Whether you’re a passionate wine lover who wants to learn more about varietals or a wine industry professional who wants to take their career to the next level, advancing your wine knowledge can lead to a host of personal and professional advantages you’ll always enjoy. As an Approved Program Provider with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET®), Wine Enthusiast Academy offers WSET Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses to meet your goals. Here is a look at what you can expect to learn and a few reasons why you should obtain wine certification through Wine Enthusiast Academy’s online wine classes.
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First, What is WSET?
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust is an awarding body and registered charity devoted to the development and delivery of qualifications and courses in wines and spirits. Established in 1969 for the U.K. wine trade, WSET has since grown to become the global industry leader. Our partnership with WSET allows us to provide wine education that is standardized throughout the world so your credentials will be universal.
What Will I Learn in WSET Level 1 and 2 Classes?
With WSET Level 1 certification, you’ll learn the basic types and styles of wine, as well as the characteristics of common wine grapes. You will also learn how to store and serve wine and the fundamentals of food and wine pairing. Finally, you’ll understand how to describe wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT).
The WSET Level 2 certification delves even further into the world of wine. You’ll learn about all grape varieties alongside the ins and outs of the world’s major wine regions, as well as how to distinguish wine style and quality based on labels and wine terminology. Like WSET Level 1, you learn about food and wine pairing and proper tasting procedure using the Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT). You’ll also be introduced to viticulture and vinification, which are the processes of growing grapes and making wine.
These can be tricky courses if not taught well, which is why it is critical to obtain them from a reputable WSET-approved provider. So, let’s get into why Wine Enthusiast Academy’s online wine classes are the way to go.
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#1: Wine Enthusiast Knows Wine
Wine Enthusiast has been the foremost authority on wine for more than 40 years, producing and providing high quality wine lifestyle products, content, and wine reviews through Wine Enthusiast. With over a dozen reviewers blind tasting thousands of wines each month and WSET-certified editors and sales consultants, we know wine from soil to glass.
The courses are led by Marshall Tilden III, DWS, CSW, Chief Revenue and Education Officer of Wine Enthusiast Commerce. He earned his Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators.
“I tell all my students to ‘think while you drink.’ Learning about what’s in the glass and how to determine its quality and character helps you understand why you truly enjoy certain styles of wine over others,” says Tilden.
#2: WSET Boosts Your Wine Understanding (and Career!)
Everyone benefits from wine education, from casual wine drinkers who want to learn the basics to those who work or want to work in the wine industry. Everyday wine drinkers will gain a new appreciation for their favorite beverage as they learn how to select wines with confidence and discuss them with guests. Those who already work within the industry will gain a deeper understanding of the product they serve, sell and market, which can help boost their authority and sales.
#3: You Can Become a Wine Expert from Home
Once the class begins and you receive your login, you can complete the course modules at your own pace. There are no meetings aside from the scheduled exam date and time and the optional guided tasting that is included with your wine sampler purchase. And, as long as you have an internet connection, you can do your work wherever you please!
How to Start Getting WSET Certified
New courses are constantly being added to the calendar so, you can sign up for a class that best fits your personal schedule. Wine is fun and so is learning about it. Begin your wine education journey with Wine Enthusiast and learn whenever and wherever you want, at your own pace.
Hear more from Tilden about getting certified through Wine Enthusiast Academy in this brief recap:
Published: January 2, 2024
