I have always been interested in learning the fundamentals of wine and whiskey, my favorite drinks, so I enrolled in the WSET Level 1 Award Course.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is a global organization that provides education and qualifications in wine, spirits, and sake. WSET was founded in London in 1969, and it now operates in more than 70 countries around the world. The organization offers a range of courses at different levels, from beginner to advanced, and its qualifications are recognized and respected in the wine and spirits industry. WSET courses are designed for both professionals working in the industry and wine enthusiasts looking to learn more about wine and spirits. The courses cover a wide range of topics, including the main types and styles of wine and spirits, wine and spirit production, wine and spirit selection and service, and pairing wine and spirits with food.

There are four levels of WSET courses:

  1. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: This is a beginner-level course that provides a foundation in wine knowledge. It is suitable for those working in the hospitality industry or those with a general interest in wine.
  2. WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits: This is an intermediate-level course that provides a more in-depth understanding of wine and spirits. It is suitable for those working in the hospitality industry or those with a keen interest in wine and spirits.
  3. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: This is an advanced-level course that provides a thorough understanding of wine, including the major wine regions and their production. It is suitable for those working in the wine industry or those with a serious interest in wine.
  4. WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits: This is the highest level of WSET qualification and is suitable for those working in the wine and spirits industry or those with a significant interest in wine and spirits. The WSET Diploma is a demanding and comprehensive course that covers a wide range of topics in depth. It includes a tasting component, and candidates are required to pass a series of exams to earn the qualification.

In addition to these four levels, WSET also offers a range of specialist courses on topics such as sparkling wine, sherry, and Sake.

SAKE

Sake is a Japanese rice wine that is made by fermenting rice, water, and a mold called koji. It is a traditional drink in Japan and is often served at special occasions and ceremonies. Sake is usually served chilled or at room temperature, and it can range in flavor from sweet to dry. In recent years, sake has gained popularity outside of Japan and is enjoyed by people around the world.

WSET offers a Level 1 Award in Sake, which is a beginner-level course that provides a foundation in sake knowledge. The course covers the main types and styles of sake, sake production, sake selection and service, and pairing sake with food. It is suitable for those working in the hospitality industry or those with a general interest in sake.

WSET also offers a Level 2 Award in Sake, which is an intermediate-level course that provides a more in-depth understanding of sake. The course covers the main types and styles of sake, sake production, sake selection and service, and pairing sake with food. It is suitable for those working in the hospitality industry or those with a keen interest in sake.

The WSET Level 3 Award in Sake is an advanced-level course that provides a thorough understanding of sake, including the major sake-producing regions and their production methods. The course is suitable for those working in the sake industry or those with a serious interest in sake.

In addition to these courses, WSET also offers a range of specialist sake courses, such as the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake Service, which is designed for those working in the hospitality industry who want to learn about serving sake to customers.

The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is a beginner-level wine course that provides a foundation in wine knowledge. It is designed for those working in the hospitality industry or those with a general interest in wine. The exam consists of a multiple-choice paper with 30 questions, and candidates are required to achieve a score of at least 70% to pass. The exam covers the main types and styles of wine, wine production, wine selection and service, and pairing wine with food. It is a one-day course, and the exam takes place at the end of the day. The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is a good introduction to the world of wine for those with little or no prior wine knowledge.

The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines covers the following topics:

  1. The main types and styles of wine
  2. Wine production
  3. Wine selection and service
  4. Pairing wine with food

The main types and styles of wine covered in the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines include still wines made from grapes, sparkling wines made by the traditional method or the charmat method, and fortified wines made by adding a spirit, such as brandy, to the wine. The course also covers the main wine regions of the world and the main grape varieties used to produce wine.

Wine production covers the winemaking process, including grape growing, harvesting, crushing and fermentation, and aging. The course also covers the factors that influence the style and quality of wine, such as climate, soil, and winemaking techniques.

Wine selection and service covers the principles of wine service, including wine storage, opening and pouring wine, and pairing wine with food. The course also covers the factors that influence the flavor and quality of wine, such as grape variety, winemaking techniques, and aging.

Pairing wine with food covers the principles of matching wine with different types of food, including the factors that influence the compatibility of wine and food and the different ways in which wine and food can enhance each other.

WSET Course Providers in India

There are a number of WSET approved providers in India who offer WSET Level 1 Award in Wines courses. Some of the approved providers in India include:

  1. Tulleeho Portals Pvt. Ltd. (I completed the WSET Level 1 Award course through Tulleeho and it cost approximately 14,000 INR. The course is held in a hotel and is a one-day program. The exam is a multiple-choice paper-based test.)
  2. Sonal Holland

These approved providers offer WSET courses at various locations around India. You can check the WSET website for a complete list of approved providers in India and for information on course schedules and fees.

Info about The WSET Level 1 in WINE Exam

  • entry-level qualification
  • simple introduction to wine
  • systamatic approach to wine tasting
  • understanding of wine styles, grape varieties
  • food & wine pairing
  • understanding the proper way to serve wine and which glasses to use for different types of wines.
  • storage of wines
  • The exam fee is typically included in the course fee.
  • 45 minutes of paper exam
  • 30 multiple choice of questions
  • Passing 70% and above
  • Exam mainly focus on the understanding of above syllabus. There are no questions from out of syllabus. Institute generally provides you the course material or presentation to study.

Sample questions like;

Which of these wines is an example of a light bodied red? and options will be from the study material which you studied. 

  • Chilean Merlot
  • Beaujolais (correct answer)
  • Australian Shiraz

Ensure that you have a good understanding and recollection of various wines, including their region of origin and their properties. For example,

Compared to France, Australia produces Syrah / Shiraz that is:

  • Lower in tannin with less ripe fruit
  • Lower in tannin with more ripe fruit (correct answer)
  • Higher in tannin with more ripe fruit
  • Higher in tannin with less ripe fruit

The WSET Level 1 Award course is a valuable investment for those who want to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of wine. If you are interested in learning more about WSET and their courses, you can visit their website at www.wsetglobal.com.

Categorized in:

Wine & Whisky