(Only News items covering the previous 12 months are shown, news items going back to 2003 are available from our archives upon request)

 

August 2010

EWA has announced a new and updated range of Sommellier courses, including a Diploma in International Master Sommellier & Consultant.

 

1 July 2010- Field Trip in Oct/Nov

We are currently investigating (together with a dynamic agency in London, operated by a former student of EWA!) the possibility of arranging a Field Trip.The details and costs are not yet finalised but it is likely to be over 6/8 days in October or November, and probably in France or Spain/Portugal.It will start and finish in London but for non-UK students in Europe, we can probaly arrange alternative pick-up points.

It will consist of visits to various wineries and vineyards. At the conclusion of the trip a short test and tasting examination will be held and those passing will receive a Certificate.

Whilst we cannot yet take bookings it would assist us in the planning if you let us know whether you would be seriously interested in such a Field Trip.

 

May 2010-  Cooling-off period for students extended

Under new European legislation we have extended our cooling-off period from 7 days to 14 days from 1 June 2010, thus extending the protection of students.

 

January 2010

EWA announces with great pleasure that Lynne Sheriff MW (currently Vice Chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine) and Dr Rowald Hepp, Chief Oenologist & CEO of one of the world's most famous wine estates, Vollrads Castle, on the Rhine, have agreed to join our team of course consultants and tutors.

16 December 2009- Important Notice!!

Following enquiries our webmaster found out that persons using Windows Internet Explorer were having problems accessing certain of our we site pages, and there was also stray html code. We, following latest trends, only use Firefox as a browser, and the web site design was done for Firefox, this is why this problem occurred, for which we apologize. If you still have difficulties you can install Firefox, Google Chrome or Opera- and we would appreciate it if you would be so kind to inform us of any similar problems you're still having with our web pages!

23 October 2009:  New Wine Production and Business course introduced: AD Viticulture, Wine Production & Business

It was announced this morning that the Academy has decided to introduce a new wine course, following a number of requests from potential students in this regard.  Such students wish to become wine makers with a strong Wine Business and Marketing background, but at the same time, they have already followed the basics wine courses, which are covered by the Academy’s ‘Essentials’ module.  This means that this new Associate Degree course resembles the Associate Degree Oenology course in that it combines viticulture and wine production with wine marketing and wine business, but it is different in that it does not have the ‘Essentials’ basic wine knowledge module, as the AD Oenology course has.It too consists of 90 lectures.

27-29 September 2009 - Wine Education Conference at Geisenheim University

Members of staff, various international wine educators, a number of MW’s as well as some MW students, attended an excellent Conference on Wine Education at Geisenheim. This was the 2nd annual conference arranged by the EAWE.

Included was a tasting of top "Grosses Gewachse" VDP wines at Kloster Eberbach followed by a visit to the new wine making facility of Steinberg winery (apparently one of the largest in Germany). The following 2 days were spent at Geisenheim University where, under the management of Prof Monica Christmann, head of Oenology & Wine Technology, various Geisenheim professors lectured us on the current state of and innovations in viticulture and oenology, plant diseases, climate change, organic viticulture, market research and marketing.All attendees were very impressed by the high standard as well as the breadth ofGeisenheim's expertise and viticultural and wine technology.

Talks on wine education were also given by Richard Bampfield MW of the UK and Harriet Lambeck (New York)of SWE and a tasting of Noble Sweet wines guided by Dr J Schuller MW.

A wonderful dinner and vineyard tour was arranged by Dr Rowald Hepp of Schloss Vollrads who also presented some of their exquisite white wines.

20 May 2009
We change hosting providers and update the web site at the same time.

May 2009 - New Courses added
In order to complete its range of courses 2 further winemaking and 1 wine marketing course have been added.

25 April Wine Blog

We start a blog for the specific purpose of getting a forum on varietals going.

April 2009 - Twittering
EWA and IWC join Twitter, and get immediate responses from everywhere!

6 January 2009 -No fee increases!

EWA has decided, in view of the international economic situation, not to increase its fees (the once-off registration costs have been increased slightly) keeping them at 2006 levels!

25 November - Famous Schloss Vollrads becomes a preferred training centre

Dr Rowald Hepp winemaker and Chief Executive, confirms that this historic 14^th Century Castle on the Rhine in Germany, adjacent to Geisenheim university, will become one of EWA’s preferred training centres. We will have access to their vineyards, winemaking cellars and top restaurant, for workshops, lectures and tasting sessions in viticulture, oenology, wine marketing and sommeliership.

8 November 2008 - Weinakademiker

Our Principal Derek Koch and tutor: Pedro Ballesteros, are awarded the Weinakademiker diplomas, a higher diploma following upon WSET’s Diploma, and offered and managed by Dr J Schuller MW (currently the Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine) of the Austrian Wine school, in conjunction with Germany’s famous Geisenheim Research Institute. In the images we see them in discussion with Prof Dr Schaller of Geisenheim, and at dinner with Frank Smulders MW and Lynne Sheriff MW, as arranged by the Weinakademiker Association, an international association of persons who have been awarded the Weinakademiker title.

