The Society of Wine Educators is a membership-based nonprofit organization focused on providing wine and spirits education along with the conferral of several certifications. The Society is internationally recognized, and its programs are highly regarded both for their quality and relevance to the industry.
The mission of the SWE is to set the standard for quality and responsible wine and spirits education and professional certification.
Graphic via https://miconsejo.dovaldeorras.com
The Valdeorras DO—tucked into the mountains of the Serra do Courel and the Serra dos Ancares on the eastern edge of Galicia—was established in 1957. Since this time, it has been known primarily for crisp white wines produced from the relatively obscure (yet delicious) Godello grape variety.
In addition to varietal Godello and sparkling wines, the Valdeorras DO produces red wines based around Mencía (often supplemented with a splash of Tempranillo or Garnacha among other approved varieties). Other products of the DO include a dried-grape wine known as tostado as well as castes nobles wine made using grapes from a short list of preferred varieties, including Godello, Loureira, Treixadura, Dona Branca, Albarino, Torrontes, Mencía, Tempranillo, and Garnacha.
Other grapes (and blends) are approved for use in the more generic wines of the region, known as Valdeorras Blanco (for the whites) and Valdeorras Tinto (for the reds).
And now for the news: as of February 28 (2025), the EU has approved the production of rosé wine in the appellation, to be known as Valdeorras Rosado. According to the notice published in the EU Journal, rosado has traditionally been produced in the area, and renewed interest in lighter (and lower alcohol) wines has driven demand and appreciation of these local (pink) wines.
We look forward to trying these wines! Welcome to the world, Valdeorras Rosado!
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
On Saturday, March 8—at 10:00 am central time—we are pleased to offer one of our most popular webinars: A Spirited Discussion: The Insider’s Guide to the CSS Exam. This is one for the spirits crowd!! If you are interested in pursuing the Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Certification—or just a spirits lover-bartender-mixologist-beverage aficionado interested in learning more about spirits and the CSS, this one-hour session is for you! Join our Director of Education, Jane A. Nickles, and learn what to expect from the CSS!
Note: this event is repeated several times a year, with our next session scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 pm central time. In addition, a recorded version of this session will be available on the member portal of the SWE website after the conclusion of the live event.
Login Instructions: At the appointed time, just click on this link: Saturday, March 8—at 10:00 am central time—A Spirited Discussion: The Insider’s Guide to the CSS Exam. There is no need to register in advance.
When the SWE Adobe Connect homepage appears, click on “enter as a guest,” type in your name, and click “enter room.” There is no need for a dial-in number; audio will be available via the speakers on your computer or mobile device. If you have never attended an Adobe Connect event before, it is also a good idea to test your connection ahead of time (just click on the link). If you are having any trouble with your Adobe Connect connection, please see our webinar trouble shooting page.
This webinar is offered free-of-charge, and open to the public! This session will last for about one hour, and is offered as a live, interactive event.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane Nickles: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
Click here for the 2025 Webinar Calendar
Click here for more information on the Certified Specialist of Spirits certification.
Brilliant, crisp, and flavorful, Fiano di Avellino is one of Italy’s finest white wines. Produced in Campania, it is considered one of the best expressions of the Fiano grape variety—native to Southern Italy and known for its fruity, nutty, and floral character.
Fiano di Avellino—designated as a DOCG white wine of Italy since 2003—is required to be produced using a minimum of 85% Fiano grapes. Small amounts of Trebbiano Toscano, Coda di Volpe, and/or Greco are allowed as accessory varieties. Fiano di Avellino DOCG is a dry, complex, and harmonious white wine and—with a minimum of one year of aging—may be labeled as Fiano di Avellino Riserva DOCG.
In addition to these well-loved still (non-sparkling) white wines, the Fiano di Avellino DOCG now allows for the production of sparkling (spumante) wines within the appellation. Based on the same grape varieties, Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG and Fiano di Avellino Spumante Riserva DOCG will soon be available.
According to the revised disciplinare for the appellation, the region has a long history and tradition of sparkling wine production, and the Fiano grape variety has a natural proclivity for use in sparkling wine. The requirements for Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG include the following:
We will keep an eye out for the first release of Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG! Looking forward to trying it!
Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the Italian Republic—via publication on the website of Italy’s National Wine Committee as well as the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana (Official Gazette of the Italian Republic)—the updated Disciplinare di Produzione has yet to be approved by the EU. In the meantime, the new style designations are allowed to be used on the labels of qualified wines. In the unlikely event that the change is not approved by the EU, the decree will be rescinded.
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
What do all of these items have in common: A new official designation for American Single Malt Whiskey, updated regulations in the Jamaica Rum GI, and the newly created definition of Artisanal Cachaça?
Answer: You’ll find these topics included—as updates and expanded information—in the just-released 2025 version of the Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide and Workbook.
Click here to find the 2025 CSS Study Guide on Amazon. The cost is $59.
Click here to find the 2025 CSS Workbook on Amazon. The cost is $49.
CSS Exam Availability: CSS Exams based on the 2025 edition of the Study Guide will be available at Pearson VUE Testing Centers and via at-home, online proctoring beginning on January 2, 2025. (Exams based on the 2024 book will likewise remain available until December 30, 2026.) Click here for more information on the timing and availability of CSS exams.
CSS Online Prep Course: Our next instructor-led CSS Online Prep Course is scheduled to begin the week of February 2, 2025. The aim of the prep course is to get attendees “as prepared as humanly possible” for a successful sitting of the CSS Exam. Online prep courses are available, free-of-charge, to Professional members of SWE who have a valid CSS Exam attendance credit. Click here to learn more about our online prep classes.
Addendum: Click here for an addendum listing the substantive changes between the 2024 and 2025 versions of the CSS Study Guide: Addendum for the 2025 CSS Study Guide
Flashcards and Practice Quizzes: Our popular online flashcards and practice quizzes have also been updated for 2025 (while previous versions remain available as well). The cost for these products is $19 each. Click here for the digital flashcards and practice quizzes. Please note that this is a separate website from the SWE homepage and will require a separate login.
Click here for more information on the Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) program.
If you have any questions regarding these materials, please contact our Director of Education at jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
What do all of these items have in common: The Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA; an AVA for Beverly, Washington; a new-found respect for the Listán Prieto grape in Argentina; and newly-revised regulations for Austria’s Eisenberg DAC?
Answer: You’ll find all of these updates (and more) in the just-released 2025 version of the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Study Guide and Workbook!
CSW Exam Availability: CSW Exams based on the 2025 edition of the Study Guide will be available at Pearson VUE Testing Centers and via at-home, online proctoring beginning on January 2, 2025. Click here for more information on the timing and availability of CSW exams.
CSW Online Prep Course: Our next instructor-led CSW Online Prep Course is scheduled to begin the week of January 12, 2025. The aim of the prep course is to get attendees “as prepared as humanly possible” for a successful sitting of the CSW Exam. Online prep courses are available, free-of-charge, to Professional members of SWE who have a valid CSW Exam attendance credit.
Addendum: Click here to download a pdf of an addendum listing the substantive changes between the 2024 and 2025 versions of the CSW Study Guide: Addendum – CSW Study Guide 2025
Flashcards and Practice Quizzes: Our popular online flashcards and practice quizzes have also been updated for 2025 (while previous versions remain available as well). The cost for these products is $19 each. Click here for the digital flashcards and practice quizzes. Please note that this is a separate website from the SWE homepage and will require a separate login.
Click here for more information on the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) program.
The CSW Exam may be purchased via the SWE website: Click here to purchase the CSW Exam.
If you have any questions regarding these materials, please contact our Director of Education at jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
As of December 18, 2024, the TTB has (at long last) announced the approval of a new category of American spirit: American Single Malt Whiskey. The rules governing American Single Malt Whiskey—as defined by section 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the Standards of Identity of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the United States—are scheduled to go into effect as of January 19, 2025.
Under these rules, American Single Malt Whiskey must be produced using 100% malted barley. The malting process (and all other subsequent production) must occur in the United States; however, there is no requirement that the grain itself be grown in the US.
American Single Malt Whiskey is not allowed to contain flavoring or blending materials. Caramel coloring is allowed, but it must be disclosed on the label (no other coloring agents are permitted).
It should be noted that in alignment with other defined styles of American Whiskey, there is no aging requirement beyond the stipulation that American Single Malt Whiskey be stored in oak. In addition, unlike most other specific types of American whiskey (including Bourbon and Rye Whiskey), the producer has the choice of what type of oak (used, charred new, or uncharred new) may comprise the barrels.
