The Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was my gateway into the world of wine. The WSET is the most recognized international governing body for wine certifications. WSET has schools and certified educators all over the world.
I have completed my WSET Level 3 certification with Merit in tasting and theory. I plan on starting the WSET Diploma program on the next intake.
WSET Level 1 is a beginner level introduction to wine suitable for those starting a wine career or pursuing an interest in wine.
What you'll learn
The main types and styles of wine
Common wine grapes and their characteristics
How to store and serve wine
The principles of food and wine pairing
How to describe wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of six hours of study time, in a classroom or online, with a WSET course provider.
WSET's Level 2 Award in Wines is a beginner- to intermediate-level qualification exploring wines, suitable for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts.
What you'll learn
How to taste and describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking, and maturation options influence the style and quality of wines made from eight principal grape varieties:
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio/Gris
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Syrah/Shiraz
The style and quality of wines: made from 22 regionally important grape varieties produced in over 70 geographical indications (GIs) around the world
How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of:
Sparkling wines
Fortified wines
Key labeling terms used to indicate origin, style and quality Principles and processes involved in the storage and service of wine
Principles of food and wine pairing
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 28 hours* of study time:
16 hours of delivery time with a WSET course provider (classroom or online)
11 hours of personal study and revision
A 1-hour examination
WSET Level 3 is An advanced level qualification for professionals working in the wine industry and for wine enthusiasts.
What you'll learn
Unit 1
The key factors in the production of wine: location, grape growing, winemaking, maturation, and bottling
How these key factors influence the key characteristics of the principal
still wines of the world
sparkling wines of the world
fortified wines of the world
How to apply your understanding to explain wine style and quality
Unit 2
How to taste wines, describe their characteristics and evaluate their quality, using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 84 hours of study time, including 30 hours of classroom or online delivery time with a WSET course provider.*
The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines is an expert-level qualification covering all aspects of wine.
What you'll learn
The Diploma is delivered in six mandatory units covering a broad range of topics, including wine production, wine business, and still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world.
D1 –
Wine production
Vine requirements
Anatomy of the vine and grape
Grape growing options, explaining and evaluating the different approaches and how these options affect grape yields, quality, and the final wine produced
Natural factors in the vineyard and how they influence the vine's ability to produce grapes for wines of different styles, quality levels, and price
Winemaking and post-fermentation options and how they influence the style, quality, and price of wines
D1 – hours of study weighting 20%
D2 – Wine business
The types of businesses engaged in wine production and the options for getting wine to the point of sale
Factors that contribute to the price of wine
Key considerations in wine marketing
D2 – hours of study weighting 10%
D3 – Wines of the world
D4 – Sparkling wines
D5 – Fortified wines
In each of these Units, you will learn:
How grape-growing, winemaking, maturation, wine law, and wine business influence the style, quality, and price of the principal still wines (D3), sparkling wines (D4), and fortified wines (D5) of the world.
How to taste and evaluate still wines (D3), sparkling wines (D4) and fortified wines (D5) using the WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
D3 – Wines of the world: hours of study weighting 50%
D4 – Sparkling wines: hours of study weighting 5%
D5 – Fortified wines: hours of study weighting 5%
D6 – Independent research assignment
How to research a specified wine-related subject
D6 – hours of study weighting 10%
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 500 hours* of study time:
116 hours of delivery time with a WSET course provider (classroom or online)
370 hours of personal study and revision, including preparing an independent research assignment (D6)
Examinations for each unit (excluding D6) will total 11 hours 50 minutes.
It normally takes between 18 months and three years to complete the Diploma. Each unit is weighted differently in terms of hours of study required; the table below shows the minimum guided learning time, private study time, and the weighting applied against each unit.
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