In a joint press conference held at the premises of the educational organization WSPC, on Tuesday, June 20, the establishment of the Greek Wine Academy was announced by the National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine (EDOAO), with the aim of educating, but also promoting Greek PDO and PGI wines, in the Greek and global markets. EDOAO assigned the design and implementation of the Greek Wine Academy to the Wine & Spirits Professional Center (WSPC), both organizations entering into a strategic partnership for the Branded Bottled Greek Wine.

The Greek Wine Academy (GWA) consists of two educational programs. The first educational program, the GWA Foundation Certificate, is country-specific and is taught in the Greek Language. The second educational program, the GWA Advanced Certificate, concerns the training and communication of the Greek Wine Brand in the global market, and is in English.

The educational outline of the Greek Wine Academy promotes prudent, modern knowledge! Education through the GWA is an indispensable resource, not only for professionals but also for young people – such as students in the Schools of Oenology, Food Technology, and Tourism Professions.

The regime governing wines with Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) as well as the rational consumption of wines are key axes of the first educational program, the GWA Foundation Certificate.

The GWA Foundation Certificate is addressed to Greece, to front-line personnel and to the final points of sale of wines, such as HO.RE.CA. professionals and retail professionals. Holders of the GWA Foundation Certificate will be able to properly promote the Branded Bottled Greek Wine (PDO & PGI wines), provide informed advice to consumers, understand the guidelines of Wine in Moderation and become Ambassadors of the Greek Vineyard.

The GWA Foundation Certificate, of the Greek Wine Academy, is being implemented for the 2nd consecutive year this year, covering all of Greece, such as Mykonos, Paros, Crete, Kos, Corfu, Metsovo, Kalamata, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki and Athens. Indicative Participants: ΣΕΕ, Agricultural School of Nemea, Cavo Tagoo Mykonos, Mediterranean Palace, Makedonia Palace, Bluegr Hotels & Resorts, MarBella Corfu, Aquila Hotels & Resorts, Eagles Palace.

The GWA Advanced Certificate, of the Greek Wine Academy, is primarily aimed at important figures in the international wine trade (Ambassadors) and experienced educators in the global wine education network (Educators).

Professionals with many years of wine experience in the hospitality, catering, retail and wholesale (wine distributors) sectors – from all over the world – will be able to express interest.

The educational outline of the GWA Advanced Certificate is designed to provide a complete understanding of Greek wines, their style and quality. Holders of the GWA Advanced Certificate will be able to describe the characteristics of the main Greek wines, advise and answer questions authoritatively and make appropriate choices of Greek wines in a variety of circumstances.

Selected wine and spirits education organizations around the world are invited to include the GWA Advanced Certificate for Greek wines from EDOAO/ Wines of Greece in their educational curriculum.

Success in the exams is a prerequisite for the award of the Certification and will lead to either the GWA Ambassador Title or the GWA Educator Title.

The duration of the courses is eighteen (18) hours and the teaching will be in English.

The aim of the overall educational curriculum of the Greek Wine Academy is to provide education and tools for the presentation of wine responsibly, focusing on the special quality characteristics of Greek wine regions, as well as indigenous varieties, in an effort to establish Greek PDO & PGI wines on the global wine map as well as to connect the Greek Wine Brand with the strong Greek cultural identity through its Ambassadors, who are none other than the Hotels and Restaurants of Greece and the World!

The photos show: Konstantinos Efstathiou (President of EDOAO), Yiannis Vogiatzis PhD (President of SEO & Vice President of EDOAO), Maria Triantafyllou (Director of EDOAO), Claire Efkarpidou (Head of Marketing and Public Relations of EDOAO), Konstantinos Lazarakis MW (President of WSPC), Dimitris Alexiou (Creative Director – WineWonders), Iro Makrinaki (Digital Director – WineWonders).