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2010 WINE JUDGE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Note: Years 1, 2 & 3 links are password protected
PURPOSE: To train and test AWS members in their ability to form objective, educated, and critical opinions on wines.
CURRICULUM: The overall program will be inclusive - for individuals who want to become competent judges and for those who want to learn how to evaluate wines better through advanced training.
LEVEL I: Introduction to Wine Judging: The Intro seminar is designed to give the novice the basic tools to objectively evaluate wines. It is a **recommendation for admission into Level II, the Wine Judge Training Program. The session will be offered to all members as a 1.5 hour seminar during the annual conference at a cost of $20.00. It will typically be offered during the first session on Friday morning. **students who wish to forgo the Intro session must get prior approval from the Chairperson
LEVEL II: Wine Judge Certification Program (WJCP) is a three-year program designed to train the individual in the basic tools to objectively evaluate wines.
Recommendation: Successful completion of Introduction to Wine Judging and the WJCP Entrance Exam. As it is an intensive one day course each year, considerable self-study (pre-class), practice and preparation is expected. A list of resources, references, and practices is mailed upon receipt of registration.
Evaluation: Exams will be given at the end of each of the three years. Exam content will relate to materials covered in the syllabus and the one day class for each year. Evaluations typically include written, tasting, and identification of component/balance/flaw. Failure of the exams given at the end of year one or two will require the trainee to retake that year’s work. One retake of the year 3 exam is permitted if done within two years.
Year 1: Essentials of Wine Evaluation: includes vocabulary, components, appearance, aroma, flavors, taste, texture, components, balance, flaws, as well as objective evaluation and scoring.
Year 2: Factors Affecting Wine Quality and Variety Identification: includes the influence of viticultural (grape growing) and enological (winemaking) practices, variety characterization and identification, wine styles, wine components and flaws, and objective evaluation and scoring.
Year 3: Judging of Wine Styles: includes classes and types of wines, blending, judging environment, wine components, wine competitions, and objective evaluation and scoring.
LEVEL III: Wine Judge Continuing Education Program: This annual educational session, offered during the AWS regular program sessions, is designed to keep the Graduate Wine Judges up-to-date and to hone their basic skills. This is an additional cost ($25.00) and registration is handled through normal Conference Program Registration.
DURATION: Four years, including the 1.5-hour Level 1-Intro to Wine Judging seminar. The Level II classes (Year 1, 2, and 3) must be completed within a four year period, unless special permission is granted.
ELIGIBILITY: All participants must be current "paid" AWS members with at least two years of Chapter comparative tasting, or equivalent, are eligible when the prerequisites are fulfilled (see Level I and II prerequisites above).
ADDITIONAL: Attendance at annual national AWS conferences is mandatory as this is where the sessions are held.
REQUIREMENTS Additionally, students must participate in judging at two competitions per year and manage one competition during the three year period (these verification forms will be given to participants and they MUST be SIGNED by competition chairperson and sent to WJCP Chair)
CLASSES: The Intro (pre-requisite) first year will typically be offered during the first session on Friday morning. All Level II classes will be held at the annual conference
REGISTRATION: Registration for the Intro (pre-requisite) class is accomplished as part of the Annual Conference Program registration ($20.00). Students successfully completing the Intro Level l who desire to continue to Level II will receive registration materials from the WJTP Chairperson. The cost is $150.00 for each year, payable to the AWS, and mailed to the WJTP Chairperson. For Year 3 students, an additional exam fee of $50 is assessed. SPACE IS LIMITED! RESERVE EARLY
For more information email the Wine Judge Training Coordinator at:
Students will be given the passwords upon completion of payment.
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