WSET courses

Wine and Spirit Education Trust

What's available and how we deliver it

Helen Savage is an Approved Programme Provider. This means we can deliver WSET courses from levels 1 to 3 to the drinks and catering industry and to any wine-lover who wants a systematic, professional training that offers a set of awards recognised thought the world.

The syllabus, format and examination for each course is set by WSET, but we are happy to adapt the way in which it is delivered to meet the special needs of each and every group we work with.

We have three approved teaching and examination centres: in Gosforth, Central Newcastle and Tynemouth, but we are very happy to discuss delivering courses in alternative venues as long as they meet a set of sensible and straightforward rules set down by WSET.

WSET® Level One Award in Wines
'Confidence for Front Line Staff'

What the course covers:: A straightforward introduction to wine, with a special emphasis on how to match food and wine.; It is assessed, at the end of the course, by a 45 minute, 30 question multiple choice exam.
Who it is for:: Frontline staff in the retail and hospitality sectors - and anyone else wanting a basic introduction to wine and to food and wine pairing.
What you need to know before you can take the award:: Nothing - just a willingness to learn.
Time: Normally a single day course, lasting 6 hours (excluding lunch)
Fees: Normally from £140 (VAT exempt), including lunch, study materials, and the exam.

WSET® Level Two Award in Wines and Spirits
'Looking Behind the Label'

What the course covers:

An introduction to the world's major grape varieties and where they're grown, along with training on how to taste wine professionally. Over the course of the award you can expect to taste at least thirty wines and four spirits.

How wine is made and other factors influencing the style of wine
Key white grape varieties
Key black grape varieties
Wine-producing regions of the world
Sparkling wine
Sweet and fortified wines
Spirits and liqueurs
Label terminology
Food and wine pairing

How to taste wine using the Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting

It is assessed, at the end of the course, by a 60 minute, 50 question multiple choice exam.

Who it is for:

Beginners in the retail and hospitality industries with little previous knowledge of wine - and anyone else who wants to gain a knowledge of wine.

What you need to know before you can take the award:

Very little - it's open to anyone who wants to learn.

Time

We aim at 16 hours teaching time. This means a three full days, or eight evening sessions. You are also advised to do home study.

Fees

Normally from £310 (VAT exempt), including lunch (if you take the 3 full days option), study materials, and the exam.

WSET® Level Three Award in Wines and Spirits

What the course covers:

The Level 3 course offers a comprehensive overview of global production of wines and spirits. It provides a detailed analysis of the main wines and spirits of the world, plus in-depth tastings to develop a professional tasting technique. Over the course of the award you can expect to taste at least eighty wines.

Production of wine (location, viticulture, vinification, maturation and bottling, labeling regulations)
Factors affecting the quality, style and price of wine
Wine and the consumer
Introduction to the EU and French wine laws
France, Italy, Spain and Portugal
Germany, Central and South Eastern Europe
South Africa
Australia and New Zealand
North, South and Central America
Sparkling wines of the world
Fortified (liqueur) wines
Spirits and liqueurs of the world
Information and advice for customers and staff

Systematic Approach to Tasting (Level 3) - how to taste wines and evaluate the quality, style and price

It is assessed, at the end of the course, by 50 multiple choice questions, plus questions requiring short written answers, together lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, and then by a 30 minute blind tasting of two wines.

Who it is for:

It is aimed both at those who work in the wine, spirit and hospitality industry at a supervisory level and also at those wine lovers who value an opportunity to undertake a course of structured study leading to an internationally recognised qualification.

What you need to know before you can take the award:

It is open to those who possess the WSET level 2 qualification and also to those who have a similar level of knowledge and wine-tasting experience. Our concern is not to raise a barrier to entry but to ensure that anyone who joins the course will benefit from it and enjoy the experience of this kind of study. We also offer free, 'open' evenings for anyone who is considering taking the Award.

Time

We aim at 28 hours teaching time. The format of this is flexible and may combine full-day and evening classes. You will also be expected to spend time on home study.
For example, our next course will be taught over nine weekday evenings and two Saturday schools (see our Courses programme for details) and includes an exam at the final session.