The Wine Institute Munich has been offering certified training and further education for wine lovers, wine professionals, and sommeliers for ten years. The company anniversary is an occasion for an interview with the founders.
The Wine Institute Munich is a certified partner of the "Wine & Spirit Education Trust" (WSET), the largest wine school in the world, and offers professional wine courses for targeted training and further education for professionals and wine lovers. The company was founded by the two experts Bernhard Meßmer and Stefan Metzner and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
What does the Wine Institute Munich stand for?
Stefan: The Wine Institute Munich primarily stands for professional and independent wine expertise. Here, one can dive deep into the world of wine and receive up-to-date knowledge. Among other things, you learn to describe and assess wines, to handle wine more confidently, and to distinguish simple everyday wines from truly great wines.
At the center of our offerings are the courses of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London, short WSET. This is by far the largest wine school in the world, which collaborates with certified partners, like us. The WSET offers a five-level training system, of which we conduct the first three here in Munich.
Bernhard: And we have developed our own courses to go even deeper. In our masterclasses, we comprehensively deal with Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Italy, Germany, and Austria. It is important to us that we conduct all our courses, whether WSET or masterclasses, ourselves and independently. On one hand, we have the in-depth knowledge and training of the WSET, on the other hand, it is just incredibly fun to work during the day, in a perfect atmosphere with people who are really passionate about wine.
Stefan Metzner
Annette SandnerWhat do you teach in the WSET courses?
Stefan: With the Wine Institute Munich, we offer the first three levels of WSET wine education. WSET Level 1 is a basic introduction to the topic of wine and lasts for one day, at the end of which there is a small exam and a certificate. The WSET Level 2 builds on this, but can also be attended immediately, without having previously taken the Level 1 course. In three days, it covers the most important grape varieties of the most relevant wine-growing nations worldwide. There is also an exam and a certificate that is internationally recognized and shows that one has seriously engaged with wine. WSET Level 3 lasts five days and imparts detailed knowledge of regions, viticulture, grape varieties, and styles of wines worldwide. In all three courses, many high-quality wines are tasted together. We describe them in detail, and the participants also receive personal feedback on their assessments.
Who are the courses intended for?
Bernhard: Primarily, the courses are intended for the gastronomy and trade. These can be beginners in restaurants and wine shops, but also established employees who want to further their education. However, more than half of our participants are wine enthusiasts without a professional background who want to know exactly. Our students come from all over Germany, but also from Austria and Switzerland.
Bernhard Meßmer
Annette SandnerWhat distinguishes your own masterclasses?
Bernhard: We have been conducting the two-day and truly comprehensive course "Champagne & Sparkling Wine Experts" for several years now.
Stefan: Additionally, there are all-day masterclasses on Burgundy, Bordeaux, the best wines of Italy, and the magnificent wines of Germany and Austria, in which we convey a lot of detailed knowledge and taste top wines. Among them, there are always great rarities.
Now you are professionally involved with wine. What about your personal favorite wines?
Bernhard: I like everything that is fresh. So Riesling, Chardonnay from cool regions, Chenin Blanc from the Loire, etc. But my great love simply belongs to sparkling wines, especially grower Champagne, because they can be great wines that can compete with the best whites and reds in the world.
Stefan: There are incredibly many great wines. I am always drawn back to the classics. Also to the fortified wines that seem to be forgotten. After over 30 years in the wine world, there are always great growths that I discover anew. That makes the profession so varied and exciting!
