Wine Education is an Ongoing Process
Valerie (Val) is a lifelong student of wine and believes you never stop learning. The wine industry is vast, dynamic and ever-changing. Her mission is sharing her knowledge and experience with anyone who wants to take their enjoyment of wine to the next level.
She is credentialed through the Society of Wine Educators (SWE) as a Certified Wine Educator (CWE). Currently there are fewer than 430 CWEs in the world.
In 2015 she earned the French Wine Scholar (FWS) credential with highe
st honors, and completed the Champagne Master-Level certificate with honors through the French Wine Society/Wine Scholar Guild.
However, it was the the completion of the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits in 2016 which Val believes is an accomplishment that not only brought together all of her wine and spirits studies and experiences, but was incredibly humbling.
This is also where she felt discipline from 25 years in the military and tenaciousness (or stubbornness) have served her well, as she completed the three-year program in under two years. The Diploma in Wines and Spirits (DWS/DipWSET) is a prerequisite for application to the Institute of Masters of Wine.
Beyond the Books
Val is serving her third and final term on the Board of Directors for the Society of Wine Educators, an organization about which she is truly passionate. She is a frequent presenter in the SWEbinar series and Certification Summits that offer online webinars for those wishing to learn, seek credentials, and interact with other SWE members.
To augment her enthusiasm for teaching, learning, writing and presenting about wine she launched the Wine Two Five wine education podcast in 2015 with fellow CWE and friend Stephanie Davis, CS, CWE, FWS. Although the show’s finale was in February 2019, the fun, informative content remains available for download and enjoyment for years to come.
Val produces and creates podcast content for the Wine Scholar Guild, where she had the pleasure of interviewing some of the world’s iconic wine writers, Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers. The show features educators who discuss everything from Champagne to Italian wines, even climate change in Burgundy.
In Spring 2019 she launched her latest podcast series, Glass in Session ® , which is a seasonal, bi-weekly series of wine education topics. While the conversation is meant to inform, there is an entertaining aspect, albeit fringed with her saucy tenor.
See her podcast production and guest appearances here at Podchaser.
Living the Wine
Val’s experiences living and studying professional wine and language programs at International Culinary Academies in Tuscany (2009 – 2010), and France (2010), changed the way she “lives her wine.” Through memorable moments (and silly stories) her professional wine tastings are truly unique experiences.
While she believes one can never know “everything” about wine, and doesn’t prefer the term “expert,” she offers an elevated experience that is unparalleled in Colorado Springs.
Yet, she believes it’s still a journey – and a delicious one, and invites you along for a little Vino With Val.
Salute/Sante’/Cheers ~
{To read more of her travel exploits and frequent occasional silliness and sass, visit her original, personal blog that began before she moved to Italy to study wine full time at your own risk, Living out of the Box.}
