what is a wset level 1 foundation course

by Prof. Billy O'Hara Jr. 8 min read

WSET Level 1 A resonably basic, all rounder course that can be completed in 1 day (classroom option) or over 4 weeks (online option). You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings.

The WSET Level 1 is a basic level introduction to wine, for those who want to start a career in the wine business or for wine enthusiasts. In this class, we taste 9 different wines and learn about major grape varieties, wine regions, storage, and the service of wine. We also do an interesting food and wine pairing.

Full Answer

What is WSET Level 4?

One of the key reasons for its creation was to provide a systematic approach to tasting wine across the wine trade, so that wine professionals could speak about wine with a common language. In the last 50 years, there have been over 10,000 WSET Level 4 Diploma graduates.

What is WSET Level 1 award in wines?

The systematic approach to tasting is the foundation of the WSET program. This is because one of the program’s goals is to have WSET students across the globe use a standardized vocabulary to describe the aromas, flavors, and structure of wine. At this WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, students explore the main types and styles of wine.

What can you do with a WSET course?

You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin. Find a course provider for this course.

Are WSET qualifications regulated?

WSET wine, spirit and sake qualifications at Levels 1 to 3 (with the exception of the Level 3 Award in Spirits) are regulated by Ofqual. WSET qualifications are not a guarantee of employment or career progression, nor do they form part of any regulated qualifications framework outside the UK.

What is covered in WSET Level 1?

For individuals new to wine study, this qualification provides a hands-on introduction to the world of wine. You'll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings.

How hard is the WSET Level 1?

You'll need to score a minimum of 70% to pass the exam but you don't need to concern yourself with that since you're aiming for +90% anyway. The WSET 1 is also a closed-book exam, so don't dare take your textbook, study notes, or crib notes into the venue. That will not end well for you.

What can you do with a WSET certification?

WSET certifications can open doors to careers in wine writing, academics, retail, distribution, restaurants and bars, consulting, and so many more. We are also seeing more and more job postings in hospitality and retail actually requiring their candidates to have formal wine certifications.

What is the pass rate for WSET Level 1?

Trained WSET Instructors | Online Support | 98% pass rate for Level 1. Live and recorded training, interactive activities, quizzes plus guided tasting webinars with 6 wines. Exam is 45 minutes (30 questions).

Is WSET Level 1 a sommelier?

Sometimes schools will market WSET classes as being 'sommelier' classes, but this is actually quite misleading. You can take WSET classes all the way up to the Diploma Level 4, pass with Distinction (their highest honour), and you still won't be a Sommelier.

Is the WSET worth it?

Conclusion: if you want to achieve a general education around wine with worldwide recognition, WSET is one way. On the other hand, if you focus on a hospitality career, WSET will help you for sure, but better look to CMS since it better suits this industry.

Can you skip WSET Level 1?

In a few sections of this article, we noted that it is possible to skip lower-levels of WSET. We personally skipped Level 1, and WSET does allow for you to also skip Level 2 even if we advise against it (they do not allow anyone to skip Level 3 and go straight to Diploma, however).

Do you need WSET Level 1 to take Level 2?

You do not need to have taken Level 1 to enroll in Level 2. WSET Level 2 is a journey into the major grape varietals that are grown around the world.

How much does WSET cost?

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Certification CourseEventPriceWSET Level 2 Award in Wines Online Live (wine samples included)$695.00 (USD)WSET Level 2 Wine Exam ONLY(for reschedules or retake) - In Person$125.00 (USD)WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Online Self-Paced Course (wine samples not included)$595.00 (USD)16 more rows

Is WSET certification a sommelier?

The Court of Master Sommeliers has all the knowledge of the WSET but with all the service of that thing we call the, “sommelier”. This term has gotten to be quite sexy in recent years and so a lot of people are opting for this certification as I did.

Do WSET certifications expire?

Initial registration fees for the Diploma in Wines curriculum are included in the cost of all D1 courses and are good for three years. If a candiate has not completed their Diploma studies at the end of their three-year enrollment, they will need to pay a fee of $225 to renew their WSET Diploma candidacy.

How many questions are there in WSET Level 1?

To gain the Level 1 qualification candidates will be required to complete a program of training delivered by a WSET Level 1 Approved Programme Provider and successfully complete a multiple choice paper of 30 questions.

How long does it take to pass the Level 1 Wines exam?

The Level 1 Award in Wines examination consists of 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes. To pass you must correctly answer 70% of the questions. Successful students will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.

How many hours of wine tasting is required for a wine tasting course?

A minimum of three hours study per week is recommended to successfully complete the course and regular participation is essential. Tasting is also an important part of this course, and you will need to taste a minimum of six wines (not provided as part of the cost, but you will be given guidance on the styles to taste).

About the Course

Wine lovers, both consumer-level and those entering the wine or hospitality trade who have limited wine knowledge.

How Do I Sign Up?

Choose a class date that works for you. You can View Dates by clicking the button to the right, or browse available dates and times by going to the Registration section.

How much is WSET level 1?

At the time of our taking the courses in 2020/2021, a live program for WSET Level 1 was about $300 USD, Level 2 was about $700, Level 3 was about $1,200, and the individual modules of Level 4 ran between $300 and $2,400 with a total all-in price starting at about $7,500.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 3?

Level 3 features multiple-choice, essay (short answer), and blind tasting exams and students must pass all three to be awarded the certification.

How many modules are there in wine?

The six modules include wine production, wine business, wines of the world (still, sparkling, and fortified are individual modules), and an independent research assignment. If these topics sound familiar, well, you'd be right- most are covered in Levels 2 and 3.

How many grapes are in level 3?

While we estimated that Level 2 covers 30 unique grapes and 70 or so regions, Level 3 covers roughly 100 grapes and 150 or so regions with 30 hours' worth of lessons (generally in about ten sessions). Once again, this means an increase in the total number of sessions, more hours per class every week, and, of course, ...

What is the level 1 wine?

If have the mindset of white wine for fish and red wine for meat but cannot articulate why that is recommended (or go into any more detail from there), Level 1 is for you to cover the fundamentals.

Can you take wine tasting in person at WSET?

Yes! In-person classes are highly recommended for WSET- especially in Levels 1, 2, and 3. Part of this is to calibrate your palate to a trained instructor, but also to receive wine samples for tasting and also have the ability to ask clarification questions.

Do you have to do level 2 before you can go to level 3?

WSET does not require completing Level 2 before jumping into Level 3, but it is highly recommended for many reasons. Level 3 is information overload, and if you are not familiar with how WSET presents (and tests on) the information you will be doing yourself a disservice by starting here.

What is WSET in the UK?

The Wine and Spirit Educational Trust (WSET) was founded in 1969 as a charitable trust, to serve the educational needs of the UK wine and spirits industry. One of the key reasons for its creation was to provide a systematic approach to tasting wine across the wine trade, so that wine professionals could speak about wine with a common language.

Why is wine level 1?

The reason is because students enjoy the lessons of pairing wines and cuisine from actual restaurant menus.

How many units are in a wine diploma?

The Diploma comprises six individual units each student must successfully pass in order to receive the qualification. Though many wine certification courses are created for people working in the trade (sommeliers, wholesalers, importers), the WSET is also appropriate for very motivated consumers.

Does WSET offer online classes?

Though WSET offers classes online, WSET suggests that students should let their preferred exam location dictate their choice of which school to register with. The online instruction itself is the same all over the world. But the school / provider that students register with will be the one to send study materials and the school that will administer the exam at its physical location. One can use a search engine to find a WSET provider nearby or visit the WSET Global website to see a list of program providers.

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