The WSET Level 1 Certificate in Wines

This qualification aims to provide basic product knowledge and skills in the service and retail of wine to prepare a person for their first job in hospitality or retail.

This course is also a good beginner’s course for the wine enthusiast who wishes to be introduced in a structured way to wine styles, storing and serving of wine, plus food and wine matching.

The qualification introduces candidates to:

• The main styles of wine
• The characteristics of the major grape varieties
• The WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting
• The matching of food and wine

To gain the Level 1 qualification candidates will be required to:

• Complete a program of training.
• Successfully complete a multiple-choice paper of 30 questions and a portfolio of tasting notes.

The Level 1 course includes:

• Seven hours of instruction, normally completed over one intensive day.
• Tasting of an extensive selection of quality wines encompassing a broad variety of types and regions.
• The official WSET Study Guide, provided to candidates prior to course commencement.

The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits

The WSET Level 2 Award is intended:

• As vocational training in product knowledge for those employed in the drinks industry who have little previous knowledge of wines and spirits.
• For those not employed in the drinks industry but who have a serious interest in wine, and wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way.

The L2 Certificate course covers the wines and spirits of the world and is followed by a one-hour multiple choice examination. Wine tasting is a part of every class.

Course Programme

• Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting and food and wine matching
• Grape growing and wine making
• Key wine and spirit producing regions
• Key grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Grenache and more
• Sparkling and sweet wines
• Fortified wines plus spirits and liqueurs

The Level 2 course includes:

• Nineteen hours of instruction, normally completed over nine two hour sessions (two extended session).
• Tasting of an extensive selection of quality wines encompassing a broad variety of types and regions.
• The official WSET Study Guide, provided to candidates prior to course commencement.
• **NEW UNIT** Level 2 now includes an extra class on The Wines of Western Australia- This is a non-syllabus (Unexamined) unit.

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits

The WSET Level 3 Award is intended to provide in-depth knowledge of a wide range of wines and spirits and is open to students who hold the WSET Level 2 Certificate or can demonstrate knowledge at a similar level through completion of equivalent courses or sufficient experience in the wine and spirit industry.

This qualification is also suitable for the wine enthusiast wishing to build on knowledge gained at Level 2.

All sessions on the course include tastings.

The L3 Certificate is a unitised course, covering wines and spirits of the world in considerable depth, and students are required to prove competency in theory and tasting. The examination for the Advanced Certificate is in two parts: a theory examination of 50 multiple-choice questions and four short-answer questions, plus a tasting examination consisting of a blind tasting of one wine.

The WSET Level 3 Award

Course Programme

• Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting
• Viticulture and Vinification
• France 1: Bordeaux and South-West France
• France 2: Burgundy and Alsace
• Loire, Rhone and South of France
• Germany, Austria, Hungary, UK
• Italy
• Spain and Portugal
• Eastern Europe, New Zealand and South Africa
• The Americas
• Australia
• Sparkling Wines
• Fortified Wines
• Spirits and Liqueurs

The Level 3 Advanced course includes:

• 29 hours of instruction, completed in a variety of formats.
• Tasting of an extensive selection of quality wines encompassing a broad variety of types and regions.
• The official WSET Study Guide, provided to candidates prior to course commencement.