Study plan
Twelve weeks for each unit at about 6 hours a week, which is roughly what the Wine Scholar Guild says the course takes. Each week has a guide to read, a drill to run until it's easy, and a few bottles to open. Do the flashcards every day, even for ten minutes.
The bottles come from my wanted list: good examples I picked out that you can find in the US, most of which I'm still hunting myself. Prices are typical US retail.
Week 1
Tuscany: Chianti and Chianti Classico
Sangiovese and its partners, the Chianti subzones, Chianti Classico's tiers and UGAs, and the history from 1716 on.
Taste this week
Fattoria Ambra Carmignano Santa Cristina in Pilli
Carmignano DOCG · $22 to $30 · where to buy
Fattoria Selvapiana Chianti Rufina
Chianti DOCG · $18 to $24 · where to buy
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico DOCG · $22 to $28 · where to buy
Week 2
Tuscany: Montalcino, Montepulciano and the coast
Brunello's release rules, Vino Nobile and the two Montepulcianos, Bolgheri and the Super Tuscans, the Maremma, Vernaccia and Vin Santo.
Taste this week
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG · Price unknown · my review, 96 points
Teruzzi Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG · $14 to $18 · where to buy
Salcheto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG · $24 to $30 · where to buy
Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri
Bolgheri DOC · $25 to $30 · where to buy
Week 3
Umbria and the Marche
Sagrantino, Orvieto and Torgiano, then Verdicchio's two zones, Cònero and the whites of Offida.
Taste this week
Antonelli San Marco Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG · $35 to $45 · where to buy
Lungarotti Torgiano Rosso Riserva Rubesco Vigna Monticchio
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG · $45 to $60 · where to buy
Garofoli Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva Classico Podium
Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG · $25 to $32 · where to buy
Garofoli Conero Riserva Grosso Agontano
Cònero DOCG · $28 to $38 · where to buy
Week 4
Lazio
The volcanic whites around Rome, Frascati and its sweet Cannellino, Cesanese, and the lakes in the north.
Taste this week
Casale Marchese Cannellino di Frascati
Cannellino di Frascati DOCG · $18 to $24 · where to buy
Casale della Ioria Cesanese del Piglio Superiore Tenuta della Ioria
Cesanese del Piglio (Piglio) DOCG · $20 to $26 · where to buy
Principe Pallavicini Frascati Superiore Poggio Verde
Frascati Superiore DOCG · $13 to $18 · where to buy
Week 5
Abruzzo and Molise
Montepulciano and Trebbiano Abruzzese, Cerasuolo, the newer DOCGs, then Molise's Tintilia.
Taste this week
Barone Cornacchia Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Vizzarro
Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOCG · $25 to $32 · where to buy
Feudo Antico Tullum Pecorino Biologico
Terre Tollesi (Tullum) DOCG · $20 to $25 · where to buy
Borgo di Colloredo Biferno Bianco Gironia
Biferno DOC · $12 to $16 · where to buy
Di Majo Norante Molise Falanghina
Molise DOC · $11 to $15 · where to buy
Week 6
Campania
Irpinia's three DOCGs, Aglianico and its ageing, the volcanic coast and islands, and the ancient names.
Taste this week
Cantina del Taburno Aglianico del Taburno 'Fidelis'
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG · $15 to $20 · where to buy
Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino
Fiano di Avellino DOCG · $18 to $22 · where to buy
Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo
Greco di Tufo DOCG · $17 to $22 · where to buy
Week 7
Puglia and Basilicata
Puglia from north to south: Castel del Monte, the Valle d'Itria, Primitivo and the Salento. Then Aglianico del Vulture.
Taste this week
Crifo (Cantina Cooperativa della Riforma Fondiaria di Ruvo di Puglia) Castel del Monte Bombino Nero Rosato 'Augustale'
Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG · $12 to $15 · where to buy
Torrevento Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva 'Ottagono'
Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG · $20 to $28 · where to buy
Grifalco Aglianico del Vulture Superiore 'Damaschito'
Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG · $40 to $50 · where to buy
D'Angelo Aglianico del Vulture
Aglianico del Vulture DOC · $18 to $24 · where to buy
Week 8
Calabria
Cirò and Gaglioppo, the new DOCG, and the sweet Greco di Bianco.
Taste this week
Librandi Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva 'Duca Sanfelice'
Cirò Classico DOCG · $20 to $26 · where to buy
Cantine Lavorata Bivongi Bianco
Bivongi DOC · $10 to $15 · where to buy
Librandi Cirò Rosso Classico
Cirò DOC · $13 to $17 · where to buy
Week 9
Sicily
Marsala's categories, Etna and its contrade, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, and the islands.
Taste this week
Valle dell'Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG · $20 to $25 · where to buy
Tenuta Rapitalà Alcamo Bianco Classico
Alcamo DOC · $12 to $16 · where to buy
Tasca d'Almerita Contea di Sclafani Nozze d'Oro
Contea di Sclafani DOC · $28 to $35 · where to buy
Week 10
Sardinia
Cannonau, Vermentino di Gallura, Carignano del Sulcis and Vernaccia di Oristano.
Taste this week
Cantina Gallura Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Canayli
Vermentino di Gallura DOCG · $18 to $22 · where to buy
Sella & Mosca Alghero Torbato Brut Spumante
Alghero DOC · $18 to $22 · where to buy
Cantina di Dolianova Cagliari Moscato Moscadeddu
Cagliari DOC · $15 to $20 · where to buy
Week 11
Review
Go back over your weakest regions on the progress page, and work through the grapes that share a name.
Week 12
Practice exams
Sit at least three timed papers. Read every explanation for the ones you miss, then drill those regions again before the next paper.