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CMS Introductory course & Certified exams

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CMS Introductory course & Certified exams

€1.290
CMS Introductory course & Certified exams

About this course

CMS Introductory course & Certified exams
IN PERSON
ATHENS
INTENSIVE
DURATION: 29 HOURS
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
Payment in full

1.170€

or Installments

The selection of installments reshapes the final value of the fees and the number of installments is applied at the completion of your order, during Checkout.

Court of Master Sommeliers/ International Sommelier Studies – The most prestigious professional qualification

About the course

The Court of Master Sommelier is the most prestigious professional qualification that anyone can achieve internationally for the service of wines, spirits and other alcoholic beverages whether in the Tourism, Hospitality / Hotel or Catering market.
The successful completion of the exams is a necessary requirement for the Certification and the Certification itself is a prerequisite for achieving the higher most inter-professional global title of ‘Master Sommelier’.

The successful completion of the exams is a necessary requirement for both Certifications.

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World-wide, the term Sommelier, is synonymous with the Court of Master Sommeliers Certification. In 1969 the first formal Master Sommelier examination in Great Britain was held. By 1977 the Court of Master Sommeliers was recognised as the leading international examination body. In Greece the programmes provided are: LEVEL I / Introductory Sommelier Course & LEVEL II / Certified Sommelier Exam.

The Introductory Sommelier Certificate is the first level at which all Master Sommeliers candidates must start. The duration of the programme is two days, and the exams are carried out on the morning of the third day.

The Certified Sommelier qualification is the basic certificate for professionals in the wine and spirits field, for those working in the Hospitality industry. The programme’s objective is to offer the working Sommelier an essential qualification. The Certified exams take place right after the completion of the Introductory exam. The successful completion of the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Sommelier Certificate is a prerequisite.

It is also recommended that all our students aiming to obtain the MS Certificate, should already have completed the WSET L3 Award in Wines, as well as 3-5 of work experience in the industry.

Course Programme andCurriculum
CMS Introductory course & Certified exams

Learning Goals

The Introductory Sommelier course covers:

  • elementary practices in the vineyard and winemaking procedures.
  • the grape varieties, origins, specific winemaking procedures and classifications for all the major wines of the world.
  • the production, raw materials and flavors of Spirits and liqueurs.
  • technical skills of wine service.
  • the importance of social skills.
  • fundamentals of matching wines with food.
  • an introduction to the skills of wine tasting.

 

Introductory Learning Outcomes:
Candidates will be able to:

  • explaing the factors which contribute towards the quality of wines
  • describe the characteristics of the wines from the main wine producing countries of the world
  • demonstrate an understanding of the wine classification and control systems in current use
  • interpret wine label terms
  • state the basic ingredients and flavours of apéritifs, spirits and liqueurs
  • demonstrate an awareness of beers, saké and other beverages
  • demonstrate the correct service of wine and other beverages
  • demonstrate a basic competence in selling and matching wines with foods
  • identify the requirements of the Advanced Sommelier Certificate

 

The Certified Sommelier course:
The Certified Sommelier qualification is the primary certification for wine and beverage professionals in the Hospitality Industry and is intended to provide a meaningful qualification for the working Sommelier. The pre-requisite for this examination is the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Certificate.

 

Certified Learning Outcomes:

  • To create a minimum standard of service and knowledge for the Hospitality Industry.
  • To provide successful candidates with credentials to show employers their skills have been evaluated at a high level of proficiency by the leading authority on beverage service – the Internationally recognized Court of Master Sommeliers Worldwide.
  • To create a certification that provides all successful candidates with a sense of accomplishment while providing the most dedicated students an opportunity to further their education and skills at the Advanced and Masters levels.
  • For registration e-mail us at education@wspc.gr
    The registration is completed once you pay the full amount of tuition fees, through the e-shop, or by making a bank deposit and complete the Registration Form.
  • After the payment you will receive the Registration Form which must be filled out and returned to the Admissions Officers. Your enrollment is automatically completed once the Admissions has received a fully completed Registration From.
  • To enroll you have to be at least 18 years old.
  • We strongly recommend that all participants have a WSET L3 Awards in Wines and either have experience in the wine service industry or have completed the WSPC Modern Sommelier Study Program.
  • It is necessary to have a valid email address, as all information about your studies is electronically documented
  • Receiving your Certificate from Court of Masters Sommelier:
    Following the successful completion of the course and receiving a passing grade, your Certificate will be issued. You will receive your Certificate the last day of your studies, along with the label pin.
    In the even that you misplace or damage the original Certificate, a duplicate copy will be issued after the payment of the appropriate fee.
  • Once the registration deadline has passed no late registrations will be accepted