Originally this was only awarded to German-speaking persons but at the ceremony this year at Schloss Vollrads, the title was also awarded to persons from Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands, see : http://www.weinakademiker.at/wein_home.php

15 July 2008

Using our one-on-one interactive Skype + webcam guided winetasting training sessions, students can now see and hear from their tutor, in real time, how to taste wine properly!

5 June 2008 - Formation of the ‘International Wine Academy of Asia’

EWA today announced that, in keeping with its continued exposure in various Asian countries it has formed the International Wine Academy of Asia, which will operate in partnership with EWA and its international partners.  IWAA will soon operate from its own web site, and it will initially focus on students in China, India, Japan and South Korea.  Although completely independent it will offer, under license, all the courses and training of EWA, and it will be working in conjunction with local partners in those countries.

2 June 2008: New Courses
We are pleased to announce 2 new exciting courses:

• Certificate in Wine Tourism (40 lectures)
  No previous experience required. In this course you will learn all the essentials about wine, viticulture, the major varietals, wine service and winemaking in Module I, and in Module II you will cover all relevant aspects relating to Wine Tourism and Cellar Door sales such as marketing skills, tasting, wine presentation, which local wines harmonise or pair well with local or traditional dishes, dealing with customers etc, plus via the Essay you will become familiar with your own wine region ,and explore its possibilities for wine tourism.

• Associate Degree in Wine Business (72 lectures)
  No prior experience required. This is a in-depth course, designed for anyone who wishes to start up her/his own wine business or to follow a professional wine career in the wine trade, specializing in sales, as a manager, as a representative, sales person, or shop assistant.

1 June 2008 – Introduction of new Logo

In keeping with its desire to update and refresh its web site and corporate image EWA has had a new logo designed which continues the classical theme but also includes a design of grapes.

Prestigious Venue in Italy for EWA Practicums and Workshops- 12 April 2008
EWA is happy to announce that the famous Collalto wine estate, (which has been making quality wines for more than a 1 000 years !), will become a preferred venue for its short courses, practicums, wine conferences, workshops, wine trips as well as wine tastings. These will be held at Collalto's premises and winery in Susegana in the Veneto, close to Venice.  It is also conveniently located very near the campus of the University of Padua, at Conegliano.

Accommodation is easily available in the near vicinity, and limited, very basic student-type accommodation can possibly also be arranged by Collalto at their own premises.

Practical training at University of Padua - 11 April 2008

Following various discussions in Italy, the University of Padua, which has its Viticulture and Oenology department in Conegliano in the Veneto, (and which is the oldest wine University in Italy) and EWA have announced that the facilities of the University at Conegliano, will be available to students of EWA for practical workshops, lectures and wine tastings.  It may also be possible that the university could arrange accommodation for students in its students residence in Conegliano.

Further Trip to China - 9 April 2008

Our Marketing Director for China, Julia Yang, has just returned from a successful series of meetings and visits in China, where she met with and spoke to other colleges, schools and various role players, and she attended various Trade Fairs, in connection with the further establishment of EWA's wine courses in China.

17 January

We are now recognised by the Flemish government as an approved provider of educational courses.

Belgie Opleidingscheques: Wij zijn ook nu erkend als erkend opleidingscentrum door de Vlaamse regering. Dus, iedereen die in België woonde of werken, komt ervoor in aanmerking, zie: http://vdab.be/

4 January 2008

The Academy has been using Aromabar’s range of wine aroma kits, and we have decided to recommend its use to our students. Our students have been offered a special discount on the purchase of this professional system.
The Aromabar of Wine Fragrances includes the most important aromas to be found in wine. With a total of 48 different aromas, anyone can train his or her “nose for wine”. Each aroma is safely stored in a small and beautifully shaped glass vial with a screw top. The functional, handmade boxes are available for white wine, red wine, barrique aromas and wine faults. In addition, each box contains a high-quality, detailed brochure with explanations of the aromas contained in the set as well as the corresponding wines. Wine connoisseurs and aspiring aficionados can thus discover which wines smell and also taste of which aromas.

Students, or even persons who are considering registering for one of our courses, may contact us for the relevant details.

18 December - Visit to China

Our Principal addresses a group of Chinese winemakers and wine professionals, visits one of the top Estates, and he gives a televised interview on Chinese TV, during a recent visit by EWA’s delegation to the main winegrowing region of China. This visit was part of EWA’s China Project.  


12 December

We welcome 3 new members of the University of Surrey’s School of Management to our China project:

-Prof David Gilbert: is Professor of Marketing and functional head of marketing at the School of Management, Surrey University
-Michael Howley: is currently a Lecturer at the School of Management, University of Surrey. He teaches Market Research, Marketing Management and Business Policy.
-Jetske van Westering: Is a Lecturer in Hospitality Management, School of Management, University of Surrey
Have a look at their full biographies on the Tutors page)


6 December- The University of Padua,

(Centro Interdipartimentale per la Ricerca in Viticoltura e l'Enologia- viticulture & oenology) in Italy confirm, via the Dean, Prof Boatto, that in principle they wish to participate in EWA’s project.

