International Sommelier Guild
Established in 1982, the International Sommelier Guild offers a balanced educational curriculum that is geared toward both professionals and amateur connoisseurs. The organization’s highest title is Grand Sommelier.
The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) is an educational program comprised of four parts: Wine Fundamentals I, Wine Fundamental II, Sommelier Diploma Program, and Grand Sommelier Diploma Program. The ISG also offers a teacher education program to train its instructors.
Wine Fundamentals I is an introductory course consisting of 24 classroom hours. It covers the major wine producing regions of the world as well as the basics of winemaking, grape growing, wine tasting, beer, and spirits. Wine Fundamentals II consists of 48 classroom hours, and is a more in-depth extension of Wine Fundamentals I.
After successfully completing Wine Fundamentals I and II, candidates may enroll in the Sommelier Diploma Program. This six month class meets once a week for eight hours. Regional tasting analysis of wine, beer, and spirits gets much more specific at this level, and students also learn the details designing menus, food and wine pairing, cellaring, and sound investment strategies.
The Grand Sommelier Masters Degree consists of six courses that must be completed within a seven year period. The mission of is this comprehensive program is, “to provide you with the in-depth knowledge and skills required to become an industry leader, you will be in a position to redefine and mold the wine industry globally.”
