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The WSET is an internationally recognized wine and spirit education program offering courses and certifications ranging from beginner to expert. Whether you are looking to get the WSET diploma for work in the wine and spirit trade or just want to expand your knowledge of the tastes and regions of fine wine, WSET courses are a great way to do both in a fun, educational setting. But what does each course for the WSET teach and how do you know which course is right for you? We are going to discuss these questions and more to help you learn more about [...]

We all need a reason to smile, laugh, spend time with friends and family, make memories, and just relax. The everyday chores of life so often get in the way of having fun and spending time with those we care about. Hosting an online private wine event could be the perfect answer to bringing family and friends together during this time and sharing in something fun, educational, and memorable. Virtual private wine tastings are also a great way to save time with prep work and cleanup for small celebrations. An online private wine tasting from Capital Wine School involves us [...]

Most people have a general understanding or base knowledge of wine, but we often find ourselves wanting to know more about the wine we drink or just wanting to build our general knowledge of wine. This can be for many different reasons. For some, it’s wanting to know more about the culture of each country that the wine is from. For others, it’s wanting to build their general wine knowledge. And for others, it’s an interest in becoming a professional sommelier. No matter what your reasoning for wanting to know about the magnificent liquid we call wine, there are a [...]

In today’s day and age, we have unlimited access to learn about any subject matter we want with access to the internet. From dance classes to drawing classes to cooking classes to wine classes, we have the ability to learn about anything and everything at the touch of a button. However, often you hear about a friend or family member who spent the money and took an online class but didn’t feel like they learned anything. Sometimes that can be a miscommunication from the teacher to the students, but other times, it may be how the online class was taken. [...]

Do you have a love for wine and its intriguing history? Have you ever sat in a classroom and thought to yourself, “This class would be way better with a glass of wine in my hand?” If that is you, we have some classes that you just might love. Here at Capital Wine School, it is our goal to make learning fun, and part of that process is learning and experiencing wine all at the same time. We recommend that if you love wine and want to learn with a glass of wine in hand, Capital Wine School’s WSET wine courses [...]

Becoming a Master of Wine By: Matt Brown The Masters of Wine are often said to hold the most respected title in the world of wine. Their unparalleled depth and breadth of knowledge, their dedication to the support of the industry, and their high standards of professionalism have placed them in a league of their own. With so much to admire, it is no wonder that hundreds of students apply to the Institute of Masters of Wine study program each year. Accepted students receive a primer on the Master of Wine (MW) approach to the study of wine through a series [...]

My Experience at Belle Pente Winery By: Matt Perrella I worked my first wine harvest in 2014. The winery was Belle Pente in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Being in Willamette Valley, the primary focus was on Pinot Noir, but smaller quantities of Chardonnay, Riesling, Gamay and Muscat were also made. I can truly say it was a gratifying experience. You can learn the steps of winemaking from books but getting a behind the scenes view garners a new appreciation for all that goes into it. There is something to be said about opening a bottle of 2014 Belle Pente and knowing that [...]

The New Masters of Wine (MWs): By: Caroline Hermann On November 6, 2018, the UK-based Institute of Masters of Wine officially welcomed 14 new Masters of Wine (MW) to its membership, of which I was one. Candidates must pass: -      a four-day theory exam requiring critical analysis of all aspects of viticulture, vinification, the business of wine, and contemporary issues; -      a three-day, 36-wine blind tasting analysis, testing the ability to “taste like a detective and argue like a lawyer”; and -      a 10,000-word research paper which must include qualitative and quantitative statistical data analysis on a wine-related topic. The Institute now has 380 MWs from 30 [...]