Where better to drink and learn about wine than in Europe’s grape heartlands. Expand your horizons with an educational yet enjoyable holiday while you become a qualified wine pro with a ‘study and stay’ experience at a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Approved Programme Provider in a beautiful European setting. WSET is the world’s largest wine and spirits education provider and works with stunning venues globally to offer courses to enthusiasts and professionals.
From a gastronomic indulgence at a Provençal wine estate to a detox/re-tox retreat with yoga, wine and food at a Tuscan castle, be labelled an expert with a Level 1 Award in Wines or Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits whilst basking in the Mediterranean sun.
Chene Bleu Extreme Wine at La Verrière, Crestet, France
WSET has organised a special rate for guests to attend the 10th Anniversary of The Extreme Wine Experience, 24-30 June 2017, with a six night stay in La Verrière, France.
2017 marks a decade for The Extreme Wine Experience, a full immersion WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits course designed by Clive Barlow MW, former Chairman of Education at the Institute of Masters of Wine. Taught by Clive and his partner-in-wine, Nick Dumergue, the course includes hands-on vineyard experience, located at La Verrière a stunning Provençal wine estate in the foothills of Mont Ventoux. Enjoy six nights of gastronomic delights concluding with a black tie Gala Dinner hosted by Ronan Sayburn MS, 67 Pall Mall’s Head of Wine who will be celebrated as Extreme Wine’s ‘Man of The Year’ 2017.
Usually priced from €5100 per person (single occupancy – discounts available for couples), WSET has organised a special rate for the final two places on the course. Price includes course tuition, materials and certificate as well as six nights luxury accommodation with all breakfasts, lunches and dinners. For all enquiries, email extremewine@laverriere.com and quote WSET2017XW to obtain special WSET rates.
Cellar Stylist at Castello Di Potentino, Seggiano, Italy
Join Cellar Stylist at Castello Di Potentino for their WSET Level 1 Award in Wines course with food workshops and yoga classes on 12-16 October 2017.
Learn the essentials about wine (with a special focus on the wines of Italy), following the globally recognised WSET approach on this five day residential course held in a beautiful medieval Tuscan castle. Eat fabulous food and participate in morning food and wine pairing workshops and afternoon masterclasses in Tuscan pork butchery and risotto and pasta-making with local Michelin starred chef Il Silene’s Roberto Rossi. To balance the indulgence, enjoy optional yoga classes and hikes amongst ancient olive groves looking over Monte Amiata, Tuscany’s Mount Olympus.
The WSET course will be led by Decanter Italian wine writer and VIA Italian Wine Ambassador, Emily O’Hare, previously Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at The River Café. Prices start from €1550 per person (based on triple occupancy) including airport transfers from Pisa, four nights full board accommodation, WSET course tuition, materials and certificate, wine and food workshops and winery visit, yoga classes and an afternoon spa trip to the ancient therapeutic baths at Bagno Vignoni. For all enquiries, email cellarstylist@gmail.com.
Auberge du Vin, Mazan, France
Learn about wines whilst admiring the expansive views of the vines from the sunny classroom in this traditional French farmhouse. Auberge du Vin’s WSET Certified Educator, Linda Field runs WSET Level 1 Award in Wines on demand most Fridays throughout the year with ‘study and stay’ two night packages including breakfast and lunch. You’ll have a chance to taste local wines, speak with their winemakers and hear about the latest developments in the vineyards and wineries to create a lasting impression of the course and increase your understanding of wine.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits courses are scheduled for later in the year from 7-11 November or 5-9 December 2017 and can also be booked on demand subject to a minimum enrolment of four students. The experience includes three days tuition with delicious lunches as well as a visit to the famous wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to see a working winery. The WSET Level 1 Award in Wine study and stay package costs €300/£250 per person and the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits package costs €795/£695 per person (based on double occupancy). For all enquiries, email info@aubergeduvin.com Alternatively, step away from the classic regions of Europe and explore the up-and-coming vineyards of the southern UK…
The Vineyard Hotel, Berkshire, UK
The Vineyard Hotel is hosting WSET Level 1 Award in Wines courses on 11 June, 17 September or 15 October 2017 and a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits course from 30 July–1 August 2017, delivered by The Vineyard’s own WSET Certified Educator, James Hocking.
The Vineyard is a luxurious country hotel with wine at its core. Owned by the Michael family who also own Peter Michael Winery in California, the hotel has a 30,000 bottle cellar which lends itself to an award winning wine list with 100 wines to taste by the glass. The ‘study and stay’ experience is complete with 32 suites and 17 bedrooms all named after iconic wines from around the world along with the “5 Bubbles” spa and an impressive art collection displayed throughout the hotel.
Overnight packages start from £302 per person (based on double occupancy for a Level 1 course). Price includes all WSET study material, tuition and certificates as well as breakfast, a three course lunch and refreshments throughout the day. For all enquiries, email events@the-vineyard.co.uk.
ABOUT THE WINE & SPIRIT EDUCATION TRUST (WSET)
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the largest global provider of wine and spirits qualifications for beginner enthusiasts to expert professionals. Courses are offered through Approved Programme Providers such as hotels, restaurants, wine and spirits shops and schools worldwide, ranging from one day Level 1 Awards in Wines, Spirits or Sake, up to the full Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits. Anyone can find their local course provider on www.wsetglobal.com.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is a beginners’ course with a hands-on approach to wines, exploring the main styles through sight, smell, and taste, while providing the skills to understand the key factors affecting flavours and aromas and describe them accurately using WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting. Having learnt how to identify the key characteristics of acidity, sweetness and tannin levels, you are then presented with a plate of sweet, salty, spicy, acidic and fatty foods to learn how to perfectly pair wine with food. For the budding collector, there is also a section on how to store wines and tips to perfect service from temperature to glassware.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits covers the next level of knowledge from wine production, the main grape varieties and wine regions and the role climate plays in dictating the prominent flavours. You’ll learn about the styles of wines produced from these grapes as well as key classifications and labelling terminology. The course also includes a section on food and wine pairing as well as a basic overview of the key categories of spirits and liqueurs.
Upon successful completion of each of these courses you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin – as well as impress your friends with your new knowledge!
