specification for the wset level 1 foundation · foundation specification for the wset® level 1...

®

FoundationSpecification for the

WSET® Level 1Certificatein Wines

www.wsetglobal.com

‘confidence for front line staff’‘confidence for front line staff’

ISSUE SEVEN • JUNE 2010

FCSpec(Wines)10_web 13/5/10 09:37

Contents

1 - 6 Introduction

7 - 8 WSET® Level 1 Certificate in Wines

9 - 10 Unit One - Introduction to Wine

11 Unit One - Introduction to Food and Wine Matching

12 Example questions and assessment task

13 - 14 Examination Regulations

This specification contains necessary information for both candidates and programme

providers about the WSET® Level 1 Certificate in Wines.

The main part of the document is a detailed statement of learning outcomes. These

outcomes should be used by providers to prepare programmes of learning, and by

candidates to plan their studies, because the examination is set to test these outcomes.

The specification also provides syllabus weighting, study and examination guidance

including the examination regulations.

The WSET® Level 1 Certificate in Wines

FCSpec(Wines)10_web 13/5/10 09:37

1

‘confidence for front line staff ’‘confidence for front line staff ’

FCSpec(Wines)10_web 13/5/10 09:37 Page 1

2 Introduction

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust QualificationsWSET® Awards is the qualifications division of theWine & Spirit Education Trust.

We provide quality-assured qualifica-tions that help people to know moreabout alcoholic beverages and todevelop their tasting skills. We do thisby:

• liaising with the drinks industryto set suitable syllabi

• approving programme providersto offer our qualifications

• setting examinations

• issuing certificates tosuccessful candidates.

The development and awarding ofWSET® accredited qualifications is thesole responsibility of WSET® Awards,the Awarding Body of The Wine andSpirit Education Trust.

Qualification Frameworks

The UK Government’s regulatory authority foreducation, the Qualifications and CurriculumAuthority (QCA) developed the NationalQualifications Framework (NQF). TheFramework is designed to show all thequalifications that are nationally approved atdifferent levels, to enable you to plan yourprogress through them. Levels are numberedfrom 1 (foundation) through to 8 (doctoralequivalent). WSET® qualifications are currentlyaccredited to the NQF as set out in the tablebelow.

The UK Government has established a newregulatory authority, the Office of theQualifications and Examinations Regulator(OfQual), which is developing a new credit-based framework for units and qualifications,the Qualifications and Curriculum Framework(QCF). All WSET® qualifications up to Level 3are being submitted for inclusion in the newFramework.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wines

NQF Level : 1Description : This qualification provides a basic introduction to the main styles of wines available

to front-line staff involved in the service of wine. The qualification aims to providethe basic product knowledge and skills in the storage and service of wines required to prepare a person for their first job in wine hospitality or retail.

National Qualifications Framework


3Introduction continued

National Qualifications Framework continued

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Spirits

NQF Level : 1Description : This qualification provides a basic introduction to the main categories of

spirits available to front-line staff involved in the service or sale of spirits. Thequalification aims to provide basic product knowledge to prepare a person for arole in hospitality or the spirits industry.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 2 Professional Certificate in Spirits

NQF Level : 2Description : This qualification offers a greater breadth and depth of knowledge in the specific

area of spirits and liqueurs than that offered by the broader-based Level 2Certificate in Wines and Spirits. This qualification offers focused coverage of allproduct categories in the field of spirits, end use of the identified productstogether with the theory of tasting technique.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 2 Intermediate Certificate in Wines and Spirits

NQF Level : 2Description : This qualification offers broad coverage of all product categories in the field of

alcoholic drinks, together with the theory of tasting technique. It is suitable forthose with little previous experience.

Full Title : The WSET® International Higher Certificate in Wines and Spirits

Description : The International Higher Certificate gives more comprehensive coverage of the wines and spirits of the world, with an increased focus on tasting technique.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits

NQF Level : 3Description : The Level 3 Advanced Certificate gives more comprehensive coverage of the wines

and spirits of the world, with an increased focus on tasting technique.


