Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on September 1, 2026.
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After completing WSET Diploma, I knew I wanted to continue on into more wine studies. This was partly because I like studying wine, but also because I just like studying. So, naturally, jumping into classes by the Wine Scholar Guild was a logical next step for me.
I had found out that the German Wine Scholar option was brand new, such that I could be one of the first students in the world to take it, and I jumped on the opportunity.
It was a beast.
So in this one, I thought I'd share a review of the German Wine Scholar program so you know what you're getting yourself into when signing up!
Note: Although this article is tailored to my experience with German Wine Scholar, I suspect it has a similar tone for other countries at the Scholar level. I passed German Wine Scholar in August 2026.
A Deep Look at German Wine
Scholar classes from the Wine Scholar Guild all follow the pattern of offering a deep, deep dive into a single country.
For my German Wine Scholar program, this one really tackled just about everything I would've hoped for in German winemaking from history and politics to laws, grape varietals, viticulture concerns, vinification practices, and so much more.
If it has to do with German wine, odds are good it is covered in this course- comprehensive is a perfect word for everything that goes on inside a Scholar-level class.
That said, the book takes an especially deep dive into the German regions, districts, villages, and even vineyard sites found throughout the country. This again speaks to how comprehensive this course is, but I would be remiss if I did not point out that a great deal of the course is focusing on information that some students, myself included, might find to be a bit more into the weeds than I needed.
Is it nice to have a comprehensive resource of top vineyards and villages in every given district? Absolutely. Is it possible to memorize each and every one to prepare for an exam? Well, if you're like me, the answer was no, and because my interest in learning only went so far, this element was perhaps lost on me simply because it was too much.
That's alright by me; however, as I still got a lot out of this course all the same! Just know going into this one that you really are covering a lot– I can't reiterate that enough.
Primarily a Self-Study Program (But More Options May Exist)
The Scholar classes in the Wine Scholar Guild typically come in three options for students. These may or may not be available for all courses at any given time:
- Independent Learning: A fully self-paced option without instructor-led classes for a little bit of a discount
- Educator-Led Learning: A mostly self-paced option that includes 10-12 hour-long classes by an instructor
- Classroom Learning: In-person classes with extra wine tastings at select schools around the world (locations are limited)
I opted for the second with German Wine Scholar and honestly wish I had a local school near me to enroll in the classroom learning option.
Our educator-led learning sessions (which do not appear to be available at the time of publishing this review) were essentially an instructor showing highlights from the book and talking about key takeaways. There was some time for Q&A at the end, but it did not feel very interactive, and I, quite honestly, didn't get as much out of it as I had in a more traditional classroom environment where students were more engaged.
For the most part, I felt like I spent all my time dissecting the book, building study guides, and learning logic schemes on my own, and the online classes were mostly just a highlight reel of top-level content. Important to know? Absolutely. The only things tested on the exam? Not even close.
So if you're not a good self-starter for studying and breaking down robust material, the country-level Wine Scholar programs may not be for you- the onus really is on the students here.
- I also learn by drinking, so in-person classes with a tasting component would've likely helped here. Buying all the recommended wines on your own can get expensive in a hurry!
The Exam is Stressful – Material Depth vs Questions Asked
Finally, we come to the exam. The Scholar courses within the Wine Scholar Guild are online, multiple-choice tests with 100 questions and a 75% pass rate required.
I break this down in far greater detail in my post about studying for a Wine Scholar Guild exam here, but suffice it to say, this exam is stressful.
My biggest problem with the Scholar-level exam is simply that there is far too much material to test, and a 75% pass rate leaves little wiggle room for success. Take all of the information discussed in the above sections, about climate, laws, grapes, history, politics, the 13 wine regions, 39 districts, and thousands of vineyard sites, and imagine consolidating that down into just 100 multiple-choice questions with just one correct answer.
The amount of material not tested vastly outweighs what is tested, and that's a really big risk with such a tight margin to pass.
Yes, multiple choice does make things easier in some respects. But the volume of information still simply means you are having a bit of a luck-of-the-draw with what questions are asked outright (and, perhaps, how obviously incorrect the other three answer options are), and that's a big risk.
At the Scholar level, we are talking about moving towards mastery of any given country. So, to be fair, you should know everything and be prepared for anything that comes up on the exam. There's no way to sugarcoat that. But don't expect this exam to be a walk in the park just because it's multiple-choice.
It absolutely is not.
So while I am happy that I completed German Wine Scholar, I do have some hesitations about who this course is for. If the above doesn't scare you, it should. And if you are a bit nervous but still interested, be prepared to learn a lot about your selected country and buckle up for the ride!
Are you thinking about signing up for the German Wine Scholar course? Click here to learn more!
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