Like the CSW study guide, the information required to pass the CSS examination is contained in a comprehensive study format. The CSS certification level was established at the 2008 New Orleans annual conference and the new study guide was presented to help the examinees prepare for and help pass the CSS certification exam.
The information is presented in eight (8) separate units. Each unit contains specific material about the lesson’s subject, i.e., definitions, characteristics of the spirit, production methods, types, history, key terms and study questions. The units are:
- Distillation and Spirit Types
- Old World Whiskey
- Brandy
- Vodka
- Liqueur
- Gin
- Rum
- Tequila
SWE sincerely thanks the Brown-Forman Corporation
for its support, funding and compilation of the material in this guide.
Certified Specialist in Wine (CSW) Lesson Plan Workbook
The CSW Lesson Plan Workbook complements the CSW Study Guide, helping you to focus on the most important information in each section. Each lesson plan includes a set of review questions on each subject, so you can assess your comprehension of key areas. The lesson plans are an invaluable tool for all self-study CSW candidates. They are not required.
There are 19 lessons in the CSW Lesson Plan Workbook following the organization of the study guide, tracking to the individual chapters within it.
| Lesson Plan No. |
Name |
Corresponding Chapters
in CSW Study Guide |
| I |
Wine Fundamentals |
1-4 |
| II |
Grape Varieties |
5 |
| III |
Viticulture |
6 |
| IV |
Fermentation and Still Wine Production |
7 |
| V |
Sparkling Wine Production |
8 |
| VI |
Fortified Wine Production |
9 |
| VII |
The World Wine Industry |
10 |
| VIII |
France |
11 |
| IX |
Italy |
12 |
| X |
Spain & Portugal |
13-14 |
| XI |
Eastern Mediterranean |
15 |
| XII |
Germany |
16 |
| XIII |
Eastern Europe |
17 |
| XIV |
United States and North America |
18 |
| XV |
South America |
19 |
| XVI |
Oceania, Asia and Africa |
20-21 |
| XVII |
The U.S. Wine Industry |
22 |
| XVIII |
Wine Industry Issues |
23 |
| XIX |
Wine and People |
24-25 |
Each lesson contains a summary of the key points found in the appropriate chapter(s), then provides a number of related exercises that asses your comprehension of the subject matter. These exercises are organized according to major topic headings within the study guide. While most are fill-in-the-blank responses, there are also some matching and diagram completion exercises.
Certified Wine Educator (CWE) Preview Workbook
The CWE credential is a significant undertaking requiring a focused effort on academic study and broad experience with tasting the wines of the world. The CWE continues to be a self-directed program of study, but we believe you will find the CWE workbook to be a concise manual laying out a road-map that guides you to the best route towards success.
The CWE Workbook includes:
- Detailed explanations of every portion of the CWE exam including detailed information regarding the newest portions of the exam—the Tasting
- Rationale and the Presentation Component
- Study tips and resources
- Sample Multiple Choice and Essay exams
- Practice sessions for the tasting portions of the exam
- Practical advice from successful CWEs
- Recommended reading lists and recommended wine tasting exercises.
