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 connoisseurs. 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 an oenophil 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 get 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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Holders of the Level 1 Qualification are able to know the main stages of viticulture and winemaking, the main types and styles of wines, the main characteristics of wines from the main grape varieties, as well as other examples of wines, but also the basic principles of wine storage and serving. All this with an emphasis on the combination of wine & food. In cases of dietary preferences (vegan/ vegetarian) or any allergies, the WSPC team will take care of the appropriate configuration of the menu of the relevant module, only if it is declared in time by the prospective student in the “Order Notes” field upon completion of registration.
In total, this educational program consists of 14 hours of classes and exams.
Results are announced within 5 working weeks of the exam date. Success in the exam is a prerequisite for continuing studies at Level 2 in Wine.
Program of Courses andCurriculum
Level 1 in Wine
Learning outcomes
There are four learning outcomes to achieve the certification’s purpose.
Learning Objective 1: Knowledge of the basic stages of viticulture and winemaking.
- Parts of the grape
- Grape growing
- Climate
- Alcoholic Fermentation
- Production of still white, red and rosé wines
Learning Objective 2: Knowledge of the types, characteristics and styles of wines produced from the main grape varieties as well as other examples of wines.
- 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 Objective 3: Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of wine storage and serving.
- Storage of wines
- Wholesale and Retail
- Description of service temperature
- Serving of wine
- Responsible consumption
Learning Objective 4: Fundamental food and wine interactions.
- Food ingredients affecting wine
- Elements in wine influenced by food
- Rules in food and wine pairing
- Evaluation exercises
- Substantiation of interactions
Registration
- Express your interest by phone (210 9882540 & 544) or via e-mail (education@wspc.gr)
Your registration is completed by paying the tuition fees, either via eshop or by depositing into a bank account/ web-banking.
- After depositing the tuition fees, you will be sent the Registration Form, which you will need to fill in. Your registration is automatically completed after the correct submission of the Registration Form.
- Participation is allowed to prospective students over the age of 18.
- A prerequisite for registration is that prospective students must have an e-mail address. All important updates regarding your studies will be made electronically.
- Awarding of the WSET Level 1 Award in Wine Certification to the successful candidates:
- The WSPC, immediately after receiving the degrees from WSET London, sends the successful candidates by courier the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Certificate along with the corresponding lapel pin. The shipment is at the recipient’s expense in order to ensure that this official document reaches the beneficiary at his/her own risk..
- The WSPC is not responsible for any negligence in the collection of a diploma by its holder. In the event of loss of a diploma, its reissue by WSET® Awards costs €60.00.
- Registration concerns the student’s participation in the department he/she has chosen. Tuition fees are non-refundable and cannot be applied to the student’s participation in a subsequent corresponding department.
- After the registration deadline, no other registration can be made (no late registration). In the event of late registration, the student should be aware that he/she will be charged a fee €50 + VAT.
- WSPC reserves the right to cancel a course if the required minimum number of students is not reached. In this case, registered students will be credited with the full amount they have deposited.
Payment methods:
By deposit into a bank account:
- Alpha Bank IBAN: GR33 0140 1180 1180 0233 0000 482 (WSPC Ε.Π.Ε).
- Piraeus Bank IBAN: GR73 0171 7270 0067 2711 3141 025 (Εργαστήριο Ελευθέρων Σπουδών).
- Eurobank IBAN: GR06 0260 0190 0005 4020 1143 015 (Εργαστήριο Ελευθέρων Σπουδών Επαγγ. Κέντρο).
Reason for Deposit: the student’s full name or company name, in the case of a corporate expense.
With Visa & MasterCard Credit/Debit card
Basic principles
The purpose of this information is to help our students understand basic principles of behavior that need to be respected throughout the classes.
A class should provide a friendly and harmonious environment, able to promote a high level of learning progress, ensuring a smooth running of the course and respect towards all parties involved in the learning process-both students and instructor.
Don’t miss a class
It has been proven that students who do not miss classes and are assiduous in attending the course, have more chances to perform better in the examination and pass the test with a higher mark. It is students’ personal responsibility to fill in the gap and look out for notes, exercises, homework or/and flights of wines relevant to the class.
Don’t be late for the class
It is a sign of respect vis-à-vis your fellow students and your instructor. Should it happen due to special circumstances, students should enter the classroom as discreetly and quickly as possible, picking the first available classroom desk.
