What is WSET?
Maxford Wines offers educational wine talks and enjoyable tastings tailored to your needs and budgeted at a venue of your choice. The events are a structured way to learn more about tasting wine in a professional way, yet also very much focused on the enjoyment of wine. In addition to such tastings, we offer WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) courses from Level 1 Award up to Level 3 Award.
What is WSET?
The Wine & Spirits Education Trust was founded in England and is the most widely recognized and highly regarded wine certification program in the world today. The award levels include: Level 1 Award in Wines (Foundation Level), Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits (Intermediate Level), Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits (Advanced Level), Diploma - Level 4, and Honours Diploma - Level 5.
The Diploma level of the WSET is now strongly recommended as a prerequisite for entering the Master of Wine Program, the most difficult and demanding wine examination in the world.
Why enroll in the WSET classes?
In this ever-competitive working environment, value-added knowledge and sound social skills are very important.
The WSET Level 1 Award program is a very useful stepping stone to enhance your social skills as you will learn the basics about wines through guided wine tastings, plus food & wine matching exercises. Basics about wines can help you select the right wines for the right occasion, and let you know how to socialize in some events. To further upgrade your social skills, WSET Intermediate level program is recommended to gain even more in-depth wine knowledge.
Within the wine & spirits industry, the WSET Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 programs will become essential credentials in the coming
years. Whether you wish to further move up the career ladder or start a career in the wine & spirits industry, these classes provide the best wine education available.
If none of the reasons above is suitable in your case, perhaps you just simply want to take the WSET classes to satisfy your thrust for wine knowledge, More thorough and in-depth knowledge in wines & spirits will bring you even more enjoyable time with wines!
How is the WSET different from other wine classes?
The WSET program provides a rigorous education program aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of wine, and the wine industry.
The WSET classes place particular emphasis on the skills required to taste and assess wine professionally. Other wine education programs focus primarily on the restaurant and hotel trade, or cater to those interested in teaching about wine; the WSET Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 titles are internationally recognized credentials that can be applied throughout the wine industry.
How does this all work?
The WSET classes are a progression, beginning with Level 1 award , followed by Level 2 award, then Level 3 award, and Diploma. Each level covers the entire world of wine by geographical region (including viticulture, vinification), appellation labeling laws and wine tasting technique.
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The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is considered the best place to start your wine education journey.
| Full Title |
The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines |
| NQF Level |
1 |
| Description |
This qualification aims to provide basic product knowledge and skills in the service and retail of wine to prepare a person for the first job in hospitality or retail.
This course is also a good introductory first 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.
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Successful candidates receive the WSET Level 1 Certificate.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits - No previous wine knowledge is required. Class is appropriate for students who have a serious interest in wine, and those who wish to broaden their knowledge. The level 2 course covers the wines and spirits of the world in six three-hour sessions, followed by a one-hour multiple choice examination on a final (extra) session. Wine tasting is a part of every class.
The Level 2 award is not a prerequisite for the Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits program. Though, candidates to start with the level 2 course tend to do better in the level 3 course.
Successful candidates receive the WSET Level 2 Certificate.
| Full Title |
The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits |
| NQF Level |
2 |
| Description |
This qualification offers broad coverage of all product categories in the field of alcoholic drinks, together with basic tasting technique. It is suitable for those with little previous experience. |
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| Full Title |
The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits |
| NQF Level |
2 |
| Description |
This qualification offers a greater breadth and depth of knowledge in the specific area of spirits and liqueurs than that offered by the broader-based Level 2 Certificate in Wines and Spirits. This qualification offers focused coverage of all product categories in the field of spirits, end use of the identified products together with basic tasting technique. |
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits - The level 3 award is the appropriate course for those who already have a broad foundation of wine knowledge-including wine labeling laws, appellation systems, major wine-producing regions, and grape types-and are experienced in tasting technique.
It covers the major wine regions of the world in more depth than the WSET level 2 award, and includes more detailed study of viticulture and vinification. This course enables students to describe the characteristics of the principal wines and spirits of the world and to explain the key factors influencing those characteristics.
The course involves 30.1 hours of instruction. The exam includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions, as well a blind tasting of two wines.
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits is required of applicants for the Diploma course.
Successful candidates receive the WSET Level 3 Certificate.
| Full Title |
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits |
| NQF Level |
3 |
| Description |
The Level 3 Award gives more comprehensive coverage of the wines and spirits of the world, with an increased focus on tasting technique. |
Diploma - Level 4
| Full Title |
The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits |
| NQF Level |
4 |
| Description |
This is a specialist qualification where detailed knowledge is combined with commercial factors and a thorough system for the professional evaluation of wine and spirits. The Diploma is recommended by the Institute of Masters of Wine for candidates wishing to pursue membership. |
Honours Diploma - Level 5
| Full Title |
The WSET Level 5 Honours Diploma in Wines and Spirits |
| NQF Level |
5 |
| Description |
This is an individual research project where students can develop higher-level research, evaluation and analytical skills in a specialist wine and spirit subject of their choice. |
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