WSET introduces two new courses

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has unveiled two new courses. The first is aimed at consumers and designed to increase wine knowledge; the other is trade-focused and has been developed to improve commercial skills.

Firstly, for consumers, the WSET has launched the Three Minute Wine School. This comprises 12 short videos on major wine-producing regions, outlining key varieties and styles. These are presented by Jancis Robinson MW and will be posted on popular websites including Facebook and YouTube.

 

Interested viewers are directed to the WSET or a generic website to learn more. Ian Harris, chief executive of the WSET said, “There are two objectives of this program: firstly to add value to all sectors of the wine industry by increasing consumers’ product knowledge, thereby encouraging ‘trading up’, and secondly, to increase the awareness of WSET among wine consumers, thereby encouraging them to take their wine education further, and to enrol on a WSET programme.”

Secondly, for the wine trade, comes the Business and Commercial Knowledge (BACK) course. This has been conceived as a response to an acknowledged skills gap within the industry and is aimed at two key groups: people with a strong FMCG background but little understanding of the wine trade, or individuals with wine knowledge but not the business skills to fulfil their potential.

 

The course consists of four modules, each led by an industry expert, and takes two days. The first one will take place in April 2009 at a cost of £1250.

Gabriel Savage 06/10/08