In the video chat, Tom Vigeant, Coordinator of the Sommelier Certificate Program at La Cité Collégiale in Ottawa, talks about the courses offered in this French wine program. You can also watch our other video chat on the 5 worst questions to ask a sommelier.
What makes La Cité collégiale Sommelier Program different from the George Brown or Algonquin College Sommelier Program? From the Wine and Spirits Education Trust or WSET courses?
Is your sommelier program aimed at the wine enthusiast who wants to learn more about wine but not necessarily work in the industry or is it for industry professionals?
How many courses are part of the program and roughly how long does it take to complete?
19485SOM Introduction to Wine (45 hours)
Students learn the fundamentals of viticulture and winemaking, as well as the characteristics of major grape varieties throughout the world. Students learn and apply analytical wine tasting techniques.
19486SOM Countries, Regions and Grape Varieties I (45 hours)
This first of three courses covering the winemaking regions of the world focuses on France and Italy. Students learn about the appellation systems used in those countries as well as the different types of wines that are produced in their various regions.
19487SOM Countries, Regions and Grape Varieties II (36 hours)
This second of three courses covering the winemaking regions of the world focuses on the rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Students learn about the appellation systems used in those countries as well as the different types of wines that are produced in their various regions.
21044SOM Countries, Regions and Grape Varieties III (30 hours)
The third and final course covering the winemaking regions of the world focuses on the Americas and emerging countries. Students learn about the appellation systems used in those countries as well as the different types of wines that are produced in their various regions.
19488SOM Wine and Food Pairing (30 hours)
Students build and expand on the notions acquired to date with respect to wine and its place alongside food in order to master the art of creating harmonious wine and food pairings. Learning methods focus on practical exercises and cover the full array of foods, from hors d’oeuvres, soups and salads to meat and fish dishes, to desserts and cheeses. Vegetarian and ethnic cuisine are also covered, as are current subjects such as molecular gastronomy.
21045SOM Art of Being a Sommelier and Table Service (30 hours)
In this course, students learn the protocol, techniques and complexities of table side wine service, and the inner workings of the restaurant industry. Students learn how to build and manage a wine inventory and a restaurant wine list, and how to plan a wine tasting event or multi course menu. Students also discover the various wine trades.
19489SOM Countries, Regions and Grape Varieties – A Comparative Approach (39 hours)
This advanced sommelier course challenges students to apply the knowledge acquired to date in more complex and in depth comparative contexts. For example, students will analyze the differences between similar wines made from grapes grown on different terroirs, harvested in different vintages or made by different producers. This course also covers spirits, beer, tea, coffee and mineral water.
19490 Work Placement (45 hours)
Students complete their classroom training with a 45-hour work placement in a wine-related environment. Whether it be assisting with winemaking at a winery or working as a sommelier in a restaurant, the goal is to provide future graduates with practical, real life experience in the food and drink industry.
La Cité collégiale Sommelier Program
801 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa, Ontario K1K 4R3
613 742-2483, ext 2371
Tom Vigeant’s wine tasting and discovery guide, Dégustations entre amis: Découvrir, partager et comprendre le vin will be published in French by Québec Amérique and available in stores across Quebec and for download on Amazon, iTunes and Kobo in October 2013.
Tom Vigeant is a bilingual, certified sommelier based in Ottawa-Gatineau, specializing in organizing private and corporate wine tastings. If you are looking to jazz up a party among friends, a cocktail reception to enhance co-workers or entertain guests in style, think about hiring a sommelier! Tom offers flexible packages for the following: needs and any budget. His approach is professional, dynamic and unpretentious. He enjoys sharing his passion for wine and food in a way that makes the subject fun and easy to understand. He is also the author of an innovative wine tasting and discovery guide published by Québec Amérique as well as being Coordinator of La Cité’s Sommelier Program in Ottawa, and an instructor in the Program. Interested or simply curious? Please do not hesitate to contact him for more information.
His book Tasting Friends now in the following bookstores:
Archambault, Renaud-Bray, Indigo and Amazon. Also available in digital version.
You can find out more about Tom by visiting his website at www.sommeliertom.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @SommelierTom or Facebook at www.facebook.com/SommelierTom.
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