Exam Sucesss!

Local Wine Education business, Shropshire Wine School is delighted to announce that their first group of Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines students all passed with the highest possible grade; Distinction.  This requires over 80% of available marks both in the 30-minute tasting exam and the 2-hour theory exam.

This result builds on the 100% pass rate already achieved and maintained with WSET Level 1 and WSET Level 2 qualifications, significantly higher than the global pass rate for these internationally recognised qualifications.

Shropshire Wine School owner and chief educator Gary Carter commented: “Teaching the advanced WSET Level 3 course is something we’ve been building up to and I am delighted that the hard work of the students paid off.  It’s quite a step up from WSET Level 2 to WSET Level 3 and the global pass rate is less than 60%.  To not only pass, but to achieve the highest possible grade is a superb achievement.”

Carter adds: “Here at Shropshire Wine School, we teach in small groups and can really focus on the individual student. Perhaps surprisingly, most of our students are not professionals in the industry but simply people who are passionate about wine looking to develop their knowledge in a structured way.  Whilst the principal objective is of course to pass the exam, students will taste a broad range of excellent wines and there is plenty of group interaction.  It’s a fun topic to learn about”

What is WSET?

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) is the recognised global leader in the provision of wine and spirits training, both for the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts alike.  Its qualifications are delivered by over 800 Approved Programme Providers in over 80 countries to 100,000 plus students per year.  It has three tiers of OFQUAL recognised qualifications (plus the two-year Diploma):

• Level 1 Award in Wines: A one-day introductory course to give a solid grounding in wine, aimed at those starting their career or anyone wishing to acquire some basic knowledge. Taste up to 10 wines.  Multiple-choice exam.
• Level 2 Award in Wines: A three-day intermediate course to provide a broad understanding of the main types of wine, aimed at those moving on in their career or anyone already interested in wine wishing to learn in a structured way. Taste up to 40 wines.  Multiple-choice exam
• Level 3 Award in Wines: A five-day advanced course to give a full appreciation both of most of the wines of the world and answer the “how they are made”? and “why do they taste the way they do”? questions. Taste up to 60 wines.  2-hour theory exam and 30-minute tasting exam.  The qualification is recognised by OFQUAL as a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an “A” level).