WSET Level 1 in Wine
€429
About this course
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The WSET Level 1 in Wines Certification is destined for professionals and wine enthusiasts. It has been designed to provide a reliable but simple introduction wine.
About the course
Level 1 focuses on the section of food and wine pairing, through many hours of training and practice which is valuable for the daily life of a professional and a wine lover, as well as for rendering a high level of services in all markets addressed to end consumers. The in-depth analysis of food & wine pairing shall be considered as taught-as of this Level for all other Levels of Studies and we shall not revert.
The Level 1 Award will help anyone who needs to become familiar with the main styles and categories of wines; for example, it will help Front Line Staff who manage a broad portfolio of alcoholic drinks in retail, wholesale sectors and hospitality.
Successful performance in the examinations is a prerequisite for being awarded the Certification.
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The Level 1 qualification holders shall be cognizant of the key stages of grape growing and winemaking, the principal types and styles of wines, the basic characteristics of wines from the main grape varieties as well as other examples of wine and the key principles of wine storage and serving. Emphasis on food & wine pairing is added to all the above.
Overall, this educational program comprises of 13 hours of classes and examinations.
The results are announced within 5 working weeks from the examinations date. Successful performance in the examinations is a prerequisite for taking the studies to the Level 2 in Wines.
Program of Courses and Curriculum
Level 1 in Wine
Learning outcomes
There are four learning outcomes to achieve the certification’s purpose.
Learning Outcome 1: Know the key stages in grape growing and winemaking.
- Parts of the grape
- Grape growing
- Climate
- Alcoholic Fermentation
- Production of still white, red and rosé wines
Learning Outcome 2: Know the types, characteristics and styles of wines from the principal grape varieties and other.
- Basic types and styles of wine
- Key grape varieties
- Examples of wines from the key grape varieties
- Examples of other wines
- Examples of Greek wines
Learning Outcome 3: Know the key principles and practices involved in the storage and service of wine.
- Storage of wines
- Wholesale and Retail
- Description of service temperature
- Serving of wine
- Responsible consumption
Learning Outcome 4: Principal food & wine interactions.
- Food ingredients affecting wine
- Elements in wine influenced by food
- Rules in food and wine pairing
- Evaluation exercises
- Substantiation of interactions
Enrollment
- Express your interest by phone (210 9882540 & 544) or via e-mail(education@wspc.gr)
Your enrollment is finalized with the pre-payment of the tuition fees, either through eshop, or through a bank account deposit/ web-banking.
- After the deposit of tuition fees, a Registration Form is sent to you that you should fill in. Upon correct submission of the Registration Form, your registration is automatically completed.
- Candidate students allowed to participate in the courses should be over the age of 18.
- Candidate students must have an e-mail address to enroll. Any important information regarding your studies is sent by e-mail.
- WSET Level 1 Award in Wines to students successfully completing the course:
On receiving the certificates from WSET London, WSPC sends the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines qualification to successful students by courier together with the label pin. The cost for dispatching the certificates shall be borne by the recipient to make sure that this official document will reach the beneficiary on own responsibility.
WSPC shall assume no responsibility in case of negligence in receiving the certificate on behalf of the beneficiary. In case of certificate loss, re-issuing by the WSET® Awards costs €50.00.
- • Enrollment corresponds to the course selected by the student. Fees shall not be refundable and shall not be used for enrollment on a next similar course.
- Upon lapse of the registration deadline, there will be no late registration. In the event of a late registration, students shall be encumbered with an additional charge amounting to €70 + V.A.T.
- WSPC shall reserve the right to cancel a course, if the required minimum number of students is not reached. In such a case, the enrolled students shall be credited the entire deposited amount.
Methods of payment:
By Bank deposit to:
- Alpha Bank IBAN: GR33 0140 1180 1180 0233 0000 482 (WSPC L.T.D).
- Piraeus Bank IBAN: GR73 0171 7270 0067 2711 3141 025 (private higher education school).
- Eurobank IBAN: GR06 0260 0190 0005 4020 1143 015 (private higher education school, Vocational Center).
Justification of deposit: Student’s full name, or corporate trade name, in case of a corporate expenditure.
By Credit/Debit card Visa & MasterCard
Main principles
The following expectations are designed to improve the quality of the WSPC classroom experience. We therefore ask our students to honor the following principles aimed at building a positive and productive learning environment based on mutual respect while in class.
Do not miss classes
Students that attend classes regularly are more likely to pass their exams – and with better grades. In case of absence, it is a student’s responsibility to catch up with notes, assignments and /or wines tasted in class that day.
