- 61 reviews of West London Wine School in London
Course Description
Germany is one of the most dynamic and misunderstood wine countries in the world today. From razor-sharp Rieslings to world-class Pinot Noir, its wines are shaping modern tastes and appearing on top restaurant lists globally. If you’ve ever wanted to truly understand what makes German wine so compelling—this is your opportunity.
German wine has become increasingly important in modern wine programmes, fine dining, and independent retail. From dry Riesling and Grosses Gewächs bottlings to world-class Spätburgunder, Germany now plays a central role in conversations around climate, acidity, terroir, and premium cool-climate wine.
For wine professionals, specialist German wine knowledge can strengthen:
- Wine buying confidence
- Sommelier and restaurant performance
- Fine wine sales capability
- Regional expertise for Diploma or MW studies
- Confidence navigating German labels and classifications
GERMAN WINE SCHOLAR CERTIFICATION
The German Wine Scholar certification is designed for serious enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. At West London Wine School, you will be guided by expert tutors and supported by extensive tastings - building a deep, structured understanding of Germany’s wine landscape in a way that independent study simply can’t replicate.
Over the course of the programme, you’ll explore Germany’s key wine regions in detail—from the Mosel and Rheingau to Baden and Pfalz—while mastering the country’s complex classification systems, labelling terms, and quality hierarchies. You’ll gain confidence with grape varieties such as Riesling, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and emerging styles, alongside the influence of climate, soil, and vineyard practices on wine character. The course also covers winemaking techniques, stylistic diversity, and practical food pairing, bringing the theory to life in the glass.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal knowledge or strengthen your professional credentials, this programme offers a rigorous and highly interactive approach to German wine education. All classes are taught live online through our Connected Classroom format, combining real-time teaching, guided tastings, and discussion with the structure and accountability of a classroom-based course.
THE ONLINE GERMAN WINE SCHOLAR COURSE AT A GLANCE:
- Format: Live online classes via Connected Classroom
- Delivery Style: Interactive tutor-led sessions (not pre-recorded)
- Schedule: 8 weekly evening classes + 1 in-person exam evening
- Class Time: 7:00pm–9:30pm UK time
- Study Materials Included: Printed study manual + Wine Scholar Guild e-learning access
- Tasting Samples: UK-delivered tasting kits (more details below)
- Exam: In-person at West London Wine School, Fulham
- Certification: Official Wine Scholar Guild German Wine Scholar credential
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER STUDYING THE GWS COURSE?
- GWS is designed to test for proficiency in ALL the wines and wine regions of Germany.
- GWS is ideal for those currently studying or completed WSET Level 3 and Level 4 as an ideal supplement
- GWS is also ideal for those who hold an enthusiastic interest for the German wine industry
COURSE FORMAT
The course runs over a series of structured, weekly evening sessions, combining engaging classroom teaching with guided tastings and independent study. You’ll be supported throughout with comprehensive study materials and will finish with a formal examination, leading to your certification.
IMPORTANT: Although classes are delivered live online, the final examination must be taken in person at West London Wine School in Fulham, London.
CLASS RECORDINGS: All live sessions are recorded for enrolled students. While live attendance is strongly encouraged to maximise discussion and tasting participation, recordings are available for revision and catch-up purposes.
All students receive a study book (as well as access to the fantastic course E-Learning Modules*).
An average of 6+ wines will be tasted per class.
COURSE DATES (Wednesday Evenings)
- 23rd September 2026 - Mosel & Ahr
- 30th September 2026 - Rheingau, Mittelrhein & Hessische Bergstrasse
- 7th October 2026 - Rheinhessen
- 14th October 2026 - Nahe
- 21st October 2026 - Pflaz
- 28th October 2026 - Baden (and Wurttemberg Part 1)
- 4th November 2026 - Grancken (and Wurttemberg Part 2)
- 11th November 2026 - East Germany (Sachsen and Saale Unstrut)
- 2nd December 2026 - EXAM - sat in-person at West London Wine School, Fulham, London, SW6 2SG.
INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE FEE
- 8 live online classes
- 1 in-person examination session
- Printed study manual
- Wine Scholar Guild e-learning access (12-months)
- Tutor support throughout the course
- Guided tastings during every session
- Digital certificate upon passing
For this course, students will receive a tasting kits with 50ml samples of the wines tasted throughout the duration of this course.
- Tasting kit deliveries can be made to anywhere within the UK. Currently deliveries to outside the UK are not available.
- If you do NOT want to receive a tasting kit, and just want to book onto the course without receiving wine samples – NO PROBLEM! Please just enter the code SCHOLARGWSREG as a ‘Promotional Code’ upon checking out, and the tasting kit associated fees on this course will be removed before you make course payment. Course fee without wine samples is £695.
- Tasting kits will be dispatched in the week leading up to each class. If orders are placed fewer than 5 working days before the start date the first kit may not arrive in time for the first live class, but the wines can be tasted with the recording.
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION: This certification is awarded by the Wine Scholar Guild, an internationally recognised authority in wine education. The German Wine Scholar (GWS) credential is highly regarded within the global wine trade, making it a valuable asset for sommeliers, buyers, educators, and anyone looking to demonstrate serious expertise in one of Europe’s most important wine-producing nations.
* Wine Scholar Guild Online Modules: Wine Scholar Guild provides access to online support resources for each of their courses which has a validity of 1 year and they provide us with these login details for each course to share with our students. Please note that, after 1 year, free access to the online modules will expire.
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