The Atlanta Wine School's Certified Specialist of Wine Course & Exam: Sign Up NOW!  7/13/2008 - 8/26/2008  

In conjunction with The Atlanta School of Wine, Foster Smith—Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) by American Society of Wine Educators—will launch the CSW training program in Birmingham.

The CSW Credential
In many professions, a successful career is marked by an appropriate education verified by a credible
certification program that is recognized both by the public and one’s peers.

These credentials are a valuable and widely respected mark of a wine professional’s
commitment to personal career development and ultimately to the wine industry as a
whole.
Individuals that receive professional certification raise the standard of proficiency in
the wine arena and assist the industry by elevating the knowledge base of everyone with
whom they come in contact.

Professional certification encourages an industry to build upon itself by fostering an environment where
individuals can pursue excellence and achieve subject mastery. The SWE is committed to the
professional education and development of the individual in particular, and to the professional education
and development of the wine industry as a whole.

Note: This credential, symbolic of achievement, is not tied to a particular employer, whether they
helped in your attainment of it or not. This credential is owned by YOU, and will remain with you.

Who is this for?
Enthusiastic Consumers!
Wine Writers and Publishers
Restaurateurs and Hoteliers
Importers and Distributors
Culinary School Faculty/Staff/Students
Public Relations/Marketers within the Wine & Culinary Fields
Retailers
Wine & Food Associations

The Benefits of Certification
Although many organizations maintain their own in-house training and wine education programs, they
recognize the need for an independent and objective organization to validate their employee’s wine
proficiency as measured against industry standards. The international reach of the SWE fulfills this role.

SWE credentials are career-enhancing and resumé building tools for dedicated wine professionals and
represent the only wine knowledge-based exams approved by a professional U.S. wine society.

More information on the Society of Wine Educators can be found online at:
http://www.societyofwineeducators.org
What is included in the Training Program?
CSW Study Guide
o The body of knowledge required to successfully pass the CSW exam is detailed in a
250-page Certified Specialist of Wine study guide which presents the core fundamentals
with which all wine professionals should be familiar. Information is presented in a
comprehensive, practical format and is designed to help participants gain a greater
understanding of the often-complex world of wine.
o The syllabus comprises the following:
Viticulture
1. The Vine, its Growth Cycle & Metabolic Processes
2. Canopy Management
3. The Role of the Soil
4. Vine Diseases & Viticultural Practices
Grape Varieties
1. Principal Red and White Varieties of the World
Wine Production
1. Table Wine
2. Sparkling Wine
3. Fortified Wine
Wine Regions (Australia, France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand,
Germany/Austria, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Portugal, USA)
1. Label Law
2. Quality Levels
3. Geography
4. Grapes and Wines
Wine Appreciation
1. Wine Composition and Chemistry
2. Wine Tasting and Faults
3. The Physiology of Taste
Reference Section
1. Wine & Health
2. Professional Etiquette

The Society<