ur wine courses are serious and challenging. They are designed for both members of the wine trade and consumers who want to greatly expand their knowledge of wine. Four levels of study are currently available, and the second level includes a wine course and spirits program. The classes are a progression, beginning with Foundation, an introductory course to wine. Intermediate Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Diploma follow, and each of these levels covers the entire world of wine including viticulture, vinification, and appellation labeling laws, as well as wine-tasting technique.Level One - Foundation Course
This entry-level course teaches the basics of wine in a format specially designed for those with no previous wine knowledge. Ideal for consumers or those new to wine, the Foundation Course focuses on the main styles of wines available, tasting technique, wine and food pairing as well as wine etiquette. The class consists of either two three-hour sessions or three two-hours sessions and concludes with a short multiple-choice exam of 45 minutes.
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Level Two - Intermediate Course
Class is appropriate for students who have a serious interest in wine, and those who wish to broaden their knowledge. The Intermediate Course covers the wines and spirits of the world in eight two-hour sessions, followed by a one-hour, multiple-choice examination on the ninth session. Wine tasting is a part of every class. Successful candidates receive the WSET Level 2 Award.
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Level Two - Intermediate Course Online
Class is appropriate for students who have a serious interest in wine, and those who wish to broaden their knowledge. Students register through IWC and sit the exam at our center in New York City, but take classes in a digital, global classroom. An instructor from the WSET® leads the course, which includes five weekly, interactive classes. Successful candidates receive the WSET Level 2 Award.
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Level Two - Spirits Course
The Spirits Course is designed to provide a thorough knowledge of spirits and liqueurs. The course covers the history, production and style of spirits of the world: Cognac, Armagnac and other brandies; Scotch, Bourbon and whiskeys; white spirits, including vodka, rum, Tequila, gin; and liqueurs and other flavored spirits. Tasting is part of every session. A one-hour examination includes 50 multiple-choice questions and a theoretical tasting note of one spirit or liqueur.
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Level Three - Advanced Course
The Advanced Course 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 Intermediate Course, 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 accounting for those characteristics. The course involves 37 hours of instruction. The exam includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions, as well as a blind tasting of two wines. Successful candidates receive the WSET Level 3 Award. The WSET Level 3 Award is a prerequisite for the Diploma course.
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Level Three - Advanced Course Online
This is the WSET Level 3 Advanced Course provided in an online setting. The course covers the wines and spirits of the world in more detail than the Intermediate Course; it is appropriate for those who have completed the Intermediate Course and have a good foundation of wine knowledge. Students register through IWC and receive a study kit but take classes in a digital, global classroom, under the leadership of an instructor from WSET.
The course extends over 16 weeks, with new content, discussion and interactive exercises added every two weeks. Students log-in whenever they like during each two-week period, review the summary of weekly topics, complete activities and tasting exercises, post responses and participate in online class discussion. At the end of the course, students attend a six-hour Instruction Day at our center in New York City, and take the exam there as well, generally on the day following Instruction Day. Successful students earn the WSET Level 3 Award.
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Level Four - Diploma in Wines Spirits
Diploma is a two-year program for highly-motivated consumers and wine and spirits professionals. It features heavy emphasis on viticulture and vinification; focuses special attention on production and consumption trends, wine marketing and other aspects of the global sale and consumption of wine; and covers the world's wine regions in considerable depth. Various tests throughout the course involve multiple-choice questions, essay exams, blind wine-tasting, and research papers. Diploma is the traditional preparatory course for those who wish to become Master of Wine students.
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