4 Introduction continued

National Qualifications Framework continued

Full Title : The WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits

NQF Level : 4Description : This is a specialist qualification where detailed knowledge is combined with

commercial factors and a thorough system for the professional evaluation of wines and spirits. The Diploma is recommended by the Institute of Masters of Wine for candidates wishing to pursue membership.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 5 Honours Diploma in Wines and Spirits

NQF Level : 5Description : This is an individual research project, where students can develop higher-level

research, evaluation and analytical skills in a specialist wine and spirit subject oftheir choice.

BS EN ISO 9001:2008

WSET® Awards operates a Quality Management System whichcomplies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2008 for themanagement of awards for qualifications and examinations in theproduct knowledge and tasting competence of alcoholic beverages. BS EN ISO 9001:2008

FS 66504


5Introduction continued

The WSET® Level 1 FoundationCertificate does not specificallyassess any of the key skills. However,it is considered that there areopportunities for students to developcertain key skills and generateevidence for portfolio presentation.

For the benefit of tutors and students,a mapping key for the six key skillshas been produced. The mapping keywill give examples where, in thenatural course of study for a WSET®

Level 1 Foundation Certificate, it ispossible to practice and generateevidence for portfolios in key skills. Itshould be noted that the opportuni-ties for developing key skills andgenerating evidence might be affectedby the mode of study adopted.

Not all key-skills requirements arecovered by the WSET® Level 1Foundation Certificate. We, therefore,advise that any student who wishes tocomplete the key-skills requirementsshould contact a specialist key-skillsadvisor who should be able to givesuitable advice for the completion oftasks.

However, two of the key skills havebeen identified where it is possible todevelop and practice key skills:

• communication

• improving own-learningand performance.

How to prepare for the Level 1Foundation Certificate

WSET® qualifications can only beoffered by organisations approved byWSET® Awards, known as ApprovedProgramme Providers (APPs) andstudents wishing to study for aWSET qualification must enrol withan APP. The student’s relationship iswith their APP and the APP isresponsible for the delivery of thecourse and administering the exami-nation, which is set by WSET®

Awards.

Group study with an APP is the bestway of learning how to taste, butsome APPs also prepare candidatesfor our examinations by distancelearning.

A list of Approved ProgrammeProviders (APPs) in the United Kingdomand overseas is published on theWSET® website (www.wsetglobal.com).Please contact the APP directly tofind out about their programmes.

Development of Key Skills

• Key Skills

The UK Government, through theOffice of the Qualifications andExaminations Regulator, has definedlevels of attainment in six key skills:communication, application of number,information technology, working withothers, improving own-learning andperformance, problem solving.


Customer Service StatementThe quality and scope of servicecustomers can expect from WSET®

Awards is published in our CustomerService Statement. A copy can beobtained from the Centres Co-ordinatorand Quality Assurance Manager, WSET®

Awards.

In the unlikely event of any dissatisfac-tion with the service received, pleasecontact the registered APP in the firstinstance. If the issue is not resolvedplease contact the Centres Co-ordinatorand Quality Assurance Manager, WSET®

Awards.

Scholarship SchemeFor those candidates employed in thedrinks business in the UK, as well asfor a more limited number of candidates from the general public andoverseas, WSET® Awards manages ascheme to match outstanding candi-dates in their examinations to scholar-ship awards made available by industrysponsors. The awards are typicallyvisits to wine or spirit producingregions. In a number of cases, furtherinterviews are held to determinesuitable candidates.Contact [email protected] for furtherinformation and a current list ofscholarships.

Regrettably, WSET® Awards is notin a position to offer grants tocandidates wishing to pursue ourqualifications.

To aid the key-skills tutor and student,we have created tracking guides for thekey skills a student should beable to demonstrate when undertaking aWSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate,and these are available in the APPHandbook and from the WSET® website(www.wsetglobal.com).

The guides identify key-skill opportuni-ties which will occur when using therecommended WSET® Tutor Guides andLevel 1 Foundation Certificate studypack as part of the course of study forthe WSET® Level 1 FoundationCertificate in Wines. Tutors who adoptalternative approaches to teaching maygenerate different opportunities for thedevelopment and demonstration of keyskills.