American Single Malt Whiskey that has been aged for at least two years in oak barrels (of the types defined above) may be labeled with the term straight.
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
Location of the Les Mûres Premier Cru within the P-L AOC (base map via the website of Vins de Bourgogne)
As revealed on November 21, 2024—via publication on the website of the INAO and in the Official Journal of the French Republic—a Premier Cru site has been approved for the Pouilly-Loché AOC (originally approved in 1940). The new premier cru is to be known as Les Mûres (Pouilly-Loché Premier Cru Les Mûres).
Located in the Mâconnais sub-region of Burgundy, the Pouilly-Loché AOC is a small appellation (totaling 33 hectares/79 acres) focusing on high-quality Chardonnay. The appellation is centered around the small town of Loché and located a short distance (5 km/3.2 miles) southwest of the city of Mâcon. The vineyards of the Pouilly-Loché AOC overlap those of the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC so (at least in theory), the wines of Pouilly-Loché may be labeled as Pouilly-Vinzelles. (This, however, would not be true for the Les Mûres Premier Cru.)
As is true of the larger Pouilly-Loché AOC, Pouilly-Loché Premier Cru Les Mûres is required to be a dry white wine produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes.
Eagle-eyed wine lovers may note that this announcement is closely aligned with the approval of three premiers crus vineyards for the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC (announced the prior day).
Map of the Pouilly-Loché AOC via the INAO
Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the Republic of France (via publication on the website of the INAO as well as the Official Journal of the Republic of France), the updated Cahier des Charges has yet to be approved by the EU. In the meantime, the new Premier Cru designations are allowed to be used on the labels of qualified wines. In the unlikely event that the change is not approved by the EU, the decree will be rescinded.
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
Map of the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC via the INAO
As revealed on November 20, 2024—via publication on the website of the INAO and in the Official Journal of the French Republic—three Premiers Crus have been approved and designated within the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC.
Located in the Mâconnais sub-region of Burgundy, the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC is centered around the communes of Vinzelles and Loché, located a few miles southwest of the city of Mâcon—and to the east of its most famous neighbor, Pouilly-Fuissé.
As with all wines produced in the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC, the newly appointed premiers crus are required to be dry white wines produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes.
Location of the P-V Premiers Crus within the P-V AOC (base map via the website of Vins de Bourgogne)
Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the Republic of France (via publication on the website of the INAO as well as the Official Journal of the Republic of France on November 20, 2024), the updated Cahier des Charges has yet to be approved by the EU. In the meantime, the new Premier Cru designations are allowed to be used on the labels of qualified wines. In the unlikely event that the change is not approved by the EU, the decree will be rescinded.
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
News of the Wine World: The Toro DO (located in Spain’s Castilla y León comunidad autónoma) has updated its rules and regulation and now allows for the production of sparkling wines. ¡Chinchín!
This update was approved by the EU and published in the Journal of the European Union on November 14, 2024. The new products so approved include quality sparkling wines produced using the traditional method of sparkling wine production in red, white, and rosé styles.
According to the Pliego de Condiciones, these grapes make the ideal base for a sparkling wine with “small intense bubbles and a persistent crown.”
Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the EU, the website of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) has not yet posted an update to the Toro Pliego de Condiciones.
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org
Photo of the Urbezo PDO via www.mapa.gob.es
Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, MAPA) has announced the approval of a new Denominación de Origen Protegida (PDO) for wine: the Vino de Pago Urbezo! As of October 26 (2024) the EU has also announced its approval of the new appellation. At last count, this makes for a new total of 26 vinos de pago for Spain.
The new appellation is located in the autonomous community (comunidad autónoma) of Aragón (in the province of Zaragoza, just north-west of the municipality—and wine region) of Cariñena.
The Vino de Pago (PDO) Urbezo is approved for the production of dry wines, to include white (blanco), rosé (rosado), and red (tinto) wines. Wines may be unaged, or they may be labeled with a defined aging designation such as crianza, reserva, or gran reserva. One very interesting point of differentiation in this new appellation is that grape growing and winemaking is required to be certified as organic (as defined by EU Regulation (EC) No 834/2007). Other rules for these wines are discussed below:
Welcome to the world, Vino de Pago Urbezo!
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org