Do not be late
Arriving on time to class is an act of respect for your fellow students and instructors. If, despite your best efforts, you arrive late, make sure you enter the classroom discreetly and pick the first available seat.
Come to class well prepared
Preparation before class is essential for a better understanding of the curricula. Students that turn in assignments on time build up their knowledge and increase the possibility of scoring higher at exams. Assignments not turned in within the deadline will not be accepted.
Turn your mobile off while in class
This is also a sign of respect. In case you are expecting an urgent call, you are kindly requested to inform your instructor at the beginning of the class and keep your mobile on silent mode. Upon call reception, please exit the class as discreetly as possible.
Please note that the use of portable electronic devices (mobile, laptop, MP3 player etc) while in class is not allowed, as can be distracting to faculty and students, may infringe upon privacy or copyright, and can have a negative effect on classroom discussions. The bottles of every wine flight tasted remain in display after class, so students may take photos of the labels for their convenience.
Avoid side conversations
This is common courtesy towards your classmates and instructors. Talking to each other may be distracting and counterproductive.
Avoid dominating discussion
Participation in class is important and queries enhance comprehension of the curricula. The time dedicated to Q&As is based on the instructor’s discretion. It is important that students respect the time set for queries during class, avoid talking out of turn and give others a fair opportunity to participate.
THE ABOVE PRINCIPLES ALSO APPLY DURING THE EXAMINATIONS
Important Information on the examinations
The examination for the WSET Level 1 Certification is a closed-book assessment comprised of:
- Practical 45-minute assessment of food – wine pairing.
This exercise is assessed directly by the WSPC Internal Assessor and is qualitative, not quantitative.
- 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes.
Successful performance at this unit requires a total minimum mark of 70%. Candidates should answer correctly at least 21 questions.
- The language of examination is Greek. In case you wish to sit the examination in the English language, you should declare it when requested.
WSET® Awards does not award Titles of Studies/Certificates unless all prerequisites and assessment requirements regarding the studies and the examinations for each Program of studies are fulfilled (aegrotat pass).
Persons with Disabilities
Candidates with special examination and assessment requirements, are requested to inform the Enrollments officer and/or the Examinations officer on any such requirement prior to enrollment on a Program. It is the policy of WSET Awards that such candidates should not be placed at a disadvantaged position during the courses or at the examinations. Where appropriate, WSPC and WSET may request from the student to submit an official medical opinion by a qualified state body related to the candidate in question.
Re-sit
Candidates may apply to resit the examination if they failed the examinations. There is no limit on the number of attempts to resit the examinations. Candidates who have passed the examinations are not allowed to resit to improve their grade.
- Examinations are compulsory. If a candidate does not sit the examination on the set date and time, it is possible, to request and sit the next possible examination for Level 1 on a re-sit cost (re-sit exam fee): €110.
- If a candidate fails the examination, it is possible, to request and re-sit the next possible examination for Level 1 on a re-sit cost (re–sit exam fee): €110.
- Enrollment in WSET Level 2 Award requires successful performance at WSET Level 1 Award.
Examination conditions and regulations
- Upon registration for an examination, candidates are deemed to acknowledge and agree to the following specific conditions:
- at the start of the examination all candidates must supply the invigilator with proof of identity in the form of photographic ID, a valid passport or valid driver’s license
- Candidates must have their own: pencil type HB2, eraser, sharpener
- Candidates must have their own individual water bottle
- the examination is to be completed in the time specified
- no reference is to be made to any material, in whatever form, other than the examination question paper and answer sheet
- once the invigilator has declared that examination conditions are in place, no communication of any kind between candidates is permitted until they have left the examination room or the invigilator has announced the end of the examination
- during the examination candidates are only permitted to have the following items on their desk: tasting glasses, spittoon, pencils, erasers, and drinking water
- it is prohibited for candidates to take any photographs of the examination room or examination materials
- for tasting examinations candidates should not wear perfume, aftershave lotion or any other strong scent
- the use of electronic devices of any kind is prohibited
- mobile phones must not be on the examination desk, they must be switched off and placed out of sight
- the use of dictionaries of any kind is prohibited
- the use of audible ‘alarms’ on any clock or watch is prohibited
- candidates may not leave the room until the first 15 minutes of the examination time have elapsed
- candidates who arrive late may be allowed to enter the room at the discretion of the invigilator and only if other candidates are not compromised. Under normal circumstances we would not expect any candidate to be allowed to start the examination if they arrive more than 30 minutes after the published start time
- candidates who arrive after the published start time will NOT be allowed to sit the examination if any other candidate has already left the examination
- candidates may not leave, and then return to, the examination room once the examination has started unless they can be accompanied by an invigilator at all times while they are out of the examination room
- candidates who complete the examination/assessment early may leave the examination room up until the last 10 minutes, providing they do not disturb other candidates; no re-admission is permitted
- invigilators have no authority to comment upon, interpret, or express an opinion on any examination question
- any candidate who is suspected of misconduct will be advised to leave the examination room immediately and their examination paper will be submitted to the Examination Panel to determine its validity
- no examination question papers are to be removed from the examination room; candidates who fail to submit the question paper with their answer sheet will be deemed guilty of misconduct
- it is prohibited for candidates to reveal the content of examination papers to others, or reproduce it in any way.