Cancellation Terms & Policy

  • The program tuition is paid in full prior to the commencement of the course and applies only to the specific selected course. Tuition fees are non-transferrable to future courses.
  • The registration can be cancelled up to two (2) months before the course date. However, a minimum administrative charge, plus the cost and the postal expenses of the textbook, and the bank transfer charges will be deducted.
  • For fees paid by credit card, a handling fee of 3.5% of the paid course fee will be restrained.
  • Cancellation in less than two months before the course date will incur a 50% loss of the whole tuition fees amount.
  • Cancellation in less than a month and/ or after the start of the program will incur the loss of the whole tuition fees amount.
  • Any withdrawals are not refundable (course and/ or exam/s).
  • In the occasion due to force majeure, that the Greek Government applies restrictions and or lockdown to educational organizations and lessons are interrupted, as happened with the COVID-19 pandemic, registrations will be automatically transferred to the next available CMS Athens course, with no extra charge.
  • In the occasion that you are not able to attend the course due to coronavirus restrictions (lockdown) that may apply in your country of residence/origin, WSPC will automatically transferred your registration to the next available CMS Athens course, with no extra charge.
  • Liability: For accidents and other damages we can only inherit liabilities within the scope of the legal liability. We do not inherit liabilities for accidents and other damages on the way to and from the course venues. At tending excursions and visiting programmes etc. are at your own risk. Furthermore WSPC is not liable for lost clothing, valuables, etc.
  • WSPC maintains the right to cancel a course due to insufficient student enrollment. In such an event enrolled students will either be transferred to the next available course or will be refunded.
  • If the theory mark at the Introductory exam is below 60%, the candidate will not be able to take the Certified exam and will be refunded the amount of €210,00 (fees for certified exam first attempt).
  • Candidates who score higher than 60% on the Introductory exam, automatically sit the Certified exam on the same day. In case a candidate decides to withdraw from the Certified exam, although being successful at the introductory exam, WSPC maintains the right to fully examine any consequent refund request and to notify the student for the outcome within 5 working days.

Methods of Payment:

  • Bank Deposit
    1.Bank: ALPHA BANK
    Eden Mare Branch (155).
    Currency: Euro.
    Account/ Company Name: WSPC LTD.
    Account No.: 118-00-2330-000482
    BIC No: CRBAGRAAXXX
    IBAN: GR33 0140 1180 1180 0233 0000 482
    2.Bank: PIRAEUS BANK
    Sygrou Branch.
    Currency: Euro.
    Account/ Company Name: Wine & Spirit Professional Centre LTD/ Educational Organization.
    Account No.: 6727-113141-025
    BIC No: PIRBGRAA
    IBAN: GR73 0171 7270 0067 2711 3141 025
    3.Bank: EUROBANK
    Currency: Euro
    Account/ Company Name: Wine & Spirit Professional Centre LTD/ Educational Organization.
    Account No.: 0026.0019.54.0201143015
    BIC No: ERBKGRAA
    IBAN: GR06 0260 0190 0005 4020 1143 015

    When depositing the fees, candidates are required to complete their full name & details. In the case of the deposits made by Firms, the full company name & address must be shown.

  • Credit card: Visa & MasterCard

Main principles

The following expectations are designed to improve the quality of the WSPC classroom experience. We therefore ask our students to honor the following principles aimed at building a positive and productive learning environment based on mutual respect while in class.

Do not miss classes

Students that attend classes regularly are more likely to pass their exams – and with better grades. In case of absence, it is a student’s responsibility to catch up with notes, assignments and /or wines tasted in class that day.

