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.

What you'll learn

✓ Module 0 – How to taste: the AWS Ambassador Tasting Grid, faults and rancio ✓ Module 1 – Gascony, history and the three areas: Bas-Armagnac, Armagnac-Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac, climate and soils ✓ Module 2 – Grapes, vineyard and wine: Ugni Blanc, Baco, Folle Blanche, Colombard and the base wine ✓ Module 3 – Distillation: the alambic armagnacais, double distillation, the 31 March deadline and Blanche Armagnac ✓ Module 4 – Ageing, blending and categories: casks, cellars, age accounts, VS, VSOP, XO and Hors d'Âge ✓ Module 5 – Vintages and expression: vintages, bottling dates, brut de fût, producers and judging quality ✓ Module 6 – Service, pairing, selling and Cognac: serving, cocktails, food, recommending and an accurate comparison with Cognac

Who it's for

Bartenders, sommeliers, servers, managers, retail and distribution teams, and spirits enthusiasts. No prerequisite: the course starts from the beginning. You must be of legal drinking age where you live to take part in the tastings. Certified by the UK CPD Certification Service. Certified Armagnac Ambassador™ is an Academy of Wine & Spirits course. It is not a BNIA certification. Prefer a classroom? We also teach this course in person (US$295, with 12 samples and a printed workbook) at hotels, restaurants and venues, for individuals and for teams. Enquire at [email protected].

The Student Manual, tasting list and Armagnac Ambassador badge

What's included

7 modules, about 8 hours

A short video from Christian to open every module, 20 illustrated reading lessons with Key points and "Try it" activities, and a five-question knowledge check per module.

Student Manual and tasting list

The full AWS Student Manual as a PDF, with glossary and revision checklist, plus a suggested tasting list: four must-have bottles and two ideal extras.

Final exam and AWS certificate

30 multiple-choice questions (70% to pass, one free retake). Pass and receive your Certified Armagnac Ambassador™ certificate, signed by Christian Esser. 6 months' access.

Your instructor: Christian Esser

Christian Esser is the founder and Director of Education of the Academy of Wine & Spirits in the Cayman Islands. He is a Wine & Spirits Educator and BNIA-accredited Armagnac Educator, holds a viticulture degree from Lincoln University in New Zealand, and has more than 20 years of experience training hospitality teams and spirits lovers across the Caribbean and the Americas. In 2026 the Academy won two LUXlife Hospitality Awards: Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider and the Hospitality Training Excellence Award (Caribbean & USA). His goal is simple: to make spirits clear, practical and fun.

Curriculum

10 Chapters · 30 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Certified Armagnac Ambassador™

    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

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take? About 8 hours in total, including tasting time. Study at your own pace, on any device. How long do I have access? 6 months from the day you enrol. Are there any prerequisites? No. The course starts from the beginning. Do I need to buy Armagnac? Tasting along makes the course much more fun and memorable. The suggested tasting list has four must-have bottles (an Armagnac VSOP, a Blanche Armagnac, an XO or Hors d'Âge and a Cognac VSOP) and two ideal extras; miniatures and 20 cl sets keep the cost down. You can complete the course without tasting. How does the exam work? The final exam has 30 multiple-choice questions. Allow about 40 minutes. You need 70% (21 correct answers) to pass, and if you don't pass the first time you get one free retake. Each module also has a five-question practice knowledge check. Do I get a certificate? Yes. Pass the final exam to receive your Certified Armagnac Ambassador™ certificate from the Academy of Wine & Spirits, signed by Christian Esser, Director of Education. The course is certified by the UK CPD Certification Service. Is this a BNIA certification? No. Certified Armagnac Ambassador™ is an Academy of Wine & Spirits course. Your instructor is a BNIA-accredited Armagnac Educator. Is there an age requirement? Yes. You must be of legal drinking age where you live to take part in the tastings. Please taste responsibly: small pours, spit when you can and drink water. Can I take it in person? Yes. The classroom version is US$295 and includes 12 samples and a printed workbook. Email [email protected] or call +1 (345) 938 0458. What's next? The sister course Certified Cognac Ambassador™, and AWS Level 3 in Spirits – Certified Spirits Educator™.

Pour a little Armagnac and start today

Seven modules, about 8 hours, a Student Manual, a tasting list and your AWS certificate. Liquid Lively Fun – One Glass at a Time.

$195.00

Enrol now – US$195