SPANISH WINE SCHOLAR (SWS)
The Spanish Wine Scholar® (SWS) program is the most advanced and comprehensive certification course on the wines of Spain. The syllabus takes a regional approach and discusses all Spanish wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities. The program provides committed students of wine with an unparalleled set of study tools designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.
The program was created by Spanish wine specialist Rick Fisher, DipWSET, SWS, Spanish Programs Director at Wine Scholar Guild. Foods and Wines from Spain (ICEX - Spain's Trade & Investment Government Agency) has endorsed the program in recognition of its exceptional depth, accuracy, detail, and academic rigor.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The Spanish Wine Scholar™ course is composed of 10 chapters:
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Chapter 1 - Fundamentals
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Chapter 2 - Green Spain
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Chapter 3 - The Duero River Valley
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Chapter 4 - La Rioja/DOCa Rioja
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Chapter 5 - The Ebro River Valley
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Chapter 6 - Cataluña
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Chapter 7 - The Central Mediterranean Coast
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Chapter 8 - The Meseta
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Chapter 9 - Andalucía
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Chapter 10 - The Islands
EXPLORE ALL SPANISH WINE REGIONS
The Spanish Wine Scholar® program presents each Spanish wine region as an integrated whole by explaining the impact of history, the significance of geological events, the importance of topographical markers and the influence of climatic factors on the wine in the glass. No topic is discussed in isolation in order to give students a working knowledge of the material at hand.
FOUNDATION
UNIT
In order for Spanish Wine Scholar candidates to study the wine regions of Spain from a position of strength, Chapter One covers Spanish wine history, wine laws, geography, climate, grape varieties, viticulture and winemaking in depth. It merits reading, even by advanced students of wine, as much has changed, especially with regard to wine law and the new research on grape vine origins.
GREEN
SPAIN
Spain is normally associated with the production of red wine, but the four regions comprising Green Spain—Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias, and País Vasco—craft some of Spain’s most interesting and unique whites. Local grapes such as Albariño, Godello, Treixadura, and Hondarribi Zuri stand in the spotlight, with the exciting red variety, Mencía, moving ever closer to center stage. This dynamic region redefines the preconceptions of what Spain has to offer the global wine market.
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THE DUERO
RIVER VALLEY
The region of Castilla y León occupies one-fifth of mainland Spain and is home to some of the country’s top wine growing areas such as Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro. This is a high-elevation, high-quality production area that experiences extreme seasonal temperature variations. In fact, an old Castilian saying states that the year is comprised of nine months of winter and three months of hell. Yet Tempranillo thrives within this hostile climate—and it produces some of Spain’s most esteemed reds.
LA RIOJA
Rioja’s wine culture represents a composite of tradition and modernity. Rioja was one of Spain’s first demarcated wine regions yet it continues to reinvent itself. It has set itself apart as one of the world’s greatest wine-producing areas and has maintained that allure for centuries. It is largely responsible for the growth of Spain’s wine reputation around the wine world; it is also the country’s most recognizable wine region by consumers around the globe. Find out why!
THE EBRO
RIVER VALLEY
The Ebro River Valley is the birthplace of Garnacha. Wine growing areas such as Navarra, Cariñena, Campo de Borja, and Calatayud are garnering international fame for what is done with this grape. The pure versatility of Garnacha has everyone talking. From rosés to old vine reds, from single varietal to blend, Garnacha has elevated itself from workhorse to thoroughbred. And the world is watching. The Ebro River Valley has also distinguished itself for its many Vinos de Pagos or single vineyard wines. This area is a hotspot for both tradition and trends.
CATALUÑA
Cataluña is home to cava, Spain’s traditional method sparkling wine. Utilizing local Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada grapes, Cataluña has put a very Spanish accent on this classic winemaking process. Did you know that the prototype of the gyropalette was developed here! The cooperative concept was also given a brand-new image here! Dubbed “wine cathedrals” many are stunning examples of modernist architecture. In Cataluña, wine has always been elevated to art.
THE CENTRAL
MEDITERRANEAN
COAST
The Central Mediterranean Coast, occupying nearly half of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, is not only home to Spain’s national dish, paella, but to two underrated, local grapes quietly taking the world by storm—Monastrell and Bobal. Monastrell has been globe-trotting under the radar for a long time. Fondillón, a dessert wine crafted from this grape, is believed to have been the first wine to join Magellan as he circumnavigated the globe! Explore the legacy that is the Central Mediterranean Coast.
