Get your WSET training and become a certified wine-o!

Founded in 1969, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has provided wine enthusiasts around the world with quality education and training in wines and spirits. Our WineCollective professionals have participated in WSET courses and received some level of qualification in wine training that enables us to choose great wines to deliver to your front door.

WSET courses are happily offered almost everywhere for anyone, including the WSET London Wine & Spirits School in the U.K. Through the multiple levels (5), you can learn all about wine regions, grape varieties and food pairings; all of which come along with a whole ton of wine tasting. While you may not be a Master Sommelier in the end, WSET certification is a significant qualification in wine for a curious enthusiast or industry professional.

Level 1 – Award in Wines

The first step in WSET training is an ideal place to start, as the course is suited for anyone with little to no wine knowledge to a basic beginner. Course curriculum is spread across the art of wine tasting, food pairings and the characteristics of major grape varieties. In addition, the course will teach you how to serve and cellar wine with an overview of the entire growth and winemaking process.

Unfortunately, after most courses an exam usually follows, however, the Level 1 exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions with a 98% pass rate. Afterwards, you will receive a formal qualification in wine!

Level 2 – Award in Wines and Spirits

This course goes into further detail of everything learned in Level 1. If you already have a great understanding of wine, you are able to skip Level 1 and move directly into Level 2. During the course, you will learn the art of tasting in detail. From specific sections in French, German, Portuguese and Spanish wines to New World and Sparkling, you are bound to learn all about the world of wine.

During Level 2, you taste over 80 wines from around the world. The course includes a 50-question exam at the end and should be strongly considered for those in the hospitality industry.

Level 3 – Award in Wines and Spirits

A respected qualification in the wine industry that will leave little questions unanswered when it comes to wine knowledge. The course goes into significant detail about viticulture, labeling, respected regions, Champagne and Spirits. The exam includes 2 blind tastings as well as a rather long exam. Wine buyers, retail staff and wine writers along with wine lovers typically take this course.

After Level 3, WSET training moves forward into Diploma courses and an Honours Diploma. At that point, you may as well consider yourself a wine genius as you create research papers and projects to show off your professional level of knowledge in wines and spirits.

In the next couple months, various Canadian cities are offering different WSET level courses through Fine Vintage Ltd. Below, we have listed Level 1 dates and prices that anyone can sign up for – including you! Remember, this is just a beginner’s course where all wine lovers can go to expand their knowledge.

Calgary

WSET Level 1: September 17 – October 8, 2013

A four-week course offered Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. for $499

WSET Level 1: Saturday, September 28, 2013 OR October 19, 2013