Vinitaly launches VIA course in mainland China

The Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) will launch its first ever China Education certification course in two mainland cities in Beijing and Shanghai this September, after introducing the course globally three years ago.

Aiming to create ambassadors for Italian wines, the course provides a unique opportunity for wine professionals to gain extensive knowledge from a leading Italian wine expert Ian D’Agata. The course will focus principally on Italian grape varieties and wines, according to Vinitaly International, the wine trade organisation promoting Italian wines worldwide.

In addition to classroom teaching, the course includes the opportunity to, “taste hundreds of wines that are not easily found outside of Italy”. Consisting of a four-day teaching schedule, followed by another day of exams, the course will start in Beijing from 10 to 14 September, and 17-21 September in Shanghai.

Last year, Vinitaly Hong Kong named two students ‘Italian wine experts’ and another a wine ambassador following the VIA course studies and exams. It has created seven Italian experts and 86 Italian wine ambassadors worldwide since its launch in 2014.

Online application is now open and ends on 10 August.

Registration fee is €610 (€500 + 22%VAT) per person.