What you'll learn

✓ How to taste with the AWS Ambassador Tasting Grid ✓ Gascony, history and the three areas of Armagnac ✓ Grapes, vineyard and wine: Ugni Blanc, Baco, Folle Blanche and Colombard ✓ Distillation: the alambic armagnacais and Blanche Armagnac ✓ Ageing, blending, categories and vintages ✓ Service, pairing and selling, and an accurate comparison with Cognac

Map of France showing Armagnac in Gascony and Cognac

Gascony, grapes and still

The three areas and their soils, the ten permitted grapes (including Baco, the hybrid) and how the copper alambic armagnacais makes a spirit full of fruit and character.

Armagnac age mentions from Blanche to vintage

Read any label

Oak, cellars and age accounts, so you can explain Blanche, VS, VSOP, XO, Hors d'Âge, vintages and bottling dates to any guest.

Diagram of the alambic armagnacais

Serve, pair and sell

Glassware, temperatures and measures, Armagnac cocktails, Gascon food pairings, the AWS five-question recommendation method and a fair, accurate comparison with Cognac.

Who it's for

Bartenders, sommeliers, servers, managers, retail and distribution teams, and spirits enthusiasts. No prerequisite. You must be of legal drinking age (18+ or the legal age where you live) to take part in the tastings.

Curriculum

10 Chapters · 31 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Certified Armagnac Ambassador™

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      About your educator

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The AWS Ambassador Tasting Grid

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Faults, rancio and tasting at work

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 0 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Where Armagnac comes from

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      700 years in a few dates

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The three areas

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Climate and soils

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Ten grapes, four stars

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The vineyard and the base wine

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How the alambic armagnacais works

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Double distillation, the season and Blanche

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Oak, casks and cellars

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reduction, additions and blending

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Age accounts and categories

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Vintage Armagnac

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Producers, quality and building a selection

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Serve it right

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Food pairing

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Recommending Armagnac and responsible service

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Armagnac and Cognac compared

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Revision checklist

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Final exam

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Congratulations and next steps

Academy of Wine & Spirits logo

Your certificate: Certified Armagnac Ambassador™

Pass the final exam and you receive your Certified Armagnac Ambassador™ certificate, signed by Christian Esser, Director of Education, Academy of Wine & Spirits. Add it to your CV and LinkedIn profile and show guests and employers what you know.

Christian Esser, Director of Education, Academy of Wine & Spirits

Meet your educator: Christian Esser

Christian Esser is the founder and Director of Education of the Academy of Wine & Spirits, winner of two LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 (Caribbean & USA): Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider and Hospitality Training Excellence Award. A Wine, Spirits & Sake Educator with formal training in viticulture and winemaking, he brings 20+ years of experience across 43 countries. He founded The Rum Ambassador, the first international rum certification, with WIRSPA, and led wine programmes at Grand Old House, Ortanique and Cayman Spirits Co. Liquid Lively Fun

Armagnac logo

Christian Esser is an official Armagnac Educator

This is one of Christian’s personal educator titles. The course itself is created and certified by the Academy of Wine & Spirits.

Award-winning education

LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 · Caribbean & USA ★ Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider 2026 ★ Hospitality Training Excellence Award 2026

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have access? Six months (183 days) from the day you enroll. Can I start anytime? Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced: start the moment you enroll and study on any device, whenever it suits you. Study in short lessons, one at a time, and pick up where you left off. What language is it in? The course is taught online in English. What do I need? Any device with internet, a tulip-shaped glass and the Armagnacs on the tasting list in the welcome chapter. How does the exam work? A five-question knowledge check per module, then a 30-question final exam. Score 70% or more to pass. Questions? Email [email protected] or call +1 (345) 938 0458. We are happy to help, including group bookings for teams.

Liquid Lively Fun

Seven modules on France’s oldest brandy. Study at your own pace for six months. Questions? [email protected] · +1 (345) 938 0458

$195.00

Enroll now – US$195