Come prepared to the class
Preparation constitutes an important part of your effort to better comprehend the teaching material and have fewer questions. Students who submit their papers within the deadlines set, manage to maintain a better flow in their studies and to better assimilate the material, significantly raising the chances of successful performance at the exams and with a higher mark. Any assigned tasks submitted overdue shall be dismissed. However, students may correct themselves at home, having as a guide the recommended form of answering applying in every task.
Switch off your mobile phone at the beginning of the class
It is a sign of respect vis-à-vis your fellow students and your instructor. The use of mobile phones in the classroom is highly annoying and distracts students’ attention. If you are expecting an urgent call, you are kindly requested to inform your instructor at the beginning of the class and keep your phone on silent mode. Once you see the incoming call, leave the classroom as discreetly as possible.
Be aware that any portable electronic apparatus (mobile phone, laptop, MP3 player etc) shall not be allowed during the class. For your reference, you may take a photo of the bottles used in wine tasting during the break or at the end of the class (the bottles remain in a visible spot).
Don’t talk to each other during the class
It is a sign of respect vis-à-vis your fellow students and your instructor. The noise provoked from chatting is likely to distract the instructor and other fellow students, thus disrupting the smooth flow of the class.
Don’t monopolize the floor by raising too many questions preventing your fellow students from submitting their queries
Questions facilitate a broad understanding of the lesson. The time allocated for questions is up to the instructor’s discretion (either during or at the end of the lesson). However, students should take into account the available time for questions, reducing the number of questions addressed to the instructor and enabling their fellow students to raise their own questions.
THE ABOVE PRINCIPLES ALSO APPLY DURING THE EXAMS
Important information about exams
The examination for the WSET Level 1 Award in Wine is conducted in closed books and consists of:
- 45-minute wine-food pairing evaluation.
The evaluation of this exercise is carried out directly by the WSPC Internal Assessor and is qualitative, not quantitative.
- 30 multiple choice questions test, 45 minutes.
A minimum overall score of 70% is required to pass this section. You will need to answer at least 21 questions correctly.
- The examination language for everyone is automatically Greek. If you wish to be examined in English, you must state this when asked to do so.
WSET® Awards does not award Degrees/Diplomas without fulfilling all the conditions and assessment requirements relating to the attendance and examinations of the respective study programme (aegrotat pass).
SPECIAL NEEDS
Prospective students who require special examination and assessment arrangements are requested to inform the Registrar and/or the Examinations Officer of any such requirement before registering for the relevant programme. It is the policy of WSET® Awards that such students should not be placed at a disadvantage during the courses and examinations. Where appropriate, WSPC and WSET may request the student to provide official medical reports from the relevant government body, relevant to the individual concerned.
Re-examination
Candidates have the option of requesting a re-examination if they have failed the exam (FAIL). There is no limit to the number of re-examination attempts. Candidates who have passed the exam, including its individual sections, are not permitted to re-examine to improve their score.
- The exams are mandatory. If someone does not take the exam on the specified date and time, they may, upon their own request, re-sit the next available Level 1 exam at a re-sit exam fee.: €110.
- If someone fails their exams, they will be able, if they so declare, to retake the next possible Level 1 exam at a retake cost.ς (re–sit exam fee): €110.
- Registration for the WSET Level 2 Award requires success in the WSET Level 1 Award examinations.
Conditions, regulations and conduct of exams
1.A prerequisite for participation in the exams is that candidates comply with the following:
- At the start of the exam, all candidates must present a legal photo identification document (ID or driver’s license or Passport) to the invigilator.
- Candidates must have their own: pencil, type HB2, eraser, sharpener.
- Candidates must have their own individual water bottle.
- The exam must be completed within the allotted time.
- No notes or explanations should be made on any material of any kind, other than completing the multiple-choice question sheet and the answer sheet.
- No communication of any kind between candidates is allowed.
- The use of any kind of electronic devices (mobile phones, smart phones, smart watches, tablets, etc.) is prohibited.
- Taking photos of candidates, the exam room or the exam materials is prohibited.
- The use of any kind of dictionaries is prohibited.
- The use of audible warnings from any type of clock is prohibited.
- It is at the discretion of the invigilator to accept the entry of candidates who arrive after the examination start time, and only if they do not endanger the smooth flow of the examination for the remaining examinees.
- Examinees are not allowed to leave the room before the first 15 minutes of the examination time have elapsed.
- Examinees who complete the examination before its official end are allowed to leave the examination room, provided that they do not disturb other candidates. Entry into the room after leaving it is not permitted.
- Invigilators are not authorized to comment, interpret, or express an opinion on any examination question and/or on any conceptual question posed by a student.