Do not be late

Arriving on time to class is an act of respect for your fellow students and instructors. If, despite your best efforts, you arrive late, make sure you enter the classroom discreetly and pick the first available seat.

Come to class well prepared

Preparation before class is essential for a better understanding of the curricula. Students that turn in assignments on time build up their knowledge and increase the possibility of scoring higher at exams. Assignments not turned in within the deadline will not be accepted.

Turn your mobile off while in class

This is also a sign of respect. In case you are expecting an urgent call, you are kindly requested to inform your instructor at the beginning of the class and keep your mobile on silent mode. Upon call reception, please exit the class as discreetly as possible.

Please note that the use of portable electronic devices (mobile, laptop, MP3 player etc) while in class is not allowed, as can be distracting to faculty and students, may infringe upon privacy or copyright, and can have a negative effect on classroom discussions. The bottles of every wine flight tasted remain in display after class, so students may take photos of the labels for their convenience.

Avoid side conversations

This is common courtesy towards your classmates and instructors. Talking to each other may be distracting and counterproductive.

Avoid dominating discussion

Participation in class is important and queries enhance comprehension of the curricula. The time dedicated to Q&As is based on the instructor’s discretion. It is important that students respect the time set for queries during class, avoid talking out of turn and give others a fair opportunity to participate.

THE ABOVE PRINCIPLES ALSO APPLY DURING THE EXAMINATIONS

Important information about examinations

The Introductory Sommelier Examination comprises of:

  • a multiple-choice paper and
  • a short elementary practical service test.

The pass mark is 60%. The examination language is English.

The Certified Sommelier Examination comprises of:

  • a 40 multiple-choice and short answer paper
  • a blind tasting test of two wine samples
  • a practical service test.
    The pass mark is 60%, in each section and all three sections must be passed together. The examination language is English.
Re-sit

Candidates may contact WSPC and request the Exam Booking Form. The form must be completed and submitted to WSPC along with the appropriate fee within the given deadline. There is no limit on the number of attempts that may be made.
Candidates who have passed are not permitted to retake the Introductory and/ or Certified Exams to improve their grade.

Examination conditions and regulations
  1. Upon registration for an examination, candidates are deemed to acknowledge and agree to the following specific conditions:
    • at the start of the examination all candidates must supply the invigilator with proof of identity in the form of photographic ID, a valid passport or valid driver’s license
    • Candidates must have their own: pencil type HB2, eraser, sharpener
    • Candidates must have their own individual water bottle
    • the examination is to be completed in the time specified
    • no reference is to be made to any material, in whatever form, other than the examination question paper and answer sheet
    • once the invigilator has declared that examination conditions are in place, no communication of any kind between candidates is permitted until they have left the examination room or the invigilator has announced the end of the examination
    • during the examination candidates are only permitted to have the following items on their desk: tasting glasses, spittoon, pencils, erasers, and drinking water
    • it is prohibited for candidates to take any photographs of the examination room or examination materials
    • for tasting examinations candidates should not wear perfume, aftershave lotion or any other strong scent
    • the use of electronic devices of any kind is prohibited
    • mobile phones must not be on the examination desk, they must be switched off and placed out of sight
    • the use of dictionaries of any kind is prohibited
    • the use of audible ‘alarms’ on any clock or watch is prohibited
    • candidates may not leave the room until the first 15 minutes of the examination time have elapsed
    • candidates who arrive late may be allowed to enter the room at the discretion of the invigilator and only if other candidates are not compromised. Under normal circumstances we would not expect any candidate to be allowed to start the examination if they arrive more than 30 minutes after the published start time
    • candidates who arrive after the published start time will NOT be allowed to sit the examination if any other candidate has already left the examination
    • candidates may not leave, and then return to, the examination room once the examination has started unless they can be accompanied by an invigilator at all times while they are out of the examination room
    • candidates who complete the examination/assessment early may leave the examination room up until the last 10 minutes, providing they do not disturb other candidates; no re-admission is permitted
    • invigilators have no authority to comment upon, interpret, or express an opinion on any examination question
    • any candidate who is suspected of misconduct will be advised to leave the examination room immediately and their examination paper will be submitted to the Examination Panel to determine its validity
    • no examination question papers are to be removed from the examination room; candidates who fail to submit the question paper with their answer sheet will be deemed guilty of misconduct
    • it is prohibited for candidates to reveal the content of examination papers to others, or reproduce it in any way.
  2. Candidates agree to abide by the invigilator’s instructions. Failure to do so may render a candidate’s results invalid.
  3. CMS reserves the right to permanently exclude candidates found guilty of misconduct from CMS qualifications.
  4. Examination papers submitted for marking become the property of WSET Awards and will not be returned to candidates.
Receiving your Certificate from Court of Masters Sommelier:

