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Rod Smith MW

Wine

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Biography

Rod is English and currently lives and works in the South of France, in Nice. He is a trainer, speaker, consultant and journalist. His experience in the wine industry began in the mid 90’s, Rod worked at all levels of the wine distribution chain in the UK where he moved from the Oddbins network of wine shops, to the Seagram distribution company. In 2005 he joined the prestigious importer Mentzendorff where he was responsible for the entire range of French wines. In 2006 Rod became the 256th Master of Wine in the world (since 1953!). This marks a turning point in his career, he decides to move to France where he works for the company Vins Sans Frontière specializing in distribution to the yachting industry. It is from there that he created the company Riviera Wine Academy whose activity is the organization of tastings, events, dinners for a clientele as prestigious as discreet! In addition, Rod is extremely active in major international competitions, for example he is a member of the jury of the World Wines Award of the British magazine Decanter. He has also been involved with the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) for many years and is currently in charge of organizing the entire first year of the program.
Rod’s specialties are fortified wines and Italian wines, what could be more logical for an Englishman living in Nice!

Training provided

WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Wine Qualifications

650.00€

Success Rate

66 % (year 2022-23)

Tuition Fees

From 3 600€

Delivery Mode

Blended learning

Level

Expert

Entry Requirements

WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines and IELTS score of 6.5 or above

Duration

23 days of training (184 hours) including 1.5 days of distance learning (12h30)

Sensory Training

250+ tasting samples

Langue

English only

Self-Study Time

600 hours

Campuses

Paris / Bordeaux

Examination

Six units to be validated.Open-question theoretical tests and sensory tasting tests. Writing a 3000-word independent research assignment (resit exam: available).

Registration deadline

15 days before the course begins

WHY CHOOSE WiSP?

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Alumni

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Nationalities trained at WiSP

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Certified learners per year

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of participants recommend WISP, out of 261 responses collected from 460 respondents

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success rate for 2022/2023, based on an overall sample of 817 learners

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overall rating, based on 349 responses from 1108 respondents

Alumni Testimonials

Discover the testimonies of former participants to our different training courses.

"The French Wine Scholar is by far the most advanced training course on French wine. A very good complement to the WSET. WiSP offers real support throughout the course, which allowed me to be much more serene on exam day."

"The trainers are present throughout this training, we are never left in uncertainty and always have additional information ... thank you Matthias".

"Working with the WiSP team is very motivating, and the premises are 100% suitable. The good humor, in addition to their advice allow us to spend a very pleasant time. A teacher, Annabelle, who is passionate and curious. Thank you WiSP!"

"It's a great discovery of spirits from around the world that takes us on a journey via tasting thanks to a good, open-minded trainer who has travelled a lot and selected good samples for teaching."