Wine & Spirit Education Trust
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust is a British organization that arranges courses and exams in the trade of wine and spirits. WSET was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in London.
Commonly referred to as WSET, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost providers of wine certification. It grew out of the Wine & Spirit Association’s Education Committee and was subsidized with the financial help of the Vintners’ Company.
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust administration reports to a Board of Trustees with eight members; three from The Vintners’ Company, three from the Wine & Spirit Association, one from the Worshipful Company of Distillers(London), and another from the Institute of Masters of Wine.
Why WSET Was Established
Before the Wine & Spirit Education Trust was established, the British wine industry had no key source of knowledge. The only way people learned about wine was through hands-on training in the country where they lived. It’s one of the reasons the British wine industry continues to have a deeply regional perspective to this day.
For example, a person from London could become an apprentice at an auction house or wine shop where Rhine, Burgundy, and Bordeaux wines dominate. This person may master these wines but not the wines sold in other locations like Italy, Spain, Germany, etc. Even people who lived in the French regions of the Loire or Rhone Valley would not understand wines manufactured in other French regions like Bordeaux or the Jura.
Programs for Restaurant Staff
The courses given by WSET were initially intended for employees in the wine & spirit trade. The majority of students remain essentially restaurant employees. However, their programs are also attended by non-professional connoisseurs. The WSET further offers professional certification in the United States, with franchises across the country.
How Much Do Exams Cost?
Either online classes or in-person seminars are included in the cost of a WSET exam. There are many WSET affiliates, and they all charge different prices and package the exams in unique ways. The pricing we have supplied is the least you will spend taking the exams. We do not include the cost of the Level 1 Award ($800+) in our calculations since it is not required to sit for Level 2.
- Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits $600+
- Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits   $1000+
- Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits$7500+
The diploma includes the following sections:- The Global Business of Wine
- Wine Production
- Light Wines of the World
- Spirits of the World
- Sparkling Wines of the World
- Fortified Wines of the World
Total Cost of WSET Exams: $9,100+
WSET Certification Versus WSET Schools
There are over one hundred WSET franchises in the United States. Unfortunately, with minimal oversight, the quality of those schools is very variable. In our independent reviews, we have found that the instruction at WSET schools spans the gamut from excellent to disappointing.
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has a unique business model. It franchises its educational material and certifications to independent contractors around the country.
Best Wine & Spirits Education Trust Schools
With more oversight of various wine schools, their sommelier certifications could regain their place as one of the top wine education firms in the United States. If you are interested in WSET courses, we strongly suggest looking toward Napa and NYC. Otherwise, you may get an outdated PowerPoint presentation and a glass of mediocre wine. It would be best to read our reviews of individual wine schools very closely before committing to a specific WSET school.
The critical point is to make sure the school’s teaching staff are certified wine educators.
Wine & Spirits Education Trust Accreditation
WSET diplomas are known as “trade certification” or “professional certification.” This is the type of certification all sommelier agencies offer. For an overview, we strongly recommend reading this overview: Sommelier Certifications in America.
Some standards need to be complied with for this type of certification. However, we’ve covered them in detail in our reviews of the Court of Master Sommeliers and the National Wine School, so there is no need for those details at this time.
WSET does not require continuing education exams, which may nullify WSET diplomas in the future (this is not a problem in other countries or in England, where the school is fully accredited). This is one of several significant issues with WSET wine certificates. Another is that WSET violated ANSI and ICE standards on professional certification.
Under US standards, professional certification exams must be open to everyone, and the certifying body (in this case, WSET) has to be independent of the school. However, since WSET franchises its class material and tests to outside schools, it doesn’t pass the basic standards for professional certification.
Is it Legit?
Another problem with how the WSET runs its wine classes and certification programs is state education law. Many states require professional courses to be held by an accredited, licensed, or approved state. This can cause some severe problems in the future for any WSET-franchised school, as it may run afoul of government agencies.
The following states require any trade school (including wine schools) to be accredited, licensed, or state-approved to run classes. This can cause some severe problems in the future for any WSET-franchised school, as it may run afoul of government agencies. Therefore, as of this writing, WSET is not accredited, licensed, or approved to offer sommelier certification in any state in the United States.
- Wyoming
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Washington
- Virginia
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Rhode Island
- Oregon
- North Dakota
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- Nevada
- Nebraska
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Kansas
- Iowa
- Georgia
- District of Columbia
- Colorado
One of the ways that WSET is getting around this issue is to change its nomenclature. A few years ago, WSET stopped offering “Wine Professional Certifications” and started using “Wine Qualifications.” While this sidesteps the legal issues, it begs the question: if the Wine & Spirit Education Trust doesn’t offer professional wine certifications, what is the point?
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Hello Everyone!!
I am Satish from India, having experience in the hotel industry as well as in teaching. I am interested in Wine and wish to go for wine sommelier specialization, however not sure which college to join.
I would be really thankful if anyone could help me with this.
Thanks and Regards
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Punia,
i am rajender punia from india.i love wine so i want to know more about wine.i want to do online wine course.pls tell me how i can join online course.How much fee level 2
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How would you rate WSET’s Home Study Program? I am looking at the PhillyWine WSET program. The home study program is much more affordable, but I wouldn’t take it if it were not a quality program. Thank you!
The WSET Home Study program is best taken in NYC. We have not had good feedback about the Philadelphia franchise. That said, we feel it is better to take a course at a good school rather than take an online or home study program.
Thanks for the feedback. So in your opinion, what’s my best option for Philly area? Wine school of Philadelphia? I’m not looking for a career in wine, (I’m semi-retired), but I want enough knowledge to be qualified to work in a winery or tasting room. I was hoping not to spend $1000+,, but I will if that’s what’s necessary. Thanks again!!
Have you any feedback on the Wine School of Philadelphia? I don’t have personal knowledge of the school: we did a survey about a year ago with positive results. Honest reports are always welcome.
Hi Karen, I don’t know if you sorted out the questions you had with regard to WSET. I took Level 3 online two years ago while living in NYC. The online program was quite rigorous and the assignments were reviewed by a wine instructor located in London. I passed the written exam with distinction and I am now looking to take level 4. I too now live in Philly and the only place it is offered is at Phillywine, which only received a 52% approval rating. So I am wondering what to do as well…
I have been considering Wine School of Philadelphia for their Foundation program. However I now see that Wine spectator has an online course for wine lovers and also professionals. It’s not certification, but its comprehensive and free for wine spectator subscribers. For what I’m interested in, I don’t think the certification is necessary. For certification, The Wine School has an excellent reputation, and I have taken several wineclasses there.
Good luck!
Karen
Karen,
Let us know how you like the online wine school at Wine Spectator. We haven’t reviewed it yet. We’ve talked to two people who took their online classes, and weren’t thrilled about the experience.
On another note, some wine schools will give you a significant discount if you don’t need a diploma. You should ask your local schools if they would let you audit their classes.
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