- Candidates agree to abide by the invigilator’s instructions. Failure to do so may render a candidate’s results invalid.
- WSET reserves the right to permanently exclude candidates found guilty of misconduct from WSET qualifications.
- Examination papers submitted for marking become the property of WSET Awards and will not be returned to candidates.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines to students successfully completing the course
On receiving the certificates from WSET London, WSPC sends the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines qualification to successful students by courier together with the label pin. The cost for dispatching the certificates shall be borne by the recipient to make sure that this official document will reach the beneficiary on own responsibility.
WSPC shall assume no responsibility in case of negligence in receiving the certificate on behalf of the beneficiary. In case of certificate loss, re-issuing by the WSET® Awards costs €60.
Examination Enquiries, Feedback and Appeals
- Candidates requesting a re-mark and/or feedback on their examination sheet shall have to contact WSPC and fill in an Enquiry & Feedback Form. The form should be filled in and be delivered to WSPC along with the corresponding monetary amount within the rigorous time frame set by your Program provider from the examination date. Any request received beyond the time frame set shall be dismissed. Re-mark and feedback will be provided by WSET Awards within two weeks following receipt of the request.
- Any candidate remaining dissatisfied with the request outcome in relation to the examination sheet should contact WSPC and file an Appeal against Enquiry Application Form; this appeal should be completed and sent to the WSET Awards with the appropriate fee within 10 working days following the communication of the request. Any request received beyond the time frame set shall be dismissed. Answers to the Appeals shall be issued within two weeks upon receipt by the WSET Awards.
Where do classes take place?
In programs outside Athens, classes are hosted in affiliated hotels. We carefully select our partners to meet the high standards of safety and hygiene required, at all levels.
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Are there any conditions in place for my enrollment on live classes and therefore for entering the school?
WSPC is subject to educational and health protocols. Therefore, enrollment in all in-person programs applies to students who meet the requirements, as mandated by the Public Health authorities.
How can I better prepare myself for the class?
The following file will help you better understand the requirements for the Programs you attend, better plan your study and achieve the optimum result at the examinations.
Is there a V.A.T rate applied on the tuition fees?
No, because WSPC is an educational organization certified by the Ministry of Education.
What do tuition fees include?
Everything. The fees cover the Greek edition of the Program’s books (the English one is sold on demand), the enrollment on WSET London, the examination cost, the exam paper and the issuing of the Title of Studies from WSET London, the teaching hours by a certified instructor, the tasting wines bought (free samples are not accepted), as well as any logistics cost for the section ‘Food & Wine Pairing’ and the overall program.
May I be absent from the class?
Your presence is compulsory in all classes and at the examinations.
What happens if I do not show up at the examinations?
You may register to participate in the next scheduled examination of the Program, either in the same city or in another city where exams will be held, paying the re-sit exam fee standing at €100
What happens if I fail the examinations?
You may enroll to participate in the next scheduled examination of the Program, either in the same city or in another city where exams will be held, paying the re-sit exam fee standing at €100.
How long does it take for the results to be announced?
It takes five (5) working weeks from the examination date.
How do I get informed about the results?
By e – mail from the WSPC Admissions & Awards team.
What does it mean to succeed in examinations?
You become a holder of the internationally renowned WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Certification awarded by the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), headquartered in the United Kingdom (London), and you may advance to the next level of studies (WSET Level 2 in Wines).
How do I receive my certification?
On receiving the certificate from WSET London, WSPC sends your Certification by courier for WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits together with the label pin corresponding to the completed educational Program. The cost for dispatching the certificates shall be borne by the recipient to make sure that this official document will reach you, as the beneficiary on own responsibility.
May I pay the fees in installments?
Yes. Through the eshop, you may pay in installments with your credit card.
Is there a possibility for corporate enrollments?
Yes, it is possible. Contact us for further information.
What are the foreseen options in case live classes are discontinued due to force majeur, as was the case with the pandemic COVID-19?