Equal Opportunities PolicyWSET® Awards fully supports the princi-ple of equal opportunities and is respon-sible for ensuring that allcandidates for its qualifications aretreated fairly and on an equal basis.A copy of our equal-opportunitiespolicy can be obtained from theCentres Co-ordinator and QualityAssurance Manager, WSET® Awards.

6 Introduction continued


7The WSET® Level 1 Certificate in Wines

customer enquiries. The course aimsto provide students with product andservice information relevant to theirplace of employment or study.

The qualification aims to providethe basic product knowledge andskills in the service of wines requiredto prepare a person with theknowledge to underpin the job skillsand competences, for example, inpositions in the sale and service ofwine in restaurants and bars, and forstore and call-centre staff in wineretail or wholesale.

Qualification aimsThe Level 1 course is for thosepreparing for, or employees starting,their first job in wine. It may also beused for students on a course ofstudy leading to food and drinkservice NVQs at Level 1 and 2 or otherhospitality-related qualifications. TheFoundation course will introducethem, at a very basic level, to the mainstyles of wine available, wine storageand service and the matching of foodand wine. This will enable students tomeet workplace or Realistic WorkingEnvironment (RWE) wine servicestandards and deal with basic

• state the procedures for theopening of wines

• state the social, health, safetyand legal issues relating to theconsumption of wine

• produce simple tasting notesusing the Level 1 WSET®

Systematic Approach to Tasting

• offer basic food and winematching advice.

Qualification objectives

On completion of the core units, acandidate will be able to:

• describe in general terms the mainstyles of wines available

• display a basic understanding ofthe factors that determine themain styles of wine

• describe in general terms the maincharacteristics of the principalgrape varieties

• state the procedures for thestorage of wine

Qualification Unit and Element Table

Unit Title Element Element Code Title

Unit OneIntroductionto Wine

1.1

1.2

1.3

Wines by style

Storage and service of wines

Food and wine matching


Progression Routes

WSET® Level 2 Certificatein Wines and Spirits

This qualification offers broadcoverage of all product categoriesin the field of alcoholic drinks,together with a more detailed tastingtechnique.

National Vocational Qualifications(NVQ’s)

The WSET® Level 1 Certificate inWines provides underpinningknowledge for a number of food-anddrink-related NVQ units.

Tracking guides to the appropriateNVQ units are found in the APPHandbook and available from theWSET website (www.wsetglobal.com).

8 The WSET® Level 1 Certificate in Wines continued

Enrolment

There are no restrictions on entryto the WSET® Level 1 FoundationCertificate in Wines. Students whoare under the legal minimum age forthe retail purchase of alcoholicbeverages in the country where theexamination is being held will not beallowed to sample any alcoholicbeverage as part of their course, butthis is not a barrier to successfullycompleting the qualification. Similarly,students who choose not to tastealcohol for health, religious or otherreasons will not find this abarrier to successfully completing thequalification.

Guided Learning Hours

It is recommended that the teachingtime for the programme is no less thansix hours and should be no more thannine.


9Unit One - Introduction to Wine

TYPES AND STYLES OF WINESTypes Light, fortified, sparkling

Styles Colour: white, rosé, redSweetness: dry, medium, sweetBody: light, medium, fullOther factors: oak, acidity, tannin

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE MAIN STYLES OF LIGHT WINESClimate Hot, cool

How wine is made White, rosé, red, use of oak

Principal grape White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rieslingvarieties Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah / Shiraz

STYLE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WINESNamed wines White: Pinot Grigio, Soave, Sancerre, Chablis,

Sauternes Red: Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rioja,ChiantiSparkling: Champagne, Cava

LEVEL 1 WSET® SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO TASTING

Style Colour: red, rosé, whiteCondition: clean – faultySweetness: dry – medium – sweetBody: light – medium – fullFlavour characteristics: fruity – vegetal – spicy – floralOther: acidity – tannin – oak

ELEMENT ONE - WINES BY STYLE

Learning Outcomes1. Identify the main types and styles of wine available.

2. State the factors that determine the main styles of wine.

3. State the main characteristics of the principal grape varieties.

4. Describe the styles and characteristics of wines made from theprincipal grape varieties, using the Level 1 WSET® SystematicApproach to Tasting.

