On May 29, 2007 I sat for the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits through the Washington Wine Academy in Washington DC. As I live two hours south of there I was unable to attend the classes taught by Jay Yeomans, MW. I felt at a disadvantage, for when I was able to attend a couple of the sessions I found them extremely advantageous and educational. For some reason, having someone with confidence and experience explaining a topic such as the hierarchy of German wine classification, makes it easier to comprehend than the book containing exactly the same information.
The WSET program of certification is well known in Britain, but hardly known in the USA. It is often considered a prerequisite for the Master of Wine program. The curriculum therefore, has a significantly Anglocentric slant, with chapters devoted to the wines of the UK and Eastern Europe (Cabernet Sauvignon from Bulgaria represented the largest import of that varietal for the United Kingdom in the mid 1990s), despite their negligible presence on the American market.
I learned of the WSET program through reading Neal Martin's Wine Journal before this fine (as it continues to be) internet publication was absorbed by the Parker Monarchy of Wine Criticism. I wanted to do what Neal Martin was doing, namely tasting and writing about fine wines, so I followed his lead and enrolled in the course.
After fifteen weeks of waiting for the results to arrive, I've discovered that I have passed in the top percentile of my class, earning distinction in both the theory and the tasting components of the test.
Phew!
Next will be the WSET Diploma Program, a two year, extremely intensive and rigorous study of the wine trade. This is the final prerequisite to complete before applying to the MW program.
2 comments:
Jesus, I'm impressed. Well done. The wine cellar is honored to have you!
What Toby said.
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