Following the successful completion of the course and receiving a passing grade, your Certificate will be issued. You will receive your Certificate the last day of your studies, along with the label pin.
In the even that you misplace or damage the original Certificate, a duplicate copy will be issued after the payment of the appropriate fee.

Where does the course take place?

The course is held in Athens, at the highly impressive and spacious premises of WSPC at Paleo Faliro, an area less than 5km outside the city center. Click here for the virtual tour of the school.

How can I prepare for the course?

The recommended text book for the course is “Sales and Service for the Wine Professional” latest edition by Brian K. Julyan. This text book is issued as part of your course fees. Students are again reminded that the primary source for study is the CMS web portal and the Guild of Sommeliers website.
The following file will also help you better understand the courses requirements and organize your studying so as to achieve the best possible outcome on the day of your exams.

Specification | Court of Master Sommeliers

Is VAT included in the tuition fees?

WSPC is a certified educational body of the Greek Ministry of Education. No VAT is applied to certified educational organizations.

What do the tuition fees include?

Access to all study materials of the course, the textbook, your registration to CMS Europe, the first attempt to the Introductory & Certified exam fees, your Certificate(s), the wines and/ or spirit samples needed (we do not accept free samples) and all the organizational logistics of the program.

Are the expenses of accommodation included in the fees?

All accommodation and travel expenses, in any location, exclusively burden the students.

Are CMS courses available in other languages e.g. Greek?

No, CMS courses are available only in English.

Can I be absent?

No. Your presence is required on the day of the exams.

Can I sit directly for the Certified Examination?

No, firstly you should successfully complete the Introductory examination.

Can I resit if I fail or if I don’t attend the examination?

Candidates may contact WSPC and request the Exam Booking Form. The form must be completed and submitted to WSPC along with the appropriate fee within the given deadline. There is no limit to the number of attempts that may be made.

How can I get my Certificate?

Following the successful completion of the course and receiving a passing grade, your Certificate will be issued. You will receive your Certificate the last day of your studies, along with the label pin.

Can I pay with installments?

Yes. Through our e-shop (link) you can use your credit card and pay in installments.

What will happen if the classes are interrupted due to force majeure, as happened with the COVID-19 pandemic?

In the occasion that the Greek Government imposes restrictions and or lockdown to educational organizations and in-person classes are interrupted, registrations will be automatically transferred to the next available CMS Athens course, with no extra charge.

Vice Head of WSPC Education - Principal of WSPC Spirits School

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Testimonials

WSPC-MANUELA-LABHARD

Learn as if you were to live forever, they say and this is how my WSET Diploma journey started. For the first time I was sitting in a class together with real winemakers, sommeliers and wine merchants learning about wine and acquiring an in-depth knowledge. Visiting the breathtaking island of Santorini and its iconic wineries during a whole week, is a game changing experience not to be missed.

Manuela Labhard

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WSPC-ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΣ-ΣΚΛΑΒΟΣ

Studying at WSPC may be one of the most beneficial experiences I have had as a student. From the very first day students have highly experienced tutors by their side and the whole staff assists them with any inquiry. WSPC is undoubtedly the right choice to gain in depth knowledge of the world of wine and beverages.

Filippos Sklavos

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WSPC ΜΑΡΙΑ-ΜΑΣΟΥΡΑ

To study wine, you need to feel inspired. I have studied all four levels of WSET at WSPC. During that time, my tutors Efstathios Saltas at Levels 1 and 2, Gregory Michailos at Level 3 and Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, at Level 4, were truly inspirational and reminded me that wine is above all, an exciting journey!

