AIS Veneto ETS training: 2026 sommelier courses begin

Between January and March, 27 courses will begin at 18 locations across the region, divided into the three levels that characterize official AIS training.

"Today, training a sommelier means imparting solid technical skills, but also promoting awareness, moderation, and responsible consumption," says Gianpaolo Breda , President of AIS Veneto ETS. "These are values we consider fundamental and that we continue to place at the heart of our educational offerings, because wine is culture, territory, and relationships, and requires trained professionals who are sensitive to the complexities of the present. This is also why we have officially become a Third Sector Organization: a natural progression for an association that has always operated with a focus on the social context in which the world of wine develops."

The first level introduces the sommelier profession, providing the foundations of viticulture, oenology, tasting techniques, and service. The 15 sessions cover topics ranging from the stages of wine production to cellar organization, from regulations to the correct serving temperature. The program also includes lessons on beers and spirits, always accompanied by practical exercises using the AIS tasting sheet. Registration includes course materials and free access to Speaking of Wine , the AIS digital library containing the entire archive of the national magazines Vitae and Vinetia Magazine .

The second level explores the relationship between wine and territory, analyzing the main Italian and international wine-growing areas. Students explore how geography, climate, and human intervention influence the sensory profile of wines. The module also introduces the scoring system, an important tool for making professional and objective judgments.

The third level focuses on food and wine pairing. Through practical tests, students learn to highlight the characteristics of wine in relation to different dishes and preparation techniques, enabling them to complete the relevant wine tasting notes. Upon completion of the course, students can take the exam to obtain the AIS Sommelier qualification.

Alongside the courses to become a Sommelier, AIS Veneto ETS offers Olio: è tempo di conoscere lo , an in-depth study dedicated to extra virgin olive oil divided into 4 lessons , Starting Wednesday, April 29th in Spinea (Venice). The program explores the technical and agronomic aspects of production, analyzing the diffusion of olive oil regionally, nationally, and internationally. The program provides the tools to recognize product quality through taste and aroma tasting and a scoring system. The final section focuses on food pairing, with a focus on gastronomic trends, historical and cultural aspects, and the nutritional properties of extra virgin olive oil.

To register or for more information, visit the AIS Veneto ETS website www.aisveneto.it/corsi.html