Last week, students in Year 3 on the Sommellerie, Tasting and Marketing of Wines and Spirits specialisation of the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality Management had the opportunity to visit some of the world-class hotels, and to discover the secrets behind the production of prestigious champagnes, with a tour of some of the most renowned Champagne houses.
An outstanding collaboration
The partnership between Excelia and La Rochelle’s hotel and catering school, Lycée Hôtelier de La Rochelle, gives students in their third year of the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality Management the possibility of specialising in Sommellerie, Tasting and Marketing of Wines and Spirits. The specialisation was jointly developed by the two institutions, each contributing its respective expertise.
The Lycée Hôtelier de La Rochelle, with a reputation for excellence in its field, is responsible for the technical aspects of the course: Sommellerie and Tasting. For its part, Excelia Tourism School contributes by offering its expertise in Management and Marketing with an international perspective.
Upon completion of this course, students will be proficient in tasting techniques, will have a solid understanding of the challenges facing the wine industry, and will have developed valuable sales skills.
As a result, they will be experts in their field, taking up positions of responsibility in viticulture businesses or in the œnotourism sector.
Learning about sommellerie, tasting and the marketing of wines and spirits
Regions looking to develop œnotourism activities will be able to draw on the skills acquired by students on this specialisation. By the end of their programme, these students will be qualified to develop such business activities by leveraging their expertise in œnology and viticulture, as well as their skills in sales negotiation and import-export management.
Through this specialisation, they will gain an in-depth knowledge of the wine production process, different grape varieties, different techniques for tasting, as well as the pairing of food and wine. They will also learn about the various regulations and standards governing the wines and spirits sector.
Graduates of the programme will be fully equipped to offer quality services to visitors to the various wine regions, whether it be through winery tours, wine tastings or even wine sales. They will be able to play a major role in promoting local products, thereby contributing to the dynamics of the local economy.
MORE ABOUT THE BACHELOR IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Meeting industry experts from the luxury hospitality and wine industries
This specialisation also enables students to develop their professional network, working with industry experts and meeting representatives from the different wine regions. This provides them with the opportunity to acquire practical experience and strengthen their international profile, which will be a major asset for their future career.
With this in mind, students in Year 3 of the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality Management took part in a field trip to Paris and the Champagne region. During this unique experience, they were able to go behind the scenes of some prestigious Parisian establishments such as the Ritz Paris and Le Cheval Blanc, meet industry professionals, ask them questions, and enjoy exclusive access thanks to our lecturer and consultant, Emmanuel Fournis, to whom we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation for his contribution.
But that’s not all! The students also visited some of the most prestigious places in the Champagne region, such as the champagne houses of VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE and Champagne Vignon Père & Fils - Les Marquises, in order to understand the champagne production method, improve their knowledge of tasting and meet professionals from the industry. This experience was a unique opportunity for students to discover the exciting world of sommellerie and to further their education in the field of tourism and hospitality.
