This article needs some well explained introduction, since those that know me, French wine and me weren’t always on the same page. Honest to say, I was never really drawn to French wines in the first place. Back in 2013 when I started my journey as a beginning wine student, I liked everything more, with a few exceptions here and there, then French wine. I liked the wine, of course I did, but could never grasp the idea to begin to understand what the fuzz everybody was talking about when it came to French wine… Yeah there I said it, and I am NOT sorry. It is the god’s honest truth.
Don’t ask me why, I can’t tell you, because I don’t know, but my sort of adversity towards French wines grew overtime. Maybe because I didn’t like the snobbish note that people sometimes get when they talk about their umpteenth “big spender” bottle of French wine. I’m not so much of a jealous person, but don’t look down on wine with a lesser price tag and say it’s garbage. First, not everyone can afford a “big bottle” of French wine, secondly not everyone wants to, and thirdly, not everyone cares only about spending their money on big bottles.
For me wine is all about the moment with friends, family, during tastings, the experience, the adventure, the discovery. And sometimes that means an expensive bottle of wine, and probably more often a bottle of wine that is more affordable. Nobody likes a show-off. Right?!
And ever since I’ve met quite a few “snobby show-offs” in my early wine days, it took away my pleasure in French wine, bit by bit. So, apart from a few exceptions in wine from French origin, I avoided them all together, whenever I could.
That avoidance behaviour really didn’t made things easy during my wine studying career… quite the opposite in fact. As a wine lover you probably know that France is without a doubt the most important country when we talk and study about wine. So, you see, I had to start liking it, otherwise how on earth would I be able to finish my Diploma studies right?
Well, up until I studied Diploma, I did quite okay when France and its wines came along. I just always knew enough. When I graduated my WSET level 3 and started Diploma, the insecurity started to creep in slowly, when seeing and realising Diploma is such a rigorous program that demands a broad and deep understanding of the global wine industry and especially France.
So, while passing my exams one by one for the Diploma, the D3 starting to look daunting to say the least. Especially France, so I started to look around for something, an additional course, didn’t matter what, to help me along while studying about France and helping me to get the hang of it. That was the moment I came across the Wine Scholar Guild and its diversity in Scholarships about wine, like the French Wine Scholar Program. And so it went, I registered. A long but necessary introduction.
Image Source: Wine with Margaret, online module (left) alongside the book study materials (right).
Why I Loved the French Wine Scholar Program
Studying for the French Wine Scholar (FWS) program with the Wine Scholar Guild was one of the most rewarding experiences of my wine education journey. It wasn’t just about the knowledge I gained; it was about the way it transformed my approach to understanding French wine and how it became an invaluable asset during my WSET Diploma studies.
France’s influence on the world of wine as we know is unparalleled, and its regions are of importance of any wine related history, terroir, and for sure a lot of tradition. The FWS program not only deepened my appreciation for this complexity but also gave me a structured way to navigate it.
What sets the French Wine Scholar program apart? It is its in-depth detail about any region, appellation and a good dose of history. It goes far beyond the surface-level overview of French wine regions you might find elsewhere, even way more detailed than the part you must study for Diploma. The program dives deep into the nuances of each region—covering not only the major appellations but also the lesser-known gems. I found myself exploring the unique characteristics of the lesser-known regions like Jura and Savoie, areas often overlooked in broader wine education programs, but also the most southern and volcanic region of the Loire Vally, which I never heard of before I started FWS, and that’s saying something when you are already studying wine for over 10 years, go figure.
Moreover, the materials provided by the Wine Scholar Guild are just exceptional. The comprehensive study manual, online modules, and their quite detailed regional maps became my constant companions. These resources were designed not just to help you memorise facts but to understand the “why” behind the wines of France—why certain grapes thrive in specific soils, why historical events shaped the regions as they are today, and why appellation laws matter. And for me to finally get an answer on all my “Why’s” that weren’t before, has given me a feeling of fulfilment, but maybe that’s just the nerd in me talking.
How FWS Helped me with My WSET Diploma Studies
WSET Diploma is such a rigorous program that truly demands a broad and deep understanding of the global wine industry. When studying my Diploma, I realised how much of an extra jump start the FWS program had given me. French wine forms a significant part of the Diploma curriculum, and my in-depth knowledge from the FWS program made me feel more confident and prepared.
