Congratulations to Noelle Harman, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors!
About Noelle:
After a 10 year career as a tax attorney, I came to the decision that life was too short to continue in a career that I wasn’t passionate about. (Thankfully, I have a very supportive spouse too!) I’m now a full-time wine academic and wine blogger. My blog, Outwines, focuses primarily on wine study and education – using study habits that I developed in law school (outlines for wine . . . Outwines).
I’m planning to professionally teach or write about wine – ideally a combination of both. Beginning this summer, I’ll be teaching WSET Level 2 classes and I am actively pursuing establishing an IWS course program in southern California.
In 2014, I enrolled in the FWS course with a wonderful instructor, Regina Daigneault. I credit the FWS program for kickstarting my serious interest in wine - I had no idea that there was so much to learn and appreciate about wine beyond just what’s in the glass! History, geography, soil, climate, laws, viticulture, etc. After earning highest honors on the FWS exam, I was hooked on the pursuit of further wine education.
Since then, I’ve passed WSET Level 3 with distinction and have taken the Rhône Master Level course through the Wine Scholar Guild. Currently, I’m enrolled in the Bordeaux Master Level course.
Italy was always an Achilles heel for me - honest, no “boot” pun intended! Based on my previous studies with the Wine Scholar Guild, I knew that if I was going to tackle this region, that the IWS program was going to be my best bet. I completed Unit 1 online and Unit 2 in class with a couple of amazing instructors – Mimi Martin and Tanya Morning Star Darling.
I’m currently a WSET Diploma candidate with the Neptune School of Wine. After completing the IWS program, I have a much better understanding of the region and anticipate that this will help me greatly with the rest of my Diploma – and any further studies.
In addition to learning more about Italy, the IWS program has also helped me better appreciate the wines from this region. And it’s ignited a desire to learn more! I’ve been fortunate to have many inspiring wine instructors over the years. I would love to “pay it forward” and pass along my knowledge and excitement to other wine students – and future Italian Wine Scholars.
