the University of Wine
Set in the very heart of the vineyards between Valence and Avignon, the Château of Suze-la-Rousse, a historic monument dating back to the XII century, houses the UNIVERSITE DU VIN, the University of Wine. Opened in 1978 through the impetus of the professional world, the UNIVERSITE DU VIN receives the support of territorial organisations, viticulture federations, agricultural and viticulture bodies, consular chambers and industrial and commercial businesses in the wine trade. The University is run within a framework of unconventional structures, as reflected in its statutes, such as its High Council and its Scientific and Educational Council.
Anxious to offer innovative educational courses, the UNIVERSITE DU VIN has set up
- A private graduate and post-graduate establishment, offering specialised courses leading up to University degrees or national qualifications, working on a partnership basis with other universities in different fields: DESS (post-graduate diploma in a specialised subject) in law, as applied to viticulture and wine, Master in the science and management of soils, Master (certificates in a specialised subject) in Culture and practice of Sensory Analysis, the University of Wines in Management and Marketing for the Viticulture industry.
- An adult educational centre where short-term courses are held for all professionals of the viticulture or wine-making trades, on such subjects as the knowledge of wine, or knowledge of tasting and sales techniques for wines. Long-tenn courses on recommending wines, and technical salesmanship for commercialising wines are also offered to enable the professionals to acquire the knowledge and techniques necessary for recommending and promoting wines. Finally, weekend courses in knowledge for pleasure are a marvellous initiation into the secrets of wine and wine tasting for amateur wine-lovers.
- A documentation department with a large library, and which publishes a two-monthly analytical bulletin, proposing a selection of articles about wines in French or other languages. A data bank is accessible on the "Minitel" service by telephone and a photograph library and a specialised library (catalogue available on request) round off this wide range of services, open to the general public.
- A convention centre for meetings, receptions and congresses placed at the disposal of any organisation or business wanting to take full advantage of the prestigious location of the Château and all the services and equipment of the University, including the Conference room for up to 120 people, with equipment for simultaneous translation, and the small meeting rooms.
The university also has:
- A Research and Development centre in Enological agronomy.
Covering 1000 m' of the Espace Médicis, at the foot of the Château, this centre offers numerous services: analysis and advice on oeno-agronomic matters, audits, quality research on grapes and wine. It also plays an international role in Chile, in Greece, Korea, China, etc..
Anxious to offer innovative educational courses, the UNIVERSITE DU VIN has set up
- A private graduate and post-graduate establishment, offering specialised courses leading up to University degrees or national qualifications, working on a partnership basis with other universities in different fields: DESS (post-graduate diploma in a specialised subject) in law, as applied to viticulture and wine, Master in the science and management of soils, Master (certificates in a specialised subject) in Culture and practice of Sensory Analysis, the University of Wines in Management and Marketing for the Viticulture industry.
- An adult educational centre where short-term courses are held for all professionals of the viticulture or wine-making trades, on such subjects as the knowledge of wine, or knowledge of tasting and sales techniques for wines. Long-tenn courses on recommending wines, and technical salesmanship for commercialising wines are also offered to enable the professionals to acquire the knowledge and techniques necessary for recommending and promoting wines. Finally, weekend courses in knowledge for pleasure are a marvellous initiation into the secrets of wine and wine tasting for amateur wine-lovers.
- A documentation department with a large library, and which publishes a two-monthly analytical bulletin, proposing a selection of articles about wines in French or other languages. A data bank is accessible on the "Minitel" service by telephone and a photograph library and a specialised library (catalogue available on request) round off this wide range of services, open to the general public.
- A convention centre for meetings, receptions and congresses placed at the disposal of any organisation or business wanting to take full advantage of the prestigious location of the Château and all the services and equipment of the University, including the Conference room for up to 120 people, with equipment for simultaneous translation, and the small meeting rooms.
The university also has:
- A Research and Development centre in Enological agronomy.
Covering 1000 m' of the Espace Médicis, at the foot of the Château, this centre offers numerous services: analysis and advice on oeno-agronomic matters, audits, quality research on grapes and wine. It also plays an international role in Chile, in Greece, Korea, China, etc..
A consultancy department in agronomy and soil studies is also available to satisfy the requirements of regional viticulture and trufficultural organisations, and is complemented by the Geographical Department of computerised soil cartography.
- an ampélographique collection
The garden of Vines, located at the foot of the Château, groups together in one place 70 grape varieties from the main wine producing countries of the world and enables the numerous visitors and students to discover the various phases in the vegetation of the vine throughout the seasons of the year.
- An officially registered tasting centre, used for the compulsory tests and verifications for approval as Appellation d'Origine wines, but also for tasting in view of research on the qualities of wines from all around the world. Since 1991, a tasting amphitheatre (seating 36) has been opened up in the Espace Médicis and can cater for seminaries on sensory expertise or evaluation.
The "Civilisation of Wine", worthy of all honours and praise, will only live on if we are able to transmit all the knowledge it represents, in each of the different subjects involved. Such are the ambitions of the UNIVERSITE DU VIN.
- an ampélographique collection
The garden of Vines, located at the foot of the Château, groups together in one place 70 grape varieties from the main wine producing countries of the world and enables the numerous visitors and students to discover the various phases in the vegetation of the vine throughout the seasons of the year.
- An officially registered tasting centre, used for the compulsory tests and verifications for approval as Appellation d'Origine wines, but also for tasting in view of research on the qualities of wines from all around the world. Since 1991, a tasting amphitheatre (seating 36) has been opened up in the Espace Médicis and can cater for seminaries on sensory expertise or evaluation.
The "Civilisation of Wine", worthy of all honours and praise, will only live on if we are able to transmit all the knowledge it represents, in each of the different subjects involved. Such are the ambitions of the UNIVERSITE DU VIN.