For example, when studying Unit D3 (Wines of the World) in the Diploma, my FWS background allowed me to approach French wine with a level of detail and understanding that was unparalleled. Instead of just memorising key facts, I could connect the dots between terroir, winemaking practices, and the resulting wine styles. The maps and charts from FWS became invaluable tools for revision, and my familiarity with French appellations saved me countless of additional hours of study.
Beyond the knowledge, the FWS program also honed my study techniques. The program’s structured approach taught me how to break down complex topics into manageable chunks— a skill that proved essential when tackling the Diploma’s vast syllabus.
Image Source: Wine with Margaret
Tips for Planning Your FWS Studies
Preparing for the FWS exam requires dedication, but with the right strategy, it’s absolutely achievable. Here are some insights from my experience:
1. Start with the Study Manual
The FWS study manual is your foundation. Begin by reading through it thoroughly to get a sense of the overall scope. Highlight key points and make notes as you go. If you want to know the best note taking techniques, find out here.
2. Use the Online Modules
The online learning platform is a goldmine. The interactive quizzes and videos help reinforce what you’ve read and provide a different perspective on the material. I found the quizzes and flashcards especially helpful for identifying my weak areas.
3. Create a Study Schedule
It ’s nothing new that consistency is key. Breaking the material into smaller sections and assign each section to a week or two, helps to get a grip on the syllabus’ number of pages to be studied. This approach prevents last-minute cramming and ensures you’re covering everything in depth.
4. Focus on Maps and Appellations
The maps and therefore its geography is a crucial part of the exam (!). Spend time understanding the geography of each region and the locations of key appellations. Practice sketching maps from memory to solidify your knowledge. Don’t forget to study the mentioned mountain ranges and ridges and where they are located and how they could influence the region. And the major rivers and its tributaries are frequently asked as well, think about Loire Valley, the Sud Quest region of France just to name a few. Draw them yourself if you want to, this enhanced my sense of the region and its terroir even better, so that I could visualise any river or mountain close to an AOC while the questions where asked.
5. Join a Study Group
If possible, connect with others taking the FWS program. Sharing insights and discussing the material can deepen your understanding and keep you motivated. The Wine Scholar Guild provides such a community online when you register for the online Scholar Ship, but you can also find other peers doing the same study elsewhere.
Image Source: Wine with Margaret
Exam Preparation: My Best Practices
As the exam date approached, I adopted a few strategies that made all the difference in me
studying for my exam (read, less stressed out):
- Regular Revision: I set aside time each day for focused revision, even if it was just 30 minutes. It really does help! That together with emerging yourself into the manual every know and then for a few hours at the time.
- Practice Questions: The Wine Scholar Guild provides practice questions that mimic the exam format. Use these to test your knowledge and identify areas needing improvement. You won’t be getting the exact practice question on your exam, but it gives you a great idea on what will be asked.
- Don’t assume anything: I took the exam twice! The first time, I thought that focussing on the bigger most important things was the best way to go, I got a 75 out of 100 questions right, but not enough to pass the exam unfortunately… Even the smallest details can be asked. Now you might wonder what you should be focussing on?! Well, I can only say:
- Focus on Your Weak Spots: If there was a region or topic that I found challenging (hello, Sud Quest!), I spent extra time revisiting those sections. Just rely on yourself, the knowledge that you do know, not to take too much time focusing on those sections, seen you probably got that covered anyway, and with Multiple Choice questions the probability of getting the answer right will be very high. But even the answers in the MP can be quite tricky, so, extra focus on weaker areas can’t hurt at all. I’ll promise you, it will get you there!
- Take the Mock Exams: Simulate exam conditions to get comfortable with the time pressure and question style. Highly recommended!
- Flashcards: Using the provided digital flashcards by the Wine Scholar Guild program or creating your own. Want to know how to create flashcards productively and the most efficient way, click here to read more about it.
Insights About the FWS Course
The French Wine Scholar program is intense, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. It demands effort and discipline, but the payoff is a profound understanding of French wine that will stay with you long after the exam. I guarantee yah!
One of the standout aspects of the course is its relevance. Whether you’re a wine professional, a student pursuing advanced certifications like the WSET Diploma, or simply an enthusiast, the knowledge you gain is practical and applicable. The program’s emphasis on terroir, viticulture, and winemaking equips you to talk confidently about French wine in any setting.
In conclusion, the French Wine Scholar program was a pivotal step in my wine education journey. It not only enhanced my appreciation for French wine but also gave me the tools and confidence to excel in the WSET Diploma. If you’re passionate about wine and ready to immerse yourself in the world of French viticulture, I can’t recommend this program enough.
Bon courage, and santé!