This is one of the world’s oldest universities and their campus and research facilities at Conegliano are of a very high scientific standard, producing leading research in viticulture and oenology. They also provide outstanding wine courses and produce highly skilled viticulture and oenology students. We see pictures of the Principal’s recent visit to their campus.

November 2007- Network of Universities and Wine Schools
After many years of talks and discussions EWA announces that it has concluded an informal network of leading wine educators and universities, all of whom have combined their efforts and forces in order to provide wine education and training.  More specifically, EWA will lead a joint-venture project in China, which has as its main aim the wine education and training of Chinese trainee teachers and students. 
EWA has also set up a student exchange program, which will facilitate and assist students who wish to continue their wine studies internationally at the campuses of the members of the network of wine education providers.

The following universities have already confirmed their participation in this project and are interested in also accepting trainee wine teachers and students from China:

• Universitè du Vin, France (General wine education, viticulture & oenology, sommelier)
• University of Padua (viticulture & oenology)
• Virginia Tech University (viticulture and oenology)
• Texas State University (wine marketing)
• Plumpton College(General, wine marketing, viticulture & oenology)
• German Wine school(General, wine marketing, viticulture & oenology)
• Austria Wine school (largest wine school of Europe)
• University of Surrey (a group of lecturers teaching sommeliership, Hotel training)
• EIT-University of East Hawke’s, Bay, NZ

October 2007
EWA opens its first Learning Centre, in The Hague, the Netherlands under the professional and capable management of Catalina Bertoglio.  This Chilean-born wine professional has wide international experience in the wine industry starting in Chile, in Germany, at Vinipolis, London and now in the Netherlands.

November 2007-Megavino
Staff members attend this annual prestigious wine fair in Brussels.

October 2007- Wine DVD
The Academy  has been trying out this professional DVD, and we will be working together with the producers in future. This excellent DVD, in English, which we can recommend, is available online for Academy students at: www.winesystem.de, click on ‘Wein-DVD’.  The relevant email address (they also speak English): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mention that you are a registered student of EWA and you will receive a 10% discount on the purchase price.

August 2007
The Principal attending a wine tasting at Vriesenhof, Stellenbosch, South Africa during a study tour there, and during which the links with EWA's Africa campus is strengthened by talks with EWA Africa's director: Clive Torr.

August 2007- ‘The Healing Power of Champagne’
by Dr Tran Ky and Dr F. Drouard

We have included parts out of this recent book into our lectures. Written by two French doctors of some repute, this book focuses on a facet of the beverage usually ignored but well explored in its home country, its medicinal virtues,( when consumed in moderation, needless to say). This is an aspect of wine which extends well beyond the French paradox.

Champagne, ‘the beverage divine’, has probably been France’s best 'ambassadeur extraordinaire'. Elevated to the status of a myth and extravagantly celebrated in print, on canvas, film and through song and dance, it remains a quintessential pillar of French culture.

Is it the bubbles? The visible and audible proof of Baudelaire’s ‘soul of wine singing the song of light and brotherhood’ and sparkling in enchanted crystalline flutes? Or is it just another facet of the French paradox? This book reviews one of the longest and exhaustive clinical trials ever undertaken on this most beneficial medicine created by man: wine and in particular, champagne. This ecumenical beverage has, over the ages, been revered for its great curative properties, which have the capacity to heal and soothe minor ailments, or which will, at the very least, keep body and soul together.

For, besides its many beneficial trace elements and complex molecules, it contains the ultimate salutary active ingredient: ‘joie de vivre.’ To attain the exquisite heights of healing by means of the ‘drink divine’, ‘joie de vivre’ itself must be redefined against the Romanesque pursuit of pleasure in excess.
Contrary to Mark Twain’s assertion that ‘too much champagne is just right’, its medicinal effects express themselves not through guzzling countless bottles of the nectar, but through epicurean finesse and moderation, ‘the silken string which runs through the pearl of virtues.’

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.savoirboire.co.uk

May 2007 –LIWF
Students and staff members attend the annual London International Wine Fair, at which students have to taste wines of a specific wine region selected by then, for the Essay which they have to prepare, based on their visit to the London Wine Fair.

April 2007 - Americas Campus
EWA opens its new satellite campus: the Americas and the Caribbean, which will be operated and managed by Amarylis Davilla from her current base in Puerto Rico.  This well-known wine educator and journalist has traveled widely in South America, America and in Europe and has excellent facilities available for prospective wine students.

19 March 2007 – Prowein
An interesting selection of wines were tasted by staff members.

17 March 2007- PN Conference
An international Pinot Noir conference held in Bruges at which Professor Worms, of Germany, discussed the Health aspects of wine.  The conference also discussed the new culinary styles developed in Barcelona, in which foam plays a major role, and after the conference attendees, which included some staff members, were fortunate enough to also see some top chefs at work, and were able to sample some of these new culinary dishes.  Two of the attendees were Jancis Robinson MW and Fiona Morrison MW.

February 2007- MW Tasting Sessions
Staff members attend a Wine tasting and lecture arranged by Frank's Smulders MW, at which two other MW's joined in.