Maria Massoura

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It was an outstanding experience that I would recommend to anyone who would like to elevate their wine knowledge, critical thinking, and tasting skills to take part! Having guidance from Konstantinos Lazarakis MW together with the support of the whole WSPC team made the journey even more enjoyable!

Konstantinos Chatzimitakos

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WSPC-ILIAS-ROUSSAKIS

The course through to the acquisition of Diploma degree was a proactive journey to all the terroirs of the world where wine is produced. The secret tales that were revealed to us, from Konstantinos and Andreas, over the tastings of numerous wines from around the globe created a magical atmosphere, that will be remembered for a long time.

Ilias Roussakis

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WSPC-EMORFILI-MAVRIDOU

My experience in WSPC started back in 2015 with WSET Level 1, where I had my first encounter with the world of wine. As I proceeded, I gained a lot of insight and confidence and instinctively, continued to seek for more. This led me to the final level of the Diploma, tasting wines from all over the world, learning about the corresponding viticultural and winemaking techniques and how to link them directly to the result. As a new winemaker, I carry this achievement throughout my professional life!

Emorfili Mavridou

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My experience at WSPC was very interesting, especially the Santorini block which enabled us to travel to the island under such special circumstances. Konstantinos Lazarakis is a charismatic teacher who transmits his knowledge with humour and enthusiasm, which makes learning a bright experience.

Anna Milan

Student

The high level of seminars, the well-structured educational material, and the participation of renowned professionals with high working experience raised the level of teaching. The knowledge I was exposed too, was practically applied, and helped both my professional and personal development.

George Manetas

Barista Roasters Coffee

After years of experience as a Barista, I decided to try a more responsible position in the hospitality sector. I had to enrich my CV with a relevant qualification to be able to claim the position I coveted at the hotel where I had worked in the past. After a lot of research, I decided to enrol on the BSA seminar due to its prestige and international acclaim because the hotel unit I was interested in working was a foreign interest company. Indeed, it was the best step I took because I was finally selected for the job, after also completing a seminar in bartending. This is indeed a truly substantial and interesting seminar useful to any barista wishing to make a career.

Themis

F & B Manager Potidea Holidays Hotel

I chose this seminar because its thematic units, both in theory and practice, span across the entire range of a Barista responsibilities. As I didn’t have previous working experience in the field, the theory on coffee and tea, learning the proper use of an espresso machine and the training in the different extraction methods, enabled me to look for a job and to now being employed by one of the largest Greek coffee chains.

Xrhstos Strathgakis

Head Barista Coffee shop

On top of being my job, coffee is also my passion and therefore I wanted to broaden my knowledge. After doing research, I discovered that many seminars are offered on coffee, without providing either international certification, or a degree. So, I chose the BSA and it was the best thing I could do for myself. The training was awesome, and I was able to practically understand all the theory; the tutors, with their high level of expertise and the ability to transmit knowledge stood by my side, always smiley and patient, ready to answer all my questions (many indeed!); I acquired abundant knowledge building on the already existing one. The most important of all was that on completion of the program, I went back to my workplace, fully capable of applying all this knowledge. For all the above reasons and for many more, I decided to pursue my training at BSA and my experience became even more fascinating achieving also the Level 2 high-end qualification.

Alkmhnh Krustalidi

Barista Coffee Island

I attended this seminar because I wanted to focus on hot beverages; there is a whole philosophy behind this category that I wanted to learn about. It was an excellent seminar with tutors displaying a high level of expertise both in theory and practice. First and foremost, it was a useful seminar because by learning the history of raw materials, we learn to respect the raw materials quality and quantity. The techniques being taught are also very important as they impact on the outcome.

