Wine Scholar Guild launches Certified Sherry Wine Specialist course in US

The Wine Scholar Guild has launched its Certified Sherry Wine Specialist certification programme for US-based students in collaboration with Lustau.

The Certified Sherry Wine Specialist certification programme was created by Lustau five years ago with the support of the Sherry Regulatory Council.

The online course will be taught by Lustau’s US brand director, Lucas Payà, who has also worked as a sommelier at ElBulli and for José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup.

“There has been a renewed interest in Sherry around the world, and I am excited to partner with Lustau to bring this highly-regarded certification programme to our students across the United States,” said Rick Fisher, Wine Scholar Guild’s Spanish programmes director.

The online course will include two webinars over a two-week period. In the first week, Payà will deliver a two-hour educational webinar. In the second week, he will host an online tutored tasting of six Lustau Sherries followed by an online exam.

The programme is supported by extensive student material, including a downloadable study manual, custom maps, infographics, and pronunciation exercises.

The course’s highest scoring participants will have the chance to be selected for one of two honorary seats at the annual Sherry Educator training course in Jerez.

The Wine Scholar Guild provides certification courses for the professional development of wine industry members in French, Spanish and Italian wines.