specification for the wset level 1 foundation - … · specification for the wset®level 1 award in...

®

FoundationSpecification for the

WSET® Level 1Awardin Wines

www.wsetglobal.com

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

ISSUE EIGHT • JUNE 2011

FCSpec(Wines)11_print_Spirits_Spec04_web 25/05/2011 15:55

Contents

1-6 Introduction

7-8 WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines

9-10 Wine Product Knowledge

12 Example Questions and Assessment Task

13-15 Examination Regulations

16 Notes

This specification contains necessary information for both candidates and programme

providers about the WSET® Level 1 Award 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 Award in Wines

FCSpec(Wines)11_print_Spirits_Spec04_web 25/05/2011 15:55

1

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

FCSpec(Wines)11_print_Spirits_Spec04_web 25/05/2011 15:55 Page 1

2 Introduction

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust QualificationsWSET

®Awards is the

qualifications division of the

Wine & 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 has established a newregulatory authority, the Office of theQualifications and Examinations Regulator(OfQual), which regulates AwardingOrganisations who offer qualifications, theQualifications and Curriculum Framework(QCF). All WSET® qualifications up to Level 3are being submitted for inclusion in the QCF.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines

QCF Level : 1 Accreditation number 600/1504/4

Description : This qualification provides a basic introduction to the main styles of wines available to front-line staff involved in the service or sale of wine. The qualification aims toprovide the basic product knowledge and skills in the storage and service of winesrequired to prepare a person for their first job in wine hospitality or retail.

Qualifications and Curriculum Framework


3Introduction continued

Qualifications and Curriculum Framework continued

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wine Service

Description : This qualification builds on the knowledge and skills taught in the Level 1 Awardin Wines, and shows how these can be used in a restaurant workplace. It isideal for anyone who needs to gain basic skills in wine service, including thosewishing to make their first steps into a career as a sommelier.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Award in Spirits


Description : This qualification provides a basic introduction to the main categories ofspirits 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 Award in Spirits

QCF Level : 2 Accreditation number 600/1507/X

Description : This qualification offers a greater breadth and depth of knowledge in the specificarea of spirits and liqueurs than that offered by the broader-based Level 2Award 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 Award in Wines and Spirits


Description : This qualification offers broad coverage of all product categories in the field ofalcoholic 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.


4 Introduction continued

Qualifications and Curriculum Framework continued

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


Description : The Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits gives more comprehensive coverage of thewines and spirits of the world, with an increased focus on tasting technique.

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

Description : This is a specialist qualification where detailed knowledge is combined withcommercial 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

Description : This is an individual research project, where students can develop higher-levelresearch, 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 Award in Winesdoes not specifically assess any of thekey skills. However, it is consideredthat there are opportunities forstudents to develop certain key skillsand generate evidence for portfoliopresentation.

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 Award in Wines, it is possibleto practice and generate evidence forportfolios in key skills. It should benoted that the opportunities fordeveloping key skills and generatingevidence might be affected by themode of study adopted.

Not all key-skills requirements arecovered by the WSET® Level 1 Awardin Wines. We, therefore, advise thatany student who wishes to completethe key-skills requirements shouldcontact a specialist key-skills advisorwho should be able to give suitableadvice for the completion of tasks.

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 1Award in Wines

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 Statement

The 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 Scheme

For 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.

Please note that these scholarships donot take the form of financial grants tofund studies, but are a recognition ofexamination performance.

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 study pack as part of the courseof study for the WSET® Level 1 Awardin Wines. Tutors who adopt alternativeapproaches to teaching may generatedifferent opportunities for the develop-ment and demonstration of key skills.

Diversity and Equality Policy

WSET® Awards fully supports theprinciple of diversity and equality and isresponsible for ensuring that allcandidates for its qualifications aretreated fairly and on an equal basis.A copy of our diversity and equalitypolicy can be obtained from theCentres Co-ordinator and QualityAssurance Manager, WSET® Awards.

6 Introduction continued


7The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines

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 aims

The Level 1 course is for thosepreparing for, or employees starting,their first job in wine. The course willintroduce them, at a very basic level,to the main styles of wine available,wine storage and service and thematching of food and wine. This willenable students to meet workplace orRealistic Working Environment (RWE)wine service standards and deal withbasic customer enquiries. The courseaims to provide students with productand service information relevant totheir place of employment or study.


Progression Routes

WSET®

Level 2 Award

in Wines and Spirits

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

8 The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines continued

Enrolment

There are no restrictions on entryto the WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines.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 qualifica-tion. Similarly, students who choosenot to taste alcohol for health,religious or other reasons will notfind this a barrier to successfullycompleting the qualification.

Guided Learning Hours

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

Qualification Unit and Learning Outcome Table

Unit Title Learning Outcome Learning Outcome Code Title

Wine Product

Knowledge

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Understand the main types and styles ofwine available

Know how to store wine

Know how to serve wine to customers

Understand the basic principles of food andwine matching

Understand the issues relating to the safeconsumption of wine


9Wine Product Knowledge

Recommended Tasting Samples

Candidates are expected to taste a minimum of six wines including a minimumof two white wines made from the principal white grape varieties stated aboveand a minimum of three red wines made from the principal red grape varietiesstated above.

