We at Gusbourne are delighted to be an Approved Programme Provider (APP) for the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Levels 1 Award in Wines.
The Wine and Spirits Education Trust provides globally recognised qualifications in wines and spirits. Their courses provide excellent learning opportunities for wine lovers, trade professionals and enthusiastic hobbyists alike. Attending a WSET-approved programme at Gusbourne will set you up with the knowledge to choose and appreciate wine with confidence. Our class sizes are a kept to a maximum of 14 to ensure they are personal and un-intimidating. Please note that you should be 18 years old when starting any of our WSET courses.
The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines course is the perfect beginners course for anyone with an interest in wine, be it for pleasure or a career in the service industry. This is a one-day course and is offered as part of our Gusbourne WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, two day Experience.
The Experience consists of two full days of enjoyment, with good company, great food, wonderful wines (of course !) and Gusbourne educators guiding your learning about the vineyards, winemaking and the basics of wine in the WSET ‘Level 1 Award in Wines’ course, giving you a worldwide recognised wine qualification if you successfully pass the exam.
The first day begins with an enhanced private Estate Tour, including a vineyard walk and hilltop tasting as well as a winery walkthrough with insights into production methods. Throughout the day, we’ll start to lay the groundwork for your WSET Level 1 course, introducing links to the course content. The rest of the day consists of a delicious two-course lunch with a curated Gusbourne tasting followed by transfer to The George in Rye for a luxurious overnight stay. After checking in, there will be leisure time to explore the historic town of Rye followed in the evening by an English sparkling wine reception with canapés and a three-course tasting dinner featuring limited-edition wine pairings. Afterwards there will be an opportunity to relax in the bar with additional Gusbourne wines available by the glass on the night.
After a hearty breakfast at The George and transfer back to The Nest visitor centre, the following day focusses on the WSET Level 1 course and exam. After tea and coffee on arrival the course begins at 10am with a buffet lunch of cheese, charcuterie, bread and salads at noon. In the afternoon, the Course continues, culminating in the WSET Level 1 exam, finishing at about 4.30pm. This is followed by a celebratory glass of Gusbourne and the opportunity to purchase wines from the Nest shop and/or relax with an extra glass before a fond farewell, with The Nest closing at 5.00pm.
The full details of Monday’s WSET Level 1 course itself can be found further below..
Booking
You can book a WSET course with us at Gusbourne for the dates shown in your invitation email by completing the online booking form. Or alternatively call us on 01233 515910 quoting your Gusbourne Members Club membership number.
We will then send you a confirmation email with any requests for additional information such as dietary requirements. We will also require your email, a home address and a telephone number to be able to contact you concerning course details, results and to send you your Certificate if successful in passing the examination for your course. Please read the Privacy documents for Gusbourne and WSET via the link in your invitation email.
Classes normally start at 9.45 arrival for tea and coffee with sit down at 10.00am and will finish at approx. 4.30pm with The Nest visitor centre closing at 5.00pm.
Where: The Nest, Gusbourne, Kenardington Road, Appledore, Kent, TN26 2BE.
Tel: + 01233 515910
Email: nest@gusbourne.com
Reasonable Adjustments: Please make us aware of any condition or information which may mean that you will qualify for additional help during the course and/or the exam at least 20 working days before the course begins. (please provide supporting documentation with your booking, e.g. a doctor’s certificate or similar as needed). Dyslexia would be an example of a condition potentially qualifying for additional help for instance.
Dietary requirements: Please make us aware of any dietary requirements for your light lunch, which is included in the course and we will be ‘tasting’;- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG); a chilli crisp; sugar; lemon; cheddar cheese; sweet biscuit (nuts) and grapes (!)
Course Details
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 Award in Wine is an ideal starting point for those considering embarking on a professional career in the drinks industry or those with no little or prior experience of wine tasting but would like to know more. It is an enjoyable, relaxed and interactive course which is completed in a single day, including the exam, making it easy to fit in with a busy working schedule or as part of your normal activities. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines has full accreditation from OfQual as part of the UK Government’s Qualifications & Credits Framework as a Level 1 Vocational Qualification.
Duration of course: 1 day inclusive of examination
Assessment – An examination takes place in the last session of the course. The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes. To pass you must correctly answer 70% of the questions. This qualification is Ofqual regulated.
Certification: All students who pass will be issued with an electronic certificate suitable for printing and framing.
About the course:
This hands-on course will teach you to understand more about wine through sight, smell and taste. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to taste wine using the Systematic Approach to Tasting, identify key styles of wine, and know the characteristics of important grape varieties. You’ll also learn the key principles of food and wine pairing and how to apply these to your own food and wine choices.
Successful students will receive a WSET certificate, acknowledged around the world to show a level of wine knowledge and understanding, both professionally and for private achievement.
Do I need any prior knowledge? – No prior knowledge is required. All classes are delivered in English therefore a good level of English is beneficial.
COURSE SYNOPSIS
Wine Tasting: Taste and describe wines using the WSET® Systematic Approach to Tasting
Food and Wine Matching: A practical guide to the key considerations when matching food and wine successfully
Wine Service and Storage: Learn the correct way to store and serve wine and recognise common faults found in wines
Social Responsibility: A guide to sensible drinking
Types and Styles of Wine: Learn about what makes wines taste different from each other
Grape Varieties: Learn about the characteristics and styles of wines produced from the main grape varieties
Main white grape varieties such as: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio
Main black grape varieties such as: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz
Named White Wines such as: Sancerre, Chablis, Sauternes
Named Red Wines such as: Beaujolais, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rioja, Chianti
Number of Wines Tasted: at least 11 wines will be tasted as part of the course
Study Materials: Students will receive the WSET Level 1 Award in Wine Study Guide upon arrival in class.
Course Specification: Those who wish to review the course specification in preparation for the course can view it HERE. Level 1
Terms & Conditions + Cancellations and refunds
Bookings are made on a first come, first served basis for the places available on each course.
Full payment for each course must be made at the time of booking – we do not accept provisional bookings and places will only be confirmed once payment has been received. We will send you a confirmation of your booking by email.
Cancellations of previously confirmed places will be accepted up to 20 working days prior to the start of the course, otherwise no refund will be available. Transfers of a confirmed booking either to another course or another applicant can also be made up to 20 working days before the course start date. After that time, the full cost of any study materials already supplied will be deducted and the remainder of the course fee will be refunded to the payee.
Courses must reach a minimum number of attendees in order to proceed. In the event that this number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the course. Ten working days’ notice will be given should this be unfortunately necessary. Every effort will be made to offer places on a subsequent course but if no suitable replacement course date can be agreed, then a full refund of any payments will be made.
Level 1 course materials are provided to students on the first day of the course. They will not be posted in advance.
The Nest, Gusbourne, Kenardington Road, Appledore, Kent, TN26 2BE.
Tel: +01233 515910
Email: nest@gusbourne.com
Resits
You have the option to re-sit an exam if you have received a "Fail". Please contact The Nest to discuss your options. It is not possible to re-sit an exam you have passed in order to obtain a higher grade. WSET exam resit Fees:
Level 1 in person - £120
Level 2 in person - £150
Level 3 (tasting & theory) in person - £275
Level 3 (tasting only) in person - £125
Level 3 (theory only) in person - £150
These fees are for resitting an exam at one of our scheduled/published WSET courses. Additional re-sit fees will apply if a separate, non-scheduled WSET exam is needed.
