TorontoWine.Com

your guide to wine in the city

Wine Education in Toronto 

This page has four sections:

• Consumer Courses
• TV & Radio
• On-Line Education
• Sommelier Courses

For unstructured education, visit the Books page.

Consumer Courses

George Brown College has a variety of daytime and evening courses available through its Hospitality & Culinary Arts program.

The most rigorous program is put on by The Independent Wine Education Guild which is an accredited centre for the The Wine & Spirit Education Trust  ,a UK based organization, whose certification program is recognized world-wide.  The program was developed for workers in the wine and spirits trade however it is also available to the keen amateur.  There are three levels - Intermediate, Advanced and Diploma.  The Intermediate is well worth taking if you are a keener.  It's a nine week course and costs $670 - a bit pricey on the face of it but remember it's tax deductible.  If interested, contact Mary Vari at 416-534-2570 or by email.

Global Wine Tour provide a number of evening courses, taught by Steve Thurlow, and David Calado, Global's education director.

The LCBO runs one hour tutored tastings and two hour wine appreciation courses at selected locations.  They also put on cooking classes and a number of special events such as food and drink pairing.  Find  the Learn / Events & Courses section on their site if the direct link provided doesn't work.

If you are interested in starting up your own agency or you want to have a better understanding of the mechanics of buying wine and the interplay between agents and the LCBO, you should sign up for Steven Trenholme's one day course "Importing Wine For Pleasure & Profit".  Steven is a  25-year veteran of the beverage alcohol industry.  The cost of the seminar is in the $300 range.  Contact Steven by email or phone him at 416-883-3580 to find out when the next seminar will be.

TV & Radio

The Thirsty Traveler is a travel series with a twist!  Kevin Brauch, the host, chronicles a weekly journey into the heart of the world's greatest wine, beer and spirit producing regions including rich stories, colourful characters and a culinary epiphany or two.  It explores the intimate relationship between local people and their favorite alcoholic libations and revels in marvelous foods, stunning landscapes, unforgettable people and fine traditions steeped in customs dating back thousands of years.   You can find the show on Food Network Canada and on Fine Living Network

GrapeRadio is a radio show discussing wine related topics that is broadcast over the Internet and retrievable as a podcast.  One or two shows are produced on a weekly basis. The shows consist of the three hosts sharing their opinions and experiences with the audience. Show topics review issues such as the enjoyment of wine, wine news and industry trends. The hallmark of the show will be guest interviews with winemakers, vineyards owners, wine retail / wholesale leaders, restaurateurs and sommeliers. 

The Oakville based wine ladies, Georgia and Susanne, have various radio and web TV offerings including a weekly radio show on 1050 Chum every Saturday morning from 10.00 am to 11.00 am.

On-Line Education

There are four interrelated UK sites coordinated by Vine UK which between them contain a monstrous amount of information:

History of Wine has sections on historic impact, science and wine, the wine timeline and geography.

Tasting Wine has sections on wine and taste, tasting techniques, serving techniques, and the science of wine.

Vine UK has sections on types of wine, wine and food, winemaking and storage.

Wine Regions of the World has sections on individual wine regions, wine and climate, sample vineyard tours, and vineyard seasons.

As alternatives to the above, Professional Friends of Wine and Lisa Shea's Wine Intro both include a free online wine education course.

Finally, if you are a port lover, The Port Wine Institute is a useful reference source, and their Port Wine site is worth a visit too.

 Sommelier Courses

The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) is a national non-profit organization with chapters in a number of provinces across Canada.  The CAPS Ontario chapter is based in Toronto.  Its goal is to strengthen working relationships between members, wine professionals, consumers and the hospitality industry.  It offers a Toronto course at George Brown College  The sommelier certificate is recognized in all 44 countries with which CAPS is affiliated.

The International Sommelier Guild provided a accreditation program for would-be sommeliers.  Up to 2007, the program was offered at over 30 locations across North America including Toronto however as of August 17, 2008 there is no mention on their website of 2008 courses.

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