14th January to 15th April, 2009
Every Wednesday from 16:00 to 18:00 hrs
Course Overview
The Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits is designed to provide sound and thorough core knowledge of the wines and spirits of the world and to assist those who are required to give professional descriptions and evaluations of wines, for example in retail or wholesale sales, sommelier or marketing functions. The course provides core knowledge of the wide range of wines and spirits around the world to equip those in a supervisory capacity with the authority and confidence to make informed decisions in a wide variety of trade situations.
The Advanced Certificate will also provide a strong grounding for consumers with a keen interest in the subject.
The course may also be suitable for people who are not employed within the drinks industry but wish to learn more about the subject. It is important that potential students appreciate that this is primarily a professional development course for the drinks industry and is approached in that way by the tutors.
Target Audience
It is aimed at people employed in the drinks and hospitality industries in a supervisory capacity, needing core information to advise management and customers with authority and make informed selections of wines and spirits; and at wine connoisseurs who wish to learn about wines and spirits in a rigorous and structured manner and gain an internationally recognised qualification.
Course Objectives
Holders of the WSET® Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits will be able to:
· Describe the characteristics of the principal wines and spirits of the world
· Give the key factors influencing those characteristics,
· Interpret the labels of the major alcoholic beverages of the world,
· Be in a position to advise management,
· Answer customer enquiries authoritatively, and
· Make informed selections of wines and spirits in a wide variety of situations.
Course Outline
Study takes the form of:
· Fourteen (14) two-hour sessions, plus an examination for which two hours is allowed, or;
· Five full days study, including the examination.
· Candidates will be advised at the start of their course as to which format will apply.
Curriculum includes:
· Labelling Regulations
Tasting Technique
Viticulture and Vinification
Bordeaux and South-West France
Burgundy, Alsace and Eastern France
Loire, Rhône and South of France
Italy
Spain and Portugal
Germany and other European Union Countries
Other Old World Countries
The Americas
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines
Sherry and Similar Liqueur (Fortified) Wines
Port and Similar Liqueur (Fortified) Wines
Spirits
Course Material
Student study pack – including the WSET text book Exploring the World of Wines and Spirits, study guide and tasting notes
Weekly Handouts of PowerPoint slides and notes
Systematic tasting sheets
WSET examination entry
Examination Details
The Advanced Certificate assessment is a closed book examination of two hours duration and is in three sections:
· The first consists of one hundred multiple choice questions
· The second is a short written question
· The third is a blind tasting of two wines, on which the candidate is required to write brief tasting notes using the WSET systematic tasting approach.
Prerequisites
The WSET® Intermediate Certificate in Wines, Spirits and Other Alcoholic Beverages, or an equivalent level of experience, is strongly recommended of those wishing to study for the WSET® Advanced Certificate.
· The instruction on this course assumes that students are familiar with the concepts developed on the Intermediate Certificate Course and builds upon them. The time available to revise those concepts is extremely limited; hence whilst applicants for this course need not hold the Intermediate Certificate they are strongly recommended to ensure that their knowledge of the subject is up to that level.
Candidates applying to sit the examination must be either:
· Over the legal minimum age for the retail purchase of alcoholic beverages in the country where the examination is being held, or
· Be preparing for the examination as a part of a recognised full time programme of study, or
· Have obtained parental consent.
· NOTE: For Dubai the requirements for the retail purchase of alcoholic beverages is a legal minimum age of 21 years, and being the holder of an approved Government Liquor Licence.
· Individuals working in the alcoholic beverage trade are exempt from holding a personal Liquor Licence, but their employing Company must hold a Company Licence.
Certification
Successful students receive full certification of the WSET® Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits accredited at Level 3 in the UK National Qualification Framework, the UK Government's Qualifications & Curriculum Authority.
Number of attendees
Minimum group size of 12 – Maximum 24
Course Fee
AED 3500 per participant
Instruction materials & refreshments are included in the course fee. Accommodation and transportation are not included in the "Course Fees".
