WSET courses

[Croquet King]

I was wondering if anyone has done any of the WSET courses?

Did it give you a greater appreciation for what you were drinking?
Was it just to have some more knowledge about wine?
Where did you do it?
Would you recommend it to others?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_%26_Spirit_Education_Trust


I'm in Sydney and TAFE run the level 2 based in either Ryde or the city. It can be done over 9 weeks, one night a week or for 3 full days.

I know a bit about Australian wines but little about the rest of the world (which is something I'd like to learn)

[conformistpete]

I will caveat that each institution running the cost will be slightly different.

I found the WSET 2 to be very informative and the biggest benefit is that it tought me a structure within which to assess a wine. Do I use that rigour all the time, definitely not, however I know that going back on notes from a year ago I will understand why I wrote certain things.

You do get yo cover a range of wines and styles but I think which wines depends on the course provider. As wine shops tend to run these courses they take wines from their stock. Not sure how tafe gets their wine or if the selection is any good.

[gggaz]

Did mine through work, highly recommend. Depends on the teacher though.
Gives a good perspective of international wines, but level 2 is a fairly broad brush and doesn't go into too many specifics. Keep in mind that it's written from the perspective of a British supermarket shopper, and so It's hard not to be insulted by their impression of Australia as essentially one region. I'm about to start level 3 which I'm told goes into more detail.

[alexc92]

I've done Level 2 and Level 3 (well waiting for my results!). Level 2 is a good platform to start with. Takes time to get the hang of the WSET structure (tasting etc). Level 3 was a massive step but learnt so much more from it. Heavy old world focus which I found extremely beneficial, stressful at times but can't recommend it enough! Depending where you do it you get to taste some incredible wines too, they strive to show the best examples of each wine for WSET.

Go for it!

[conformistpete]

Depending where you do it you get to taste some incredible wines too, they strive to show the best examples of each wine for WSET.

DRC and Lafite for you? You failed to mention that last time.

[rossmckay]

The WSET 2 was the most fun three days I've ever spent learning. Really great. It made a huge difference to my understanding but be careful. It is a slippery slope.

The WSET 3 was considerably harder and even more rewarding. That was 8 full days over 7 weeks IIRC.

Into Unit 6 - Fortified Wines of the World - of the WSET diploma now and a big step up in commitment and learning. Two years as long as you pass everything.

Go for it, I say but be prepared for life never quite being the same again

[TravisW]

Ross, I remember doing a whole days tasting of Sherries and other fortified wines when I did my Diploma in London almost ten years ago The tutor? John Radford! Epic, epic day.

[rossmckay]

Ross, I remember doing a whole days tasting of Sherries and other fortified wines when I did my Diploma in London almost ten years ago The tutor? John Radford! Epic, epic day.

That would be fantastic! Why don't you come along to a nerd tasting in the next few weeks?

We do it tough over here as far as Spain, Portugal, France fortifieds go. I have spent much much more in the past month on Madeira, Sherry. Port, VDP and Muscats than I've spent in my entire life.

[grapeobserver]

Yes, I think the WSET courses are most certainly worth doing. I completed the Level 3 course some years ago which involved a not small amount of work, and then completed the WSET diploma (level 4) last year, which has 6 units and more closely resembles a university course and took a couple of years. For example, the table wines unit culminates in a ~3hr written exam on largely any aspect of table wine from any region + 12 wines blind tasting. L2 is a great introductory course (and even that has a 1 hour exam at the end) and will hopefully push you towards this slippery slope Enjoy.

[TravisW]

Ross, I remember doing a whole days tasting of Sherries and other fortified wines when I did my Diploma in London almost ten years ago The tutor? John Radford! Epic, epic day.

That would be fantastic! Why don't you come along to a nerd tasting in the next few weeks?

We do it tough over here as far as Spain, Portugal, France fortifieds go. I have spent much much more in the past month on Madeira, Sherry. Port, VDP and Muscats than I've spent in my entire life.

That would be great fun! I might have to swat up a bit beforehand.