Champagne Specialist : Understanding and recommending Champagne

A complete training course with tastings and fun workshops that leads to recognised certification.

Training objectives

Understand and interpret Champagne labels
Know how to describe and assess Champagne wines
Know how to store and serve Champagne in optimum conditions
Be able to recommend a Champagne by ascertaining the customer’s expectations and needs and drawing up an appropriate range of suggestions
Know how to pair food and Champagne

The benefits of this course

You will put the skills you have learned into practice in the workshops
You will develop the advisory skills needed to carry out professional activities such as recommending, serving, selling and buying Champagne and managing a cellar
This course is created and managed by the Comité Champagne, which guarantees verified and up-to-date content, as well as the assurance of a global vision of Champagne

The Champagne Specialist training

Session 1:
- Introduction, tasting basics, food and wine pairing
- Practical workshop: The perfect pairing
Session 2:
- Champagne terroir
- Practical workshop: The Champagne game
Session 3:
- The Champagne Method
- Practical workshop: The cellar master
Session 4:
- Advice, service and storage
- Practical workshop: The wine shop manager
Examination for the Champagne Specialist Certificate
3 Champagne wines will be tasted in each session

This certification is aimed at professionals and students : wine shop staff, sommeliers, catering professionals, food distribution professionals, executives/buyers/sellers in the wine and spirits sector, wine industry professionals, tourism professionals, wine journalists, importers, wine trainers, students in the hotel, catering and luxury goods industries, etc.

Theory test – 1 hour
- 30 multiple choice questions (30 minutes - 30 points)
- 2 open questions (30 minutes - 30 points)
Practical test – 45 minutes
- Tasting of two identified Champagne wines (40 points)
  - Description of the characteristics of the Champagne tasted
  - Presentation of a sales argument to promote this Champagne
  - Suggestion and explanation of a harmonious food and Champagne pairing
Marking scheme:
- Less than 54%: Fail
- From 55% to 69%: Pass
- From 70% to 79%: Good
- Above 80%: Excellent