Should an unforeseen situation occur, classes continue through an online platform. Online classes constitute an accurate extension and continuation of your studies, fully aligned with the requirements as set by the conditions and the Ministry of Education & Religious Affairs.
Konstantinos Lazarakis MW
Head of WSPC Education - Principal of WSPC Wine School
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Certificate
Testimonials
Studying at WSPC for my Diploma in Wines was a truly transformative experience. Engaging tastings, collaborative study sessions and expert guidance provided a comprehensive understanding of the world of wine. It’s a journey that not only enriched my knowledge but also fueled my passion for wine.
Studying at WSPC has been an enriching journey through the world of wine. The engaging curriculum, the dedicated WSPC team with the extensive knowledge & expertise in their field have been fostered my wine knowledge growth creating a unique learning experience. I am truly grateful for the depth of knowledge and skills acquired.
I was born and raised in Munich and have always been passionate about wine culture. . I have a university degree in food science, which originally introduced me to the science of winemaking. I discovered the WSET institution and decided to take the courses related to wine! I am very happy to accomplish the Diploma! It was a big challenge but a great journey as well! I am regularly hosting and/or participating in various events, including wine tastings and exhibitions. I was happy to do my studies in the WSPC. Mr. Konstantinos Lazarakis MW and his colleagues were always there for any questions and support!
Learn as if you were to live forever, they say and this is how my WSET Diploma journey started. For the first time I was sitting in a class together with real winemakers, sommeliers and wine merchants learning about wine and acquiring an in-depth knowledge. Visiting the breathtaking island of Santorini and its iconic wineries during a whole week, is a game changing experience not to be missed.
Studying at WSPC may be one of the most beneficial experiences I have had as a student. From the very first day students have highly experienced tutors by their side and the whole staff assists them with any inquiry. WSPC is undoubtedly the right choice to gain in depth knowledge of the world of wine and beverages.
To study wine, you need to feel inspired. I have studied all four levels of WSET at WSPC. During that time, my tutors Efstathios Saltas at Levels 1 and 2, Gregory Michailos at Level 3 and Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, at Level 4, were truly inspirational and reminded me that wine is above all, an exciting journey!
It was an outstanding experience that I would recommend to anyone who would like to elevate their wine knowledge, critical thinking, and tasting skills to take part! Having guidance from Konstantinos Lazarakis MW together with the support of the whole WSPC team made the journey even more enjoyable!
The course through to the acquisition of Diploma degree was a proactive journey to all the terroirs of the world where wine is produced. The secret tales that were revealed to us, from Konstantinos and Andreas, over the tastings of numerous wines from around the globe created a magical atmosphere, that will be remembered for a long time.
My experience in WSPC started back in 2015 with WSET Level 1, where I had my first encounter with the world of wine. As I proceeded, I gained a lot of insight and confidence and instinctively, continued to seek for more. This led me to the final level of the Diploma, tasting wines from all over the world, learning about the corresponding viticultural and winemaking techniques and how to link them directly to the result. As a new winemaker, I carry this achievement throughout my professional life!
My experience at WSPC was very interesting, especially the Santorini block which enabled us to travel to the island under such special circumstances. Konstantinos Lazarakis is a charismatic teacher who transmits his knowledge with humour and enthusiasm, which makes learning a bright experience.
The high level of seminars, the well-structured educational material, and the participation of renowned professionals with high working experience raised the level of teaching. The knowledge I was exposed too, was practically applied, and helped both my professional and personal development.
After years of experience as a Barista, I decided to try a more responsible position in the hospitality sector. I had to enrich my CV with a relevant qualification to be able to claim the position I coveted at the hotel where I had worked in the past. After a lot of research, I decided to enrol on the BSA seminar due to its prestige and international acclaim because the hotel unit I was interested in working was a foreign interest company. Indeed, it was the best step I took because I was finally selected for the job, after also completing a seminar in bartending. This is indeed a truly substantial and interesting seminar useful to any barista wishing to make a career.
I chose this seminar because its thematic units, both in theory and practice, span across the entire range of a Barista responsibilities. As I didn’t have previous working experience in the field, the theory on coffee and tea, learning the proper use of an espresso machine and the training in the different extraction methods, enabled me to look for a job and to now being employed by one of the largest Greek coffee chains.
On top of being my job, coffee is also my passion and therefore I wanted to broaden my knowledge. After doing research, I discovered that many seminars are offered on coffee, without providing either international certification, or a degree. So, I chose the BSA and it was the best thing I could do for myself. The training was awesome, and I was able to practically understand all the theory; the tutors, with their high level of expertise and the ability to transmit knowledge stood by my side, always smiley and patient, ready to answer all my questions (many indeed!); I acquired abundant knowledge building on the already existing one. The most important of all was that on completion of the program, I went back to my workplace, fully capable of applying all this knowledge. For all the above reasons and for many more, I decided to pursue my training at BSA and my experience became even more fascinating achieving also the Level 2 high-end qualification.