Alexandra Kyritsi

Loumidis Coffee Shops

Coffee is for me a journey in a world of unique experiences, high demands, and successive changes. Therefore, as a professional I need to continuously update my knowledge to offer myself and consumers the pleasure of this journey. So, picking Marilena, Vaggelis and the rest of the team, I discovered a unique interactive, educational experience. In addition to the abundance of knowledge found in the full and perfectly structured educational material, I discovered mistakes I used to make, and I was able to drastically improve myself, helped by the structure of the seminar and the application of knowledge in real life. It is also worth mentioning the state-of-the-art equipment, the impeccable running of exams and the ongoing professional support on completion of seminars. I would like to thank my buddies for the beautiful and special moments. Keep going.

Thomas Koloniatis

Executive Barista at Gregory’s, Beverage manager

The seminar offered me targeted knowledge, without dwelling on generalities. The tutors provided analytical teaching both in theory and in practice. I totally recommend that all young passionate practitioners, with love for coffee, enrol on Levels 1 & 2 to acquire the basic knowledge required for every young Barista starting a career and for further building up knowledge, combined with the work experience, in the immense and ever evolving world of coffee.

Plakoutsis Konstantinos

Head bartender TATOI TENNIS CLUB

In 2014, following a recommendation by some professionals in the wine industry, I began my studies in WSPC, attending the WSET Level 1; at this point I couldn't begin to imagine how long and special this journey would turn out. The excellent structure of the school's curriculum, the imparting of knowledge on every aspect of wine, the familiarisation with all the wine regions of the world combined with the high level and the ethos of tutors encouraged me to continue studying, advancing to higher levels with an increasing momentum. So, in 2017, and while being professionally active in a totally different industry, I found myself in Santorini, kicking off the fascinating path of WSET Diploma. It is an uncommon, demanding, but above all an exciting journey that I managed to successfully accomplish by obtaining the much-coveted qualification in 2019.

Pavlos Trilyrakis

Student

The well-structured, rigorous education and the charm of the teaching staff motivated me to go as far as WSET Level 3 and WSPC HESTIA Advanced Certificate and I am now seriously thinking of attempting the WSET Diploma. My job is not related to wine but to printings of refrigerator food labels and content production for various sectors. However, wine is an important part of my life and in the upcoming period I will expand my professional activities in this sector.

Prokopis Karydakis

Student

I began my studies in wine and spirits at WSPC where I attended Levels 1,2,3 in wines, HESTIA Certificate and Spirits. In 2017, I embarked on WSET DIPLOMA and I will never forget the top level of education and teaching. A very important part for me is the Pan-Hellenic Association of Sommeliers.

Stathis Tsokos

Student

Knowing that WSET is the top school for studies in wine, in 2016 I began my studies at WSPC Wine & Spirit Professional Center. The school’s excellent organization, the highly trained tutors, the very well-structured curriculum per level of qualification offering a thorough education and the school’s new premises were my incentive and inspiration to fervently complete, notwithstanding the challenges, the first three WSET L1-L2-L3 and the L3 HESTIA Certificate. And although my career, for many years now, is in stark contrast to the world of wine, as I am a mechanical engineer, the world of wine cast its spell on me and I am now attending at the WSPC, the WSET Diploma, the most challenging, albeit fascinating, wine journey.

Andriana Foi

Student

Through WSPC, the best organization in the wine industry, both in Greece and abroad, I met wonderful people with dedication and love for wine. A team of professionals ready to teach students everything about wine. Acquiring WSPC Level 4, the WSET Diploma, I expect to complete this journey having in parallel started the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS Europe), a program with a hospitality-oriented focus. All these studies combined with my working experience in wine restaurants and in Michelin-star rated restaurants led me to the ‘wine paradise’ where I am currently working, the Private Members Club 67 PallMall in London.

Faidon Dernikos

Student

It was back in 2015 when I became a student at WSPC. I didn’t have to think it twice, the wine training offered by the school is excellent. First and foremost, the school offers wine education and behaviour! Students acquire critical thinking. Not only are we taught by top level tutors to describe, judge, and score a wine but also to respect wine, its culture, the land, the winemaker and the vine grower. I would like to personally thank WSPC, Mr. Konstantinos Lazarakis and first and foremost my mentor, Mr. Yiannis Koulelis who taught me how to love wine and broaden my wine horizons daily; to long for learning, to constantly discover why this journey in the world of wine is endless!

Lena Tsatsoni

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