Choosing where to study wine is an important decision. At Wine & Spirit IQ, our mission is to provide serious wine education delivered by industry professionals, with a strong focus on tasting skills, academic rigor, and meaningful industry connections.

Our programs are designed for both enthusiasts who wish to deepen their understanding of wine and professionals seeking internationally recognized qualifications and career advancement.

Here is what makes Wine & Spirit IQ unique.

Instructor Credentials

At Wine & Spirit IQ, courses are taught by highly qualified professionals with extensive academic and industry experience.

Our teaching team includes:

• Christophe Mercier – Founder of Wine & Spirit IQ

  • MBA in International Hospitality Management

  • WSET Diploma (Level 4)

  • Certified Sommelier – Court of Master Sommeliers

  • Over 30 years of teaching, consulting, and industry experience

• Sariya Kampanathsanyakorn

  • WSET Diploma graduate

  • French Wine Scholar

  • Italian Wine Scholar

  • Currently enrolled in the Master of Wine program, becoming the first Thai candidate to pursue this prestigious qualification.

• Walter Giomi

  • WSET Diploma graduate

  • Brand Ambassador for Wines of Italy

  • Specialist instructor for Italian wine programs.

In addition, our school regularly hosts international guest educators and producers, ensuring that students benefit from a truly global perspective.
 

Wines Tasted During Our Courses

Wine appreciation is learned through guided tasting. At Wine & Spirit IQ, we place a strong emphasis on tasting benchmark wines that illustrate how grape variety, climate, terroir, and winemaking techniques influence style and quality.

Our courses include extensive tasting sessions:

Program Wines tasted

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: 10 wines

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: 43 wines

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: 73 wines
French Wine Scholar: 45 wines

Italian Wine Scholar: 90 wines (45 per unit)

All tastings are tutored, meaning students actively participate in describing wines and evaluating their quality and ageing potential.

This structured approach develops analytical tasting skills, which are essential for both professionals and serious wine enthusiasts.

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A Strong Alumni Network

Wine & Spirit IQ has trained over 1,000 alumni since its creation.

Our graduates include:

• Sommeliers in leading restaurants and hotels

• Wine importers and distributors

• Retail professionals

• Wine collectors and enthusiasts

• Entrepreneurs who have launched their own wine businesses

Many leading companies in Thailand trust Wine & Spirit IQ to train their staff and customers, including teams from :

• AIHM

• Agoda

• Baan Tepa

• Bisou

• Blackbird

• Café del Mar

• Central

• Coravin

• Enoteca

• Estella Wines

• Fabulous is Needed

• Gaa

• Gfour

• IGNIV

• Kimpton Maa-Lai

• Le Guide Michelin

• Park Hyatt Bangkok

• Soul Wines

• Terroir & Spice

• Thai Airways

• The Wine Merchant

• Valentines Wines

• Vinum Lector

• Wine Aspect

• Wine Garage

Our alumni network also plays an important role in career development, as job opportunities are regularly shared within the community.

Deep Industry Connections

Wine & Spirit IQ operates at the heart of the wine trade in Thailand.

Through partnerships with more than 15 wine importers and distributors, our students regularly receive invitations to:

• Portfolio tastings

• Producer masterclasses

• Trade events

• Exclusive educational seminars

Our classroom also serves as a meeting point for the wine community, where professionals, sommeliers, and passionate wine lovers gather to exchange knowledge and experience.

International Guest Speakers

To complement our courses, Wine & Spirit IQ frequently hosts guest speakers from wineries, importers, and international wine organizations.

Recent masterclasses have included presentations from:

• Producers from Champagne

• Leading estates from South Africa

• Regional wine promotion bodies such as Wine Australia

In addition, our WSET Level 3 Award in Sake is taught by Natsuki Kikuya, Head of Sake Education for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, who travels to Bangkok to deliver the course.

These masterclasses allow students to engage directly with the people behind the wines.

Proven Exam Success

Preparing students for success is a core priority at Wine & Spirit IQ.

Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of our teaching approach:

• Over 90% pass rate for WSET Level 1 and Level 2 courses

• Strong performance in the WSET Level 3 tasting examination

• Extensive preparation resources including:

  • practice quizzes

  • exam-style questions

  • flashcards and study materials

Many of these resources are made freely available on our educational blog, which attracts tens of thousands of readers worldwide.

More Than a Wine School

Wine & Spirit IQ is more than a classroom. It is a community of passionate learners and professionals who share a commitment to understanding wine at a deeper level.

Students join not only to gain knowledge and qualifications, but also to:

• meet like-minded wine enthusiasts

• develop professional networks

• discover new wines and regions

• gain confidence discussing wine with professionals

• potentially transform a passion into a career

Start Your Wine Journey

Whether you are beginning your exploration of wine or seeking to advance your professional credentials, Wine & Spirit IQ offers programs designed to educate, inspire, and connect.

Explore our upcoming courses and join a community dedicated to the appreciation and understanding of wine.

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