TYPES AND STYLES OF WINES

Types 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 WINES

Climate 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 WINES

Named wines White: Pinot Grigio, Soave, Sancerre, Chablis,Sauternes Red: Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rioja,ChiantiSparkling: Champagne, CavaFortified: Port, Sherry

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

LEARNING OUTCOME ONE – UNDERSTAND THE MAIN TYPES AND STYLES

OF WINE AVAILABLE

Assessment Criteria

1. Identify the main types and styles of wines available.

2. Identify 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.

Copyright Wine & Spirit Education Trust 2011


LEARNING OUTCOME TWO – KNOW HOW TO STORE WINE

Assessment Criteria

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

LEARNING OUTCOME THREE – KNOW HOW TO SERVE WINE TO CUSTOMERS

Assessment Criteria

1. State the appropriate service temperatures for the main styles of winesavailable.

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

3. Identify common faults found in wines.

10 Wine Product Knowledge continued

STORAGE AND SERVICE OF WINE

Storage Storage conditions

SERVICE OF WINE

Service Red, rosé, white, sparkling and fortified winestemperatures

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

Common faults Wine faults


11

LEARNING OUTCOME FOUR – UNDERSTAND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

OF FOOD AND WINE MATCHING

Assessment Criteria

1. State the basic food and wine matching principles.

2. Match wines by style to the main food considerations of weight,key flavours and method of cooking.

LEARNING OUTCOME FIVE – UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE

SAFE CONSUMPTION OF WINE

Assessment Criteria

1. State the legal issues relating to the consumption of wine.

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

Wine Product Knowledge continued

LEGAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

Social Safe consumption of alcoholresponsibility

PRINCIPLES OF FOOD AND WINE MATCHING

Wine Sweetness, weight (body), flavour intensity and fruit character,considerations acidity, tannins

Food Weight: light, richconsiderations Key flavours: strength, sour, umami, 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 Example Questions and Assessment Task

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 Award Examination Questions

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

Level 1 Award examination.

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

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 Learning Outcome QuestionsTitle Title per Paper

Wine Product

Knowledge 1. Understand the main types and styles of wine available

2. Know how to store wine

3. Know how to serve wine to customers

4. Understand the basic principles of food and wine matching

5. Understand the issues relating to the safe consumptionof wine

Total Questions

13

6

8

3

30


13Examination Regulations

2 Format and Results

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

A closed-book examination thatconsists of 30 multiple-choice questions 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 for successful candidates willbe issued to APPs within 1–2 weeksfrom receipt of the completed 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 of any such requirement beforeevery assessment.

4 Resits

Candidates 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.

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 Award in Wines throughoverlaps with other qualifications orparts of qualifications.

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 barrierto successfully completing thequalification. 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 equivalentlevel of literacy in the language usedfor the examination.

numeracy: Level 1 of the UK basicskills national standards, orequivalent.


14 Examination Regulations continued

• any candidate who is suspected ofmisconduct will be advised to leavethe examination hall immediately andtheir examination paper will besubmitted to the Examination Panelto determine 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 ofmisconduct.

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

5.3 Examination papers submitted formarking become the property ofWSET® Awards and will not bereturned to candidates.

5 Examination Conditions and Conduct

5.1 It is a condition of entry that candi-dates agree to the following specificconditions:

• at the start of the examination allcandidates must supply the invigilatorwith proof of identity in the form ofphotographic ID

• 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 the first 15 minutes of theexamination time have elapsed

• candidates who complete theexamination/assessment early mayleave the examination room up untilthe last 10 minutes providing they donot disturb other candidates, no re-admission is permitted

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


15Examination Regulations continued

7 Student Satisfaction

Should any student have concerns thattheir APP is not providing the service thatthey expect, or is behaving in a way thatis inconsistent with the standards requiredin terms of administration, tuition orexaminations they should first take this upwith their APP. If this does not lead to asatisfactory resolution, students are askedto contact our Quality AssuranceManager, John Townley, by email [email protected]. Please note that allcomplaints will be dealt with confidentially,but WSET® Awards cannot act onanonymous complaints.

8 WSET® Awards Regulations

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

6 Examination Feedback, Enquiries

and Appeals

Candidates requiring feedback and/or anenquiry (re-mark) on their examinationpaper should contact their APP andrequest an Application Form for Feedbackand Enquiries Against Examination Results.The form must be completed andsubmitted to WSET® Awards along with theappropriate fee within 6 weeks of the dateof the examination. Any request receivedoutside of this time frame will not bereviewed. Feedbacks and enquiries will beissued within 1-2 weeks of receipt byWSET® Awards.

Any candidate unsatisfied with the result ofan enquiry of an examination paper shouldcontact the APP and request an Appealagainst Examination Results ApplicationForm, which must be completed andreturned to WSET® Awards, together withthe appropriate fee, no more than 10 working days following notification of theenquiry decision. Appeals received outsideof this time frame will not be reviewed.Appeals will be issued within 1-2 weeks ofreceipt by WSET® Awards.


16 Notes


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

© Wine & Spirit Education Trust 2011

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.

Design and artwork by Design Study Limited 020 8763 2582


To obtain a list of Approved Programme Providers (APPs) closest to you,where you can study or sit an examination, please see the WSET® website: www.wsetglobal.com

To obtain the APP Registration Pack, a copy of our Diversity and Equality Policyand our Customer Service StatementContact John Townley

Tel: +44 (0)20 7089 3843email: [email protected]

WSET® Contacts

Wine & Spirit Education TrustInternational Wine & Spirit Centre • 39-45 Bermondsey Street • London • SE1 3XF • United Kingdom

For any other enquiries, pleasesee the WSET® website:www.wsetglobal.com

or contact WSET® Awards

Tel: +44 (0)20 7089 3840Fax: +44 (0)20 7089 3846email: [email protected]

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

International Wine & Spirit Centre39-45 Bermondsey StreetLondon SE1 3XF

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7089 3800

Fax: +44 (0)20 7089 3847

email: [email protected]

website: www.wsetglobal.com

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

SILVER Patrons

BRONZE Patrons

GOLD Patrons


specification for the wset level 1 foundation - … · specification for the wset®level 1 award in...

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