Is prepping for and taking the Certified Specialist of Wine exam a good idea for someone looking to get into the wine industry?

Posted By: OneAdmin July 17, 2017 @ 1:45 pm Big Rick Hardly Strictly Wine Blog

Dear Dr. Vinny,

Is prepping for and taking the Certified Specialist of Wine exam a good idea for someone looking to get into the wine industry?

—Lucien, Shelton, Conn.

Dear Lucien,

There are a lot of different wine certifications out there, like the Certified Specialist of Wine, or CSW, that you’re asking about. I can’t speak for all employers, but I think that wine classes like certification-prep courses are a great idea for anyone interested in wine, whether the end goal is a job or just greater appreciation. The CSW exam is no cakewalk, and many people don’t pass it on their first attempt, so that would certainly come with some bragging rights. “The CSW is a great first step for anyone interested in learning about wine and being able to ‘talk wine,’” Wine-industry recruiter Amy Gardner of Wine Talent told me.