The Education Lab Sommelier Program requires no advanced knowledge or experience. However, it might be helpful to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts and terminology related to olive oil production and tasting, and brush up on current events in the industry.

Read up on olive oil

Read some current articles on olive oil production, including the different types of olives and the factors that affect olive oil quality. You can find a wealth of information in Olive Oil Times.

Practice sensory evaluation

You can get acquainted with basic tasting techniques to evaluate the aroma and taste of various olive oils. Try to identify the flavor and aromatic characteristics of a few different olive oils, such as fruity, bitter, and peppery notes.

Build your vocabulary

Understanding the terminology used to describe different aspects of olive oil production and sensory evaluation is important for becoming an olive oil sommelier. Learning some of the terms in advance could be helpful.

Review the course materials

Finally, review any course materials provided on your course page in advance. This will give you an overview of the topics and help you focus your preparation efforts.

Don't sweat it

The Education Lab has empowered people worldwide with diverse backgrounds and experience levels through an innovative program designed to inspire and empower a new generation of olive oil experts and educators.

Whether you can prepare in advance for your course or not, you will soon be well-equipped to join the growing community of olive oil masters who use their knowledge to make big things happen.

New York, 2018