- Any candidate suspected of misconduct will be asked to leave the examination room immediately and their test paper will be submitted to the Examination Committee, which will determine the validity of the test paper and any future prohibition on participation in examinations.
- The examination questions will not be removed from the examination room. Candidates who do not submit the questions together with their answer sheet will be considered to be in breach of the regulations.
- The disclosure of the examination content to others, or its reproduction in any way, is prohibited.
2. Candidates must also comply with the invigilator’s instructions. Failure to do so may result in the examination results being invalidated.
3. Examination papers submitted for assessment become the property of WSET® Awards and will not be returned to candidates.
Awarding of the WSET Level 1 Award in Wine Certification to the successful candidates.
WSPC, immediately after receiving the diplomas from WSET London, sends the successful candidates by courier the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Certificate along with the corresponding label pin. The shipment is at the recipient’s expense in order to ensure that this official document reaches the beneficiary at his/her own risk.
WSPC bears no responsibility for any negligence in receiving the diploma by the beneficiary. In case of loss of the diploma, its reissue by WSET® Awards costs €60.
Exam Reviews, Questions and Requests
- Candidates requesting a re-scoring and/or feedback on their examination paper should contact the WSPC and request an Enquiry & Feedback Form. The form should be completed and submitted to the WSPC together with the appropriate fee within the strict time frame specified in your appendix from the date of the examination. Any request received outside this time frame will not be considered. Re-scoring and feedback will be provided by WSET Awards within two weeks of receipt of the request.
- Any candidate who is dissatisfied with the outcome of their appeal in relation to an examination paper should contact the WSPC and request an Appeal against Enquiry Application Form, which should be completed and returned to WSET Awards, together with the relevant fee, within 10 working days of notification of the appeal. Applications received outside this time frame will not be considered. Responses to Appeals will be issued within two weeks of receipt by WSET Awards.
Where are the lessons held;
In programs outside Athens, classes are hosted in hotel rooms. We carefully select our partners to meet the high standards of safety and hygiene required, at all levels.
Virtual Tour
Are there any requirements for me to register for in-person classes?;
WSPC is subject to an educational and health protocol. Therefore, registration in all in-person educational programs concerns students who meet the conditions, as defined by the competent bodies for ensuring Public Health.
How can I better prepare for the lesson?;
The file below will help you better understand the program requirements, organize your study, and achieve the best possible exam results.
Tuition fees are subject to VAT.;
No, because WSPC is an educational organization certified by the Ministry of Education.
What does the tuition include?;
Everything.The Greek version of the program books (the English version is sold on demand), registration at WSET London, the cost of the exam, the exam paper and the issuance of your Qualification from WSET London, the teaching hours from a certified instructor, the wines of the tasting that are purchased (we do not accept free samples), as well as all the logistics for the “Food & Wine Pairing” module and the program as a whole.
*In cases of dietary preferences (vegan/vegetarian) or any allergies, it is mandatory to declare it in the “Order Notes” field upon completing your registration. The WSPC team will ensure the appropriate configuration of the menu of the relevant section only if it is declared in time
Can I be absent from class?;
Your presence is mandatory in all courses and exams.
No refunds are provided for missed lessons.
Also, in cases of extreme weather events or force majeure such as nationwide strikes in public transport, the scheduled courses may be modified. Any change to the predetermined program is made following written communication from the school to the students.
What happens if I don't come to take the exam;
You have the option to register for the next scheduled exam of the program, either in the same city or another one where it will be held, and pay the re-sit exam fee which amounts to €110.
What happens if I don't pass the exam?;
You have the option to register for the next scheduled exam of the program, either in the same city or another one where it will be held, and pay the re-sit exam fee which amounts to €110.
How long does it take for exam results to be announced?;
It takes five (5) working weeks since the examination date.
How do I get notified about the results?;
By e – mail from the WSPC Admissions & Awards team.
What does my success in the exams mean?;
You become holder of the internationally renown 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?;
Immediately after receiving your degree from London (WSET), we will send you your WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Certificate by courier, along with the lapel pin corresponding to the educational program you completed. The shipping is at your own expense (recipient’s charge) in order to ensure that this official document reaches you as the beneficiary, at your own risk.
an I pay the tuition in installments?;
Yes. Through the eshop, you may pay in installments with your credit card.
here is the possibility of corporate registrations;
Yes. Yes, it is possible. Contact us to fill you in.
What is provided in the event of interruption of in-person classes due to force majeure, as happened 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 circumstances 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!
