What you'll learn

✓ Place, history and the six crus ✓ Vine to eau-de-vie: Ugni Blanc, the base wine and the alambic charentais ✓ Oak, time and blending: casks, cellars, rancio and the cellar master ✓ Categories and labels: VS, VSOP, Napoléon, XO and XXO, and reading any label ✓ Sensory mastery with the AWS Ambassador Tasting Grid ✓ Service, pairing and selling: serves, the Sidecar, food and a smart Cognac list

Map of the six crus of Cognac

Place, crus and the still

The six crus from Grande Champagne to the Atlantic coast, the thin, acidic base wine and double distillation in the copper alambic charentais, taught from the current 2026 rules.

Chart of Cognac age mentions from VS to XXO

Oak, age and labels

How casks, cellars and the cellar master shape every Cognac, what may and may not be added, and the age accounts behind VS, VSOP, Napoléon, XO, Hors d'Âge and XXO.

Blue Stilton, a classic pairing for an old XO

Taste, serve and sell

The AWS Ambassador Tasting Grid, the perfect Cognac & tonic and Sidecar, food pairing, and the three-question method for recommending the right Cognac to every guest.

Who it's for

Bartenders, sommeliers, servers, supervisors, beverage and F&B managers, retail, hotel, cruise and private-club teams, and curious 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

9 Chapters · 30 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Certified Cognac Ambassador™

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      About your educator

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Where Cognac comes from

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      A short history and the people of Cognac

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The six crus and why chalk matters

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Grapes and the vineyard

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The base wine and the alambic charentais

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Double distillation and the 73.7% rule

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What happens in the cask

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Cellars, rancio and reduction

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Blending and permitted additions

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The comptes and the age mentions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading a Cognac label

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Houses, growers and the world's brandies

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Setting up and the AWS Ambassador Tasting Grid

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading age and style; judging quality

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Benchmark descriptions and the water test

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Ways to drink and serve Cognac

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Cognac cocktails

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Food pairing and building a Cognac list

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Recommending Cognac to guests

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Key facts recap

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Final exam

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Congratulations and next steps

Academy of Wine & Spirits logo

Your certificate: Certified Cognac Ambassador™

Pass the final exam and you receive your Certified Cognac 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

Cognac France logo

Christian Esser is an official Cognac 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 Cognacs 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

Six modules from the Charente to the guest’s glass. Study at your own pace for six months. Questions? [email protected] · +1 (345) 938 0458

$195.00

Enroll now – US$195