THE MESETA
Castilla-La Mancha is the largest wine-producing region in the world! There are approximately 1,100,000 acres/450,000 hectares under vine which represents nearly one-half of Spain’s total vineyard area! Once known for bulk wine, this area is now home to more than half of Spain’s Vinos de Pago or single estate bottlings. These wines are creative and fresh expressions of an ancient land; they represent a vinous frontier that lies right beneath the feet.
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ANDALUCÍA
The dazzlingly white limestone-rich soils of Andalucía have been given voice by the Palomino grape. The combination of sea and heat and sun have taken wine and elevated it into something that reflects the passage of time—in barrel under a film of surface yeast or in barrels via a complex fractionalized blending process known as the “solera.” These fortified wines bear the salty tang of their birthplace, the heat of their climate and the soul of a winemaking process that honors wine with a hauntingly beautiful patina of age. Discover sherry.
THE ISLANDS
The vines compete with the tourists as the consummate sun-worshipers of the Balearic and Canary Islands. Sunburn and wind burn are serious problems for human and grapevine alike! The islanders have developed some unique viticultural practices to block the westerlies, collect rainfall and trellis the vine. And the grapes they grow—Prensal, Listan Blanco, Callet, Manto Negro, and Listan Negro—are equally singular. Just as the islands themselves represent but a small fraction of the landmass below the waves, wine production is distinguished not by its volume but by its sizable sweep of character.
ABOUT THE SWS EXAM
The exam is given in multiple-choice format and conducted in-person. There are 100 questions covering all of the wine regions of Spain.
Passing score is 75.
Candidates scoring 85-90 pass with HONORS.
Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with HIGHEST HONORS.
In order to prepare properly for the SWS exam, you must read and study the SWS manual carefully. At first, it may seem a daunting body of knowledge to tackle… but we would like to give you a few tips.
WHAT FACTS ARE IMPORTANT? :
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Pay close attention to superlatives (biggest, smallest, highest, lowest, newest, oldest, youngest). Note the facts associated with words such as “first” and “last”. They make for good exam questions.
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Learn the Spanish wine terms and their English equivalents.
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Pay close attention to the passages citing “exceptions to the rule” throughout the text. They also make for good exam questions.
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Know your soils, geography, mountains and rivers.
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Know your grapes and their synonyms.
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Become conversant in Spain’s DOs and the primary grape(s) grown within their confines.
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If any particular DO is responsible for the bulk of the production in any given region, you should know all the particulars about it (minimum alcohol, maximum yield, blending formula etc.) But, no, you do not need to know this type of specific detail about lesser DOs.
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Know your history and the key individuals who have figured prominently in the development of wine culture of any given region.
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Study the specifics of wine production for white, pink, red, sparkling, late-harvest, and fortified wines.
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Know your sparkling wine label nomenclature (especially as it pertains to Cava) and the terms used to qualify the various styles of Sherry.
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Study your maps. You need to know where the wine regions and their DOs are located.
CERTIFICATION
Wine professionals and enthusiasts who successfully pass the certification exam will be awarded with a SWS lapel pin and certificate, along with the right to incorporate the SWS post-nominal (e.g. John Smith, SWS) into your professional signature as a point of distinction midst your peers.
In addition, the SWS credential has true international recognition with a school network encompassing 30 countries on five continents.
COURSE PACKAGE
Course includes:
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Spanish Wine Scholar Student Membership
(note: this is NOT a Professional Membership). -
Spanish Wine Scholar Study Manual.
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Learning objectives for each Spanish wine regions.
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All administration and examination fees for one in-person exam sit (100 multiple choice questions).
Value added elements include:
1. Tutoring session notes for effective exam preparation. 2. Tutoring schedule with reading assignments. 3. Selected quizzes for enhanced learning. 4. SWS program consultation and communication platform (WhatsApp group chat). 5. One session of SWS program briefing. 6. Minimum 8 sessions of scheduled online tutoring sessions. 7. Curated range of wines in line with the topic of the scheduled guided wine tasting sessions.
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For more details on the SWS course, download our brochure. To inquire about course fees and schedule, please reach out to us through our chat or by filling out the contact form. We are here to assist you!