Academy of Wine & Spirits
| Duration: | Classroom: 6 hours. Online ZOOM: 6 hours. |
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| Includes: | What's Included with Your Course At the Academy of Wine & Spirits, every course is designed to deliver a modern, professional learning experience with secure digital resources and internationally recognized credentials that remain with you for life. Classroom Experience Experience hands-on learning with an expert educator and receive: 12 professionally selected cognac samples (where applicable) Comprehensive digital course textbook Interactive classroom instruction Online examination Lifetime Verified Digital Certificate Lifetime Verified Digital Badge Instant online credential verification Secure cloud-based access to your credentials for life Certificates and badges can be downloaded, printed, and shared at any time Online Experience Study from anywhere in the world through our flexible learning options: Self-paced Online Learning Platform or Live Instructor-Led Zoom Classes Comprehensive digital course textbook Online examination Lifetime Verified Digital Certificate Lifetime Verified Digital Badge Instant online credential verification Secure lifetime access to your credentials Download, print, and share your achievements whenever you choose Share Your Achievement with Confidence Your verified credentials are designed to showcase your professional accomplishments wherever your career takes you. Share your achievement instantly across: X (Twitter) Your CV or Résumé Email Signatures Professional Portfolios Company Websites Whether you're applying for a new position, seeking a promotion, building your professional profile, or demonstrating your expertise to clients, your credentials are always available, always verifiable, and always ready to share. Upgrade to the Premium Certification Pack Want the complete Academy of Wine & Spirits experience? During checkout, simply select the Premium Certification Pack, which includes: Official printed course booklet Premium printed certificate Academy of Wine & Spirits lapel pin Simply tick the option before completing your booking, and we'll prepare your premium package for you. Learn Digitally. Achieve Globally. All Academy of Wine & Spirits course materials are delivered digitally, providing immediate access from virtually any computer, tablet, or smartphone. This modern approach allows you to study anytime, anywhere, while reducing paper waste and ensuring your learning materials are always at your fingertips. Your verified digital certificate and badge are securely stored online for life, allowing you to access, verify, download, print, and share your professional credentials whenever you need them—today, tomorrow, or years into your career. |
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The story of Cognac: from Roman vineyards to global icon
Understanding Cognac as a place: climate, soils, and crus
The six crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois, Bois Ordinaires
Grape varieties used (primarily Ugni Blanc)
Double distillation in copper pot stills
Ageing in French oak: new vs. old barrels, rancio development
Blending artistry and classification tiers: VS, VSOP, XO, Hors d’Âge, and beyond
Traditional vs. modern expressions
The role of independent producers vs. major houses
Exploring house character, vintage bottlings, and innovation in cask finishing
Professional evaluation of aroma, structure, balance, and finish
Guided tasting of 12 Cognacs, chosen to demonstrate terroir, tier, style, and ageing profiles
How to serve Cognac: neat, mixed, or over ice
Glassware, temperature, and classic cocktails
Food pairing essentials: from cheese and chocolate to high-end cuisine
Cognac’s influence on fashion, music, and nightlife
How the world’s most traditional brandy found a new, younger audience
The future of Cognac: relevance, storytelling, and reinvention
Over the course of this immersive 6-hour training, you’ll taste your way through 12 carefully curated Cognacs that showcase the depth, diversity, and artistry of France’s most revered eau-de-vie. From youthful expressions to XO masterpieces, this lineup reveals the true spectrum of terroir, tradition, and time.
This course is designed for bartenders, sommeliers, spirits educators, retail staff, and passionate enthusiasts who want to go beyond the label and into the limestone-rich heart of Cognac. Whether you're building luxury cocktails, selling high-end bottles, or simply obsessed with aged spirits, this course will give you the confidence to taste, describe, and recommend Cognac with authority. No prior Cognac experience needed—just a refined palate or the ambition to develop one.
The exam takes place in the last session of the course. The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. To pass you must correctly answer 70% of the questions.
Certified Cognac Ambassador™, inteternationaly UK certifved via CPD & Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac (BNIC)!
Classroom: $295
Online: $195
Certified Rum Ambassador™, inteternationaly UK certifved via CPD & & WIRSPA, ACR!