5. Describe the styles and characteristics of the named wines, using theLevel 1 WSET® Systematic Approach to Tasting.

Copyright Wine & Spirit Education Trust 2010


ELEMENT TWO - STORAGE AND SERVICE OF WINES

Learning Outcomes

1. State the correct procedures for the storage of wines.

2. State the service temperatures for the main styles of wines available.

3. State the correct procedures for opening and serving still and sparkling wines.

4. Identify common faults found in wines.

5. State the social, health, safety and legal issues relating to the consumptionof wine.

10 Unit One - Introduction to Wine continued

STORAGE AND SERVICE OF WINEStorage Storage conditions

Service Red, rosé, white, sparkling and fortified winestemperatures

Opening and Still and sparkling wineserving corkscrews, ice buckets, glassware

Common faults Wine faults

SOCIAL, HEALTH, SAFETY AND LEGAL ISSUES

Social Safe consumption of alcoholresponsibility


11

ELEMENT THREE - FOOD AND WINE MATCHING

Learning Outcomes

1. State the basic food and wine matching principles.

2. Match wines by style to the main food considerations.

Unit One - Introduction to Food and Wine Matching

PRINCIPLES OF FOOD AND WINE MATCHINGWine Sweetness, weight (body), flavour intensity and fruit character,considerations acidity, tannins

Food Weight: light, richconsiderations Key flavours: strength, sour, sweet, salt, chilli spice

Methods of cooking:a) poach, steam, boilb) grill, roast, barbecuec) stew, braised) deep fry, shallow fry, stir fry

WINE STYLES

Wines by style Colour: red, rosé, whiteSweetness: dry - medium - sweetBody: light - medium - fullFlavour characteristics: fruity, vegetal, spicy, floralOther: acidity, tannin, oak


12 The WSET® Level 1 Certificate in Wines

To give students an idea of the sort of questions which might be asked, here isa selection. The examination consists of 30 questions similar to these, to becompleted in a maximum of 45 minutes.

Examples of Level 1 Certificate Examination Questions

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust does not release past papers for the WSET®

Level 1 Certificate examination.

The multiple-choice examination papers are carefully compiled to reflect theweighting given to the elements of Unit One. The chart below gives a breakdown ofthe allocation of examination questions to each of the elements of Unit One.

2. What style of wine is Chablis?

a) Dry white.

b) Dry red.

c) Sweet white.

d) Sweet red.

Answers to example questions:

1) d.

2) a.

1. Which of the following wineswould you recommend to acustomer requiring a white wine?

a) Cabernet Sauvignon.

b) Pinot Noir.

c) Syrah.

d) Chardonnay.

Unit Title Element QuestionsTitle per Paper

Unit OneElement 1 Wines by style

Element 2 Storage and service of wine

Element 3 Food and wine matching

Total Questions

13

9

8

30


13Examination Regulations

2 Format and Results

2.1 Candidates will be required to pass asingle-unit examination:

Unit 1: A closed-book examinationthat consists of 30 multiple-choicequestions worth one mark each. Atotal mark of 70% is required toachieve a pass.

2.2 All examination questions are basedon the published learning outcomesand the recommended study materialscontain the information required toanswer these questions correctly.

2.3 Results and Certificates for successfulcandidates will be issued to APPswithin 1 week from receipt of thecompleted scripts.

2.4 WSET® Awards does not offer aegrotatawards, all assessment requirementsof the qualification must be met.

3 Reasonable Adjustments

Examination candidates who have specialexamination requirements, which aresupported by independent written assess-ment, are requested to notify the examina-tions officer at their APP of any suchrequirement at the time of enrolment.Further guidance for examination officersand candidates is available from WSET®

Awards as required.

It is the policy of WSET® Awards that suchcandidates should not be placed at adisadvantage in the examinations.

Candidates are responsible for informingtheir APP before every assessment.

1 Entry Requirements

1.1 Eligibility

1.1.1 Candidates applying to sit the exam-ination must be over the legal mini-mum age for the retail purchase ofalcoholic beverages in the countrywhere the examination is being held,or be preparing for the examinationas part of a recognised full-timeprogramme of study, or haveobtained parental consent.

1.1.2 There are no restrictions on entry tothe Level 1 Foundation Certificate inWines through overlaps with otherqualifications or parts of qualifica-tions.