I attended this seminar because I wanted to focus on hot beverages; there is a whole philosophy behind this category that I wanted to learn about. It was an excellent seminar with tutors displaying a high level of expertise both in theory and practice. First and foremost, it was a useful seminar because by learning the history of raw materials, we learn to respect the raw materials quality and quantity. The techniques being taught are also very important as they impact on the outcome.
Coffee is for me a journey in a world of unique experiences, high demands, and successive changes. Therefore, as a professional I need to continuously update my knowledge to offer myself and consumers the pleasure of this journey. So, picking Marilena, Vaggelis and the rest of the team, I discovered a unique interactive, educational experience. In addition to the abundance of knowledge found in the full and perfectly structured educational material, I discovered mistakes I used to make, and I was able to drastically improve myself, helped by the structure of the seminar and the application of knowledge in real life. It is also worth mentioning the state-of-the-art equipment, the impeccable running of exams and the ongoing professional support on completion of seminars. I would like to thank my buddies for the beautiful and special moments. Keep going.
The seminar offered me targeted knowledge, without dwelling on generalities. The tutors provided analytical teaching both in theory and in practice. I totally recommend that all young passionate practitioners, with love for coffee, enrol on Levels 1 & 2 to acquire the basic knowledge required for every young Barista starting a career and for further building up knowledge, combined with the work experience, in the immense and ever evolving world of coffee.
In 2014, following a recommendation by some professionals in the wine industry, I began my studies in WSPC, attending the WSET Level 1; at this point I couldn't begin to imagine how long and special this journey would turn out. The excellent structure of the school's curriculum, the imparting of knowledge on every aspect of wine, the familiarisation with all the wine regions of the world combined with the high level and the ethos of tutors encouraged me to continue studying, advancing to higher levels with an increasing momentum. So, in 2017, and while being professionally active in a totally different industry, I found myself in Santorini, kicking off the fascinating path of WSET Diploma. It is an uncommon, demanding, but above all an exciting journey that I managed to successfully accomplish by obtaining the much-coveted qualification in 2019.
The well-structured, rigorous education and the charm of the teaching staff motivated me to go as far as WSET Level 3 and WSPC HESTIA Advanced Certificate and I am now seriously thinking of attempting the WSET Diploma. My job is not related to wine but to printings of refrigerator food labels and content production for various sectors. However, wine is an important part of my life and in the upcoming period I will expand my professional activities in this sector.
I began my studies in wine and spirits at WSPC where I attended Levels 1,2,3 in wines, HESTIA Certificate and Spirits. In 2017, I embarked on WSET DIPLOMA and I will never forget the top level of education and teaching. A very important part for me is the Pan-Hellenic Association of Sommeliers.
Knowing that WSET is the top school for studies in wine, in 2016 I began my studies at WSPC Wine & Spirit Professional Center. The school’s excellent organization, the highly trained tutors, the very well-structured curriculum per level of qualification offering a thorough education and the school’s new premises were my incentive and inspiration to fervently complete, notwithstanding the challenges, the first three WSET L1-L2-L3 and the L3 HESTIA Certificate. And although my career, for many years now, is in stark contrast to the world of wine, as I am a mechanical engineer, the world of wine cast its spell on me and I am now attending at the WSPC, the WSET Diploma, the most challenging, albeit fascinating, wine journey.
Through WSPC, the best organization in the wine industry, both in Greece and abroad, I met wonderful people with dedication and love for wine. A team of professionals ready to teach students everything about wine. Acquiring WSPC Level 4, the WSET Diploma, I expect to complete this journey having in parallel started the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS Europe), a program with a hospitality-oriented focus. All these studies combined with my working experience in wine restaurants and in Michelin-star rated restaurants led me to the ‘wine paradise’ where I am currently working, the Private Members Club 67 PallMall in London.
It was back in 2015 when I became a student at WSPC. I didn’t have to think it twice, the wine training offered by the school is excellent. First and foremost, the school offers wine education and behaviour! Students acquire critical thinking. Not only are we taught by top level tutors to describe, judge, and score a wine but also to respect wine, its culture, the land, the winemaker and the vine grower. I would like to personally thank WSPC, Mr. Konstantinos Lazarakis and first and foremost my mentor, Mr. Yiannis Koulelis who taught me how to love wine and broaden my wine horizons daily; to long for learning, to constantly discover why this journey in the world of wine is endless!
