Location:

Florence, Italy

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

A wine expert is a qualified taster, salesman, and business manger. The professional sommelier possesses skills and knowledge on the subject of wine, and acknowledges the fundamental importance of wine to the culinary experience. The last 40 years have witnessed a substantial increase in career opportunities for professional wine experts in the wine profession: as sommeliers in the restaurant dining room, as chefs in the professional kitchen, as educators and writers, as winery representatives and winemakers, and as wine managers. The Apicius professional Wine expertise curriculum is rigorous, and offers students a wide range of future employment in the wine industry. Apicius-The Culinary Institute of Florence is associate with Antinori Winery. The Antinori family has been in the wine business since 1385 and throughout the company's long history it has remained family owned and operated. Though Antinori has played an important role in preserving Italy's enological traditions, it is also one of Italy's most dynamic and visionary producers of fine wines, such as Tignanello, Brunwllo di Montalcino DOCG and Cervaro della Sala, with estates concentrated in the best viticulture areas of Tuscany and Umbria.

The program provides the basic skills necessary for the individual aspiring to enter into the wine industry. It develops the students’ awareness and skill sets to their optimum potential and prepares them for a professional career in a continuously developing industry, which encompasses a wide range of exciting fields. The certificate program is structured in two semesters: during the first, students will learn about the production of wine and spirits, how to taste wine and recognize typical characteristics and flaws, the principles of proper wine service and the art of pairing wine and food. During the second semester, students will have intensive sessions putting theory into practice. Special attention will be given to the world’s major wine regions as well as proper wine service and salesmanship. Exams must be passed upon the completion of each semester. Sample calsses that may be taken FW WC TW 262 Tuscany and Its Wines FW WE RG 305 Table and Wine Grapes of Italy: an Educational Wine Tour I FW WE WA 340 Wine Appreciation I FW WE WW 360 Wines of The World I FW WE WS 335/336 Wine Service and Beverage Management

Program cost includes the following items: enrollment (including application, course selection and credit transfer), housing, student health insurance and meal plans. Students attending Apicius can receive US credits from Fairfield University in Connecticut, or an Italian transcript directly from Apicius.

Setting Description:

Located in the heart of Florence, Apicius is one of the premier Hospitality Programs in Tuscany. The school offers summer and semester study abroad programs, as well as one-year certificate courses in Culinary Arts, Wine Studies, Food Communications and Publishing, Hospitality Management, Baking and Pastry, and Italian Cuisine.