Welcome to our guide to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 in Wines. WSET Level 1 is a great place to start for anyone wanting a solid introduction to wine. Whether you are a budding wine expert, looking to get started in the wine industry, or just looking to learn some more about wine it is a great place to start. In this guide we’ll help you to navigate the details of the qualification and decide if it is the right one for you.
The introduction to wine course gives you a solid introduction to the world of wine. Over the duration of the course you’ll be introduced to the main varieties and be taken on a tour of the key winemaking areas of the world.
If you know what Viognier is, and you know that Syrah is predominant in the northern Rhone then you may be better off skipping level 1 and moving straight to Level 2 Award in Wines.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines – Syllabus
The WSET Level 1 in wines covers three main topics:
Grape growing and Winemaking
This forms the learning outcome 1. You will learn about:
- The parts of the grape.
- The main stages of grape growing
- How climate affects the grape growing and wine
- The fermentation process that takes place in making the wine
- The key stages of wine production for red wine, white wine and rose wines.
Key Wines from Around the World
This forms the learning outcome 2. You will learn about:
- The main types and styles of wine. This will include still and sparkling wines along with discussion on the characteristics of wines and the different styles of wine made around the world.
- An introduction to the main grape varieties of both white and black grapes
- Key examples of these key grape varieties from around the world
- An overview of other key wines such as Prosecco, Cava, Rioja and Sherry.
Storage and Service of Wine
This forms the learning outcome 3. You will learn about:
- The idea conditions for storing wine. And what to avoid when storing wine in your home!
- What temperature to store wines at depending on the type of wine
- How to open still and sparkling wine and the key principles of wine service
- An introduction to food and wine pairing and what to look out for.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines – Teaching
You’ll need to register for the course with an approved WSET course provider. Depending on the teaching method that you choose this may involve one full day course or it could be broken up across multiple days or weeks. There is a minimum of 6 hours of classroom time.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines – Examination
The level 1 exam takes the form of a closed book, multiple choice exams. There are 30 questions in total and you will have 45 minutes to complete the exam. Of the 30 questions, 6 will relate to grape growing and winemaking, 18 relate to wines from around the world and the final 6 will cover the storage and service of wine. You’ll need a minimum score of 70% (21/30) in order to pass the examination.
Assuming you have studied, there most people find there is ample time to complete the examination. To help you gain some experience with the exam we’ve put together timed mock exams for the level 1 in wine exam.
Prerequisites for Entry
There are no prerequisites for registration onto the course. Candidates who are below the local legal drinking age are allowed to take the examination, but will not be allowed to take part in the classroom wine tasting.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines – Conclusion
The WSET Level 1 in Wines is a great place to start if you are interested in wine. It provides you a solid introduction to a number of factors, including exposure to key wines from around the world. Whether you’re a weekend wine drinker, or a budding wine professional, the level 1 exam will give you a solid grounding to help you going forward.