1.1.3 Students who are under the legalminimum age for the retail purchaseof alcoholic beverages in the countrywhere the examination is being heldwill not be allowed to sample anyalcoholic beverage as part of theircourse, but this is not a barrier tosuccessfully completing the qualifi-cation. Similarly, students whochoose not to taste alcohol forhealth, religious or other reasons willnot find this a barrier to successfullycompleting the qualification.

1.2 Recommended Prior Learning

1.2.1 There are no requirements forcandidates to have previousknowledge or previous experience ofalcoholic beverages.

1.2.2 The indicative levels of literacy andnumeracy required for the examina-tion are as follows:

literacy: Level 1 of the UK basic skillsnational standards, or equivalent

numeracy: Level 1 of the UK basicskills national standards, or equiva-lent.


14 Examination Regulations continued

• any candidate who is suspected ofmisconduct will be advised to leavethe examination hall immediately andtheir examination paper will be sub-mitted to the Examination Panel todetermine its validity and any futureban on sitting papers

• no examination question papers areto be removed from the examinationhall, candidates who fail to submitthe question paper with their answersheet will be deemed guilty of mis-conduct.

5.2 Candidates also agree to abide by theinvigilator’s instructions. Failure to doso may render a candidate’s resultsinvalid.

6 Examination EnquiriesAny queries concerning the results of theLevel 1 Foundation Certificate examina-tions must be put in writing to theAdministrations Manager at the WSET®

within 5 weeks of the date of the examina-tion. Where appropriate, documentationfor the formal feedback, enquiry andappeals process will be forwarded. Anyrequest received outside of this time framewill not be reviewed.

7 WSET® Awards RegulationsWSET® Awards reserves the right to addto, or alter, any of these regulations as itthinks fit.

4 ResitsCandidates may apply to resit if they areunsuccessful. There is no limit on thenumber of attempts that may be made.

Candidates who have passed units are notpermitted to retake them to improve theirgrade.

5 Examination Conditions and Conduct5.1 It is a condition of entry that candi-

dates agree to the following specificconditions:

• the examination is to be completedin a maximum of 45 minutes

• no reference is to be made to anymaterial, in whatever form, other thanthe examination question paper andanswer sheet

• no communication of any kindbetween candidates is permitted

• the use of electronic devices of anykind is prohibited

• the use of dictionaries of any kindis prohibited

• the use of audible “alarms” on anyclock or watch is prohibited

• candidates who arrive after thepublished start time may be allowedto enter the room at the discretion ofthe invigilator and only if other candi-dates are not compromised

• candidates may not leave the roomuntil half the examination time haselapsed

• candidates who complete theexamination/assessment early mayleave the examination room providingthey do not disturb other candidates,no re-admission is permitted

• invigilators have no authority tocomment upon, interpret, or express anopinion on any examination question


Wine and Spirit Education Trust39-45 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF United KingdomEmail: [email protected]: www.wsetglobal.com

© Wine & Spirit Education Trust 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, withoutthe prior permission in writing from the publishers.

Designed and produced by Design Study Limited 020 8763 2582


Wine & Spirit Education TrustInternational Wine & Spirit Centre39-45 Bermondsey StreetLondon SE1 3XF

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7089 3800Fax: +44 (0)20 7089 3847email: [email protected]: www.wsetglobal.com

To obtain a list of Approved Programme Providers (APPs) closest to you whereyou can enrol for a WSET® qualification please see the “Where to Study” pageon the WSET® website: www.wsetglobal.com

To obtain the APP Registration Pack, a copy of our Equal Opportunity Policyand our Customer Service StatementContact John TownleyTel: +44 (0)20 7089 3843email: [email protected]

WSET® ContactsWine & Spirit Education TrustInternational Wine & Spirit Centre • 39-45 Bermondsey Street • London • SE1 3XF • England

For any other enquiriesContact WSET® AwardsTel: +44 (0)20 7089 3840Fax: +44 (0)20 7089 3846email: [email protected]: www.wsetglobal.com

GOLD Patrons

WSET® gratefully acknowledges the support of the following CORPORATE PATRONS in helping to promote excellencein wine and spirit product training and qualifications:

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